The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

VIMY RIDGE 67Officers to march with the Battalion to its billets. Asthe red-tabbed escorts were also thrust into the downpour it was a question who were being censured.In the meantime Lieutenant Clark had arrived at Aucheland arranged the billeting.For the Headquarters Messhe found an attractive home occupied by MadameCossart and her two small daughters. Her husband was then a prisoner in Germany. When shelearned that she was to have several Canadian officersbilleted in her home she did not shrink from the obviousload which was being placed upon her household, butentered enthusiastically into every suggestion made byLieutenant Clark. Further, she arranged for the wholeMess to be her guests at dinner the first night. Thebilleting officer, learning what had taken place en route,laid his plans to give everyone a pleasant surprise,including the attached Staff Officers. He kept everything a secret until the officers had changed their clothesfor dinner and had assembled in the conservatory. ThenMadame and her children were introduced and herdelightful surprise announced. The tall doors of thediningroom were thrown open and Madame presidedover a delicious dinner of many courses and many toasts.The ordinary rations had been supplemented and disguisedas only a French chef knows how, and when the StaffOfficers left they were feeling so kindly towards the Battalion that they had nothing but praise for it.Many happy days were passed in this hospitable place.While the house could not be described as a Chateau, ithad, nevertheless, many of the ear-marks of a verycultured home. The brick walls and wrought-iron gatesenclosed a well-kept garden and park grounds. Abadminton court was laid out on the lawn where theofficers wore out the racquets and shuttle-cocks suppliedby their charming hostess. Later, the officers took greatpleasure in sending a new badminton set from Englandto Madame Cossart.The Battalion settled down to hard training, followinga definite syllabus, rehearsing the new formations adoptedin February, marching in gas masks through an area