This is an extract from Arthur Linfoot’s own transcription of his diary, written in 1976.

Dull damp morning. Rumour that four men of the 104th ambulance that relieved us at the chateau were killed by one shell. No longer standing by. Walked to Ribemont with Walsh and Lee after tea and had eggs and chips. Rained and got wet. Turned in about nine, but kept awake by noisy argument between Forrest and his pals on football until about eleven. Watched rats playing about in the roof of barn all day.