Cocks letter diary, 1916-1919 / Verner Cocks - Page 260
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[Page 260]
3.
Since last writing we have been on the move a lot but are now settled down for a long rest & well out of the war. We left the last place with full packs up & marched to the train for a few hours' journey back into the country. Arrived at a town not on the map, we were on the march again & after going a mile were relieved of our packs. It was the first time we had had to carry our packs & it was a bit of a strain. The poor infantry were dropping out all along the road & our cars were busy recovering backwards & forwards picking them up. Now & again you would see a pack lying on the roadside which some poor chap threw off in disgust.
We did about a 6 mile walk & arrived at a little village amongst the hills in a valley. It was a lovely spot on the bank of a stream & we stopped there two days billeted in barns but we preferred to sleep out under the trees. You ought to have seen the rush for the stream as soon as we arrived there - all in together & irrespective of any onlookers.
After two days we moved about 5 miles farther on to another little village & here we have stayed. Re this last journey I was lucky & got a ride on the car as luggage guard as they carried our packs again & arrived at the new place first. Of course the first thing to do in a new place is to hunt round for billets. I found a nancy in a farm house for six men & booked my possie. Later Jack & Roy & a few others were put in so we are set up. It is a room with a double bed mattress & sheets tables & chairs & pictures on the wall