R, 1917.

The beginning of May found the Battalion in support, with its
Headquarters on Queen's Hill. As was usually the case, when in support
the time of all ranks was taken up with continuous fatigues and other
duties. At this time, besides supplying working parties for the Royal
Engineers and burying cable for the Brigade Signalling Officer, various
parties, usually of 200 each, were employed in constructing
communication trenches for the battalions of the Brigade in the front
line. On 3rd May the Battalion relieved the 7th H.L.I. in the front
trenches on Lees Hill. Each company held a part of the front line and
furnished its own support. The period in the line until relieved by the
7th H.L.I. on 10th May was uneventful. A considerable amount of time was
spent in improving the trenches and the occasional light shelling which
took place did not do much damage and inflicted no casualties. The Turk
it was observed was spending his time in much the same way and at first
exposed good targets for our machine-gun fire; latterly, however, as a
result of our fire his work was carried out under cover.

The only casualty during this period was Captain T.S.S. Wightman, who
was accidentally wounded by a cartridge exploding in a cook's fire.
After a week the Battalion was relieved by the 7th H.L.I. and the period
in support was taken up in night fatigues for work in the line and by
gas demonstrations carried out by the Divisional Gas Officer under
somewhat trying circumstances, as the weather was very hot and not
conducive to the wearing of a gas mask. Captain Dingwall Kennedy
unfortunately had to leave the Battalion sick and his place was filled
by Captain D.C. MacArdle.

Prior to relieving the 5th A. & S.H. the Battalion had a "night in
bed"--a most unusual occurrence. On this occasion the Battalion held
Kurd Hill, Heart Hill, Carnarvon Redoubt, Snowdon Street, Sniper's Spur
and Sniper's Post. The country was flat and rather uninteresting except
on the extreme left held by "D" Company, where the outlook was over
sandy hills studded here and there with patches of scrub. Captain A.R.
MacEwen and 2nd Lieut. T.C. Price were lent for temporary duty with a
battalion of the 155th Brigade, and as a result the former took a hand
in a successful night raid by the K.O.S.B. on "Sea Poast."

On Brigade instructions standing patrols were furnished all along the
line at night under the charge of two officers. On the night 18/19th May
the