t of British and Belgian nurses from La Panne Hospital
brightened the gathering, and at the conclusion of the sports the
prizes were presented by two of the lady guests. On the Saturday
following Brigade Sports were held under ideal conditions, the
Battalion representatives winning numerous prizes.

At Church Parade on the 26th, the Presbyterian Service was conducted
in camp by the Rev. Dr. Kelman, of Free St. George's, Edinburgh, who
delivered a very impressive address which was listened to with the
closest attention by the men. Dr. Kelman then left to preach to
another Battalion and the 17th prepared to go back to the line.

The Battalion kept up its old record of keen patrolling, and during
their front line spell at the beginning of September some
reconnaissance work was well carried out under conditions unusually
difficult. On the night of 3rd September, 1917, 2nd Lieut. Forbes and
Corpl. J. Wilson of "C" Company waded across a swamped portion which
lay between the Battalion positions and a point known as Roode Poorte
Farm. Coming to a point where the water was too deep for wading,
Corpl. Wilson swam across and on reaching ground crawled in the
direction of the enemy lines. Finding this line of approach of no use
for operations, he swam back to the point where the patrol was
covering his movements, and selecting another point, swam across the
canal which lay to the east, opposite the farm buildings, and carried
out his reconnaissance.

On the 8th, while at Wulpen, a gas attack was successfully carried
through on to the enemy's lines, and on the 13th, the third
anniversary of the forming of the Battalion was spent in the trenches.
A telegram congratulating the Battalion on its anniversary was
received from the Brigadier, and a reply sent reciprocating the
General's good wishes.

The enemy perpetrated a novel surprise raid, which had some of the
elements of picture-house humour in it, on one of the Battalion
advanced Listening Posts, and by their new device gained temporary
footing in it. A strong stream of water, apparently from a hose was
directed suddenly upon the men in the Listening Post from the enemy
position. While the men were baffled and blinded by the rush of water,
the post was bombed and the two listeners retired on the main post for
support. Immediately a counter-attack was organised and led by Company
Sergeant-Major Miller of "A" Company, and the post was re-established.

Orders were received on O