Item 03: Walter Bruce Rainsford diary, 1 January 1916-31 December 1916 - Page 122
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[Page 122]
to a "Grand Gala" in the Municipal Theatre, Boulonge in aid of the "Oeuvre des Combattants des Région envalier du Nord et du Pas-de-Calais." A packed house applauded a fine programme of musical & vocal talent – most of the artists coming up from Paris to give their services. A young refugee from Lisle told me afterwards that it was the best Concert he had ever attended. Not the least interesting item was a song in the Patois (dialect) of Lille by a French "poilu". The French as we know, are very devoted to their country & the patriotic fervour was very apparent during the performance when reference was made to the country & its parts in the hands of the Germans. It was quite a long programme commencing at 8.30 p.m. & finishing at 1 a.m. (4 ½ hours), there were so many