In November, 1917, the Canadian artillery battery that includes gunner Harry Whitfield Mollins has advanced into Belgium from northwestern France. In his November 9 diary page, he indicates that his unit is billeted in a building--instead of in dugouts near the guns--quite a distance from "the position" where the battery's big cannon are based.
He describes the depressing area and his grim feelings in the two days before his birthday. Friday, November 9: "This is an awful, desolate looking country. It is all torn up by shell fire. There are several tanks lying around out of action."
Then:
Saturday, November 10, 1917 Weather: Rain
Left the billets this morning at 7.30 for the guns. Arrived at 9 oclock. We were firing steadily nearly all day. "Fritz" [the German artillery] dropped some around pretty close & made us take cover several times. Raining all day. The mud is something fierce. All the shell holes are full of water. I am wet thru & coated with mud. Am disgusted with everything. Shall be glad when tomorrow morning comes. There is a steady stream of traffic on this road & the road is lined with dead horses and mules.
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Sunday, November 11, 1917 Weather: Showers
Were relieved this morning at 9 A.M. Was never so thankful for anything in my life. Was wet thru & coated with mud from head to foot. Returned to billets & turned in for a sleep. Stayed in bed all day. We fired 240 rounds during our twenty-four hours duty This is my twenty-second birthday. Spent my last birthday in England and the one before that in Canada. Where shall I spend the next? I hope in Canada.
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