ging
themselves along that road from Neuve Chapelle to Estaires who couldn't
be found room for in the motor ambulances. Two trains picked them up
there, and there were many deaths on the trains and in the motor
ambulances. The "Evacuation" was very thorough and rapid to the bases
and to the ships, but in any great battle involving enormous casualties
on both sides there must be some gaps you can't provide for.

_Friday, March 26th._--At Sotteville all day.

_Saturday, March 27th._--Ditto. Piercing cold winds and no heating for a
month past.

_Sunday, March 28th._--Ditto.

_Monday, March 29th._--Ditto.

_Tuesday, March 30th._--Ditto. This cold wind has dried up the mud
everywhere, and until to-day there's been a bright sun with it.

The men clean the train and play football, and the M.O.'s take the puppy
out, and everybody swears a great deal at a fate which no one can alter,
and we are all craving for our week-old mails.

_Wednesday, March 31st._--We actually acquired an engine and got a move
on at 4 o'clock this morning, and are now well away north. Just got out
where we stopped by a fascinating winding river, and got some brave
marsh-marigolds.

5 P.M.--Just getting into Boulogne.

IX.

With No.-- Field Ambulance (1)

BILLETS: LIFE AT THE BACK OF THE FRONT

_April 2, 1915, to April 29, 1915_

"The fighting man shall from the sun
Take warmth, and life from the glowing earth;
Speed with the light-foot winds to run,
And with the trees to newer birth;
And find, when fighting shall be done,
Great rest, and fulness after dearth."

--JULIAN GRENFELL.

IX.

With No.-- Field Ambulance (1).

BILLETS: LIFE AT THE BACK OF THE FRONT.

_April 2, 1915, to April 29, 1915._

Good Friday and Easter, 1915--The Maire's Chateau--A walk to Beuvry--The
new billet--The guns--A Taube--The Back of the Front--A soldier's
funeral--German Machine-guns--Gas fumes--The Second Battle of Ypres.

_Good Friday, April 2nd._--We got into Boulogne on Wednesday from
Sotteville at 5 P.M., and as soon as the train pulled up a new Sister
turned up "to replace Sister ----," so I prepared for the worst and
fully expected to be sent to Havre or Etretat or Rouen, and began to
tackle my six and a half months' accumulation of belongings. In the
middle of this Miss ---- from the Matron-in-Chief arrived with my
Movement Orders "to proc