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- 24C
Never in the history of this unit has it covered so many weary kilometres as we foot-sloped in the three days ending yesterday noon. The first day we set out about an hour before noon carrying full packs. At least mine was supposed to be in that plethoric condition, but as long as George Manor stays in our H.T.
I can’t see myself toting any more junk than I can possibly avoid.
We covered three or four kilos, before stopping an hour for lunch.
Had made a rather scanty breakfast- never did fancy “bully1' for that meal-- so I am fairly safe in saying that Sammy didn’t get more then his allotment of the tin of meconochies we shardd.. On the move as?=in at 1,30, passing through one fairly large town and several villages before reaching our resting place for the night. Owing to one of those cursed contraptions known as a "one way rodd" we were forced to make a two kilometre detour over half of it up a hill as steep as the one on Moss Street, In all, that day we covered 19 kilometres, and I, for one, was very glad to slip my pack off and call it a day's work. Had supper shortly after— only bully, cold beans, bread and tea, but it tasted mighty good to me. Really believe I'm getting more English every day, inasmuch as I relish a drink of tea with the next man.
Had a wash, ad. also bathed my feet in what they call a river over here, but would only pass for a stream in B.C, Some of the boys went in for a dip in a deep spot, but the evening being chilly, and the water even more so, I waived on it. Having spotted a tank park from the crest of the hill when on the last lap of our march, decided to take a jaunt over, it only being about a mile from our billet. Some busy joint it was too, all the tanks damaged in action are sent back there to be repaired, and if one is able to judge by the droves in the park, they are in action quite frequently. The tanks used nowadays are very similar in shape to the original ones used first when we were down on the Somme. They lack the old steering wheels at the rear however, and where only machine guns were used then, now the "male" variety carries two 6 pounders, the “neutral" a six pounder end machine guns, the "female" six Lewis machine guns, and the "whippet"- capable of doing 12 to 15 miles an hour- machine guns. I don't think I am divulging any military secrets by giving you these details. Judging from the number of tanks I saw out of action around Passchendaile I fancy Fritz has a pretty fair idea of their armament. To bring an interesting visit to a close, I hopped on a. "male" that v/as lumbering by and rode a couple of hundred yards.
As it was proceeding in the direction of a railroad truck, doubtless to be sent up the line, I can truthfully say that I've been on a tank going into action.
On the way back to our billet I bumped into a Y secretary who had charge of Y work among IpOO Chinese, the majority of whom were employed at the tank-o-drome, Out of curiosity I stopped him, and inquired whether he by any chance knew A, J.Brace,. "Brace, Brace, let me see" he said, " seems to me I met a man by that name over in China.". Left Victoria some eight years ago to take up missionary work in Central China I prompted, and is now over here/ "The same man" he said, and proceeded to tell me where I could fund him, down Boulogne way. Unfortunately the fortunes of war did not allow me to travel in that muoh-to-be-desired direction, bo for the present at
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