Pamphlets poured in—­“How to fortify farmhouses for defence”—­“Notes on recent German offensives”—­Plans of rear defences.  Generals made speeches telling the troops to be brave, artillery officers reconnoitred new gun positions miles behind the lines, and the entire Labour Corps seemed to be digging “last ditches.”  It was all very depressing, and many men were heard to remark that they wished the Boche would attack, so that there might be an end of words, and a chance for a few deeds.  No one doubted that the Division was perfectly capable of looking after itself and dealing with any German attack.

Then came Influenza, and with it the end of all chance of immediate action for the Battalion.  Officers and men were attacked alike, and in a few days more than 250 were sent to Hospital.  Fortunately a temporary place was fitted up at Bruay, and the majority of cases were dealt with there and not sent down the line, where they would have been irretrievably lost.  The cause of the complaint will be for ever a mystery; its symptoms were temperature—­weakness, fainting and loss of voice.  Some blamed the gas, others the huts, and others the Bracquemont hospital buildings.  The Medical Officer, wise man, would give no opinion.  The weather was damp and raw and at times very cold.  Consequently no one was very sorry when, on the 24th, the Brigade marched to Bruay.  The Battalion and a 9” high velocity German shell arrived in Bruay about the same time and found the place deserted.  Several houses had been hit, and the inhabitants had wisely decided to take no risks, so, with the exception of the colliers, had all gone.  This made billeting very difficult.  Buildings were all locked up and no one had the key.  Eventually everybody was squashed into the Girls’ School—­the officers occupied one of the dormitories, and, though uncomfortable, all had at least shelter from the rain which fell in torrents.  At intervals a tremendous roar followed by a crash announced the arrival of what became known as “another toute suiter”; fortunately no one was hurt.  The following day the Brigade moved into Fouquieres; the 4th Battalion occupied the old Hospital huts, and we shared the remainder of the village with the 5th Lincolnshire Regiment.  Battalion Headquarters were in the Chateau, still occupied by the two ladies, now the only civilians left in the village.  With the most wonderfully cheerful courage did these two remain, though their servants had gone, though food was almost unobtainable, and though there was seldom an hour without a shell falling in some part of the village or its surroundings.  The Battalion was exceedingly lucky and escaped with practically no casualties; not so the 4th Battalion, which lost several men in the huts.  Most of the influenza cases now returned, and we were once more strong enough to take the field.  On the 26th we lost Captain and Quartermaster A.A.  Worley who went to England never to return.  For some time his health had