Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-09-21

memorable second battle of Ypres,
with the first use of gas by the Ger
mans.
Works Under Ypres' Fire.
The battle was not over when the
sapper's company moved up near
Ypres. They laid out the material for
some work allotted to the platoon to
which he belonged. Following this,
they commenced making formation for
the roads. They completed the task as
far as construction work was con-
cerned during May. Then followed a
move nearer to Ypres.
Here we were instructed to make
sufficient dugouts to shelter the whole
of the company in the event of the
enemy's shell fire. When the forma-
ton took us nearly to Ypres the shell
fire began to get very dangerous. The
shells usually came over just after we
had visit from enemy aircraft"
In the month of August there was
another move, "and here for little
while we were occupied with route
marches and daily drills and other odd
jobs. Then we were taken out to GER
tain points by motor lorries every
morning to construct light railway
near village, the buildings and cot
tages Of which were a mass of ruins
by the enemy shells. Our platoon COM
menced the construction of this line,
and were exposed to shell fire every
day. This line was completed about
three weeks after our arrival.
Reached by Shell Fire.
"Our job was situated in spot
where people were living within a mile
of the trenches. I do not think that
have seen dwelling houses occupied
so near the firing line as at that point.
Both platOons were subjected to rifle
and shell fire at intervals. On one or
two occasions we had to abandon work
and go back to the train. Our duties
in this locality were particularly dan
gerous, owing to the fact that we were
practically surrounded by batteries of
our own artillery and the enemy's
guns, assisted by his aircraft were
continually sending over shells to put
these batteries out of action. During
the months we were there our officers,
Captain - and Lieutenant -,
carried out their duties in a very
praiseworthy manner and were very
keen on the welfare of the men,"
Sapper Blank then records a narrow
escape on the last day of this job. at
was about the nearest shave l ever ex-
perienced in France. The enemy sent
over five or six six-inch shrapnel shells
two Of which burst about five yards
above my head. I was seated with six
others, having lunch. The shells came
over in quick succession all around
us and we considered ourselves very
lucky when we gathered our wits to-
gether and found that none of us was
any the worse for it,"
More work in different places is de-
scribed in detail, which brings the
diary up to Christmas, 1915.
"The officers of the company did
their best to make Christmas as pleas
ant as possible for us and the occu-
pants Of each living van were provided
with an equal share of good things by
their generosity" The captain made q
Christmas speech to the men and the
diarist records that he said, "This
company has been indented for much
bigger job than. 1t Is q distinct
compliment to the company, and have
no doubt that you will all do your best
to carry out the work in the appointed
time"
Then there follows a description of
the town where the bigger job" is to
take place. The sapper tells us about
the old buildings here. "On New
, Years day we started to work and we
were informed by the captain that
part Of the construction was to be
ready in two months" The work was
finished in record time, though the lat.
ter part of the JOB was hindered by
floods.