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[Page 31]
April 5, 7
39.
Leaving Hoograaf tomorrow at 8 a.m. to entrain at Gottesveldt midday.
This afternoon with Roley K. walking to .., in this tiny village three separate butcher shops – two with real meat, joint signs hanging by the doors.
A sky of wove grey all day: not a sign of white cloud or sun.
La Somme
April 7
40.
Longpre Les Amiens
A long journeying in cattle trucks from midday yesterday till midnight, in the early hours unloading train, then a marching to school house billets in Longpre les Amiens.
Turned in at 5 a.m. and slept till near midday.
This afternoon with Adj. to the Madeline [Madeleine] Cemetary by Amiens.
41.
At Godi. our truck was deep in fresh horse dung and piss, past St Omer we were lying in deep fresh straw – grouted near Hazebruck [Hazebrouck] from trucks alongside: in the station at St Omer by us was a coal train: half a kilo from St Omer we'd a glowing brazier on an iron stand: and at Calais we burnt the step half through, a good trip and a comfortable one, spoilt by the hurried detraining in thin rain. Detraining would have made a finely coloured impression – a swift lyric of gold and silver, a Dudley Hardy rather than a Frank Brangwin.
42.
There's a lot of loose talking of a bomb or a shell having got Amiens Cathedral; but Les F. hears today from local people that yesterday closed with the Cathedral whole. Don R. tells of the great white building opposite the Musee de Picardie being a compleat ruin.
43.
Today – remembered it talking to Adj. – Geoff's birthday, and no letter written to him.
April 8
44.
Late afternoon: a day spent in the Billet drawing and reading. The stack of folding chairs violated and the Billet like a Euchre hall, only Bridge the game. Tables, old school picture lesson wall cards, on the four's knees.
Rain and dull cloud.
The Boche over last night, and bombs dropped by the village: but slept through it all.
No pay yet, though its been available since yesterday. Tucker bad: Neeve has evidently taken to heart England's great effort – boards and notices over France and Flanders, "Eat less and save shipping", "Waste prolongs the war", etc. etc. Must rub him in next issue of "Gheitz".
Coloured sketch – yesterday's – of Amiens from the village hall.
Rumours: the Boche attacked two of our Brigades with 4 Divisions, he came a large abdominal. A vague whispering yesterday was of his attacking at one point and losing 10 kilos of his new territory.