Item 01: James William Dains diary, 21 November 1916-4 June 1917 - Page 10

[Page 10]

Saturday 25th Nov.
We billeted in Merris. I stayed at the old French priests place. The Town was at one time in the German hands & bears a few marks of the Bombardment. The Church & Convent were hit by shells. A levy of 5,000 francs was made on the Town & the priest Honore Beleyat was held as a hostage to be shot if it was not forthcoming. It was raised. Had hot bath this evening & turned in & slept soundly.

Sunday 26
Orders came early this morning to pack up & move to the trenches. Quite unexpected. Motor Transport conveyed us to Armentiers.
We were from 1 oclock till after dark before we found Billets & had to sleep without blankets on the floor. It was very cold. The Town has normally a populace of about 35,000 including Houplines suburb but there are less than 3,000 in it now. Houses are wrecked. Beautiful Buildings in ruins, Churches in a very bad way. Almost every church is in ruins & many lovely private homes smashed up. Half of our men went into the subsidiary trenches today.