An interesting account of a long road journey through France, from Rouen to a Mediterranean port, is given in a letter to the Luton News by Pte A. Spittles, Army Service Corps (M.T.), whose mother lives in Saxon Road, Luton.

After serving nearly two years in Northern France, during which time he travelled a good deal, Pte Spittles is now in quite another part of the country, attached to a Canadian Forestry Corps, whose work is felling and preparing timber for the construction of dug-outs.

When the convoy set out, he says, it consisted of about 90 motor lorries, and the general impression was that Salonica was the destination, the journey to be made overland all the way. In the end, however, the Eastern port proved not to be the objective.

At Rouen, the men took on rations and thousands of gallons of petrol. In addition, they were rigged out with sun helmets, shorts and other articles of dress suitable for the warmer regions.

To start with, the writer states, the journey was rather monotonous, 12 miles an hour only being allowed as speed, but after about 30 miles had been covered the novelty began. The tour apparently resolved itself into a sort of triumphal march, for Pte Spittles tells of the splendid reception which the English convoy received throughout from the French villagers.

"Imagine," he sayd, "if you had the American troops march through Luton - how eager you would be to do anything for them. That is something like the French were with us. They told us we were the first English troops they had seen.

"Going through some towns without stopping, it was difficult for the people to show their appreciation, but they threw us huge bunches of lovely flowers, and their smile and a cheerful wave of the hand told the tale. On every day's run the lorries were decorated."

When the convoy pulled up at the end of the first day the news quickly spread (says our correspondent) that the English had arrived. Hundreds of people turned out to see what was happening, and there were several amusing incidents when the visitors attempted to air their knowledge of the French tongue.

Meal time brought a pleasant surprise. "While my chum and I were trying to negotiate our bully beef and biscuit, a lady took pity on us and brought us a four-pound loaf. We tried to show that we were grateful, but all she asked in return was an English button. We had not many left when we finished our journey - just to get something from the English was the people's delight."

While on the tour the lorries provided both day and night quarters for the men of the convoy, but the O.C. permitted the troops to take advantage of numerous offers received from the French to provide sleeping accommodation. Pte Spittle profited by this action, for he was one of three who found shelter at a lady's house. The members of the family were very musical, and a highly successful concert was given. At the close, the Englishmen were asked to sing 'Tipperary' and 'God Save the King' - and, needless to add, quickly consented.

"The worst part of the evening," the writer observes, "was when the lady was showing us round the house. She pointed to the photograph of her son who had been killed, and tears filled her eyes. We did our best to console here, and showed her pictures of our own dear ones.

"The bed was something I had not seen for a long time. The only drawback was that the room was closed in with shutters, and the absence of fresh air was very noticeable. It was 11.30 before we retired to rest, but although we had to be up at 5.30, the good people had a fine breakfast waiting for us. One of my chums was not feeling well, and on learning that he would like some hot milk, our hostess at once prepared it.

"We left the family an Army biscuit in remembrance of our visit. They would not say goodbye, as they came to see us start off. Talk about a send-off - we shall never forget it."

This, says Pte Spittles, was thoroughly typical of the generosity of the people all along the line. However poor in appearance the houses were, something in the way of food and drink was always waiting for the men of the convoy.

For several hundred miles the scenery was grand in the extreme, the wonderful avenues of trees proving especially noticeable. The troops passed also through many large towns, Lyons being among them, though no stoppage was made there.

The writer was struck by the character of the work done by French women - brick-carting, ploughing, street scavenging etc. "They seem to take it all as part of their duty," he remarks.

Having completed almost 600 miles the convoy pulled up for a rest at a Mediterranean port, and being allowed passes the men were enabled to see the sights of the place.

Telling of an experience among the mountains, Pte Spittles says: "We had heard how grand was the view which could be gained from the top, so on a Saturday afternoon ventured the climb. It will give you an idea of the height when I tell you we had to wait for a clear day to see the clouds off, as more often than not they covered the top. On the ascent we thought the next pinnacle was the topmost, but when we reached it found there was yet another still higher.

"The view from the top I shall never forget. I imagine it was very much like being in an aeroplane, and although the earth seemed pretty solid, the height made one feel nervous.

"After inscribing our names on the mountain side, we set out to return. But having taken the wrong path found ourselves looking for the way as the shadows of evening began to fall. Eventually, some guide marks put us on the right road, but we learnt a lesson, for it took use nearly two hours to get down, and only by a scramble did we reach quarters in time."

Finally, after a stay lasting two months, the convoy set out for another part of France, and again the generosity and appreciation of the French residents was exemplified by copious gifts of fruit, flowers and other articles. Away from any town, the men were attached to a Canadian Forestry Corps, but much that was novel and of interest had been seen on the journey.

 [The Luton News: Thursday, November 22nd, 1917]