Stretcher Bearers at the Double - ElectricCanadian.com

240 GERMANY, ENGLAND & HOME
us that the Germans had operated a munitions plant there and
that our
- -
avaitors had repeatedly bombed the place killing
over seven hundred civilians but doing little damage to the
munition factory. This day s march was twenty-four kilometres.
Saturday, November 16th - - Left Quievrechain at 10.30 a.m.
Crossed Belgian frontier and continued on to Frameries (Pop.
12,000), southeast of Mons. Arrived in town in the evening and
had good billets in private homes. We were greeted and acclaimed
by the inhabitants all along the route. Improvised flags and
bunting were strung from tree to tree and hung from house
windows everywhere. Twenty kilometres was the distance we
marched on this day.
Sunday, November 17th - - Resting at Frameries. Civilians
continued to treat us very hospitably. Clothing and kit inspec
tions held. Orders received to turn in one-third of all equipment.
Covelli returned from leave to Italy and brought with him some
the Command
Italian wine for his friends - - and got crimed by
ing Officer for being a couple of days late Rations ! very scarce. *
Monday, November ISth - - Marched off at noon to Houdeng-
Aimeries. Passed through Mons, where the citizens gave us a
very cordial welcome. This day s march was made rather un
pleasant on account of the roads being blocked with marching
troops and returning refugees. We arrived at our destination in
the evening and were given billets in a convent hospital-school.
No rations were received during the day. Shortly after our
arrival the convent Sisters served hot soup to us. That night a
public dance was given in our honor. It was held in the townhall
and the dance floor was crowded with swaying soldiers and
A balcony which circled the room was jammed with
civilians.
joyful spectators. Scarcely a cap-badge or tunic-button was left
to our men after the belles of the town got through with their
welcome. All had a wonderful time, and in spite of the fact that
they had to go to sleep hungry, the fellows were fairly happy.
The colonel s explanation of the food shortage was that railway
bridges, tracks and roadbeds had been blown up and that trains
couldn t get through. Routine Orders of the day informed us
that Harry Fryday had been awarded the Medaille d Honneur,
a French decoration. The day
s march was twenty-one kilometres.
*By nightfall of this day all the Allied armies had crossed the lines they occupied
at the moment hostilities ceased.