THE YPRES TIMES
22
I WAS one of a numerous party of Scottish Rifle Officers who, destined to reinforce
various battalions of the Rifle Brigade and King's Royal Rifle Corps, crossed the
Channel in January, 1917. The weather in the early part of 1917, as all who were
in France at that time will remember, was bitterly cold, hard frost succeeding a heavy
fall of snow. Etaples, our base, with its ill-famed Bull Ring," was far from being
a pleasure resort, even under good weather conditions, and it was with a sigh of relief
that we heard, after a week's stay there, that instructions had been received for us to
proceed to the line the following morning.
The two trains conveying the various drafts were timed to leave at 7.30 a.m., one
train going south with the contingents for Arras and the Somme, and the other north
to the Salient. No sooner were we seated in our compartments than the rumour went
round that neither train would start for at least an hour and, in consequence, most of
us took the opportunity of a last chat with the friends who were leaving us, in many
cases, alas, for ever. Suddenly, right on time, the south bound train commenced to
draw out of the station, and there was a wild rush on the part of its passengers, many
of whom just managed to scramble on board before the train cleared the platform.
The gallant Ypres Express was in no such hasty mood, and it was 2.30 p.m. before
it condescended to start. By that time its occupants had become thoroughly tired
of reading the warning notice about The wise old owl that sat in an oak," and, in
addition, they were almost chilled to the bone, despite the relief afforded by numerous
braziers that had been unearthed from apparently nowhere at all.
In my compartment were B., H. and A., all of whom had served in France before.
When we reached Hazebrouck H. was most anxious to impress on me the fact that
the Bosche had got as far as that point in 1914. This, at the time, conveyed nothing to
me, but I was to realize, in 1918, what it meant. At Abeele H. and A. left us to join
their unit, the 21st King's Royal Rifle Corps, and there, for the first time, I heard the
sound of the guns. It is interesting to recall my first impressions of gun-fire. Probably
owing to the still, frosty air, the noise was greater than I had expected, and when one
particularly loud report was heard I felt sure that it must be a mine going up. B., how
ever, soon convinced me that it was only one of the heavy batteries firing.
At length, about 10.30 p.m., we arrived at Poperinghe where I was to spend so
many happy off-duty hours in the days to come. While we were collecting our kit,
a runner came up to B. and myself and asked if we were the officers for the 17th Battalion
King's Royal Rifle Corps. On our replying that we were, he informed us that the Adju
tant had instructed him to say that it was too late to join the Battalion that night, and
we had, therefore, to put up at the Officers' Club. Accompanied by four other fellows
whose Adjutants had not been so considerate as to send them directions, we followed
him to the Club. When we arrived there we found that there were only three beds left,
and though our four friends very decently urged that B. and I had a prior claim, we,
of course, insisted on all tossing for them. Needless to say, I was not one of the lucky
ones. After supper we who had drawn blanks lay round the fire, keeping all our clothes
on, including our British warm. I soon found that I could keep my feet warmer by taking
off my boots, but it was a cold night, especially when the fire died out, and we did envy
the other fellows in their warm, comfortable beds.
Next morning we had a jolly good wash and an excellent breakfast, and then B.
and I spent the forenoon looking round Pop." Immediately after lunch our runner
appeared to show us the way to the Battalion, which lay at A camp, I think it was,
near Brandhoek. For the first time, I tramped up the famous Poperinghe Ypres road.
It was, I remember, a fine, bright winter day, with a light wind raising the dust slightly.
As I have already mentioned, B. had been out before, but everything was entirely new
