the unit had experienced. The available men for defensive
purposes were only too few and as new assembly trenches had to be dug
every night and all night, and also owing to the difficulties of
rationing and watering, the men were unable to get any rest.

The Brigade commenced a move to Ampliers on 16th July, and on the road
the Battalion was met by Lieut.-General T.L.N. Moreland, commanding
the X Corps. He expressed to the Commanding Officer his appreciation
of the good work done by the Battalion while under his command, and
his deepest sympathy in their losses. On the 26th the Brigade moved
into Bethune and two days afterwards paraded in full marching order,
including "tin hats," on a sweltering afternoon, to be inspected by
General Munro, G.O.C., 1st Army. A very warm day. Owing to the calls
on an Army Commander's time, this inspection was considered to be a
great honour and a mark of appreciation by the authorities of the fine
spirit shown by the Division during the Somme battle.

August saw the unit leave Bethune to take over the Cambrin right
sub-sector from the Northamptons, after putting in some fine shooting
on the old French Government Rifle Range at Labeauvriere. The strength
of the unit in the trenches apart from the officers, at the taking
over (August 5th) was 199--tragic testimony to the Somme. Immediately
on taking over the trenches they were subjected to trench mortar
bombardments and sniping raids. On 12th August Lieut. and Adjutant
Paterson became Captain and Adjutant, Major Paul became
Lieut.-Colonel, and 2nd Lieuts. Morrison and Marr, Captains.

The following weeks of August, September and October were marked with
much moving about with various spells of that sort of uneventful
trench warfare which is perhaps in some respects more trying on the
nerves and strength of a unit than actual operations. On August 23rd
they were in the Hulluch Section. In this Section there was a good
deal of mining going on and there were two big craters which required
special watching, but the Battalion soon set to and trained in
grappling hook work to be ready for any kind of crater fighting that
might be demanded of them. On August 31st a move was made to Annequin
via Beuvry and Bethune, and ultimately by bus journey to the trenches
at Guinchy left sub-section, and in this area the unit remained during
September. On the 11th of the month a night raid was attempted, but
was frustrated owing to the Germans bombing the p