had been dug in the summer when the country was dry, with no regard to the fact that in winter the water level rises to within two inches of the surface of the ground.  In consequence, the trenches were full of mud and water, and most of the bivouacs and shelters were afloat.  The mud was the worst, for although only two feet deep, yet it was of the clinging variety, and made walking impossible, so much so, that many a man has found it impossible to withdraw his foot, has had to leave his gum-boot behind, go on in his socks, and come back later with a shovel to rescue his boot.  The water was deeper and often came over one’s gum-boots and up to one’s waist, but at least it was possible to walk slowly through it without fear of getting stuck.  To add to the discomfort of the garrison, the weather was bitterly cold and often very wet, and though no Company remained more than 24 hours in the front line, yet that was long enough for many to become chilled and so start the terrible “trench foot.”

“Trench foot,” as it was called, was one of the most terrible afflictions of winter trenches.  After standing for a long period in water or mud, or with wet rubber boots, the feet became gradually numbed and the circulation ceased, while as the numbed area increased a dull aching pain spread over the whole foot.  Exercise to restore the circulation would have prevented this, but for men who were compelled to spend the entire day in one fire bay, exercise was impossible, and by evening the numbness had almost always started.  As soon, therefore, as a Company came from the front line, it marched to the rest house.  Here, every man was given a hot drink, his wet boots and socks were taken away, his feet rubbed by the Stretcher Bearers until the circulation was restored, and then with dry socks and dry boots he remained for the next 24 hours in the warmer atmosphere of the rest house.  Should action not be taken in time, and a man be left for 48 hours with wet boots and socks, the rest house treatment was insufficient, and he had to be sent to Hospital, where, if gangrene had not set in, he could still be cured.  Many in the early days did not realize its dangers, for once gangrene starts, the foot has to be amputated.

The enemy’s trenches were probably as bad as our own, and he only manned his front line at night, leaving a few snipers to hold it by day.  These were active for the first hour or two after morning “stand to,” but then had breakfast and apparently slept for the rest of the day, at all events they troubled us no more.  This was a distinct advantage, for it enabled communication to be kept between posts and from front to rear, without the orderly having either to swim up a communication trench or run a serious risk of being sniped.  One, Kelly, a famous “D” Company character, tried to walk too soon one morning to fetch his rum ration and was hit in the knee, much to his annoyance; but on the whole there were very few casualties.  By night, too, there was not much firing, probably because both sides were hard at work taking up rations, relieving front line posts, or trying to get dry with the aid of a walk “on top.”  In our case, with 24 hour reliefs, there were no ration parties, because each Company as it went to the line took its rations and fuel with it.