Thurs. May 3 -

About three o'clock next morning, the big barrage began and lasted a good two hours with steady firing all forenoon. The noise of guns etc. was tremendous. Our gun went out of action rather early in the game, but gun next us fired over 700 rounds that morning. The range was increased quite abit and our infantry made a good advance but lost many men. Bits of shrapnel were occasionally dropping around us and about ten o'clock R.A. Macdonald was hit by a piece just below ear in side of neck. A rough jagged hole was made and blood gushed out - a horrible sight. We thought at first he was done for but doctor soon patched him up and he was carried away to a dressing station. The worst with the shrapnel, we heard no sound and first thing I knew Charlie cries out "Oh! poor Mac. I am afraid he is done for." Two more gunners came up from wagon lines in forenoon, and a couple up here transferred to another sub. Firing was pretty steady all afternoon and evening. At night, I got very little sleep as there were several calls. We all slept right next the gun when we could. I got a couple of letters in mail. Ammunition is brought up each night but an awful lot is used.