October 23, 1916
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A very damp cold day. Pitched a few more tents and took in a lot of sick during the day mostly colds due to exposure. For myself I finished off some letters to catch the first available mail and later went for a walk through the remains of a wood near by. It was in an indescribable state of destruction, being littered with all the refuse of battle. Vast dugouts and trenches ran in all directions, many of which were destroyed.
Bombs, shells, cases, duds, etc. were everywhere most noticeable being a few 9 inch shells of our own which had not exploded. Shell holes were so close as to intersect one with the other. This was the wood which delayed our advance after the taking of Fricourt and I could well appreciate its strength. Not a great deal of shelling and very few over our way. The 12 inch naval gun alongside us spoke rarely, but is easily the most noisy of any of the guns.