Eddie and I bunked together on and off over two years, when he was doingthe 'spiffy' job as platoon signaler he often got to bunk in the moresalubrious HQ bunker. This photo was taken early in 52 when we were on'The bowling alley', as can be seen cramped and basic conditions were theorder of the day. Charlie was just across the valley on four hills calledMathew, Mark, Luke and John (227).

The poncho hanging at the doorway wasto keep the weather out and the light in (after dark). The men were soattuned to react even though asleep, they would wake instantly whensomeone touched the poncho; which happened when it was their turn to bewoken for picket duty at night.

Outside the door a small tunnel turnedsharply into the main trench and the fighting pit. Most depended oncandles for lighting in their foxhole, some of the people higher up thesocial scale had lanterns. Bunks were always cut into the wall during thisperiod, and if lucky a few beer boxes were scrounged to use for furniture.Pegs were driven into the wall and equipment hung on them, firstly to keepit out of your way; secondly to keep it dry if the hole was filling withwater during rainy spells.

Such times saw us sitting crouched up on the bunk, watching the water level rise and cursing our ill fortune.