The trenches on the Somme were very deep and up to our knees in mud,
and we were a pretty fine sight after being in the front line several
days over our time.
I shall never forget the night we passed out of the trenches--like a
lot of mud-larks. The O.C., seeing the state we were in, ordered us to
have a bath. We stopped at an old barn, where the R.E.'s had our water
ready in wooden tubs. Imagine the state of the water when, six to a
tub, we had to skim the mud off after one another!
Just as we were enjoying the treat, Jerry started sending over some of
his big stuff, and one shell took the back part of the barn off.
Everybody began getting out of the tubs, except a Cockney, who sat up
in his tub and shouted out, "Blimey, Jerry, play the blinkin' game.
Wait till I've washed me back. I've lorst me soap."--_C. Ralph (late
Royal Welch Fusiliers), 153d Guinness Buildings, Hammersmith, W.6._