Diary Entry - 17th November

We spent a pleasant night and woke up in the morning to find that we were well on our way down channel, with a slight haze hanging over the water. The sea was very calm, with a slight groundswell, and we sighted Havre at about one o'clock. The boat got alongside about 2.15 and, on landing, we found that we were to proceed direct to headquarters at the Hotel de Ville, to receive orders. Our man Shipley fought his way into the office and received orders that we were to proceed to Harfleur, to No. 11, at 4.30, the time being 3.15 when we left headquarters. We filled in the time with a cup of tea and met at a prearranged spot where we embarked in taxis for Harfleur.

Harfleur is about seven miles out, and the trams run all the way out. After a lot of name signing, we were eventually posted to No. 2 Base Camp and reported there to the camp adjutant, who sent us off with a corporal to find a bunk. We were put into a small hut – three of us – Sam, Bee and self – and when all the kits were inside, there was very little moving space. On hunting about in the dark, we found the mess, which consisted of a small anteroom, crammed full of people, and a dining room, the whole place built of tin and very airy. After dinner, as there was very little standing room in the anteroom, let alone sitting accommodation, we made for our bunks. I forgot to mention that 10 other men from Weedon training camp arrived the same night as we did.