road, Battalion Headquarters and “C” Company moved to the cross roads on the Avesnes road, and occupied a large farm, where the two attached 4th Leicestershire Companies were also billeted.  Except for distant explosions in the East, it was a quiet night, and the M.O., Capt.  Aylward, to prove we were really winning the war, solemnly went to bed in pyjamas regardless of the proximity of the enemy.  Soon after midnight, “B” Company reached their outpost line, and at 7-0 a.m. the following morning, “A” Company were also in position, and we sent off Lieut.  Ashdowne to billet for us in the area to which we were told we should go as soon as relieved.

The country here was in a pitiable state, for the Germans as they retired carried off everything—­livestock, vehicles, all food, and most of the male population.  The civilians that were left behind took refuge in the cellars during the fighting, coming out as soon as the Boche had gone, and bestowing kisses and cups of coffee with great liberality on the leading platoons as they entered each farm house or hamlet.  The feeding of all these people had to be undertaken by the British Army, and as our advance continued the French Mission were kept very busily employed.

The Brigade relief was already in progress when, at 10-0 a.m., November 9th, it was cancelled, and instead we were ordered to push forward at once and establish a new outpost line East of Sains du Nord—­a small town through which the Cavalry had passed in the morning.  The right half Battalion was ordered to concentrate in Zorees, while the rest of us with the two Companies of the 4th Battalion formed up near Battalion Headquarters, had dinners, and at 2-15 p.m. moved off.  As we did so, an amusing incident occurred.  A certain Company Commander, picking up his box respirator, found that he had thrown it off into a patch of filth; copious oaths followed, and he vowed that he would murder the next Boche he saw.  Some half hour later, as we entered Zorees, a cyclist patrol met us, escorting one undersized little prisoner, splay footed and bespectacled.  The Company was delighted, and with one accord hailed their Commander with cries of “Now’s your chance, Sir.”  No other enemy were seen, and we marched straight into Sains by the Railway station, to receive a welcome from the civilians which rivalled even Fresnoy in cordiality.  They thronged the streets with flags and great bunches of chrysanthemums which they showered upon us, so that by the time we reached the Mairie we looked like a walking flower show—­every man having a flower in his hat.  The 4th Battalion Companies found the outposts, and we billeted in a large factory which had been used as a Hospital, while Battalion and Company Headquarters occupied various magnificent Chateaux.

Throughout the following day, November 10th, we remained inactive, unable to move because our supplies and rear communications could not move at our pace owing to the German demolitions.  All day long reports came in from the East showing the hopeless state of confusion to which the German Army had come.  Civilians told us of Artillery drawn by cows, airmen reported roads congested with traffic and columns of troops, it really looked as though at last we should have a chance of delivering a crushing blow.  Late that night came the telegram ending hostilities, and the chance was gone for ever.