“He and I were censoring-letters this morning.  It was amusing, but soon became boring as most of the men employed the same formula:  ’Just a line to let you know that I am in the pink, hoping this finds you in the best of health as this leaves me at present, etc.’!

“I went down town this afternoon and had a bath (an expensive luxury which cost me 2s.) and strawberries and cream (which cost 3s. 6d.) That just gives you an idea of prices in this God-forsaken land named France....

“I also looked inside St. Michael’s Church during the afternoon service.  It appears to be a case of come in and go out when you please.  There is one redeeming feature about the French people:  they take their religion seriously, and the children are systematically taught.  One can see that.  The priest is a depressing-looking old chap.  The service in the Gallican Church is much nicer than the service in Roman Catholic, or extreme High Anglican churches in England.  There were not nearly so many candles to-day carried in procession as last Sunday.  Nor was the congregation so large.

“I read the Middleton Guardian correspondence to ——­ in the tent when I got back.  He was interested.  We then argued until about 11.  Macdonald, in a tent close by, called out ‘Floyd, shut up!’ The latter is marked ‘temporary base’ for a month; that is why he has not yet gone up the line.  All the others who came out when I did have now gone up the line; I am the only one left behind!”

“June 4th.

" ...  At 3.50 this afternoon I was informed that the Adjutant wished to see me; so I went to the orderly room.  He informed me that I go up the line to-morrow morning.  I go to the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, 55th Division....

“Now I am going to bed in my tent for the last time in this peaceful place, where the only reminder of the fact that war is raging is to be traced in the encamped city on the sand dunes above the town and the swarms of soldiers.  The sunset is fine, the air is now a little cooler after the heat of the day, and the sea and the river calm and refreshing.”

Thus ended my long wait at Etaples.  The following morning (June 5) I rose at 6.  Having had breakfast, I reported at the New Siding Station at 6.50.  I was ordered to get into the train which was drawn up there, and get out at Hazebrouck, where I would receive further orders from the R.T.O. there.  The train moved off at 7.40.  As we passed Camiers we noticed an American camp there; an American waved the Stars and Stripes as we passed.  We passed through Boulogne at 9.  At 1 we reached the city of St. Omer, where the great Earl Roberts had died at Field-Marshal French’s G.H.Q. in 1914.  All round here we noticed numerous German prisoners working along the line; and we passed many dumps of various kinds.  At 2.30 we steamed into Hazebrouck.  I noticed a long hospital train standing in the station, full of wounded who were being taken to the Base hospitals.  Those who were in a condition to do so looked very pleased with life.