on), having
been appointed Requisitioning Officer to the Brigade. His thorough
knowledge of French was the determining factor in securing him this
appointment, a very responsible one for a youth of 19.

_August 5th, 1915._

At length a chance to write a letter home. I seem to have been
travelling for weeks, and I had no time for anything but hasty
postcards. My address may not convey much geographically, but I
will take the risk of saying that I am very far up country,
and--which of course pleases me immensely--not many miles from
the real Front. My work involves a great deal of French
conversation and much riding and motoring. I am, in fact, a
Requisitioning Officer, a title which almost explains itself.

The journey up from the base seemed absolutely endless, but was
never lacking in interest, so much was there to see. The glorious
spirits of our men would be a lesson to the Jeremiahs at home.
Never had I expected, never could I believe possible, that such a
wonderfully jovial spirit could prevail among men going to
certain danger and hardship and possible death. I saw a lot of
Welshmen on the way, and wherever one met them they were singing
in those gloriously rich Welsh voices.

How kind-hearted our soldiers are I realised on my journey up.
Frequently alongside the railway line were groups of French
kiddies shouting, "Souvenirs!" "Souvenirs!" In response our
fellows were chucking out to them from the train all sorts of
things, bully beef, bread, biscuits, etc., and laughing and
chatting at the windows. What a diversity of tongues and accents
among our soldiers! Cockney, Lancashire, Scotch, Welsh and West
Country were easily recognisable. For cheerfulness and kindness
you will never match the British Tommy.

I don't see so very much difference between the new and the old
France, except for the greater number of uniforms; the same gay
old cafe-life goes on as always.

Only four out of the fifteen A.S.C. officers who left London on
Monday last came up-country, and I was one of the four. Eureka!
also Banzai! There ought to be a chance of some excitement,
anyhow. I am in glorious health and spirits and feel very pleased
with life. Isn't it fine that my desire to be really close to the
thick of things s