ed with wood and canvas to keep the damp out, while the Mess itself
was a work of art.

The latter was built entirely by the officers and their batmen, under
the personal supervision of our energetic B.C.

The floors, walls and roof of the cellar were lined with three inch
timber, and one day a subaltern, who had been out exploring, came back
triumphant, bearing in his arms a huge roll of wall paper found buried
under some rubbish, at a spot which probably denoted the one time
existence of a decorator's shop. The Mess was therefore duly papered,
with frieze complete, and with the addition of easy chairs, book
shelves, a stove and gramaphone, there was nothing left to wish for,
and the place was most cosy and snug. The entrance, too, was the
admiration of everybody, nicely tiled and decorated with fancy
carvings from the utterly destroyed church. Iron girders, beams, (p. 071)
and countless bricks to the height of several feet rested on top of
our home. It is not to be wondered at, then, that this model position
was frequently visited by high personages, brought hither by our
Brigade-Commander or C.R.A., who appeared almost as proud of the place
as we were ourselves. Moreover, as we were in such close proximity to
the road leading up to the front line, it was only natural that
officers should drop in to this half way house and rest and regale
themselves before resuming their journey, so before long our Mess was
known as "The Pub" throughout the Division.

The forward position was treated in the same fashion, and never before
had both officers and men had such comfortable quarters. Thus we
settled down to a life of ease, such as we had not known since the
Laventie days of two winters ago, and proceeded to thoroughly enjoy
ourselves.

Frequent trips were made into Arras, either on horseback or by river,
for there was a steamboat service, running daily on the Scarpe, which
landed one close to the Officers' Club, a large wooden erection
similar to a Y.M.C.A. hut, run by the Expeditionary Force Canteen.

The town had not been irreparably destroyed, and in most parts the
inhabitants had returned, and were carrying on their usual routine,
while many shops were re-opened and doing good business. The Cathedral
was badly damaged, as well as other prominent buildings, but, on the
whole, the town had escaped wonderfully considering how close the
enemy had been to it for so long. Now, of course, the enemy was over
six miles aw