d
were billeted in the small village of Vieux Mesnil. Here we received
official orders to stand fast on the morning of November 11th. At 11
a.m. the battalion paraded outside the church and there the bugles
sounded "Cease fire" for the first and last time during the War. The men
took the news very quietly. We were too close to actual events to give
ourselves over to the mad demonstrations of joy such as took place in
spots more remote. At the same time everyone experienced a curious
feeling of calm satisfaction that an unpleasant task had been
accomplished. The 42nd division had taken part in two great drives, the
clearing of the Turk from British territory in 1916 and the clearing of
the Hun from allied territory in 1918.

CHAPTER XI.

Aftermath and Home.

The division concentrated at Hautmont, and on November 14th the 7th
marched into this town, and there occupied billets close to the Square.
We now had an opportunity of realising the manner in which the Hun had
delivered his last expiring kicks. Delay action mines had been placed
under the railway at various points, and although one of the terms of
the Armistice demanded that they should be indicated and removed, many
were too near the time for explosion to allow of their being touched. As
a result the railhead could not proceed beyond Caudry for some time, and
it was necessary to convey supplies over a considerable distance by
road. As arrangements had also to be made to feed the civilians, and
repatriated prisoners of war, who now began to stream across the
frontiers in an appallingly emaciated condition, some idea will be
gained of the difficulty of keeping the troops sufficiently rationed.
The men of the 7th, however, realised this and took a common sense view
of the matter.

In the second week of December the 42nd division marched up into Belgium
to Charleroi, the 127th brigade being quartered at Fleurus, a delightful
village about six miles out of the town. Here the men of the 7th had a
most happy time, for the villagers welcomed us right gladly and made us
extremely comfortable in our billets. Turkeys, beer, extra vegetables
and rum once more figured in the 'Xmas fare and it was with really
rejoicing hearts that the Fleur de Lys spent their last Yuletide away
from home. "C" company maintained the prowess of the battalion by
securing the divisional prize for the best decorated dining hall.
Later, chiefly through the efforts of C.S.M. Branchflower a