19. Cases have occurred of men going to sleep on sentry duty. This is the most serious crime a soldier can commit on active service. The G. O. C. has clearly stated that in future, if any man has been convicted by court-martial for this offense and sentenced to be shot, he will confirm the sentence. There is no excuse for a man going to sleep on sentry duty; if he is feeling too ill to perform this duty he should report the fact to the N. C. O. on duty of his platoon, who will in his turn report the matter to superior authority.
20. If an armed party of the enemy approaches the trench under a flag of truce, they should be ordered to halt at a distance and lay down their arms, and the matter should be reported at once to the O. C. company. If the party fails to halt when ordered to do so, or does not convey a flag of truce, they should immediately be fired upon. An unarmed party should be halted the same way at a distance, and the matter be reported to the O. C. company.
21. By night it is not necessary to challenge anyone in advance of the trenches, but fire should be opened at once. If, however, the company is sending out listening, working, or covering parties, these orders should be modified, and special instructions issued to meet the case.
22. Men will be specially picked from the company for listening patrols and as sharpshooters. These men will be given special privileges and their work is such that they will be afforded greater opportunities of being mentioned in dispatches.
23. It is the duty of officers and N. C. Os. to check men talking loudly during the night, as this practice makes it impossible for the sentries to hear any movement in front of the trenches. The Germans take advantage of this talking by the British soldier during the night to send listening patrols quite near to our trenches, and even build trenches on clear moonlight nights close to our lines without our knowledge.
24. All working parties must wear their equipment and carry their rifles, but when actually working they can lay these on the ground close to them.
25. All picks and shovels after use will be returned to the company store.
26. Ration parties and parties carrying material for repairs, etc., need not wear their equipment or carry rifles, but should be accompanied by a fully armed N. C. O. as an escort.
27. Not more than twenty men are to be away from the company at the same time. 1 N. C. O. and 4 men per platoon.
28. Every soldier must remember it is of the utmost importance to keep his rifle clean and in working order whilst in the trenches. His very life may depend upon this, as he is liable to be rushed at any moment, either by day or by night. The dirty rifle means probably a jammed one after the first round.