Lives of the First World War

known 14th April 1915

April 14th I did not after all spend a peaceful night in Bayswater. About 8.45 pm just as I had settled down to sleep, congratulating myself on having escaped fatigues and guard, I heard Sergeant Lambert’s voice: ‘Pickett!” I’m sorry but a messenger has come to fetch an orderly to sleep at headquarters. You will go.” I should think we traversed a mile of curly, crinkly communication trenches, very narrow and badly paved, in pitch darkness. I slipped and slid and bumped against the sides; once I went over the ankles in water. I found the distance, as the crow flies, to be about 300 yards, but by trench almost a mile. Found that I had to sleep in “Petit Riche”, Artillery Row, with two orderlies and two officers’ servants. I was in a very bad temper and very sleepy, so put my pack against the wall, leant against it and tried to sleep. Spent the night with the firewood in my pack digging into the small of my back; very cold. Hear I have spent the day. I cooked sausage and bacon for breakfast on my patent stove and had some decent tea. I was not required all day. Have been sitting about here, smoking, reading, and listening to the artillery duel. German shells aimed at the Brewery, have been passing overhead at about 3-4 minute intervals all the morning; one hears the report, then almost at once the whistling rush of the shell, then the concussion. Our guns replying. At present there is a complete silence save the twittering of birds. Curious thing happened yesterday. Pettman and I had been out shopping (strange occupation on active service to sit at table d’hote dinner and buy all sorts of luxuries, biscuits, bread, sausages, raisins etc.) before going into action again!) and on the way “home” again a man said as I passed: “Hullo Pickett!” I was staggered to see C.F. Wallis, OS in the 2Oth County of London [Charles Frank Wallis from Lamberhurst – probably at Skinners School 1904-1911). We had a hand-shake and a chat and parted. Shelling started again; it was on a lull. Sometimes I cannot realize that it is I who am experiencing these things. I fear getting wounded, yet think I shall emerge unharmed. Juts as I had written this a brisk bombardment was started by the Germans. Saw shrapnel bursting in groups of three on what I think were fire trenches. One or two near us now. Devil of a row. In a beastly funk. Later - quieted down a bit now; feel hot. 8.15 pm Back in billets in the Distillery; hot tea. Am still platoon-orderly and have to go round to-night with Mr. Bates at 9.30 O’clock. 11.15 pm Back at xxx in the School. Net result of the 48 hours: plenty of experience, three wounded, no dead. Been wandering around everywhere today. Distillery, Cheyne Walk, Artillery Row, up to the firing line to find Crofts and about two dozen times to Mr Bates. Had dinner at xxx. Then to corner of Bayswater for Guard; was relieved at 4.30pm a rotten sniper there. Marched back to Bethune; glad to get a blanket again. Must sleep.

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