Letter from Charles to Dorothy, 14 May 1915

Watkins Dugout, Beach
14 May 1915

I am just down at the beach and have had tea with Capt. Watkins. I got a graze on top of the head from a bullet at 1:30pm today but it is only slight so am going back tonight. The base hospital dressed it for me and the bandages make it look worse than it is. I intend having a having a rest and good sleep tonight as I have my valise now and have just changed my clothes and had a wash. I had my clothes and boots on for 11 days continuous without a wash.

We have a very tiring time in the trenches and I was three nights without sleep on duty each night and by jove it was cold. I sleep in my overcoat and now have a blanket. I was very lucky today if the bullet was only a little lower it would have been goodbye.... I only have a slight headache but will be fit again tomorrow... There are a large number of dead in front of our trenches and we can't bury them as the minute you show yourself up there are bullets all round you, saome of our chaps are very game and they give the snipers something to go on with. They... fire rapidly all night long and bullets flying in all directions...