Item 04: John Duncan McRae diary, 6 May-18 September 1917 - Page 18

[Page 18]

be found with difficulty. Alan & I had walked half-way across a small village before we realised that such had ever existed. Not a tile or brick has been left intact. We came across a damaged well here, amid a mass of debris, down which a plough was suspended by its handle; apt symbol of the invaders 'Kultur'. (at Contalmaison)

We also came across a small Church-yard with headstones etc shattered and in ruins. At the cross-roads about four shells had hit a large cross there and the figure of Christ had been knocked off & was half-buried in the debris.

The numerous little wooden crosses that are to be found all over the place tell a far sadder tale still. Even in the corner of our parade-ground, one of these stands at the end of a small mound on which a helmet still rests to remind future generations that a