Over the Top With the Third Australian Division | Page 3

such prolonged training in mock
trenches and in inglorious safety. However, since leaving England the
Division has lived down the scorn that was heaped upon it, by

upholding the traditions handed down by older and more war-worn
units. Recently the Division was referred to by a noted General as one
of the best equipped and most efficient units not only amongst the
Overseas Divisions but of the whole Army in France.
The arrangements for our moving out were approximately perfect.
There was no hitch. The military machine, like the Tanks of recent
fame, over-rides or brushes to one side all obstacles. There was
manifest among all ranks an eagerness to leave nothing undone that
would in any way facilitate entraining and embarkation. The
knowledge that we were at last on our way to the 'Dinkum' thing had
the effect of leading us to take a more serious view of the situation. It is
surprising, however, how soon men become attached to a place; and
though the conditions at Lark Hill were in no sense ideal, it had been
our home for several months and we were loth to leave. Perhaps the
thought that many of us might possibly never return inspired the
longing looks that were directed towards the camp as we marched on
our way to the station. Who of those who took part in that march will
forget the cheers with which we were greeted by the residents of that
picturesquely situated village as we trudged along its winding road?
We had enjoyed their hospitality, and we appreciated their cordial
wishes for success and safety.
The task of entraining a large body of men was expertly accomplished,
and after a brief delay we were speeding in the direction of the port of
embarkation. The train journey was practically without event. The men
were disposed to be quiet. On arrival at the quay parties were detailed
to assist in putting mails and equipment aboard the transports.
Punctually at the hour advised we trooped aboard the ships that were to
convey us across the water. There was very little accommodation for
men, but they squeezed in and made the best of the situation. The trip
across was not as comfortable as it might have been, but its duration
was so brief that the discomfort was scarcely worth serious thought.
The transports cast anchor off the harbour early the following morning,
but it was not until late in the afternoon that they were berthed
alongside the wharf. Scarcely had the transports touched the wharf-side
when they commenced to disgorge their living freight.

[Illustration: The trip across was not as comfortable as it might have
been.]
From the waterside we marched to No. 1 Rest (?) Camp, situated on the
summit of a hill on the outskirts of the town. The camp was reached
some time after darkness had settled down over the land. The weather
was most miserable. The air was charged with icy blasts, and rain fell
continuously throughout the night. The least said about our impressions
and experiences during our brief stay in that camp the better; suffice to
state that one of the most miserable memories that can be recalled in
connexion with our experiences on active service is associated with No.
1 Rest Camp.
The following morning we marched to the main railway station and
entrained for the Front. The accommodation provided was fairly
comfortable, though the carriages (?) had been used more for carrying
mules than men. The train journey extended over thirty hours. All
along the route there were evidences of military activity denoting
extensive and effective military organization. We noted the continuous
stream of traffic on the roads, and were amused with the names chalked
on the heavy guns, which were being drawn by a style of tractor quite
new to most of us. 'No friend of Fritz' was a powerful-looking gun, and
greatly impressed us; but the sight of a number of heavier guns thrilled
us, and we involuntarily shouted 'Good old England.'
There was not a dull moment during that thirty hours' run. There was
much to interest the 'freshmen.' Eventually we reached our rail
destination, and marched to our quarters, where we arrived late at night.
That we were not far from the fighting line was very evident by the
close proximity of the artillery, which expressed itself so emphatically
that the air reverberated with its deep boom, relieved at intervals by the
staccato reports of machine-guns in action.
The troops were quartered in different places. They were as indifferent
as they were different, but any place which afforded shelter from the
rain and protection from the cold was greatly appreciated. Despite the
inconveniences within and the noises without few had difficulty in
wooing Morpheus and reposed in his embrace until a late