The following morning we marched to the main railway station and entrained for the Front.  The accommodation provided was fairly comfortable, though the carriages (?) had been used more for carrying mules than men.  The train journey extended over thirty hours.  All along the route there were evidences of military activity denoting extensive and effective military organization.  We noted the continuous stream of traffic on the roads, and were amused with the names chalked on the heavy guns, which were being drawn by a style of tractor quite new to most of us.  ‘No friend of Fritz’ was a powerful-looking gun, and greatly impressed us; but the sight of a number of heavier guns thrilled us, and we involuntarily shouted ‘Good old England.’

There was not a dull moment during that thirty hours’ run.  There was much to interest the ‘freshmen.’  Eventually we reached our rail destination, and marched to our quarters, where we arrived late at night.  That we were not far from the fighting line was very evident by the close proximity of the artillery, which expressed itself so emphatically that the air reverberated with its deep boom, relieved at intervals by the staccato reports of machine-guns in action.

The troops were quartered in different places.  They were as indifferent as they were different, but any place which afforded shelter from the rain and protection from the cold was greatly appreciated.  Despite the inconveniences within and the noises without few had difficulty in wooing Morpheus and reposed in his embrace until a late hour next morning.

Opportunity was afforded during the day for having a look round and cultivating an acquaintance with the district.  The country round about is fairly level, and, despite the fact that it was just behind the lines and under enemy observation, farming operations and business were carried on in perfect serenity.  A cinema afforded entertainment in the evenings.  The men were cheerful, and accepted the change from the ‘sham’ to the real uncomplainingly, and commenced making their billets as comfortable as circumstances would permit.  Stoves were greatly in demand, but few were available.  The law in France is that nothing shall be removed from a building without permission.  Troops were forbidden to enter houses under any pretence whatever; but very occasionally men lost their way, and unwittingly (?) wandered into forbidden places, and when detected by certain officials evinced great surprise on being found therein.  The Town Major on one occasion was walking past a building, the door of which was ajar, and he observed two men struggling with a stove half up the stairway.  ’What are you doing with that stove?’ he peremptorily asked.  ‘Putting it back, sir,’ was the prompt reply.