Mon., May 1, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine.
Shortly after midnight the Bn. stood to on account of a Gas attack between VIERSTRAAT and WOLVERGHEM.  Germans entered the Bull RING but were quickly driven out Leave has recommenced, our allotment being 1 Officer, 16 O.R.
Half the Battalion were given an anti-typhoid inoculation –  The dose is a severe one and many of the men are incapacitated in consequence -

Tue., May 2, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine.
Very quiet – men rested most of day – Lieut. J.E.D. Belt has returned from Hospital – Lieut Ardagh has arrived as reinforcement
Supplied working parties of 300 men at night.  Had to use Scouts, Bombers, Signallers, Machine Gunners, and H’qtrs Batmen to make up the required number

Wed., May 3, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine.
Remainder of Battalion were given their anti-typhoid innoculation in a.m.
Sent 12 Bn. Snipers to the II Army School at MONT des CATS to check their sights.

Thu., May 4, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine.
Had a Bn. inspection by O.C. in am – Nos 1 and 3 Coys were off parade on account of the innoculation Bn. moved to DICKEBUSCH in evening – No 3 Coy relieved one Co of 29th Bn in G.H.Q line, the remainder being billeted in DICKEBUSCH.Supplied 200 men for 6th Bde carrying parties – They did not arrive back till daybreak

Fri., May 5, 1916        DICKEBUSCH, BELGIUM
Fine.
DICKEBUSCH and vicinity have been very quiet, more so than at any time for over a month Had 60 men on fatigue building dugouts during the day – 30 on same work at night, and 200 men for carrying parties to front line for 6th Bde No casualties.

Sat., May 6, 1916        DICKEBUSCH, BELGIUM
Fine and Cooler.
All quiet in our vicinity – Same fatigues as yesterday LIEUT. W. HEIGHTINGTON [HEIGHINGTON] arrived as reinforcement, also 12 of our old men returned from Base –

Sun., May 7, 1916        DICKEBUSCH, BELGIUM
Cloudy with Showers
Cool – quiet day – supplied the usual number of fatigue parties, 60 by day, 230 by night

Mon., May 8, 1916         DICKEBUSCH, BELGIUM
Rainy.
Supplied working party of 60 men for Camp Commandant in am-
In evening we relieved the 27th Battalion in the right sector of Divisional area, and came under orders of G.O.C. 6th Brigade – Relief was completed at 10.30 pm without incident. The line was very quiet.

Tue., May 9, 1916        DEAD DOG FARM, BELGIUM
Rainy
This is the quietest day Since activities commenced in ST. ELOI vicinity.
200 men are out on work to improve trenches.  work is slow and difficult on account of wet. Lieut SNIVELY of 35th Battalion is attached for 1 months instruction. Large parties of Huns were seen in the rear of Craters No 2 and 3 and in the vicinity of PICADILLY FARM-  As we had large wiring party on our front and working parties in the front line it was not deemed advisable to molest them.
No Casualties

Wed., May 10, 1916        DEAD DOG FARM, BELGIUM
Fine
Enemy more active again-  In the afternoon from 2 to 3, and again in the evening, our front line, supports and P and O were shelled with 4’1″ and 5’9″.  Our retaliation to afternoon shelling was very weak.  Between 8 and 9 pm our guns were very active in Crater vicinity – The hostile fire ceased.
Enemy is using “Rum Jar” trench mortar bombs at Crater No 1, fortunately his aim is not accurate. Our Machine Gun in C rater No 1 dispersed large working party.

Thu., May 11, 1916        DEAD DOG FARM, BELGIUM
Fine and Mild –
Fairly quiet day – Front line and supports were shelled at intervals during the day – The parapet was destroyed in several places. In the evening and during night parties of Huns were seen passing to and from Crater No 2 – We got 4 rounds of 18 prs on them and were told we could have no more – in spite of the fact that there were large working parties on the enemy front line – The system of asking for all Artillery fire through Brigade seems to be a great mistake as much valuable time is wasted in this way –

