[Sidenote: =Nov. 16th.=]

The distance was 17 1/2 miles, and the roads _pavee_ almost the whole way.
There was also some rain. In spite, however, of the absence of other
Battalions to keep them on their mettle, not a single man fell out of
the column.

[Sidenote: =Nov. 17th.=]

Except for bruised feet, the march next day, about 11 miles, was not
very trying. Two nights were spent at this town, where the Artists and
Honourable Artillery Company were also in billets.

While on the march it had been possible, for the first time, to see
aeroplanes being shelled, and, while in these billets, the Battalion
learnt what it meant to see the remnants of a Brigade come out of
action.

[Sidenote: =Nov. 19th.=]

The Battalion moved one stage nearer to the firing line in a snow-storm.

[Sidenote: =Nov. 20th.=]

Brigadier-General Hunter Weston paid the Battalion a visit, and
addressed the Officers. He gave a short account of the 11th Infantry
Brigade, which he commanded, and to which the London Rifle Brigade was
attached, and outlined the scheme of training. Half-companies were to be
attached to Regular Battalions for a spell in the trenches, the men
being scattered amongst the Regulars. As soon as their worth had been
proved, half-companies were to be put in the line intact, and later
whole companies.

At dusk on this date half the Battalion proceeded via Ploegsteert to the
trenches.

[Sidenote: =Nov. 21st.=]

For some unknown reason the Battalion had not been permitted to adopt
the "double company system" in England, but on this date the change was
made with half the Battalion absent in the trenches.

"A" and "D" Companies became No. 1, under Major King.

"E" and "O" Companies became No. 2, under Captain Soames.

"G" and "P" Companies became No. 3, under Major Burnell.

"H" and "Q" Companies became No. 4, under Captain Bates.

_To face page 12._

[Illustration: PLOEGSTEERT.

_Experimenting with a Rifle Grenade._

From Left to Right:--LIEUT.-COL. EARL CAIRNS, C.M.G., COL.-SGT. OVER,
STAFF-SGT. (NOW REGTL. SGT.-MAJ.) ADAMS, AND CAPT. OPPENHEIM, D.S.O.]

For the purposes of reference, these companies will be referred to as A,
B, C, and D respectively, though, owing to the confusion that might have
arisen with the old letters, this nomenclature was not actually adopted
till after the second battle of Ypres.

Up to December 18th the trench training of the London Rifle Brigade
continued. Platoons and whole c