Gravenstafel Ridge - April 24, 1915
I jolt awake. The rumble of fighting can be heard off to the north. The enemy is active tonight.George is beside me, asleep. The butt of his rifle props up his head. The rest of his body is curled tightly into a ball, partly to stay warm and partly to keep his feet out of the water that spans the length of the trench. Beside George is Alex. His back rests against the trench wall. His head is tilted skyward; his eyes are wide open. The stars are brilliant.
I turn my head ever so slowly from side to side and watch the rhythmic displays of misted breath emanate from each man. This display of life soothes me, so much so that I remain oblivious to the damp and the mud. The rumble to the north stops. I glance at my watch – 3:00 am.
I jolt awake again, this time a result of a nudge from George. The command to stand-to has made its way to me. I lean over to the other man beside me and continue the command chain. I reach into my pocket, remove my handkerchief and wipe my brow. I glance at my watch – 4:00 am.
I squint as the sky lights up in dazzling red. For a brief moment my mind drifts back to the fireworks display of last July. Then, instinctively, I throw my body against the trench wall and await the flare’s premonition.
As if on cue, the deafening whistle of artillery fire fills the air. Dirt and men fly in all directions as chunks of parapet succumb to force. I inch upward and look for a position in which to fire. A hand, exhumed by the shells, juts out from a newly formed wall. For reasons unknown to me I shake the hand. Then, with thought on my side, I pull my hand away. This is not a gentleman’s war I think to myself.
Gingerly, I lift my head over the parapet only to be greeted by a cloud of greenish-yellow vapour. I gasp in surprise. Immediately my lungs begin to burn. I fall back to the trench floor and struggle to raise myself. My eyes are shut in reflex, opening only occasionally to watch the other men writhe in pain. I cannot get enough air. Each breath worsens the agony. I lie helpless, drowning. “My God the infantry!” I say to myself. “The infantry! Get up!”