“We were about twenty minutes’ walk from the village, and at first there was absolutely nothing there to go down for, and we seemed doomed to a very uncomfortable winter.  However, the words of a well-known war song, ’Every cloud is silver lined,’ are very true. Our cloud was soon brightly lined by the Y.M. people, who discovered the best way to do it in no time.  A hall was acquired in the village for the sale of tea and eatables, and for facilitating writing and reading for the troops in camp.  It was staffed by ladies in the locality and was a real Godsend to us all.  Picture us from 6.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on and off parade, in a muddy camp, without even a semblance of a canteen or writing-hut, always within sound of the bugle with its ever-recurring call for Orderly Sergeants, tired out and wet through and inwardly chafing at the unaccustomed discipline.  Our spirits were on a par with Bairnsfather’s ‘Fed-up one.’  At the last note of ‘the Retreat’ we were free.  Without the Y.M. touch we should have had to stay in our bleak huts, constantly reminded of our surroundings and discomforts.  But these Y.M. people had provided a comfortable, well-lighted, and, above all, warm room, with plenty of books and papers and any amount of grub and unlimited tea to wash it down.  Isn’t it wonderful how many sorrows the British army can drown in a cup of tea?

“Apparently there’s no need to tell the Y.M. people to ’get a move on,’ for before two months had elapsed they installed in the very centre of the camp a large canteen, with a reading and writing room.  It made a big difference to us, as we had the advantage of procuring a midday cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa, and such luxuries as biscuits and chocolate, also an evening’s enjoyment, without the weary trudge to and from the village.  As the vaccinations and inoculations were in progress at that time, the warm room was a blessing and eased the wearisome day which would have had to be spent in camp.  More and more huts were erected, and more and more men occupied them; so a very large new Y.M. hut was quickly built near the camps and was opened in state, some fifty of us forming a Guard of Honour.  It was a splendid building—­its greatest attraction the billiard tables.  Night after night we waited our turn for a game.  At the long counter were a library and post office; the latter was most useful, for a letter could be written and posted without any delay whatever.  Refreshments were, as usual, obtained at any time.  There was not the slightest fuss; anyone could enter and do exactly as he wished.  There is a genuine Y.M. atmosphere which makes a fellow feel ‘at home.’  It says, ’We are here because we feel we are “kind of wanted” here for your individual comfort:  this is your show, and we are happy and anxious to do all we can for you.  Come at any time and bring all your chums.’”

Sydney Baxter’s chief saw him once or twice during these camp days.  And he marvelled.