Here we are in the same place as I left them. We reached A_____ [Abbeville] about 5:45 a.m., and found a car waiting us, so after coffee and rolls came on here, arriving about 7:30 a.m. All flourishing here. One shell did all the damage, killed one man and wounded 10, of whom two have since died, and one is not expected to live. It was the 29^th in the line. Some of them going on leave this a.m., were turned back at the rail head at 5.00 a.m. with news that Havre boats were off owing, I think, to submarines. Wretched luck. Showers this morning, turned into blustery but showery p.m. Cold wind, very like last few days at C. B. [Carrick Blacker]

Queen Alexandra’s comforts have come—about 10 things for each Coy., and about five articles for each Coy officer—cigarettes in box, with picture of H.M., muffler, cigar lighter, spoon, knife and fork, games, etc.—all useful things.

There was not a bed to be had in B_____ [Boulogne] last night. Fancy, the people who went by the 7.00 a.m. train found no boat running and had to put in the day at Folkestone and come over by our boat. Russell been made G.S.O. [General Staff Officer] for London District. They had a good deal of rain here Tuesday and Wednesday, place muddy. It turned out very hot in the train yesterday p.m., but I was glad of my clothes on the boat. The first half she pitched heavily, and the second half of the journey, she rolled, at times so badly that the baggage and people on chairs all went sliding into the rails. Smyth and I lashed our chairs to the rails. Some Canadian nurses were in front of us and were very sick. The two men who have died are Houston, a Glasgow man, and Vennard, a brother of the Sgt. Only came in the last draft. Pratt and Padre were in M_____ [Mesnil] at the time, about 4:30 p.m. The old ladies here were profuse in their welcome. Cather brought a gramophone back with him, by Fergie’s direction.