ate of repair and badly flooded.

The dispositions of the Battalion were--one company in the front trench,
one in London Farm and its environs (this supplied the night-carrying
and working parties), one company, which was used for general fatigues
for the Brigade, in reserve in Ploegsteert, and one company resting,
washing, and cleaning in billets at Armentieres. Every company spent
three days in each place, and in many ways this was the most comfortable
tour of duty the Battalion ever had.

The men made themselves thoroughly at home in the cottages of the
village, while the three days' rest in Armentieres owed much of its
enjoyment to the initiative shown by the 4th Division in organising both
divisional baths and divisional Follies.

Headquarters and various details, which included for the first time a
permanent working and wiring party, were, of course, always "in action"
in Ploegsteert.

[Sidenote: =Mar. 11th--20th.=]

This was a period of "standing by" and various small moves, but
eventually, after three days in the East Lancashires' trenches in front
of the Convent, the Battalion took over the centre section in the wood
on the 21st March.

Lieut.-Colonel Earl Cairns, C.M.G., owing to ill-health, left the
Battalion on March 16th, and Major A. S. Bates took over command.

[Sidenote: =Mar. 21st--Apl. 17th.=]

The section was held with three companies in the wood, and the fourth in
reserve in the village. The other battalions of the 11th Brigade went
into rest on the 16th, and the London Rifle Brigade came out last on the
next day. The 11th Infantry Brigade was relieved by a brigade of the
South Midland Division.

The following extract from a letter shows the change of conditions
between the first and second sojourn of the Battalion in the wood:--

"We are back again in the wood, and really almost glad, though I expect
you will hardly believe it. Our quota of work in the winter no doubt did
a good deal towards the transformation, and spring is now helping
matters. The corduroy no longer stops at the worst parts, where we used
to hold our breaths and make a dive for it. Hunter Avenue, and right
beyond it to the end of the wood, is now quite a pleasant walk. Rations
and carrying parties, though they have developed a rather peculiar gait,
can progress at a reasonable pace, and have no need to wade so long as
they keep to the boards. On either side, however, we still have a
reminder of the nightmare that is pa