It was outside Albert, during the Somme attack, that I met a lone
Army Service Corps wagon, laden with supplies. One of the horses was
jibbing, and the driver, a diminutive Cockney, was at its head, urging
it forward. As I approached I saw him deliberately kick the horse in
the flank.
I went up to the man and, taking out notebook and pencil, asked him for
his name, number, and unit, at the same time remonstrating with him
severely.
"I wasn't doin' 'im no 'arm," pleaded the man; "I've only got my
gum-boots on, and, besides, 'e kicked me first."
[Illustration: "An' besides, he kicked me first."]
I tore up my entry, mounted my motor-cycle, and left an injured-looking
driver rubbing a sore shin.--_R. D. Blackman (Capt., R.A.F.), 118 Abbey
Road, St. John's Wood, N.W.6._