Humour in the battalions' war diaries

Amongst the mournful statements of a battalion's losses in action, there was also room for the occasional humour.

The 7th Borders diary for 10th April 1917 says:

Covered 1 1/2 miles to ARRAS and went into billets in cellars of Bibliolake [sic] Museum [...] Bn at 50 minutes notice to move. [...] Inveterate propensity of british soldier to light fire and make tea at slightest opportunity was again emphasised.

The 10th Sherwood Foresters, another battalion in the same brigade as the 7th Borders, noted this for 9th July 1917:

Two Coys [companies] of Borders moved into HURRUM Trench [just SE of Gavrelle] and did not leave the area. These came under the orders of O.C. 10th Sherwood Foresters. These two Coys of Borders were used for various carrying parties. Patrols were sent out by the Bn. to try and ascertain (1) whether the shell-holes were occupied in front of CONRAD [Trench] & (2) the condition of the enemy's wine. The shell-holes were empty & the wine was found to be quite good.