No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]

21st: The work on the trench line is progressing satisfactorily though we are hung up somewhat for want of material or rather for want of system in bringing this up to the tunnel line.

The material goes up by Railway, but owing to the complete lack of organisation or system the material does not arrive at DIVISIONAL DUMP, BRAY till 6-7 pm and by that time the 1st train for the trenches has started with the rations. The result is the material does not arrive up at the trenches till about 11 or 12 midnight when half the working night has gone.

Moreover, the OC Corps Railway refuses to split up the train so that all the material for night goes to one sector, while the others starved – Very hard to push on with the work in the tunnels at this rate of things.

The water system is working will. This goes up in barrels by the Railway. We have water stations in the ROUTE DE BETHUNE and at the QUARRIES near TALUS DES ZOUVRES. A new water station is being prepared at the southern end of the QUARRIES to serve the right sector trenches.

The weather is improving and the ground beginning to dry up. A system of working parties has been arranged by which Battalions at rest furnish 2 Companies for work on their sector of the trench line on the 3rd & 4th night of their rest.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

Talus des Zouaves was a valley that was deep and narrow enough to afford protection from shell fire, even though it was within 500 yards of the front line. From the Talus a main communication trench, the Boyau Vincent, lead to the support line and Battalion Headquarters.