bert, the billets being
partially destroyed houses. The following day the march was resumed to a
hut camp near the quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit, well known to the few
remaining survivors of the 15th September. After a few days in this camp,
troubled only by an occasional shell, a move was made into High Wood West
camp, a cheerless place consisting of black tarpaulin huts. From this and
a similar camp across the valley (High Wood East) the Battalion did two
tours in the front line at Factory Corner, where the line consisted of
more or less isolated posts. The support line, where a few days were
spent, was just in front of Flers. During these tours the weather was
exceedingly cold and the men suffered considerably, both in the line and
in the camp. There was also a considerable amount of shell fire. Parties
carrying up rations and pushing trolleys up the light railway from
Clarke's Dump had several casualties, and on one occasion the camp was
hit and all the signallers who had been left out of the line for training
became casualties. In the line itself the only outstanding incident
happened to a patrol which found itself surrounded one night, but
succeeded in getting back safely. Towards the end of the month came
rumours of relief, and on the 24th January the Division was relieved by
the 1st Australian Division. The Battalion came out to a new hut camp on
the Beaver Road, between the Bazentin and Mametz Woods. The next day it
marched to Becourt Camp, the air being full of rumours as to the future.

It soon became known, however, that the Division was moving south to take
over a section of the line hitherto held by the French, still in the
Somme area, just south of Peronne. From Becourt the Battalion continued
its march to Ribemont. The march was uneventful except for the fact that
the two rear Companies took a wrong turning, and after a roundabout
journey arrived late at the halting place for dinner. At Ribemont it
stayed for about three weeks, during which training was carried out, the
men being accommodated in barns. Col. Allen was still in command with
Lieut. T.J. Arnott (Gordon Highlanders) as Adjutant. There was little of
interest during this period and, on the whole, everybody was pleased when
the move was resumed to huts at Hamel. After a few days there the
Battalion marched to billets at Proyart, where Lieut.-Col. J.W. Jeffreys,
D.S.O., returned and took over command. Again, in three or four days it
marched to Fouca