We were out at rest in an open field on the Somme front when one
morning, about 5 a.m., our cook, Alf, of Battersea, was preparing the
company's breakfast. There was bacon, but no bread. I was standing
beside the cooker soaking one of my biscuits in the fat.
Suddenly a Jerry airman dived down towards the cooker, firing his
machine gun. I got under the cooker, Alf fell over the side of it,
striking his head on the ground. I thought he was hit. But he sat up,
rubbing his head and looking up at Jerry, who was then flying away.
"'Ere!" he shouted, "next time yer wants a dip in the fat, don't be
so rough."--_H. A. Redford (late 24th London Regt.), 31 Charrington
Street, N.W.1._