Public School with three masters, plus four others from Preparatory
Schools, journeyed into Devon to plant potatoes for the Army Canteen Committee. Terms: board and lodging free and railisay expenses paid. Quarters: a large empty house on the outskirts of a small market town. Accommodation: two rooms for meals, a small room and bathroom for the masters, all lavatory arrangements for the boys in stable-yard; six bedrooms, board beds with straw mattress and pillow, and four military blankets each. Food: Army rations, voted "jolly good." Hours: break- fast 7.30; started for work (main job being two and a half miles away) 8.15. Work: 9 till 1 and 2 till 5; stepper, 6.15; prayers, 9; lights out, 9.45. Work done: three hundred yards fencing portion of deer park, and about thirty-five and a half acres planted with potatoes. Weather: snowstorms on all but two out of the twelve days, and severe frosts at night; bright bursts of sunshine at interval's. We were splendidly looked after by a Captain (invalided home), his wife, her young sister, assisted by two Army orderlies. A small canteen was also run, and much appreciated. A dance on the last evening, to which about a dozen ladies kindly came, was a happy finish to an enjoyable and health-giving bit of national work. The boys acre splendid.—I am, Sir, &e., ONE OF THE PARTY.
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