224 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



that great credit was due for the way in which we had got 

 under the evening sniping on our front. They had the best of 

 it to begin with, but we have only had two men hit by snipers 

 since we came in (though we have had many hit by shells and 

 shrapnel-fire), and they were both on the first day, and we have 

 knocked over thirteen of them. There is a lot of shelling going 

 on. I am at present working under Lord Dunmore. 



" We have a man coming out to stay with us who will have 

 some money to spend on the men for games and things. We 

 shall be glad of his help. Yesterday the Editor of the West- 

 minster Gazette and his wife came out to visit our camp. He was 

 very much struck with all our arrangements, and he is starting 

 a fund in his paper for providing amusements and games for our 

 men. 



" Did I tell you that General Maxwell called me out and 

 thanked me personally for the assistance which the Major told 

 him I had given him ? I was rather bucked, though I don't 

 know that I have done anything particular here. . . . 



" General Woodhouse has been round to inspect the Com- 

 pany. He congratulated the Major and the staff on the ' splen- 

 did work done in camp and the tone of the men ' (his own 

 words), so we feel rather pleased about it. 



" One of the doctors and I are digging in our spare time a 

 6 X 6 X 6 ft. sunk pit for an officers' bath-tent. The ground is 

 gravel and flint, so it takes some getting through." 



In May, 1916, Captain Benton writes to his friend. Major 

 TuUock : 



" Hd. Qn. 51st Imp. Bgde., 



"21. 5. 16. 

 "... I have been trying to write to you for quite a long 

 time but have had no chance. You may guess what it has been 

 like when I tell you that I was thirty-one days in the trenches 

 at the final." 



Then, evidently referring to some leave he might have had, 

 but did not take, he continues : 



" I did not want to be away, as the Boches attacked on each 

 side of us, and as we were expecting to be relieved it seemed 

 likely they would have a go at us. However, they made a 



