behind our present front line, the second just behind what was called the “old British Line,” now used for our supports.  It was a gigantic task, and the work was very slow, even though every available man worked all night.  The inside of the breastwork was to be revetted with frames of woodwork and expanded metal, and, in order that the parapet might be really bullet proof, the soil for it had to be dug from a “borrow pit” several yards in front.  The soil was sticky and would not leave the shovel, which added terribly to the work; for each man had literally to dig a shovel full, walk five or six yards and deposit it against the revetting frames.  Fortunately for us the Boche did not seem to object to our work, in any case he left us in peace each night.

While this was in progress, an effort was also made to try and drain the area.  In many places water was lying, held up by sandbag walls and old trenches, actually above the ground level, and it was hoped that by cleaning ditches and arranging a general drainage scheme for the whole area, this surplus water might be drained off, and, in time, the whole water level lowered.  Lieut.  A.G.  Moore, M.C., who returned from England at this time, was made “O.C.  Drainage,” and set to work at once with what men he could collect, but so big were the parties working on the breastworks each night, that only a very few could be spared for this other work, and not very much could be done.

Soon after Lieut.  Moore, 2nd.  Lieut.  G.B.  Williams also returned to us, and became Battalion Intelligence Officer, a post now started for the first time.  At the same time four new officers arrived—­2nd Lieuts.  G. Selwyn and W. Ashwell to “A” Company, 2nd Lieut.  A.N.  Bloor to “B,” and 2nd Lieut.  V.J.  Jones to “D.”  C.S.M.  Gilding and Serjt.  Brodribb both left us to be trained as officers, and their places were taken by C.Q.M.S.  Johnson who became C.S.M. of “C” Company, and Corpl.  Roberts who took charge of the Transport.  The latter was still under the special care of Capt.  Burnett, although he had all the Transport of the Brigade to look after.

Our first tour ended on the 25th, when, after 12 days’ mud and frost, we were relieved by the 4th Lincolnshires, and came back to billets in the Rue des Chavattes, not far from Lacouture, where Stores and Transport remained throughout this time.  Our casualties had not been very heavy, and we lost more through the weather conditions than at the hands of the enemy, for Capt.  Fowler and several N.C.O.’s and men, unable to stand the exposure, had to be sent to Hospital.  Our billeting area included several keeps or strong points—­L’Epinette, le Touret, and others—­for which we found caretakers, little thinking, as we stocked them with reserve rations, that the Boche would eventually eat our “Bully,” and it would fall to our lot in three years time to drive him from these very positions.  The day after relief, the Brigadier went on leave, and Col.  Jones took his place at Brigade Headquarters—­“Cense du Raux” Farm—­somewhat to the annoyance of one or two of the other Commanding Officers, who, though junior to the Colonel, were all “Regular Time-serving Soldiers.”