In March 1917 we held the front line trenches opposite a sugar refinery
held by the Germans. We got the order to stand to as our engineers were
going to blow up a mine on the German position.
Up went the mine. Then Fritz started shelling us. Shells were bursting
above and around us. A piece of shrapnel hit a Cockney, a lad from
Paddington, on his tin hat.
When things calmed down another Cockney bawled out, "Lumme, that was a
near one, Bill." "Blimey, not 'arf," was the reply. "If I 'adn't got my
chin-strap dahn I'd 'ave lost my blooming washing-bowl."--_E. Rickard
(late Middlesex Regt.), 65 Apsley End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts._