ently got lost, had wandered into a post occupied by the 6th.

That day we were relieved by the L.F's. and went back into divisional
reserve, this time to billets in Louvencourt, and there received
congratulations from various people for our excellent work during the
last long spell in the line. The final incident furnished Col. Manger
with an extra battalion motto: "What we have, we hold." For the attack
on the Triangle, Military Crosses were awarded to Lieut. Gresty and
2nd-Lt. Gorst, while Sgt. Horsfield, who had already earned the D.C.M.
and Belgian Croix de Guerre when with the 9th Manchesters, received a
Military Medal. Five other ranks were similarly decorated.

The battalion was augmented about this time by the arrival of the cadre
of the 2nd 7th Manchesters. The 66th division had suffered severely in
March and as it was undergoing re-organisation, all the second line
units, or what remained of them, were sent to the 42nd division. Capt.
Nelson also returned after a long absence since his wound in May, 1915,
and was given command of "A" company, Capt. Allen, M.C., having been
detailed to take charge of a divisional L.G. school.

CHAPTER IX.

Hammering the Hun.

SERRE RIDGE AND WARLENCOURT.

After a fortnight at Louvencourt the brigade went into the line again on
August 18th, this time on the right of the divisional front. During our
period in reserve important events had taken place south of the Somme. A
lightning stroke, chiefly delivered by the Canadian Corps who had been
suddenly and secretly rushed down from the Lens area, had altered the
whole aspect of the war, for the German Army, which not long before had
entertained such high hopes of reaching the coast and Paris, was driven
to anxiously defending his line. Weak spots in the Hun armour were being
sought out and pierced so that on the whole the enemy was having a bad
time. Anticipating trouble on the third army front he had withdrawn his
outposts to a safer line all along the Ancre and up to Puisieux, and our
men had been able to walk cautiously forward several hundred yards.

Such was the situation when the 7th took over the front line, at the
moment quite unsuspicious of the stirring events in which they were
shortly to take a share. Major Rae commanded the battalion, the C.O.
being away on Paris leave, while Capt. Barratt had resumed the duties of
Adjutant. The Company Commanders for this tour of duty were Lt. C. B.
Douglas, "A," Capt.