Over the top

I went over the top on three or four occasions as a brigade signaler with the 2nd wave of infantry. So I saw quite a lot of action, particularly at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and Passchendaele. Vimy Ridge, I’ll never forget Vimy Ridge. We had to wait for 20 minutes til the first wave went over and I was, had some signal equipment, telephone, some wire and the officer said, “You might as well lay those down, put those down, until we go over the top,” so I did. And I was yarning with this chap from Vancouver who was with the (inaudible) regiment. One of the nicest fellas I think I ever met. I was immediately attracted to him and we were yarning away. Then our officer said, “One minute to go, pick up your equipment.” And I bent down to pick up the telephone, and just then there was an explosion overhead, and there was a “suck” on the trench beside me. And I was just going to say, “My goodness, that was close.” When I turned around to this chap, he was sagging down in the trench. There was nothing left but his lower jaw. His whole head had been carried off. That’s the reason I remember Vimy Ridge.