Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-21
CHAPTER vi.
"Back Of the Line

"Baek Of tine Line"
Our tour in the front-line trench
lasted four days, and then we were
relieved by the - brigade.
Going down the communication
trench we were In merry mood, al
though we were cold and wet, and
every bone in our bodies ached. 1t
makes lot of difference whether you
are "going in" or "going out"
At the end of the communication
trench, limbers were waiting on the
road for US. thought we were going
to ride back to rest billets, but soon
found out that the only time an In
fantryman rides is when he Is
wounded and Is bound for the base or
Blighty. These limbers carried our
reserve ammunition and rations. Our
march to rest billets was thoroughly
enjoyed by me. 1t seemed as II l
were on furlough, and was leaving be-
hind everything that was disagree
able and horrible. Every recruit feels
this way after being relieved from the
trenches.
We marched eight kilos and then
halted in front of a French estaminet.
The captain gave the order to turn
out on each side Of the road and walt
his return. Pretty soon he came back
and told B company to occupy billets
III, 11S and 119. Billet 1T was an
old stable which had previously been
occupied by cows. About four feet IN
front of the entrance was q huge ma
nure pile, and the odor from 1t was
anything but pleasant. Using my
tlashlight stumbled through the door.
Just before entering I observed a
white sign reading: Sitting 30. lying
90" but, at the time, Its significance
did not strike me. Next morning l
asked the sergeant major what 1t
meant. He nonchalantly answered:
'That's some Of the work Of the 4.
A. NJ. G. (Royal Army Medical corps).
1t simply means that in case OF an at
tack, this billet will accommodate
fifty wounded who are able to sit up
and take notice, or twenty stretcher
cases."
It was not long after'this that was
one of the "20 lying"
I soon hit the hay and was fast
asleep, even my friends the "cooties"
failed TO disturb me.
The next morning at about SIX
o'clock was awakened by the lance
corporal Of our section, informing me
that I had been detailed as mess or
derly, and to report to the cook and
give him a hand. I helped him make
the fire, carry water from an old well,
and fry the bacon. Lids Of dixies are
used to cook the bacon in. After
breakfast was cooked, I carried dixie
of hot tea and the lid full Of bacon to
our section, and told the corporal that
breakfast was ready. he looked at me
In contempt, and then shouted, Break
fast up, come and get It'll" immedi-
ately got wise to the trench parlance,
and never again informed that Break
fast was served"
It didn't take long for the Tommies
to answer this call. Half dressed,
they lined up with their canteens and
dished out the tea. Each Tommy
carried in his hand q thick slice of
bread which had been issued with the
rations, the night before. Then / had
the pleasure of seeing them dig into
the bacon with their dirty fingers. The
allowance was one slice per man. The
late ones received very small slices.
AS each Tommy got his share he i'm
mediately disappeared into the billet.
Pretty soon about fifteen Of them made
| a rush to the cookhouse, each carrying
huge slice of bread. These slices
they dipped into the bacon grease
which was stewing over the fire. The
last man invariably lost out I was
the last man.
After breakfast our section carried
their equipment into field adjoining
the billet and got busy removing the
trench mud therefrom, because at 8:45
a. m., they had to fall in for inspection
and parade, and woe betide the man
| who was unshaven, or had mud on his
uniform. Cleanliness Is next to godli-
ness in the British army, and Old Pep
per must have been personally ac-
quainted with st. Peter.
Our drill consisted Of close-order
formation, which lasted until noon.
During this time we had two ten.min-
ute breaks for rest, and no sooner the
word, Fall out for ten minutes" was
given than each Tommy got out fag
and lighted It.
Fags are issued every Sunday morn
ing, and you generally get between
| twenty and forty. The brand gen.
orally issued is the "Woodbine." Some
times we are lucky and get "Gold-
flakes" players" or "Red Hussars."
Occasionally an issue of "Life Rays"
comes along. Then the older Tommies
Immediately get busy on the recruits
and trade these for "Woodbines" or
"Goldflakes." A recruit only has to
be stuck once In this manner, and then
he ceases to be recruit. There is q
reason. Tommy Is great cigarette
smoker. He smokes under all condi-
tions, except when unconscious or
when he is reconnoitering in No Mans
Land at night. Then, for obvious rea'
sons, he does not care to have light
ed cigarette In his mouth.
Stretcher bearers carry fags for
wounded Tommies. When stretcher
bearer arrives alongside Of Tommy
who has been hit the following conver-
sation usually takes place: Stretcher
bearer-sWant fagi Where are you
hitw Tommy looks up and answers,
"Yes. In the Leg"
After dismissal from parade We re-
turned to our billets and ] had to get
busy Immediately with the dinner H.
sue. Dinner consisted Of stew made
from fresh beef, a couple Of spuds,
bully beef, Maconochie rations and wa
ter-plenty Of water. There 10 great
competition among the men to spear
with their forks the two lonely pota-
toes.
| After dinner tried to wash ont
the dixie with cold water and rag
and learned another maxim Of the