IV.

On No.-- Ambulance Train (2)

FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES

_October 20, 1914, to November 17, 1914_

"The thundering line of battle stands,
And in the air Death moans and sings;
But Day shall clasp him with strong hands,
And Night shall fold him with soft wings."

--JULIAN GRENFELL.

IV.

On No.-- Ambulance Train (2).

FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES.

_October 20, 1914, to November 17, 1914._

Rouen--First Battle of Ypres--At Ypres--A rest--A General Hospital.

_Tuesday, October 20th_, 6 P.M.--Just leaving Rouen for Boulogne. We've
seen some of the Indians. The Canadians seem to be still on Salisbury
Plain. No one knows what we're going to Boulogne empty for.

We have been busy to-day getting the train ready, stocking dressings,
&c. All the 500 blankets are sent in to be fumigated after each journey,
and 500 others drawn instead. And well they may be; one of the
difficulties is the lively condition of the men's shirts and trousers
(with worse than fleas) when they come from the trenches in the same
clothes they've worn for five weeks or more. You can't wonder we made
tracks for a bath at Rouen.

We've just taken on two Belgian officers who want a lift to Boulogne.

_Wednesday, October 21st._--Arrived at Boulogne 6 A.M. Went on to
Calais, and reached St Omer at 2 P.M., where I believe we are to take up
from the motor ambulances. A train of Indians is here. Some Belgian
refugees boarded the train at Boulogne, and wanted a lift to Calais, but
had to be turned off reluctantly on both sides. Have been going through
bedding equipment to-day.

No mail for me yet, but the others have had one to-day.

3.30 P.M.--Off for Steenwerck, close to the Belgian frontier, N.W. of
Lille. Good business Just seen five aeroplanes. Have been warned by
Major ---- to wear brassards in prominent place, owing to dangerous
journey in view!

4.30.--This feels like the Front again. Thousands and thousands of
Indian troops are marching close to the line, with long fair British
officers in turbans, mounted, who salute us, and we wave back; transport
on mules. Gorgeous sunset going on; perfectly flat country; no railway
traffic except _de la Guerre_.

6 P.M., _Steenwerck_.--Pitch dark; saw big guns flashing some way off.
The motor ambulances are not yet in with the wounded. The line is cut
farther on.

8 P.M.--We have had dinner, and have just been down the line to se