"The Battalion came out to France with the 99th Infantry Brigade in
November, 1915. Since then it has taken a leading part in all the many
and strenuous battles in which the Brigade has been engaged. In these
eventful three years we have seen together good times and bad, but
whether things were good or evil the 23rd Royal Fusiliers have ever
shown the same high discipline, _esprit de corps_, and indomitable
spirit which eventually beat down all resistance and won the war.

[Illustration: BATTALION HEADQUARTERS: HORNCHURCH.]

[Illustration: THE BATTALION PIERROT TROUPE: GERMANY.
To face p. 80]

"The battles of Delville Wood, Bourlon Wood, Ayette, Behagnies, Mory
Copse, Canal du Nord, Forenville, and Ruesnes stand out in history as
a record of the achievements of the 23rd Royal Fusiliers--a record of
which the Battalion may well be proud.

"The Battalion is now going to another Brigade and another Division. I
wish it the best of luck, and know it will maintain the high
reputation for discipline, efficiency, and, if need be, fighting,
which it has built up since its formation.

"In bidding it farewell, I wish to thank officers, N.C.O.'s, and men
(including the gallant comrades who have fallen in the fight), for
their gallant services when in the 99th Infantry Brigade. It is they
who have borne the brunt of the hardships and the fighting, and it is
they who have won the war.

"I cannot express how sorry I am to lose the Battalion, or how proud I
am of the honour I have had of having had it under my command.

"Good-bye, and good luck!"

+-----------------------------------------------------+
| THE BATTLE OF DELVILLE WOOD--AN ADVANCE IN FACE OF |
| HUNDREDS OF MACHINE GUNS--A PERSONAL NARRATIVE |
+-----------------------------------------------------+

THE BATTLE OF DELVILLE WOOD--AN ADVANCE IN FACE OF
HUNDREDS OF MACHINE GUNS--A PERSONAL NARRATIVE

To the personal side of the late war we have, in a measure, been
introduced by various war correspondents. But there has always been
something actually lacking, and that something is the touch and the
atmosphere which can only be introduced by those who have been through
the baptism of blood and fire.

In the following pages the _real_ touch is introduced. Every incident
is told by a man who has actually seen and experienced what he
describes. These incidents are in the actual words of the writers.
Nothing is altered.

Here, the