Thu, Nov 5 to Fri Nov 13, 1914 BUSTARD CAMP, SALISBURY PLAIN, ENGLAND
War Diary entry: 5.11.14 to 13.11.14 Bn at Field Training, musketry, digging trenches, route-marching etc.
"Route marches, parades. Inspections, and all the " stuff " that the veteran in the game dislikes so thoroughly were fully engaged In here. A fortnight of tramping over this ground transformed it and the camp to a veritable morass of mud and water. The daily rains started in enthusiastically to help, so that soon the quagmire was up to the knees… The rain continued steadily. There was scarcely a day without its showers. The downpours interrupted parades and route marches, and the soldiers’ clothing was wet most of the time. In fact, it was seldom dry, there being no fire by which to dry it. The Canadians found the much heralded " ideal” climate of " the tight little isle " the wettest, dankest sponge in the shape of weather they had ever experienced. And the Canucks were more than ever surprised to find that the English houses were about as cold as the outside weather."
Quoted from the book, "Mopping Up", written by Lieutenant Jack Monroe PPCLI
