[Inserted: 'Special order of the day' message from FM Sir John French] are most welcome & were badly wanted. Artillery duel goes on most of the day. The Germans shelling trenches on both spurs, but nothing further happens. We can see their infantry on a rise about 800 yards off. A cold day but a colder night & very wet in the trenches. Work may still be done in the trenches & went on till the small hours of the morning. A quiet night & no firing. Three or four men hit by shrapnel. 19 September 1914 Tot of rum issued in the early morning. Sets one up. Men wet through a sack full of matches comes in most welcome. Not a match to be had for weeks past. Heard German bombardment in afternoon, but I don't think much damage done. The Germans bring up a field gun into firing line & enfilade a part of the Royal Fusiliers. The latter however