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[Page 108]
VISIT TO HAZEBROUCK
[17TH Aug. contd]
which he was almost sure to take first thing in the morning. He made a second trip but kept clear of Ballieul & presumably went to Hazebrouck.
Saturday 18th
In the afternoon after we had finished our work Fred Cook [e] & I decided to have a run to Hazebrouck & with that intention we set out at 2.15 pm. Walked to Ballieul obtained a lorry to Meteren. Had the luck to strike an ambulance going to St Omer & had a bon ride thro Fletre, Caestre on to Sylvestre. From there we got another lorry which took us right into Hazebrouck. Saw the damage done by recent shelling & bombing. In two instances two terraces of 3 houses had almost been demolished by shells (15 inch naval variety).
Thence to Railway Station after we had a look thro L'Eglise Notre Dame. Saw some chaps from 2nd 1st & 5th Divisions flitting around. The Hotel de Ville quite a treat to look at. Forgot to mention that while at station the French Poilus leave train came thro' from Ypres. Place seemed deserted & the people were quitting to the country on account of the shelling. Just before leaving we had the unpleasant experience of seeing a couple of hundred refugees from Armentieres arrive with their belongings. Armentieres was to be evacuated by civvies today