December 21, 1918
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Busy in the morning unloading waggons and distributing gear around to the different departments, and saw the Colonel about going in to Charleroi for comforts etc. for sick in Battalions, etc. He gave me a car for the trip in the afternoon and I also took some sick to Hospital, also a S. Sgt. going on leave to Paris. Set off about 2.30 and found the main road in a shocking state, reaching Charleroi about 22 miles just on dusk.
Got rid of patients, then parked the car in the square, and set to to see the place, it being too late to do my business, so decided to stop the night. I found it to be a large city like Amiens and brilliantly lit with electricity, the shops being fairly well stocked and windows well dressed. Things were dear, such as bacon being 5/- a lb., but otherwise everything entirely normal. German money in full circulation, the mark being worth 1F.25. Visited several of the cafes and tried their coffee 1Fr. and beer Fr.0.60, also had a game of billiards.
They were up-to-date with waiters, etc. Cinema Shows were plentiful and I went into one, entry free, inside being all tables at which beer, etc. was served. There were plenty of young men about, the war treating Belgium lightly in this respect, and everyone looked happy and prosperous. All the coal mines in the vicinity appeared to be working, in fact all appeared normal except for the troops present, the greater number being Australians.
Notices such as “Welcome to our bravo Allies” “To our liberators” etc. were plentiful, and I noticed that America here as elsewhere came in for praise out of all proportion. Woodrow Wilson’s photo and the Stars and Stripes being more prominent than anything British. Slept in the car and had a good night turning in about 10 and having a read by candle light.