TCD MS 10823 folio 7 recto
[March 22nd 1918] examination, I was brought back to the bare room again. Soon after one o’ clock we were given a slice of black bread with some so-called jam on it and a cup of acorn coffee, for all of which we were very grateful. This we had only obtained by protesting that we could not march any further unless we were first given something to eat. We were then formed up, & had a march of 18 Kilometres to Guise. The guards on the way were quite friendly and allowed us to halt when we wanted. On arrival at Guise the French inhabitants shewed us the greatest sympathy and I shall never forget their goodness. They rushed up to us with food of all kinds, with bottles of tea, cider and coffee, although they were terribly short of food themselves, and I am sure that we cannot thank them enough for their kindness which touched all our hearts in the depressed and pitiable plight that we were in.
We were taken into an old shop that had been turned into a billet and fitted up with wire beds, and here we were to spend the night. We managed to get some water for washing and the inhabitants seized the opportunity when the guards were not looking to fill our pockets with biscuits and bread and sausages.
Just before midnight we were woken up and marched through the town down to the station, where we were given some soup after which we were marched back again to our billet, singing on the way the Marseillaise which annoyed our guards considerably, but pleased the French. In the morning we were again marched down to the station and given a cup of acorn coffee and a slice of bread,