whole winter, and our first thought was, therefore, how to make the
trenches somewhat more habitable. It was obvious that digging was out of
the question, and that nothing less than a large breastwork, built
entirely above ground, would be of any use. General Kemp visited the
lines several times before finally deciding on his plan, and then
sighted two works, the front a few yards behind our present front line,
the second just behind what was called the "old British Line," now used
for our supports. It was a gigantic task, and the work was very slow,
even though every available man worked all night. The inside of the
breastwork was to be revetted with frames of woodwork and expanded
metal, and, in order that the parapet might be really bullet proof, the
soil for it had to be dug from a "borrow pit" several yards in front.
The soil was sticky and would not leave the shovel, which added terribly
to the work; for each man had literally to dig a shovel full, walk five
or six yards and deposit it against the revetting frames. Fortunately
for us the Boche did not seem to object to our work, in any case he left
us in peace each night.

While this was in progress, an effort was also made to try and drain the
area. In many places water was lying, held up by sandbag walls and old
trenches, actually above the ground level, and it was hoped that by
cleaning ditches and arranging a general drainage scheme for the whole
area, this surplus water might be drained off, and, in time, the whole
water level lowered. Lieut. A.G. Moore, M.C., who returned from England
at this time, was made "O.C. Drainage," and set to work at once with
what men he could collect, but so big were the parties working on the
breastworks each night, that only a very few could be spared for this
other work, and not very much could be done.

Soon after Lieut. Moore, 2nd. Lieut. G.B. Williams also returned to us,