Near the River Struma, on the Salonika front, in March 1917 our brigade
H.Q. was on the extreme right of the divisional artillery and near a
French artillery brigade.
For the purpose of maintaining communication a French telephonist was
quartered in our dug-out. Whenever he wished to get into communication
with his headquarters he unmercifully thumped the field telephone and
in an excitable voice called out: "_'Ullo, mon capitaine_," five or six
times in half as many seconds.
Greatly impressed by one of these sudden outbursts, the adjutant's
batman--a typical Cockney--exclaimed in a hurt voice: "Nah then, matey,
jest cool yerself a bit till the young lidy tells yer to put in yer
two coppers!"--_F. G. Pickwick (301 Brigade R.F.A.), 100 Hubert Grove,
Stockwell, S.W.9._