With the advent of Christmas, arrangements were effected by which officers whose work necessitated their being temporarily separated from the unit could come together for the purpose of observing the special season in the established epicurean style.  Every effort was made to make the day as distinct from other days as circumstances would allow.  Donations from the officers and small contributions from the men enabled those who had the matter in hand to provide the customary Christmas dinner.  Though it was not served up on tables, spread with linen, and the usual impedimenta of the banqueting-table, it was greatly appreciated, and afforded a rare opportunity for reunion.  Fresh friendships were formed, acquaintances renewed, brothers and relatives met after months of separation.  Toasts were honoured and carols or hymns appropriate to the season were sung.  A great deal had been heard or read about our troops fraternizing with the enemy during the Christmas seasons of the previous years of the war, but there was none of that during the Christmas of 1916.  There was no cessation of hostilities.  The lines were held with the same keenness, and there was considerable aerial and artillery activity throughout the day and night.  In fact, Christmas ‘Somewhere in France’ was born to the accompaniment of the boom of guns and the whirr of aeroplanes.  The weather conditions were decidedly inclement, and, despite the good wishes from friends in the Homeland, it was difficult to keep warm.

At the back of the lines, in a certain battalion’s H.Q. billets, a number of officers had assembled.  They had come together by invitation to participate in a reunion dinner.  Everything had been done to make it a meal worthy of the occasion.  Great taste had been displayed in decorating the table, and the cooks excelled themselves in the quality of the food served.  We seated ourselves immediately ‘Grace’ was said, when somebody remarked that there were thirteen only, and suggested that another be asked in to make fourteen.  Little notice was taken of the remark until the same officer ventured to predict that one of them would ‘go out’ before the year ended.  He was teased with being unduly superstitious and attaching too much significance to the supposed unluckiness of the number thirteen.  His mind was evidently depressed with the impression which he had gathered, and there was not lacking evidence that the gathering ceased to interest him further.

[Illustration:  Despite the good wishes from friends in the Homeland, it was difficult to keep warm.]

Exactly a week passed, and another such reunion had been arranged for the purpose of celebrating the passing of the old year and the ushering in of the new.  Several jocularly remarked that for G——­’s sake we should arrange to have more or less than thirteen present.  Late on the afternoon of the last day of the year, advice was received at B.Q.H. that Lieut.  G——­ had been killed.  He had