Some welcomed in the New Year standing up to their middle in water – draining some terrors of trenches. The C.O., Adjutant, Thin, Doctor and self sang “Auld Lang Syne” over a sip of beastly rum. Guns were fired at midnight by both sides. All sorts of stories have been circulated regarding the meeting of the enemy and British troops between the trenches. [SPEC S/D542.Y7.M15]

31 December 1914. Diary entry written 14 January 1915 by Bryden McKinnell, Captain 10th (Scottish) Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment, killed in action June 16, 1915. This week’s war: 22.