Item 03: Walter Bruce Rainsford diary, 1 January 1916-31 December 1916 - Page 73
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[Page 73]
[See next page for list of stops on journey from Marseille to the North of France]
a siding far from any station to allow an express to pass, came up to greet us and distribute flowers. Trains packed with cheery French troops continually passed us going in both directions. Some were going on leave , some returning to the trenches after a well earned rest while others were changing their position from one front to another.
Our train with its long string of carriages and trucks was a slow old bus and crawled along making way for faster trains when necessary. This was all to our advantage, however, as with the pretty scenery, numerous halts and plenty of tucker that we were able to procure at station buffets, the journey never became monotonous.
The French railway system is very up to date. The big powerful