Search The Archive

Search form

Collection Search
Date: August 15th 1917
Diary

Wed. Aug. 15 -

We left about 4:30 a.m. The big barrage opened up just about then. Later, I learned that we were successful in gaining all our objectives. Reached Hdqts. OK and later all that were going to Rest Camp from different 1st Div. units left in motor buses for Béthune where after some delay we entrained in box cars similar to those we came up from Havre in. The trip was very pleasant. We passed thru some thriving looking towns - the fields all looked rich with harvest and the whole country very interesting at this time of year. About tea time, we stopped at Wimereux on the sea-coast and got off. The Rest Camp is near Ambleteuse about 5K from Wimereux. It is up hill marching and I was rather tired when we got there about 7 p.m. We had a warm supper, however and were soon showed to our tents. A couple of little villages near by are within bounds. Wimereux & Boulogne (5K on other side of Wimereux) can only be reached if one has a pass. There is a bathing parade every morning at 10:00 on the seashore. Bathing allowed only within certain bounds and at certain hours. At Wimereux are stationed some of the WAAC (Women's Auxiliary Army Corps). These young women are dressed in khaki and are serving in different capacities as clerks, typists, cooks, etc. at the different bases. All the way from the station to the camp women followed us with baskets of fruit (pears, plums, tomatoes, chocolate & apples) which they were trying to sell.