On August 1st our Division suddenly packed up and started once more
for Le Cauroy. We knew now that big things were in store for us and
that the Canadian Corps were going to attack. We heard rumours of the
preparations the French and Americans had made in the South, and we
felt that at last the Allies were going to get the initiative into
their hands. Whither we were going, however, we did not know, but we
all devoutly hoped that it would not be the Salient. The secret of our
destination was kept most profoundly. We were told that everything (p. 271)
depended upon our holding our tongues and exciting as little curiosity
as possible among the inhabitants. Once again, as before Vimy, but to
even a greater extent, we felt the electric thrill which kindles the
imagination of an army going into battle. The rapid move which the
Canadian Corps now made was the most sporting thing we ever did, and
it appealed strongly to the hearts of young men who were keen on games
and had been inured to a hardy life in Canada. Swiftly and secretly
the battalions entrained at various points and left for parts unknown.
I went in my side-car to the machine-gun headquarters at Liencourt,
and on the next day to the Cure's house at Le Cauroy. I found out from
Headquarters that our Division was going south within a day or so, but
that I was not to tell the men. The brigades were billeted in the
neighbouring villages, but were soon to move. I was only one day at Le
Cauroy, and on the 3rd of August, after a rainy morning, started off
in my side-car for Hornoy, a little village not far from Amiens. We
left Le Cauroy in the afternoon, and soon the sun came out making the
freshly washed country more beautiful than ever. It was very interesting
finding our way by the map, and as we neared our destination I met
many friends in the other divisions who were stationed in the villages
through which we passed. By the time we reached Hornoy, the sun had
set. My billet was to be with the Cure. I went over to the neat white
Presbytere which was approached by a large gate leading into the
garden. The old man came to meet me at the door of his house, and put
me through a lot of questions in what I thought was a needlessly gruff
manner. I found out afterwards that he was very kind, and that his
gruffness was only assumed. He gave me a room upstairs comfortably
furnished, and invited me to come into his office whenever I pleased.
The church, which could be entered from the garden, was in good order,
and parts of it were very old. The day after we arrived at Hornoy was
Sunday, August 4th. It was the fourth anniversary of our declaration
of war, and I had hoped to hold a big service for the men. Unfortunately,
we were all scattered and, as our hymn books did not turn up, having
been confiscated as a reprisal by some of the crown and anchor men, my
plans were frustrated. In the afternoon I went by side-car to Amiens
and found the city looking very different from its appearance on my
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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