The 8th KORL are relieved from their duty in the trenches east of Monchy and spend a couple of days resting and cleaning near Arras.
On the 4th they move back to trenches on Brown Line near Chapelle de Feuchy.
On the night of the 5th/6th May Reggie writes a letter to his sister, Helen, describing meeting their brother, Donald of the 4th SAI, probably during the day of the 5th May. You can read the full letter in the “More” page of this entry.
On the 12th, the 8th KORL attacked Devil’s Trench to the East of Arras and North of Monchy-le-Preux in order to secure their positions at Monchy. The action was not a success after being met with heavy rifle fire and many losses.
The Germans retaliated with heavy bombardment of Monchy on the 13th and 14th and then the 8th KORL were relieved and moved back to west of Arras where the cookers provided breakfast.
The 8th KORL moved further west of Arras where they stayed for 2 weeks rest and recovering. They received a letter of appreciation from Brigadier-General Porter, GOC of the 76th Brigade, for their efforts at Monchy and Guémappe.
Reggie’s letter to Helen
Reggie’s letter describes Donald’s close shave with a bomb in Arras. He also describes the horror of life in the trenches and various financial arrangements he wishes to make in order to take care of their mother, Alice Hunt.
The General has again put me in for a D.S.O. & I’m big enough not to be even grateful…. I don’t want a D.S.O. I do long for a Legion of Honour.
Donald goes up tonight, just on our left, to a badly straffed place like this salubrious village.
He ends with “Please send me weekly butter… we howl for butter.”
Night of the 5th/6th May 1917
From a trench to the east of Arras
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