r things which we
didn't realize that we had to do when we enlisted.

To-day the paper says "Fair and Warmer." We could do with some of that.
Years ago, before I joined the army and lost my identity, I rather liked
occasionally getting wet in the refreshing rain; but now the trouble is
that we are always wet and have nowhere to dry our things, except by
sleeping on them.

Our major has an original scheme of training men in the ranks to qualify
for commissions, sort of having half a dozen embryo officers ready. I have
been picked as one and have to study in all my spare time. It means a
great deal more work, but it's very interesting and the sort of thing I
would like to do. We start to-day.

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We began our instruction on the machine gun to the officers and the men
who are up here for a special course; I have a boozy lieutenant, who
doesn't care a hang, and a bright non-com. Some of the officers we brought
over make good mascots.

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It was fine to-day. We were even able to open up the tent flap to dry the
place a bit. To-day the major congratulated me on the Christmas card I
designed for the unit.

Our classes of instruction to the "alien" officers finish to-morrow. Both
the men I was instructing passed.

The adjutant is very anxious to put us through our officers' training
course quickly.

We are now recognized as the specialist corps in the machine-gun work with
the Canadian Division, and he is anxious that we shall be ready to take
commissions when casualties occur. Every battalion of infantry has a
machine-gun section attached, and we have the job of training the officers
and sergeants of these sections.

Owing to the bombardment of the east coast, several of our battalions are
under orders to move at a moment's notice. It is thought that the
bombardment was simply a ruse to draw the British fleet away from around
Heligoland.

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The newspaper boys in Salisbury, when you refuse to buy an "Hextra," shout
"Montreal Star" and "Calgary Eyeopener," and all the shopgirls and
barmaids in Salisbury say, "Some kid," "Believe muh," "Oh, Boy!"

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I had been granted Christmas leave at the last minute, and as it was
awkward to telegraph to Northwich, I arrived after a long journey, lasting
sixteen