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1 The frontline trenches were made up of three different trenches. These were the fire line, the support trench and the reserve trench. Communication trenches joined them together. Trenches were meant to be about two metres deep. However, this wasn t always the case, so tall soldiers often had to stoop or risk being shot.

2 Fire trenches were built in a zig-zag. This was to stop enemy soldiers firing down the complete length of a trench. It also offered more protection from exploding shells. Rain was a huge problem in the trenches. Heavy rainfall could cause trenches to collapse, burying men alive.

3 Each battalion was divided into companies (with 227 men) and platoons (with 4 sections of 13 men in each). Each section was led by a corporal and was responsible for part of the fire trench. The soldiers had to carry heavy boxes of ammunition, water and food rations up and down the trenches.

4 The barbed wire at the front of the fire trench had to be looked after, replaced or repaired if it was damaged by shelling. Wiring parties went out at night to repair it. Soldiers ate dry rations (bread, hard biscuits, bully beef, cheese and butter) and wet rations (porridge, soup, tea, bacon and any other cooked food). Water was also rationed.

5 Living in mud-filled trenches caused trenchfoot. Feet were constantly cold, damp and wet and this led to poor circulation. Decay could result in gangrene and the foot would then have to be amputated. It was difficult to treat the wounded and bury the dead in the trenches. Bodies often had to be left where they fell, which encouraged rats. Body lice also thrived in these conditions, causing itching and trench fever.

6 Toilets were deep holes with boards placed over them. The boards had holes cut them. Once the toilet was full it was covered over and another one dug out. The smell was awful, especially in the hot weather. Officers had dug outs with furniture that they could sleep on but ordinary soldiers had to sleep in the trench itself.

7 Night time trench raids were common. Volunteers would raid German trenches and try to bring back prisoners who could be interrogated about defences, the number of troops and weapons. Bullets and artillery fire caused the most injuries. Poisonous gas was also used. Gas could cause blisters, blinding and damage to your lungs so gas masks were essential.

8 Huge exploding shells, endless noise and fear caused some men to have shell-shock. Men suffered nightmares and hallucinations. These symptoms continued long after the war. If the wounded could not walk, they were taken to the Regimental Aid Post and their wounds were patched up. Even minor wounds could become serious as they could easily become infected.

9 Crimes such as drunkenness, desertion, rudeness to an officer, loss / damage of Army property or self inflicted wounds to avoid battle all occurred. Punishments included fines, imprisonment, demotion or even execution. Runners carried messages between platoons. They had to know the trench networks very well so they could deliver messages quickly. Journeys could take several hours and they ran the risk of meeting artillery fire, machine guns, snipers, gas and flooded trenches.

10 Companies of soldiers were allowed time out for rest and a morale boost away from the trenches. A company would be billeted to a nearby town staying in houses, barns, stables or tents. This allowed the soldiers to rest, sleep, bathe and eat properly. Soldiers would put on plays to entertain fellow troops. Sports such as football, ice hockey and horse races also took place.

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