Friday, January 3, 1919

Got up after a night. Had breakfast then cleaned my shoes and coats. Repacked my things and got all ready for my trip to Paris.

Left at three and got to the station and had a look around till train time. The place was all destroyed and looked rather distressing. Then found I could not buy a ticket because I was not a man. Such a time and it looked as if I was to sleep in that station when I found some boys who were on their way to Paris and got them to get my ticket. We just had time to get on the train. It was crowded, but I was the only girl and had a good time. There were three French officers, two American Marines, officers and a Red Cross man, and a Segt. Read two hours when we changed at Rivighy. We waited there several hours and could not go in the station because it was for French soldiers and civilians, so we stayed out in the rain. We got our faces washed and visited the Red Cross and had cocoa. Looked around the town. It was very badly destroyed. The train came and it was crowded and we got packed like sardines. Here were 12 in a compartment. Had a good time and arrived in Paris at 8 o’clock on Jan. 4.

More Information

The following section provides historical context and is not part of the original diary entry.

Likely location: Departing Cornay for Paris

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In January 1919, Margaret embarked on a remarkable motor tour through the former battlefields and into occupied Germany. She visited the devastated landscapes of Soissons, Reims, Verdun, and the Argonne before crossing into Luxembourg and Germany, reaching Koblenz where American forces were headquartered.

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