German machine gun fire during the First World War couldn’t stop soldier George Webb celebrating his 25th birthday.

His diary entry for April 19, 1915, read: “Received several parcels and letters at 3.30 in morning, relieved by Royal Berks at 8. Sandbag filling till 12 under machine gunfire, then to billets.”

Bugler Webb was a member of the 1/4th Territorial Army Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and kept a daily record of the 60 days he spent in France and Belgium.

Extracts have been sent in by his grandson, Tony Green, of Heyford Hill Lane, Littlemore, Oxford.

Arriving in Flitre after a six-day journey in cattle trucks and on foot from the Channel port of Boulogne, he summed up the company’s feelings in down-to-earth fashion: “Everyone really whacked.”

He and his colleagues joined the battle against the Germans on Friday, April 9.

“Went into the firing line for 1st time with East Lancs regulars. Everyone kept bobbing each time the Germans fire. Felt a bit nervous being exposed to fire at first.”

After a few days’ respite, they were back in the trenches on Saturday, April 17, taking over from a battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

According to the diary, there were lighter moments when the troops were able to enjoy a hot bath and hot cross buns, but there were plenty of scary ones.

On Tuesday, April 20: “Germans got nasty with our fellows for laughing at their rifle shots, turned a Maxim on us three times and nearly got us, several fellows having to get into ditches to get away.”

And four days later: “Shell burst 60 yards away and I hopped smartly.”

Bugler Webb’s war ended on Wednesday, May 12, when the Germans inflicted a heavy toll on the battalion.

He wrote: “Captain Dashwood killed, Lieutenant Crammer wounded, Hicks wounded and myself in three places by same rifle grenade.”

He was discharged on March 14, 1916, after serving four years and 240 days in the Army.

Any more wartime memories to share with readers?