without a reference to the band, which, under the direction of Sergt.
T.O. Hann, M.M., had reached a very high standard, and was second to none
in the Division. With the buglers, whose smart appearance attracted much
attention, a selection of music was played in the town daily at
"Retreat." At this time, also, the Battalion concert party, the "Red
Diamonds," trained by Capt. Cardew and Capt. Lyon, provided several very
good entertainments.

It was now March, and the great enemy offensive on the Somme was
expected. After three weeks, the rest was abruptly terminated by orders
to entrain for Amiens, and about the second week in March the Battalion
marched off from St. Martin, and entrained at Arques. At this time it was
perhaps as efficient as any on the Western front, having had few
casualties during the past year, and also having had a large proportion
of rest and training. The officers knew their men both in and out of the
line, and it was confidently expected that in the coming active
operations great credit would be earned--but the overwhelming disasters
of the next three months were never anticipated.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SOMME, THE LYS AND THE AISNE.

_First Phase._

On detraining at Longeau, the Battalion marched to billets in Corbie,
where it stayed for one night. The following day it moved to the south of
the main Amiens-Peronne road to Marcelcave, and was then in Fifth Army
Reserve. Here, for about a fortnight the finishing touches were put to
the training. Included in the programme were the final stages of the Army
Rifle Association competition, in which No. 6 Platoon were defeated by a
Platoon of the 8th Durham Light Infantry in the final of the Brigade
contest. The officers were taken up to certain areas near Peronne, where
the Battalion might have to deliver counter-attacks in the event of a
German success. About the middle of March rumours of the impending attack
became more numerous, and the intelligence reports containing prisoners'
statements, etc., were not reassuring. At last, the date of the attack,
the 21st March, became fairly certain, and the drum fire heard in the
distance on that day was not unexpected.

Orders were issued during the morning for a "stand-to" in readiness to
move at very short notice, and about 3.45 p.m. instructions were received
to entrain at Gouzeaucourt. In less than an hour the Battalion was on the
march, the transport moving at the same time by road. After a shor