were once more hard at work helping the R.E. in “50” and “A1,” and on the 30th July two of them, Serjt.  J. Emmerson and Pte.  H.G.  Starbuck, working underground, came upon a German gallery.  Without a moment’s hesitation, Starbuck broke in and found that the charge was already laid, and wires could be seen leading back to the enemy’s lines.  If the Germans had heard him at work there was no doubt that they would blow their mine at once, but heedless of this danger, he stayed in the gallery until he had cut the leads, and so made it possible for the Engineers to remove the half ton of “Westphalite” which they found already in position, immediately under “49.”  For their daring work, the two miners were awarded the D.C.M., Starbuck getting his at once, Serjt.  Emmerson in the next honours list.  Two nights later the enemy suddenly opened rapid rifle fire opposite “49,” which equally suddenly died away, and we like to think that some Boche officer had at the same time pressed the starting button to explode his “Westphalite,” only to find that nothing happened.

Towards the end of June, there appeared in the German official communique a statement that the French had been using liquid fire in the Champagne fighting, and those who had studied the Boche methods recognized this as a warning that he intended to make use of it himself at an early date.  The prophets were right, and at dawn on the 30th July the enemy, anxious to recapture Hooge, attacked the 14th Division who were holding the village, preceding the attack with streams of liquid fire, under which the garrison either succumbed or were driven out.  At the same time an intense bombardment was opened, and we, whose rest was not due to end until the following day, were ordered to stand by ready to move at 30 minutes’ notice.  As we waited we wondered whether the 3rd Battle of Ypres had begun, there certainly seemed to be enough noise.  By mid-day, however, we had not been used, and as no news of the battle reached us we were preparing to settle down again for another day of peace, when at 2-30 p.m. orders came for us to go to Kruisstraat at once.  We marched by Companies, and on arrival bivouacked in a field close to the Indian Transport Lines, where we met several Battalions of the 3rd Division on their way up to Hooge, though they were unable to tell us anything definite about what had happened.  The wildest rumours were heard everywhere, that the Germans had used burning oil, vitriol, and almost every other acid ever invented, that the salient was broken, that our Division had been surrounded.  One thing was certain—­that at 4 p.m. the gunfire had almost ceased, and there was no sign of any German near Ypres.