at a time. They found that
quite long enough, as the forward area was continually exposed to
shells and aeroplane attacks. I went on to visit our own field
batteries, and found them distributed in a most desolate region. The
mud was so deep that to step off the bath-mats meant sinking almost to
the knees. In order to move the guns, planks had to be laid in front
of them for a track, and the guns were roped and dragged along by the
men. It was hard physical labour but they bore it, as they did other
difficulties and dangers, with the utmost good humour. It was tiring
enough merely to walk out to see them, without having anything else to
do. What those men went through at that time no one can imagine. Just
to watch them laying the planks and hauling on the ropes which drew
the heavy mud-covered guns made me weary. When I meet some of my
gunner friends in Montreal and Toronto looking so clean and happy, I
think of what they did behind Passchendaele Ridge, and I take off my
hat to them.

I spent three days at Ypres, and then, by jumping lorries, made my way
back to St. Venant and Robecq, where I spent the night. The next
morning I left for Bethune, and thence by the assistance of lorries
and a car continued my journey to our new Divisional Headquarters,
which had found a home at Chateau de la Haie. Here I had a billet (p. 231)
in an upstairs room over what had been part of a stable. The room was
neither beautiful nor clean, but served as an abode for me and Alberta
and her newly-arrived family. The Chateau was a large house of no
distinction, but it stood in delightful grounds, and at the back of it
was a pond whose clear waters reflected the tall, leafless trees which
bordered it. One fact made the Chateau popular and that was, that, up
to that time, no shell or bomb had fallen in the neighbourhood. It was
said that the location of the Chateau was not to be found on the
enemy's maps. Round about were huts with accommodation sufficient to
house a whole brigade. The charm of the place was completed by our 4th
Division having erected there a large and most artistic theatre, which
would seat on benches nearly one thousand men. It had a good stage and
a pit for the orchestra in front. This theatre, when our concert party
was in full swing, was a source of infinite delight to us all. It was
built on the slope of a hill, the stage being at the lower end and a
good view of the play therefore, could be had from all parts. The
sce