Barlin was not a bad place of residence.

There were many men within easy reach, and I had an upper room in the Town Hall for use as a chapel.

The presence of a well equipped British hospital also gave one opportunities of seeing our wounded men.

We had come to know by this time that the first task which lay before us in the opening of spring was the taking of Vimy Ridge, and our life became filled with fresh zest and interest in view of the coming attack.
On the 15th of March our Division moved up to a place called Ecoivres, where we were billeted in the old Chateau.

The Count who owned the Chateau kept some rooms downstairs for himself, but we occupied all the rest of the building.