A month full of routine visits and office work. The reference to the attack on the French colonial troops may have been part of the battle of Verdun that had begun on 21 February 1916.

1 February

All the chaplains came to a Celebration in the Echelon Chapel where I spoke to them on, ‘Preaching Christ and Him crucified.’ I had breakfast with them all and saw each one individually all the morning. After lunch I went with Cooper to try and obtain a large room in the Hotel de Ville for our work amongst men on Sunday nights. I had tea with Mrs de Winton, called on the Gordons and spoke to Corkey* about the Echelon Chapel.

2 February

MacNalty* who had been invalided at Rouen came up with me in my car to G.H.Q. in about 4½ where I found a good many things to worry one, – the 1st Army chaplain, the A.Gs.’ difficulties. I stopped in the office all the afternoon and settled some of the worries.

3 February

Saw and Posted three new chaplains who arrived last night. Also visited the A.G. and discussed our offices and working. He agreed with me about Blackburn*. In the afternoon I saw the Commander in Chief. He was very helpful, backed me up about Blackburn and told me how keen and interested he was in our work.

4 February

We sat some time on the Prayer Book. Simms* and I made an attack on the Adjutant General's office about the instructions to chaplains. Conran* and Southwell* came up and stayed the day. Southwell* and I drove out in the car to see Barclay’s* Head Quarters and visited General Beale Browne8 and got back to the office about 7.

5 February

Worked hard in the office all the morning and tried to find the 35th Div. on the way to Poperinghe in the afternoon. I fetched up at Talbot House in Poperinghe about 6.30 and found a very flourishing establishment used by soldiers as a club and by officers as a House of Rest for those coming and going on leave.

6 February

Sunday at Poperinghe. We had about 20 at the early service where I celebrated at the chapel in the roof. Well filled by Talbot.