Fri., May 12, 1916        DEAD DOG FARM, BELGIUM
Fine.
Enemy Artillery very active-  About 9 pm 8 “Rum Jars” fell in vicinity of Crater No 1-  Hows [Howitzers] were turned on suspected emplacement and annoyance ceased 9.30 front line trenches 13 and 14 were shelled with 4’1” and 5’9” – A couple of direct hits were made on parapet – Our guns took on enemy batteries with apparently good results. At 9.55 enemy got two “Rum Jars” into Crater No 1 besides a large number in that vicinity – several men were wounded, including Lt. W.H. KESLICK, slightly.
At about 1.30 pm we put 7 T.M. Bombs into Crater No 2 which had a good effect – Our heavies retaliated on their front line, supports and battery positions. Enemy working parties were seen on his front, but were not fired upon until after midnight

Sat., May 13, 1916        DEAD DOG FARM, BELGIUM
Rainy –
Comparatively quiet on front line – Had a large number of Shells in vicinity of Headquarters during the afternoon -  Evening was very quiet. The enemy has large working parties on his front line, and is satisfied to leave us alone.

Sun., May 14, 1916        DEAD DOG FARM, BELGIUM
Cloudy with showers –
The Brigadier was in to see us at 4 am – Our front line is still in bad condition and much in need of repair. Were relieved by the 22nd Battalion during the evening, but kept our working parties on till 1.30 am. A great deal of work was done on front line, especially trenches 11 and 12, where the parapet was much strengthened – Enemy very quiet during afternoon and evening –
During the morning a number of Rum Jars were thrown at our front line

Mon., May 15, 1916        DEAD DOG FARM, BELGIUM
Cloudy and Cool.
The greater part of the Battalion did not reach RENINGHELST until 4.30 or 5 am -  Battalion moved into H Camp – No work was carried on, the whole day being devoted to cleaning and resting – Relief completed without any casualties-

Tue., May 16, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine and mild-
Had another off day – Classes in Bombing and M.G. work were commenced-  The men are all in good spirits

Wed., May 17, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine and warm –
Enemy plane passed over in early morning – Uneventful day – Supplied 400 men for fatigues in evening –  Parties returned having suffered two casualties.

Thu., May 18, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine and warm –
An uneventful day – Lieut. W.H. Keslick was taken with violent pain, as a result of a shaking up received in the crater – He was taken to Hospital –

Fri., May 19, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine and warm-
Had 400 men on fatigue in evening – No casualties-

Sat., May 20, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine and warm-
Quiet day.

Sun., May 21, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine and warm-
Quiet day – 400 men on fatigue in evening – No casualties-

Mon., May 22, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine & warm-
Quiet day – 200 men on fatigue in evening – No casualties –
Majors Rorke and Gordon proceeded on leave.

Tue., May 23, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine & warm.
Arrangements have been made whereby Bns in reserve do not have fatigues – An excellent idea.Quiet day.  M.G.S. and Bombers carried out special training

Wed., May 24, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Cloudy with showers-
Played 25th Bn at Football and Baseball in afternoon Bn bombers carried out training at Divisional School

Thu.,  May 25, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine & warm.
Ordinary routine carried out -  Very quiet.

Fri., May 26, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine.
Bn Snipers went to II army school for days practice and to adjust new telescopic sights.  Nothing new occurred.

Sat., May 27, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine and warm.
Usual routine.
Scouts and Bombers worked at Div. School from 8 to midnight, experimenting with “very” lights and patrols.  The patrols should have much greater confidence after this demonstration

Sun., May 28, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine & warm –
Divine Service in a.m.  Capt CARLYSLE of 18th Bn officiating –

Mon., May 29, 1916        RENINGHELST, BELGIUM
Fine –
Sgt. Simpson, Ptes Graham, Hinds, and Templeton were tried by F.G.C.M.
Had a concert for Bn at Y.M.C.A. in evening.

Tue., May 30, 1916        THE BLUFF, BELGIUM
Rain in am.  Fine in aft.Relieved the 4th CDN BN in the BLUFF trenches  from CANAL north – 5th CIB on our right – 3rd CDN BN on our left.
Had train from RENINGHELST to DICKEBUSCH. Relief completed at 1.30 am without casualties.  There is a great amount of rifle and M.G. fire.

Wed., May 31, 1916        THE BLUFF, BELGIUM
Fine.
Quiet day – Sniping very active.
Capt F.E. MORKILL, M.G. Officer slightly wounded in a.m. 1 O.R. killed.
Working parties of 18th Bn were on our front.

[Note transcriber: War Diary for this month signed by Capt. Jas. K. Bertram, Adjutant of the 20th Bn..]

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