Item 03: John Duncan McRae diary, 10 February-6 May 1917 - Page 34

[Page 34]

& "Abide with me". We then had the procession to the cemetery in slow-time & after the burial service fired our three volleys of blank-cartridge as a salute, & presented-arms whilst the buglers sounded the "Last Post".

We then left the cemetery, formed up on the road & marches back to camp in great style to the tunes "Keep your eye on Germany", Australia will be there" etc & arrived back in time for 7 o'clock tea & a hot bath at 8 and supper with "bluey" Cavanagh at 9.

Such a parade as this is of the pure ceremonial type & more than almost anything else inspires one with that military & regimental pride, commonly termed "spirit de corps". This sentiment was particularly evident as we marched home post the other camps and "swanked it" for all we knew.