Whilst on the Somme in October 1916 my pal Mac (from Notting Hill)
and myself were sent forward to a sunken road just behind Les Boeufs
to assist at a forward telephone post which was in communication with
battalion H.Q. by wire and with the companies in the trenches by runner.
During the night a false "S O S" was sent up, and our guns opened
out--and, of course, so did the German guns--and smashed our telephone
wire.
It being "Mac's" turn out, he picked up his 'phone and went up the
dug-out steps. When he had almost reached the top a big shell burst
right in the dug-out entrance and blew "Mac" back down the stairs to
the bottom, bruised, but otherwise unhurt.
Picking himself up slowly he removed his hat, placed his hand over his
heart, and said, gazing round, "Back to the old 'ome agin--and it ain't
changed a bit."--_A. J. West (late Corpl., Signals), 1/13th London
Regt., 212 Third Avenue, Paddington, W.10._