withdrawal of the Divisional line had been almost general,
some of the Battalion posts were still hanging on to the advanced
positions on the 3rd. Many wounded were lying out, suffering the most
appalling rigours of war and the Battalion stretcher-bearers displayed
great devotion to duty in ignoring the heavy fire while bringing them
in to comparative shelter. The work at first was extremely dangerous,
but later on in the day a lull occurred when it was possible to carry
on this labour of mercy under less trying conditions. And it must be
recorded, as far as this battle is concerned, that from this point
onward the German reversed his frequent policy and shewed respect for
the Red Cross Flag, only one instance of sniping taking place when one
of the Battalion stretcher-bearers was shot dead while bending over a
wounded comrade. Enemy stretcher-bearers were also at work and in some
instances they reciprocated attentions given to their wounded, by
dressing and carrying our casualties. In this way all the wounded were
got in before the Brigade was relieved that night. The Battalion
frontage was taken over by the 5/6th Royal Scots. The relief was
successfully completed and the remnants of the Battalion reached
"Hilltop Farm" in the early morning, entraining later for Hospital
Camp in the Vlamertinghe area. The casualties were particularly heavy
among Officers and N.C.O.s, and gives trenchant evidence of their
self-sacrificing gallantry in seeking by utter disregard for danger to
turn a forlorn hope into victory, and by personal example and
incentive to make still richer the honourable traditions of the 17th
in the face of such overwhelming odds, and amidst such overaweing
devastation. In this action seven officers were killed and five
wounded. Of other ranks 41 were killed, 130 wounded and 13 missing.

The Battalion was organised as far as possible in its depleted
condition and work and training carried on until December 10th, when
once more the unit moved up the line to Hilltop Farm, N.E. of Ypres.
During their stay here, Mr. Fred A. Farrell, the well-known Scottish
artist, visited the 17th on a commission from the Corporation of
Glasgow to execute drawings of the Glasgow Battalions and the places
in which they were operating.

On December 13th they were back in the trenches. Hard winter weather
had now set in, with fog, frost and water sogged ground. On the 20th
the Battalion was relieved and, as far as weather is conce