From this time till Christmas the daily life of the battalion varied but little. A certain number of parades and route marches, frequent football matches, latterly education classes in the Y.M.C.A. hut, an occasional concert in the same place, varied by motor-lorry trips to Lille, Cambrai, Armentières, and other places of interest, made up our daily round. The fact that we were in a town, dilapidated though it might be, helped to relieve the monotony, as there were some shops open, and a certain number of things to be seen. The departure of thirty-five coal-miners for demobilization about this time also stimulated the hope of early dissolution, albeit some feeling was caused by the fact that the total war service of some of these men amounted to about as many days as the war had lasted years. Preparations for Christmas were an important part of our work at this period. Our unexpected rest at Christmas, 1917, had caught us unprepared, and we could do but little; but this time the funds received from home, which included a handsome contribution from the 5th (Territorial Force) Reserve Battalion Private Fund, made it possible for us to arrange an entertainment almost regardless of expense. The Army provided us with excellent plum-puddings, and we took care to have these delivered early. Enormous quantities of turkeys were ordered from the Expeditionary Force Canteen, and the country was scoured for fruit, vegetables, and beer. The "Cheerios" set to work on a most excellent programme for Christmas night, and the prospect of a really good Christmas seemed assured. But, alas! for the hopes of the men. The Expeditionary Force Canteen, on whom we had relied, were lavish in their promises, and that was all. Up till 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve they assured us that the turkeys, like John Gilpin's hat and wig, were "upon the road," and, indeed, expected every moment. They never came. A number of pheasants, however, which arrived at the eleventh hour and fifty-ninth minute, were purchased, and the town was scoured in every direction for pork. In the end, two companies only had their Christmas dinner on Christmas Day, the other two on Boxing Day. It was a great disappointment, especially after the valiant exertions of our Quartermaster's staff and others. However, that Christmas Day was a success few will deny, and the "Cheerios," filled with the good food and (possibly) drinks suitable to the day, produced an excellent programme, which was highly appreciated. On the following day the Officers played the Sergeants at football; but the Sergeants were so overcome, apparently, by the proceedings of the previous day that the Officers won by five goals to nil. The rest of the day was occupied with the usual activities connected with a move which had to be made on December 27th to Warlus Camp, a distance of about five miles.