some citron in a cottage here.  The Belgian woman who served us said that she had lost her father, mother and three brothers in the war.  After this we went along Track 1 and back to the main road.  Here we got a motor-lorry which took us through Poperinghe and right back to St. Janster Biexen.  We walked back to Valley Camp from there.  I really feel done up; and I have a headache in addition to my bad cold—­something like influenza.  All symptoms of gas!  When we got back the rain had ceased and it was quite nice.  A new large draft arrived about 6.30; there were two new officers with it—­Richard Maxwell Barlow and Kenneth Leslie Smith.  Young has also returned to the Battalion.  There have been a number of drafts recently, so we are getting up strength again.  Young, Barlow and Smith have all been posted to A Company; so, as the B and A Company Mess is joint, they mess with us.”

The same day, July 25, I wrote home from Watou as follows: 

“Just a line to let you know that I have received all your letters up to July 20 and the parcel for which I thank you very much.  I have been simply awfully busy—­chiefly with maps and operation orders re coming offensive—­and have not been able to write home during the last few days as a result.  We are supposed to be resting, but I have hardly a moment to spare.  General Stockwell lectured all officers and N.C.O.’s of this Battalion here in the field on Monday afternoon.  He said that he was going to tell us everything that he knew himself about the coming battle, but did not tell us anything we did not already know!  I do not think he told us all:  if he did tell us all then I don’t think much of the idea.  The General had a cigarette in his mouth and his hands in his pockets the whole time he was speaking; he was quite jovial, cracking jokes all the time.  He impressed upon us the importance of sending messages back when we reach our objectives; he said that if we do not do so it will mean his coming up to the front line himself for information ‘and I don’t want to have to do that,’ he laughed, ’but it will come to that if necessary,’ he went on in a more serious tone, ’and it will be woe betide the platoon commander whose negligence has brought his brigadier-general’s life into danger!’ At the conclusion of his speech the General asked whether any of us had any questions to ask.  I could have asked one, but I know he would not have answered it; so I remained silent!

“Archbishop Lang was in the big town half-way between here and the front line on Monday, but I did not see anything of him.  Nor did I see the Queen when she was inspecting the hospitals there.  But I think it very fine of Queen Mary to visit troops within range of the Germans guns as she did.

" ...  It is now evening and is quite bright, the sun is shining into the tent where I am writing this.  We have been stationed here since July 21, and are now marching back in a few minutes to a camp beyond the above-mentioned town—­where I went to reconnoitre this morning.