In the Salient, 1916: Alf, who owned a Crown and Anchor board of great
antiquity, had it spread out on two petrol cans at the bottom of a
shell-hole.
Around it four of us squatted and began to deposit thereon our dirty
half and one franc notes, with occasional coins of lesser value. The
constant whistle of passing fragments was punctuated by the voice
of Alf calling upon the company to "'ave a bit on the 'eart" or
alternately "to 'ave a dig in the grave" when a spent bullet crashed
on his tin hat and fell with a thud into the crown square. "'Struth,"
gasped Alf, "old squarehead wants to back the sergeant-major." He
gave a final shake to the cup and exposed the dice--one heart and two
crowns. "Blimey," exclaimed Alf, "would yer blinkin' well believe it?
Jerry's backed a winner. 'Arf a mo," and picking up the spent bullet
he threw it with all his might towards the German lines, exclaiming,
"'Ere's yer blinking bet back, Jerry, and 'ere's yer winnings."
He cautiously fired two rounds.--_G. S. Raby (ex-2nd K.R.R.C.),
Shoeburyness, Essex._