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Date: April 4th 1917
To
Trotter Family
From
Bernard
Letter

France April 04, 1917

Dear People,

No sooner do you begin to get settled down here than you are unsettled again. This time it is a transport course, for which I started on short notice at noon on Saturday March 31st. After 48 hours knocking about in trains and waiting at stations, - the last 12 hours in a box car of a supply train, Bayley and I arrived at this place, and I hunted up the Transport Depot where the course is held and reported. Perhaps I should say that our assistant transport officer was to have come; but his superior went sick and he could not be spared. No one else really wanted to come; and the adjutant told me they thought a few weeks more rest wouldn't hurt me; so they shoved me in. I was fed up, you may imagine at being shipped off again. Now that I am here, however, I can't say that I mind it. We had our choice of canvas or billets at our own expense. I dashed the expense and took a billet. Am glad I did since I have seen the huts, which have a most cheerless aspect - looking quite as though they belonged to the mud with which they are surrounded. My billet is ideal - bright, clean room, incomparable bed, table with shaded lamp; charmingly friendly people - 5 minutes walk from the mess.

I got here just in time for lunch on Monday, and started in on Tuesday. The course is largely concerned with horses and mules, their care and management, etc; and we shall get a good deal of riding. Yesterday, for instance, we started out with a general talk on common ailments - mange, lice, etc. Then we had some instruction in grooming. After lunch the weather cleared (it had snowed wet snow in the morning) and we went for a delightful ride into the country, returning to a talk on the general-service-lumber wagon. Then we had tea, and I paid a visit to the Field Cashier to obtain some money; and then returned to my billet to dress and read. After dinner came back to billet and with the aid of a dictionary and (later) Bayley, engaged in conversation with Madame. Still later the party was augmented by Mademoiselle Cecile and her adjutant fiance - a most taking fellow, who wears the croix de guerre and commands an anti-air-craft gun. He is at present on leave.

Altogether it bids fair to be a pleasant three weeks. We have just heard today that Wilson has really asked for war. What wouldn't I give for a few American papers or even the Globe. We may get fuller accounts to-morrow though.

Love to each and all,
Bun.