21st Bn, CEF-Wednesday, October 30, 1918
The twelve days rest and training period spent in Auberchescourt was most pleasant and the most beneficial experience by this Battalion. The billets were excellent and practically every man had the opportunity of renewing his acquaintance with a spring bed with real mattress on it. Many of the billets had pianos and each evening the whole area rang with music, classic and rag-time, which reminded all of happier days and some (the Veterans) of the marvelous change that has taken place since the arrival of the Battalion in France, more than three years ago. The training facilities were good and the Battalion Parade ground was just outside of the town area. A twenty target 200 yard range was constructed by Brigade about one kilometre distance. The training consisted of Physical Training, Ceremonial Marching exercises, Drill, Gas instructions, Musketry and Tactical schemes, and terminated with Brigade Staff Ride for the Officers and the firing of the Application, Grouping and Rapid Musketry exercises at the ranges on the 31st. During the training period the Battalion was visited daily by Lieut-Colonel L.H.Millen, D.S.O., Acting Brigadier and Captain H.M.Wallis, M.C. Brigade Major who, with the Brigade staff, did everything possible to assist the training.
Image: A Canadian enjoying blackberries which he had just gathered in Bourlon Wood. Advance East of Arras. October, 1918, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.