During the winter of 1914-15 the trenches were just like canals of
sloppy mud, and dug-outs were always falling in. To repair the dug-outs
pit-props were used, but they often had to be carried great distances
up communication trenches, and were very difficult to handle. The most
popular way to carry a prop was to rest one end on the left shoulder of
one man and the other end on the right shoulder of the man behind.
On one occasion the leading man was short and fat, and the rear man was
tall and thin. Suddenly the front man slipped and the prop fell down
in the mud and splashed the thin man from head to foot. To add to his
discomfort the little fat man gave a hearty laugh.
"Can't see anything to larf at, mate," said the mud-splashed hero,
looking down at himself.
"I'm larfing," said the little fat Cockney, "'cos I've just remembered
that I tipped the recruiting sergeant a bloomin' tanner to put me name
down fust on his list so as I'd get out here quick."--_A. L. Churchill
(late Sergt., Worcs. Regt.), 6 Long Lane, Blackheath, Staffs._
He Met Shackleton!
The troops in North Russia, in the winter of 1918-19, were equipped
with certain additional articles of clothing designed on the same
principles as those used on Antarctic expeditions. Among these were
what were known as "Shackleton boots," large canvas boots with thick
leather soles. These boots were not at all suitable for walking on hard
snow, being very clumsy, and they were very unpopular with everyone.
The late Sir Ernest Shackleton was sent out by the War Office to give
advice on matters of clothing, equipment, and so on. When he arrived at
Archangel he went up to a sentry whose beat was in front of a warehouse
about three steps up from the road, and said to him, "Well, my man,
what do you think of the Shackleton boot?"
To this the sentry replied: "If I could only meet the perishing
blighter wot invented them I'd very soon show----"
Before he could complete the sentence his feet, clad in the ungainly
boots, slipped on the frozen snow, and slithering down the steps on
his back, he shot into Sir Ernest and the two of them completed the
discussion on Shackleton boots rolling over in the snow!--_K. D.,
Elham, near Canterbury._