and the Strombos horns were sounded.  The flank Units sounded theirs, too, and Bienvillers took it up, much to the annoyance of the batteries and staffs who were thus unnecessarily disturbed, since the Strombos should never be used for gas shells only.  It was a very natural mistake, but we were severely “strafed” by the authorities; however, as we had no casualties, and there had been many in other Units, we ended by being congratulated.

On the 14th February came the beginnings of the thaw, and with it the first rumours of a German withdrawal.  Three days later the enemy shelled Foncquevillers heavily, apparently with a view to a raid, or possibly to deceive us into thinking that he did not mean to retire.  Our guns replied, and the Right Half Battalion under Major Griffiths, who was already quartered in the village, stood to, but nothing happened.  The remainder of the Battalion with the Headquarters was now in Bienvillers in Brigade reserve.  The weather once more became frosty, and there was a thick mist almost every day.  On the 23rd we relieved the 4th Battalion, and occupied some 2,500 yards of front line opposite Gommecourt, where the Huns shelled us at intervals all the next day, but did no damage.  At midnight 24th/25th the Brigadier had reason to believe the Boche was going to leave his lines, and a strong patrol under Major Griffiths went out to reconnoitre.  They cut many gaps in the wire, but found the German front line still held.  At dawn it was very foggy, and there was some shouting heard in Gommecourt, which sounded like “Bonsoir,” but at 7-10 a.m. the enemy opened a heavy bombardment which lasted 31/2 hours.  Shells of every kind were fired and our trenches hit in several places; one man was killed.  The next night patrols were again out and, though it was found that the Boche had evacuated Gommecourt Park, he was still in the village, where the following morning dug-outs were seen to be on fire.  Wire was cut and everything prepared for the advance.

However, the Boche still hung on to his line, and on the evening of the 26th and at dawn the following morning our patrols still found him there. 2nd Lieuts.  Banwell and Beardmore and Serjt.  Growdridge were constantly out, waiting for a chance to enter his lines, but the chance never came, and, on the 27th, we were relieved by the 4th Battalion, and returned to Souastre.  That evening the Boche retired, and the 4th Battalion entered Gommecourt.  At this point we lost Captain J.W.  Tomson, who had been far from well for some time, and now went to England with fever.  He had never missed a day’s work for two years.  Lieut.  D.B.  Petch took his place in command of “A” Company.