f his battalion, the leading waves of which, during an attack,
became disorganized by reason of rifle and machine-gun fire at
close range from positions which were believed to be in our hands.
Lieutenant-Colonel Best-Dunkley dashed forward, rallied his leading
waves, and personally led them to the assault of these positions,
which, despite heavy losses, were carried.

"He continued to lead his battalion until all their objectives had
been gained. Had it not been for this officer's gallant and
determined action it is doubtful if the left of the brigade would
have reached its objectives. Later in the day, when our position
was threatened, he collected his battalion headquarters, led them
to the attack, and beat off the advancing enemy. This gallant
officer has since died of wounds."

And some time afterwards I noticed, in an illustrated paper, a little
photo entitled "Daddy's V.C." It was the picture of a little baby being
held in his mother's arms at Buckingham Palace, while His Majesty King
George the Fifth pinned upon his frock the Victoria Cross.

[Illustration: Map of FREZENBERG]

FOOTNOTES:

[11] This refers to the officers' quarters. Company Headquarters were
stationed in the cellar mentioned in the previous chapter.

[12] See Appendix V.

[13] He did not get as far as Aviatik Farm. We met again at Scarborough
in October, and he told me that he was wounded about the same time that
I was wounded.

[14] Sergeant Brogden was afterwards killed in action at the Battle of
Menin Road, September 20, 1917.

[15] _Manchester Guardian_, August 4th, 1917.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I.

MURRAY AND ALLENBY

In view of my comments upon the appointment of Sir Edmund Allenby to
succeed Sir Archibald Murray, the following extract from the _Manchester
Guardian_ of September 17, 1919, is of interest:

_The Victor and His Predecessor._

When Field-Marshal Allenby stepped off the train at Victoria to-day one
of the first men whom he greeted was General Sir Archibald Murray, his
predecessor in the East. The meeting must have been a pregnant one to
them both. Sir Edmund Allenby came home victor of our most successful
campaign in the war to receive a peerage, while inside and outside the
station London was roaring its welcome. General Murray, after the
failure of the battle of Gaza, had been transferred home and had been
received there with the severes