184 sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



drawback is we are either too hot or too cold. When the fire 

 is going it is hke an oven, and when it is out it is hke an ice- 

 house. You can't do a great deal of work here. It is really a 

 sort of rest-cure." 



March 10. — " Our dug-out is at the end of about a mile of 

 dug-outs. Outside there is a duck-walk and then water, so 

 everyone passes within six feet of our door, and a great many 

 look in and pass the time of day. I saw an air-fight quite close 

 which I am sorry to say ended unfavourably for us. They can't 

 all end well, I suppose. Our man manoeuvred very well, but 

 he had a faster machine against him." 



March 14. — " We hand over this dug-out in the morning. 

 I shan't be sorry to have a bath. We are not allowed to take 

 our clothes off up here, and I have not had mine off for over a 

 week. One really gets used to anything. It is rather nice to 

 get out of bed, shake yourself like a dog, and go out. My hair 

 feels awfully funny, just like pigs' bristles. The Colonel is very 

 keen — and rightly so — on the men and the officers having their 

 hair cut with clippers, so I have fallen into line. It feels very 

 nice and cool." 



March 19. — " General Sir H. Plumer came over to-day to 

 attend the Parade Service, and wished all units to be there . . . 

 about two thousand men in the open. The band has not come 

 here, and all I could raise was a piano, and the music was a 

 distinct failure. The distance was too great. Two thousand 

 men in a square take a lot of room, and you can't keep the 

 singing together. I quite enjoy camp-life, and we are really and 

 truly a very happy family. The tent here is a Y.M.C.A. There 

 are two ladies, and a certain number of men, civilians, whom I 

 don't like seeing here. Some of them look as if they might be 

 doing other things. They say they have all been passed as 

 unfit." 



April 17. — " One of the mess sergeants brought in some 

 papers last night. The Colonel asked who they were for. 

 ' They are all the Rector's,' said the man, so apparently that is 

 my name among the Tommies. . . . 



" My beautiful long boots were hanging up outside the 

 dug-out to-day and they were completely spoilt by a piece of 



