rds of parapet without inflicting a single casualty.

The march to and from the trenches was an exceedingly trying one. Only
once was part of the Battalion able to use motor-buses, but, after the
first tour, use was made of the "Ypres Express," to whose Commanding
Officer the London Rifle Brigade will ever remain indebted.

The Battalion was in the trenches during the abortive gas attack on
December 19th, but was not affected by the gas, which passed just
behind it. _To face page 28._

[Illustration: POPERINGHE, 1915.]

Christmas Day was spent in Poperinghe.

[Sidenote: =1916.=

=Jan. 4th.=]

On leaving the trenches on this date the Battalion was kept in Brigade
reserve. Apart from heavy night-working parties, the week was not too
uncomfortable, though baths were impossible.

[Sidenote: =Jan. 18th.=]

The London Rifle Brigade returned to rest under canvas instead of to
billets.

[Sidenote: =Feb. 1st--8th.=]

Owing to the relief of the 3rd Division this period was one of variety.
The Battalion marched from trenches to rest, and back into reserve. It
was attached to three different Brigades, and for a time was Divisional
Troops. Eventually, on the 8th, orders were received to entrain the next
day. The various outlying details were collected before midnight.

[Sidenote: =Feb. 9th.=]

The Battalion entrained for the South.

[Sidenote: =Gommecourt.=

=July 1st.=]

This fighting is too recent for any details, however bare, to be given.

Previous to this date the Battalion, now part of as fine a Territorial
Division as France had ever seen, took its ordinary tour of training and
trenches. It was, of course, known that the Division was going "over the
top" at the beginning of the offensive, and all training was carried out
with this great end in view.

_To face page 29._

[Illustration: VOORMEZEELE CHURCH.]

The following extract from the account published in the Press is given
here, not because the writer of these notes does not feel able to
give his own account, but because he might unwittingly say more than the
Censor would feel able to pass:--

"I am about to give, on first-hand information, an
account of the part which has been played by
certain of our famous London Regiments. These
regiments, which included the London Rifle
Brigade, the Queen Victoria's Rifles, the Rangers,
the Queen's Westminsters, and London Scottish, had