d many of them
back to the Casualty Clearing Station, but this process suddenly
stopped. All sorts of conveyances were then seized and men were
gradually carried back. When the order to withdraw became known matters
were critical, but the Padre continued his labours. Difficulties were
not diminished when the Hun commenced to drop 5.9's near this spot.
Hoskyns was slightly wounded, but he was bound up and carried on his
self-appointed task until some time after the last of the brigade had
gone by, leaving him with no one in front but the Hun. Not until the
last man had been carried safely off did he leave this place, and then
he collected various stragglers and marched them up as a platoon to join
their own units! This, and his continuous plucky and considerate work in
tending bodily as well as spiritual needs during the next few days
obtained for him a well-earned M.C.

The night of the 25th-26th was even more strenuous than the previous
one. About 11.30 p.m. the withdrawal commenced, and was very skilfully
carried out, so skilfully, in fact, that the German battle outposts
could be heard firing intermittently for hours after our troops had
retired. After steady plugging, man-handling everything, we reached a
system of admirably prepared trenches north of Logeast Wood. The pioneer
battalion 7th Northumberland Fusiliers, who had come to the division in
February, had been working upon them all day, and, excellently sited as
they were, they inspired everyone with a great feeling of confidence.
Men took a lively interest in their posts, and after a considerable
amount of organisation sentries were mounted and the battalion settled
down for a rest until the enemy should arrive. It was now 3 a.m. At this
hour it so happened that the division had received another urgent order
to fall back still further. Staff officers made their way on foot
through the congested roads behind the front and searched dimly for the
various brigades, a most uncertain task in view of the rapidity of
events. We were found eventually and the brigade major aroused us from
slumber to transmit the news.

Once again the 7th rose up, shouldered their burdens, and strode
backwards. "What are we going back for? What does it all mean? We held
up Jerry yesterday--why retire?" It all seemed very unsatisfactory and
we were very tired. Food had naturally been scanty and only obtained in
snatches, but much energy was being consumed. It was a disappointed
battali