, I should like you to send 1 lb. of candles
and some cubes. The candles are used for boiling water or
tea, etc., in the trenches, and it is the only way we can
get anything hot. Of course anything in the way of food is
acceptable, but I can understand that you have enough to do
without extra trouble and expense. Anyway, should any kind
friends wish to send, please let them do so.

"We are two miles from trenches, and shall be going in on
Sunday. A few shells are knocking round, but we take no
notice and sleep well. Well, don't worry. We are in
comfortable billets and with very decent fellows, and they
have shared their bread, etc., with us."

I shall not attempt to picture Sydney Baxter's daily life in the
terrible salient of Ypres in any detail, but that I may prove my words
that he was a typical soldier let me quote just one letter received at
this time.

"MY OWN DEAR MOTHER,

"I have not been able to write before as we have just come
out of the trenches after being there since Monday. Thanks
very much for sweets and letters. They are very acceptable
indeed. Thanks for P.O. We have now been paid, and so shall
be all right. Chocolates, handkerchiefs, etc., are fine.
Neither George nor I felt anything peculiar when coming
under fire as I expected we should. We were all right in the
trenches, which are very good indeed. They are a bit
different to what I expected, but of course they vary. It
seems to me safer to be in the trenches than out; however,
it is bad luck if you are hit. No one was killed in our
company all the time we were in, and only three wounded, so
you will see there is not much to worry about; and with some
pay and parcels which I have received, and about twelve
letters, I feel much better."

Sydney Baxter often mentions his chum in this record and I think the
following extract from George's letter about this time may well be
inserted here. The two boys were inseparable until the last and
absolute bodily separation between the living and the dead.

"Everything is going on all right with us. We have finished
our first taste of trench life, and on the whole it was
rather enjoyable. We went in last Monday and came out late
on Saturday. The first two or three days were wet, so our
opportunities for sleep were few, especially as at our part