28th February 1915 (Sunday)

Severe headache all day.  Parade service at 9.30 am. held in Centre Hall.  Very windy.

27th Feb 1915

Very windy.

26th Feb 1915

Visit Le Portel in evening and meet a Belgian who took me to his temporary home (3 brothers, a wife and child) from Dixmunde.  He was at Louvain working as a medical student when war broke out.

25th February 1915

25.2.15  P.C. to Lena and Emily, Visit Bazaar and purchase (?) and book of views. Pte Lambert 12th City of London Regt described to me how Major Hoare of same Regt was killed whilst leading the way into the trenches by shrapnel wounds in the face and neck, at Ypres on Sunday 14 February 1915, and expressed the deep regret o£ the Regt. He was placed in a rough oaken coffin. He also knew Capt Studd.

23rd Feb 1915

Heavy fall of snow, going to a meeting at Soldier's Home of the C.E.M.S.

21st Feb 1915 (Sunday)

In afternoon had a very enjoyable walk to the fishing village of Le Portel and along the sea front. The quaint Sunday dress of the fisherfolk who were grouped about the picturesque streets or outside or near the doors of the old houses, and the children with smiling faces on their way to Sunday School, formed very charming scenes. The children always smile as we pass and greet us. It is true that they often say good night when it is morning or vice versa, and they run to shake hands. From the height by the Fort we had a fine view of the harbour and of the seaward side of Boulogne. The sunshine flooding over the sea looked very fine. We descended to the sandy cove where the fisher boats lie and saw a fisher boat come in and the little crowd that collected around. We then walked up the cliff on the other side and so by the footpath by the cliff edge. The torpedo boat that brought the Belgian refugees was lying tilted over by one of the piers.

20th Feb 1915

Bright sunny day.