156 The Ypres Times. would be unloaded by four men, who heaved the bales inside while the job of arranging the bales was the work of another four men. This went on day after day for several months, and it was the pleasantest and healthiest spell we had put in since crossing over. But UNLOADING A BOAT AT CALAIS. Imperial War Museum photograph. Crown copyright. it was too good to last. We were becoming seasoned campaigners within our own limits. More serious work up the line was indicated. When we left Southampton I don't suppose any one of us thought we would ever go near the trenches. Labour men, we said, being B.2 and not A.i, were quite unfitted for the dangers and hardships of the actual war zone. It was ridiculous to think of it. About this time, however, sensational rumours floated round that we had been ear-marked for the front. Rumour proved to be no lying jade on this occasion. Of course, there was no remonstrance when word came out that a new destination had been prepared for us, but one man was known to approach a lance- corporal (seems funny) and state his case why labour men should not go up the line. He quoted some words Lord Kitchener was supposed to have usedthat labour men would not be employed beyond the base. The lance-jack's reply was quite laconic Their's not to reason why," said he. It was, therefore, in subdued excitement that we entrained late one summer-night at Fontinettes Station bound for Poperinghe and when, in the early hours of the morning, we heard the first distant rumble of the guns we realised that we had received stern pro motion in the army. Albeit the future was more uncertain. For a time we hung on the fringe of the danger curtain, performing light and easy fatigue and receiving our first baptism of fire. Then, one evening, we struck camp finally and advanced to Dickebusch and the welter of war. Oar main employment now was the

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1927 | | pagina 10