y, representatives of several battalions forming the funeral
procession. Major A. Ebsworth, M.C., took over command.

When the march was resumed the direction was changed, and, moving
eastwards, billets were reached at Neuville-au-Cornet. Rumours were now
spreading of the forthcoming battle and a further march to
Villers-sur-Simon left no doubt that the Battalion would be involved.
These were the last billets occupied by the men, the next portion of the
trek bringing them to huts at Montenescourt, about six miles due west of
Arras. Here Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O. (5th Yorkshire Regiment)
arrived to take over the command, which he held for nearly a year.

On the evening of the 11th April, in a blinding snowstorm, the Battalion
moved forward to the fight. Marching through Arras, they came to the
caves at Ronville. These caves were like nothing seen before. Excavated
by Spanish prisoners in the middle ages to provide stone for the building
of the city, they extended over an enormous area, and were capable of
holding thousands of men. The sensation of finding oneself in this huge
underground town, complete with electric light and water supply, after
stumbling down a long, uneven stairway, will not be forgotten by those
who survive.

After one night here, the caves had to be evacuated next morning to make
room for more troops coming up. The Germans had now been driven back as
far as Wancourt, which was captured the previous day. On leaving the
caves, cellars in Ronville village were occupied. No sooner were the men
in, however, than orders were received to move further forward. The
Battalion paraded on the road leading to Beaurains, which was crowded
with vehicles and men, and marched off in the afternoon. After their
experiences of trench warfare the sight of open, rolling country, the
scene of yesterday's fighting, was very strange and, to some,
invigorating. Passing through the ruins of Beaurains and Neuville
Vitasse, the route turned across country towards Wancourt, and about dusk
the Battalion reached a sunken road, where it halted. Owing to a delay in
the arrival of the Lewis gun limbers, the Lewis gunners were behind the
rest of the Battalion, and some difficulty was experienced by them in
locating the sunken road. Up to this point there had been no firing or
signs of activity. After a conference of Commanding Officers a relief of
the 14th Division was arranged. W, X and Y Companies moved a little
further up an