Item 06: John D. Wilson diary, 17 May-19 September 1917 - Page 177
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[Page 177]
Nielles Lez Balequin 2.5 killometres away. It is a much larger village than this one. The New Zealanders are camped in it. We met two of them in an estaminet and had several glasses of rum together, 6d. per large glass. One of the men was 64 years of age. His military age is 39, and he has a son in the army who is 42. He is now on traffic control.
We made several purchases & had a walk around the town which is rather picturesque. It has a water mill and a fine church the steeple of which can be seen a long way. We got back before dark & just before the rain came on.
Thursday Sept. 6. 1917. (1130)
Cloudy but fine.
I was on piquet this morning from 3 to 6. There were a few heavy showers but I did not get wet.
I was shoeing all day and I had T.J. Ryan helping me. He did most of the floor work. While shoing a french woman came over & said something about a V..... & gesticulated We went over & found a cow that just had a calf & she wanted it carried in to the shed. We did it & they were awfully pleased. Provided us with a dish & towel & shouted whisky all round.
I received two letters from Cis today. One was dated Jan 2. & the other June 15. No. 2.
Friday Sept 7. 1917. (1131)
Dull & cloudy. There was rain last night, & it is threatening this morning. I made out a list of shoes & nails required for the Transports this morning.