klin, and his place at the head of the transport was taken
by Lt. Wilkinson, after a brief period of duty by Lt. C. R. Thorpe. Col.
Bromfield returned from leave just after we went into the line again at
Givenchy after the four days' rest. This spell in the line was marked
principally by cold, frosty weather and most of the battalion figured in
the trenches in wonderful fur coats popularly known as leather jerkins.

The Manchester brigade were fortunate again in being out in divisional
reserve for 'Xmas. Excellent fare was provided for the 7th in the shape
of turkeys, pork, 'Xmas pudding, extra vegetables, barrels of beer and
extra rum rations, so that hilarity was the order of the day. There
being a good deal of snow about at this time tactical exercises
frequently took the form of inter company snow-ball fights. To have
Major Hurst with us during this period previous to his departure on
Courts-martial work could not have been more opportune, for he had ever
been most energetic on the social side of the battalion. With
reminiscences of his impromptu concerts and lectures on Gallipoli and in
Egypt we knew we should not look in vain for something from him. His was
the master-mind behind this Yule-tide festivity, while a delightfully
funny sketch written by him in which Gwendoline de Vere of Greenheys
Lane figured prominently, gave the officers and sergeants of the 7th an
opportunity of displaying their dramatic skill. The inhabitants of
Bethune, where most of the brigade were in billets at this time, will
not easily forget the efforts of the 127th brigade to make the most of
its 'Xmas rest. The Boche made unpleasant contributions to the
proceedings by way of long range shelling by day and bombing by night,
but although the 8th and the civilians suffered somewhat by these
displays, the 7th escaped practically unhurt.

In the opening days of the New Year we returned to the line in the
Brickstacks sector south of the canal, and the heavy snow and frost
having been succeeded by a sudden thaw accompanied by rain, the
condition of the trenches in the low ground can be better imagined than
described. Leather jerkins were quickly supplemented by "boots, gum,
thigh," and the British soldier came to assume the appearance of a
Yarmouth fisherman. Runners, etc., arriving at company H.Q., would first
demand from the harbour master permission to navigate their course
through the troubled waters, while facetious notices indicated times