into Calais station, we espied a long covered-in counter displaying the familiar sign of the red triangle.  The order quickly came down, and was more quickly put into execution, that men could get out and go to the canteen.  I have never seen such a rush.  We were like a disturbed nest of ants.  I wondered how on earth those ladies would cope with us, but I under-estimated their resources.  As we came up we were formed into a column of four deep, and only a few were admitted at a time.  At the entrance was a pay box.  Here we had our franc and 5-franc notes turned into pennies, that the exact money might be given over the counter to save any delay.  When I passed up to the counter in due time, I found that the first sector was solely occupied in pouring out tea into our quart mess tins, further along buttered rolls and cakes were piled high upon large trays, and at the last sector cigarettes of all varieties, chocolate, and nougat were obtainable.  It was a splendid array of good things served by the ladies of our own land.  Though, of course, we needed and enjoyed the hot tea and rolls, it was as much joy to hear our own tongue so sweetly spoken.  The change from the deep voices of our officers and comrades thrilled us, reminding us of sisters and sweethearts just a few miles away, across the Channel, and yet so far off, for there was little chance of leave for a long time.  What a pretty picture those ladies made in the midst of the khakied crowd, passing quickly from one to another with a smile for all!  I am sure every one was over-stocked with chocolates and cigarettes, for we all kept returning to the counter to buy something just for the sake of a smile or a ’How are you getting on, Tommy?’ from one of our hostesses.  The whistle blew and we all made a rush for our trucks.  The ladies stood in a body at the end of the platform, and as each truck passed waved and wished us good luck.  The noise we made was deafening; we cheered and cheered until the little group of England’s unknown heroines on the platform passed from sight.  Our hearts were very full.

     “And so we passed down into the Somme district, the first
     English soldiers to hold that part of the line.”

Here are a few typical extracts from Sydney Baxter’s letters about this time.

“We are at rest after some days of trenches, and of course are not sorry to be able to walk about and get a brush up—­apart from the catering side, which you can realise is no small item.  The weather has been very good of late; and while we were in the trenches it was fine but cold, which makes life more comfortable.  We had a new system of guards and work last time, and it was a treat. I never enjoyed a spell of trenches as I did that, although the time spent in work and other duties and guards was nearly twelve hours.

“Thanks for chocolate, which found a ready home.  Girls are not the only ones who like chocs., judging by the amount that disappears here.  Sorry my last letter was censored.  I am ignorant of what information I could have given; possibly I had a grumbling mood on and was somewhat sarcastic about the many defects and inconsiderations in army life.”

Later.