In this clip Henry starts off describing rats and the soldiers’ hatred of them. The rats eat the dead, and Henry explains how bodies can be found everywhere and the superstition of shaking a dead hand. He then explains the problem of flies in summer and then describes lice at some length. He explains how soldiers are de-loused when going out of the line.
Context
This clip is one of fourteen clips in which actor John Gregor recreates a Great War soldier called Henry Fairhurst of the Barnsley Pals. Here he describes conditions in the trenches
Interesting or important points about the film
In all of these clips of Henry Fairhurst it is important to be aware that the actor is reconstructing a character from the past. He is using original source material and other research to create what he thinks is a plausible reconstruction of the thoughts and views of a private in the Barnsley Pals. When watching each clip it is important that viewers consider whether they feel the information given is accurate, but much more importantly whether they feel the tone and emphasis the actor gives to particular issues is in line with their own reading of the evidence from the time.