The 7th were also able to welcome
an old friend in Major Hurst who suddenly rejoined the battalion from
England about this period.
La Panne had not altogether lost its characteristics as a pleasure
resort, for it was the place where the tired officers of the Belgian
Army came for a rest cure. King Albert and the Queen frequently stayed
at their residence here in their usual quiet, simple way. The Belgians
told you with pride how their monarch could at any time be seen walking
by himself about the streets of the town or along the country roads like
any other officer in the army. A story was told how a couple of young,
dashing French flying officers met the Queen on the beach one day but,
not recognising her, started a conversation. She, seeing the possibility
of a good joke, invited them to her home, and they gleefully accepted.
Picture their consternation when they were presented to the King!
Altogether we spent an extremely pleasant fortnight in this place, and
it was by way of a study in contrasts that October 20th found us
installed in the Redan on the opposite side of the river from Nieuport.
This town is a sister in misfortune to Ypres, but the destruction was
even more complete because it was almost in the front line, and shells
of all calibres dropped in it well-nigh continuously day and night.
Peace-time bridges, of course, had been obliterated, but soldiers had
built others to connect up the front line defence, which was east of the
river, with the rear.
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