It was on H.M. monitor _General Wolfe_, my first ship, and this was my
first taste of actual warfare.
We were lying anchored off the Belgian coast, shelling an inland
objective with our 18-in. gun, the ammunition for which, by the way,
was stowed on the upper deck.
All ratings other than this gun's crew were standing by for "action
stations." Just then the shore batteries opened fire on us. The first
shot fell short, the next went over.
A Cockney member of my gun's crew explained it thus: "That's wot they
calls a straddle," he said. "They finds our range that way--one short,
one over, and the next 'arf way between. Got a 'bine on yer before it's
too late?"--_Regd. W. Ayres (late A.B., R.N.), 50 Lewisham High Road,
New Cross, S.E. 14._