at Loughborough in the first week, their train journey to Duffield in
the second week, the purchase of horses, the collection of stores, the
requisitions for food and the sharpening of bayonets, be demanded, it
can be read in the orders printed many months before war even
threatened. The orders were drawn up by Lt.-Colonel G. German, T.D., our
former commanding officer, now D.S.O., and by his conscientious and
indefatigable adjutant, Captain W.G. King Peirce, who was killed early
in the war fighting with his old regiment, the Manchesters. It is due to
these officers to record that every detail was studiously followed and
found exactly correct. We heard of one officer who, at the time the
printed book of orders was issued, was so fearful lest it should fall
into the hands of some indiscreet or improper person, that he packed and
sealed it, addressed it to his executors, and locked it up in a safe, so
that even sudden death on his part would not force him to betray his
trust.

Of all hard-worked people in the early days it is possible that upon
Major R.E. Martin fell the greatest share. Not only did he see that
supplies were forthcoming, and that dealers delivered the
goods expected of them, but he set himself to design water-carts, and
troughs-water-feet-for-the-washing-of, and cunningly to adapt stock
material to the better service and greater comfort of all, many of whom
were for the first time dragged from the civilities and luxuries of home
life.

At Loughborough from the 5th to the 11th of August we did little more
than pull ourselves together generally, and enjoy the good will of the
inhabitants, led by our firm friend, the oft-repeated Mayor, Mr. Mayo,
J.P.