Left the boat at 8 o’clock and had a 5-mile march to reach camp. Poured the whole way, so our first footing on French soil was hardly encouraging. Arrived at camp and put eleven in each hut (or tent), and then, thank God, breakfast turned up. Tea, bread and jam--and didn’t it go down well! Another medical inspection and kit finally examined; rest of day to ourselves. Did a cinema in evening and had a good night in tent.
Up at 7 o’clock, and, after an inspection by some General “cove” or other, had day to ourselves. Did cinema again in evening. Hear we are off to trenches to-morrow. Now it’s so near, I’m very keen on getting there and hope it comes off.
No luck! Stood by all day and no orders came out. Should like some work to do, as hanging about in tent tends to make me liverish, humpy and irritable.
Work in earnest. On road making and mud shifting from 7:15 to 4 o’clock. Got a grand wash in the evening and felt happy and fit once more.
Rifle inspection only. Rest of day to ourselves. No further orders and once again we show our capabilities at standing by. Awful job to get water to wash with, and the feeling of filthiness is positively appalling.
Nothing all day beyond rifle inspection in morning. Told off for not shaving. _Inter alia_, the trials of a voluntary soldier, consist of making fires without wood and shaving without water.
Off to the trenches at last. Paraded at 2 o’clock and marched to Rouen Station. Tremendous train with all sorts and conditions of troops. Rotten carriages, a bit worse than the third class on G. E. suburban trains. Left Rouen 5:50 P. M. and arrived Bailleul 11:30 A. M. February 24, 1915. Detrained to the sound of artillery.
Joined up with the First Battalion and met many old chums from Crowboro’, just back from trenches on a few days’ rest. Attached to “B” Coy, and billeted in a barn over a cow shed and pig sty. Had a grand night’s rest; woken up once or twice by the guns which seemed horribly close. Now in Belgium and disgusted at the state of the peasants and hovels in which they live. No idea of cleanliness and seem to revel in dirt. Was present at a search for live stock by party back from trench; several captures witnessed, and have now some idea of what is to come.