21 Nov 18
Dear Jack,
Pretty good going now, "eh what?" We are now laying and for some days past at Mons, that was relieved by the gallant 3rd Division Canadians from a cruel foe on the 1Oth inst. On the 15th detachments of the capturing army passed in review at the Grande Place in the centre of this quaint 13th century town. It does not cover much ground, planned like an old part of London. There are numbers of villages, some almost towns, within a ten mile radius.
Say, talk about soldiering, when the water carts drew up I knocked at the door opposite. "Place pour dormer, Monsieur?" "Entrez Monsieur. Cafe?" "Si'l vous plait"
My host is an architect. The chief occupation of the household is polishing up brass chandeliers, fenders, lamps and ornaments they had buried away from the Boche, who by the way is "no bon" according to them. A fine bed, linen sheets, eat off plates. We bring the "chuck" from the cookhouse in our mess tins. I had waffles with honey for breakfast. They insist on sharing their soups and prepared dishes with us. We on our part keep them supplied with biscuits, cigarettes, chocolate and soap, and candles when procurable.
A continual stream of refugees, French largely, who were moved back by train and canal boat on Jerry's retreat, with handcarts, wheelbarrows, pack sacks, or a dozen or more propelling a wagon with their united effects aboard, decorated with flags. Everyone pretty tired but always cheerful when we greet them. Also returned prisoners of war abandoned by Jerry , those captured in the earlier part of the war wearing a dark blue uniform with a khaki strip down the trousers and band on the arm. They tell tales of ill-usage, yet look very well on the whole. Expect when we see the ones farther back their appearance will change, naturally only the best would cover the 30 to 70 km. back to our lines.
Everything is going with a click now, polishing up for the final march to Germany. A bunch of our lads, some cleaning up, some talking in front of the stables on the main street were surprised by a brigadier. He dismounted and with his aide chased them through the stables, where the boys foolishly ran a regular game of tag. They captured one who got 10 days field punishment and another who got his pay stopped. If ever that story gets out the brigadier will be laughed out of the army.
Dad
