3rd December to 7th December 1917 Monday to Friday
Back up the line
All material produced or reproduced here and throughout this work is the sole copyright of the author and the family of Doctor D.C.M. Page MC
“We returned to the front line on the 3rd December, being shelled very badly on the way up. We went back to Erquinghem for 4 days on the 7th.”
As if resuming the mundane routine of the working week, Douglas and his men of the 13th Btn., RWF headed back to work. Work of course was fighting the German army from the cover of the trenches, but unlike those at home heading for the mines, factories and mills etc., Douglas and his men went to work under heavy shellfire.
Uncomfortable at Streaky Bacon Farm, the move along the road to Artillery Farm could have been another life saver for Douglas. Although Streaky Bacon is clearly marked, could it be that “Artillery Farm” was actually Gunner Farm? Look at the map to see that it’s in the right vicinity.
1917 map showing Streaky Bacon Farm and Gunner Farm to its right. British trenches bottom right. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland. https://maps.nls.uk/index.html
The modern view, Streaky Bacon on the left Gunner Farm on the right
Find out about our connection with Dr Page and an introduction to his diary here