e and bomb saps with doubtful success. It was enough,
however, to annoy the Turk, and very soon spotting the position of the
trench mortar, he would concentrate several guns on it, and at the first
sign of any enemy reply our trench mortar friends would pack up and make
a hurried departure, realising that they were due at another part of
the line to carry out a similar demonstration.

The sickness which had started earlier on was continuing to take heavy
toll of all the troops on the Peninsula and the battalion was gradually
dwindling in strength. Of the full strength battalion which had landed
at the beginning of July, there were only left sixteen officers and 498
other ranks at the end of September. While these numbers further
decreased later on, Corps Headquarters realised the danger of this drain
on the troops, especially as it seemed impossible to obtain
reinforcements from home, and started a rest camp at Imbros with the
idea of giving a rest to officers and men who most required it. This
camp was gradually moved to Mudros, and in all, three parties were sent,
and the lucky ones benefited considerably from the change. Several
officers joined us during this period; some of them unfortunately were
not with us long owing to this sickness. Early in November we got our
only fresh draft from home, Lieut. Andrews and forty-two men from the
2/5th H.L.I. joining us. Major Neilson also rejoined the battalion at
this time.

A few days after this the Battalion moved from the line for another
short spell in rest camp to an area which was new to the Battalion, but
had been vacated by the 155th Brigade before our arrival, they relieving
us in the line. The officer's mess accommodation was somewhat limited
and it was found necessary to form two battalion messes, Headquarters
and half the officers occupying a fairly comfortable dug-out with
matting roof for a shade. The other mess was constructed by Captain
Fyfe, who worried the Adjutant for working parties until he had dug a
large enough hole in the ground as he considered would be necessary. The
next problem was to get some sort of shelter, as the weather was
beginning to break and we were endeavouring to prepare for rain. A large
canvas sheet was produced in the usual skilful manner of Captain Fyfe
for obtaining what he wanted, and then arose the question of how this
roof was to be supported. Nothing daunted, he approached the Colonel and
managed to borrow some precious pieces