Bethune was within easy reach, and a visit to the quaint town made a pleasant afternoon's ride.
Rumours were abroad that with the opening of Spring we were to begin an offensive, and it was generally believed that towards the close of the next year we might hope for the end of hostilities.

Our men were being trained, when weather permitted, in open warfare, and the time of so-called rest was really a period of constant activity.

The chief hotel in the place became an officers' club, and very pleasant were the reunions we had there.

I was glad we were going to spend Christmas out of the line, and determined to take advantage of the theatre as a place for Christmas services.

The 8th and 14th Battalions were quartered in the town, besides some smaller units, so we had a good many men to draw upon for a congregation.