After St. Eloi: A letter home.

A hundred years ago Lieutenant William Stewart McKeough wrote this letter outlining his and the Battalion’s experiences:

Belgium 15/5/16

My Dear Mother, Daddy, and Grant:

It is some time since my last writing. We moved from here to another camp for a 3-day date before going into the line & until now have had no opportunity of settling down. We are exceeding short handed in officers & with Ed Shuttleworth on leave & only one other officer in my company, was kept fairly busy… A week ago tonight[i] in the pouring rain we moved into the trenches in the same old spot. In the past 2 weeks the activity has been settling down gradually to normal although something may start up at any time & during our tour we were well warmed up on several accommodations. We have had wet weather during the week so that the trenches, still mere ditches have provided us wretched accommodation. However, Saturday night we were relieved in front line. I came out to make arrangements & dispositions etc. about 9 p.m. only to find that owing to a rush order had to return & take charge of some work with a couple of hundred men. Consequently got out at daybreak & after pinching a meal turned in about 4 a.m. back in reserve trenches. Sunday night marched 2 miles waited 1 1/2 hours in rain for train that carried us 3 1/2 miles. Then a walk of a 1 1/2 mile to this camp where we arrived about 3 a.m. & caught some hours of good sleep & have rested well today. It may seem the first time we have been given a lift on the new track which is first rate & at no point nearer than 3 miles to the front trenches, I don’t suppose.

[i] The War Diary entry on that date reads: “Battn. in A camp. 12 noon Battn. moved to I camp RENIGHELST. Clothing parade and fatigue of 8 officers and 350 men out during night. 1 o.r. admitted to Hospital. 8 o.r. returned from Hospital. LT. COL. WIGLE proceeded on leave. MAJOR MILLIGAN assumed command.”