n equipment and their dead. X Company were
on the right in New Year trench supported by Y Company in Gordon Post. W
Company were in the centre in "The Loop," and Z Company on the left in
"The Bean."

On the 27th March, at 4.15 a.m., the 3rd Division on the right attacked
at St. Eloi, and during the attack the Medical Officer (Capt. White) and
a party of stretcher bearers rendered valuable assistance. A few days
later (2nd April) the Battalion was relieved by the Canadians, who had
suffered heavily from shell fire in coming up, and moved again to
Dickebusch, where there was a stay of two days before moving South to
Scottish Lines at Westoutre and La Clyte.

A week later, on the 8th April, the Battalion was again in the line, this
time relieving the 7th Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry in trenches N
and O, in front of Wytschaete, with back area at La Clyte. These trenches
were of the breastwork type. About this time there was a good deal of
fighting on the left, where the Germans were trying to retake the St.
Eloi craters.

On the 24th April the Battalion was relieved and marched to rest billets
at Berthen. These billets were found to be farms scattered over a large
area. A few days after arrival, Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys, D.S.O., returned
and took over command from Lieut.-Col. Stevens, who went as Brigade Major
to a Canadian Brigade. Early on the morning of the 30th the Battalion
was roused by the news of a gas attack, but after standing to till
daylight it was not required to move. A week later, 2nd Lieut. G.
Kirkhouse was appointed Adjutant in place of 2nd Lieut. Yaldwyn, and on
the 8th May the Battalion returned to La Clyte for four days working
parties. The only other incidents of importance during May were an
inspection by Sir Douglas Haig and the farewell inspection and address on
the 16th by Brig.-Gen. Shea prior to his departure to take over command
of the 30th Division. He was succeeded by Brig.-Gen. Westmorland.

On the 28th May the Battalion returned to the trenches it had left a
month before, and on the 2nd June the men were able to watch the German
attack between Hill 60 and Hooge and the Canadian counter-attacks on the
following day. Lieut. Ebsworth, M.C., D.C.M., East Lancashire Regt.,
joined as Adjutant on the 7th June. During this tour the first Battalion
raid was made by men of Y Company under 2nd Lieut. H.C. Annett and 2nd
Lieut. J.F.G. Aubin, who was Battalion Bombing Officer. The party
consisted o