CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR ON THE TRAIN
December 18, 1914, to January 3, 1915
"Judge of the passionate hearts of men,
God of the wintry wind and snow,
Take back the blood-stained year again,
Give us the Christmas that we know."
—F.G. Scott,
Chaplain with the Canadians.
VI.
On No.— Ambulance Train (4).
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR ON THE TRAIN.
December 18, 1914, to January 3, 1915.
The Army and the King—Mufflers—Christmas Eve—Christmas on the train—Princess Mary's present—The trenches in winter—"A typical example"—New Year's Eve at Rouen—The young officers.
Friday, December 18th, 10.30 a.m.—We've had an all-night journey to Rouen, and have almost got there. One of my sitting-ups was 106° this morning, but it was only malaria, first typical one I have met since S.A. A man who saw the King when he was here said, "They wouldn't let him come near the trenches; if a shell had come and hit him I think the Army would 'a gone mad; there'd be no keeping 'em in the trenches after that."