ision,
and a Machine Gun Company for each Brigade. Heavy calls were made on the
infantry to man these, and the transfers which ensued made serious gaps
in the ranks of the 28th. Lieut. J. J. S. Scouler, the Signalling
Officer, was selected to command a company of the Cyclists and secured
his third star. Lieut. G. D. Shaw and 2nd Lieut. A. M. Hope went to the
2nd Pioneers and were accompanied by many well tried N.C.Os. and men.

To the Machine Gun Company Lieuts. T. O. Nicholls and C. R. Field went
together with the whole of the Machine Gun Section, which had done such
sterling work on Gallipoli. For the future, in order to ensure a
tactical use more in keeping with their fire power, machine guns were to
be grouped under the Brigade Commander. Their place with the Battalion
was taken by two Lewis Guns--an automatic rifle and a new weapon. These
were given into the care of 2nd Lieut. F. Sears who, with a newly formed
Section, was sent to attend a School of Instruction in that arm.

In connection with the new formations, Major C. R. Davies was selected
for promotion, and on the 28th February left Ferry Post to take over the
command of the 58th Battalion.

Towards the end of February some modifications were made in the
establishments of the infantry battalions. For reasons unknown,
provision for Signalling and Transport Officers was omitted and the
duties had henceforth--until some time after arrival in France--to be
carried on by subaltern officers taken away from their platoons.

Further changes in the Battalion were necessitated by the attachment to
Brigade Headquarters of Lieut. N. W. Sundercombe, as Brigade Bombing
Officer, and Lieut. G. A. Read, as a Staff Trainee. The necessary
adjustments were made. Major A. W. Leane became second in command, and
was succeeded in "C" Company by Captain A. S. Isaac. Lieut. C. M. Foss
took up the duties of Adjutant. 2nd Lieut. R. G. Sexty remained in
charge of the Transport, whilst the Signallers were supervised by Lieut.
A. E. C. Gepp--a Duntroon graduate, who was posted to the Western
Australians at this stage. The remaining vacancies for officers were
filled by the promotion of Sergt. A. Brown, whose good work on Gallipoli
had brought him especially under notice, Company Sergeants-Major B. A.
Bell, J. McIntyre, and Sergt. H. C. King.

About the middle of February, the General Staff seemed to have formed
the opinion that the situation in regard to the Canal no longer gave
cause