Letter
Corporal Henry Gregory on the state of the trenches in November 1917
This was the winter when the trenches gave way and fell in. What a state they were in; they
were two or three feet in water and mud. We were always soaked well above the knees, and
plastered in mud. We had to sleep and stand about all day in this condition. The discomforts
at this time were terrible, and can hardly be realised by those who were not there.
It was hard work going up the trenches while they were in this condition, the water swishing
above your knees, and your boots slipping about in the slime underneath. We used to get on
the
parapet
when we got the chance, as it was slow moving down in the water and mud, but
the order came through that no one was to walk on top of the
parapet.
This they made a crime.
Describe the trenches as portrayed in this letter.
(Requires Sentence)
Why would the men walk on the parapet?
(Requires Sentence)
Why do you suppose this was forbidden?
(Requires Sentence)
