Item 04: Walter Bruce Rainsford diary, 3 January 1917-31 December 1917 - Page 20

[Page 20]

Thursday, 31st May 1917
First saw American Troops arriving in France last night. They arrived at Boulogne and probably belong to a Medical Unit – all were young men & in brand new uniforms.

Had a yarn to a French-Canadian yesterday who didn't speak a word of English. He was born in Quebec and was now in France for the first time – he said he wasn't anxious to stay in France and would be quite satisfied to get back to Canada. Exped. Force entirely comprised of French-Canadians and all French speaking Canadians that now come over reinforce the Battalion.

Wed 6th June 1917
On Monday went down to Abbeville, a town on the river Somme about a third of the way to Paris from here. Left camp about 6 am on a fine bright sunny morning and walked to Boulogne railway station about 6 kilometres away, armed with the necessary permit authorising