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[Page 24]
& arrived at St Riquier about 4.30AM on Wednesday we had breakfast & marched 8 miles to a village called Ergnies arriving there at 11.30AM. St Omer is a large town with about 3 big churches, a nice railway station, which stands out prominently facing the bridge over the river. The country round about is very low lying on 3 sides of the town, it being under cultivation, it is very rich soil, growing onions, cabbage to perfection. A canal runs right up to the small river in the town, in the main Street every householder appearing to own a boat. Small canals run alround the gardens, the ground being that low lying, it must all be under water in the winter. There are a lot of apple orchards here so we had some good feeds. Thursday Raining. We had plenty of apples, there being a lot of apple orchards here.
Friday 27 October we fell in at about 6AM & marched 4 miles & waited for Motor wagons to drive us to a base, there must have been over 100 of them holding 30 men with their kits, they were great ponderous things. We started about 10AM & drove about 40 miles to a place called Denancourt (near Albert) passing hundreds of German prisoners working on the roads. We caught a glimpse of two tanks in a paddock. After disembarking from our Motors we were marched to our billets, which were cold & draughty. Saturday wet & cold Sunday Church parade in the open & rain. German prisoners sweep the mud off the streets. We were paid today. Monday 30th still cold & raining a little now & again. The nights are often very clear, not very cold, & the days rainy looking. On guard tonight. Tuesday, fine day Wednesday Nov 1st fine morning a little rain in afternoon. I washed my clothes & had a bath. C Section tent Sub. Division left before tea. Thursday raining cleared up this afternoon. Warned not to leave the billets.
Friday 3rd November