ed digging support
trenches for the firing line battalions, and we were digging daily until
we relieved the 7th H.L.I. on the morning of 6th January.

The line consisted of two valleys with a long ridge running towards the
enemy in the centre. "D" Company took the right of the sector in Lyle's
Post, a knoll in the middle of the right valley, which was completely
commanded by Pimple Hill some 800 yards in front. This was a high peak,
its name describes its shape, which was held by day with an observation
post, but was unoccupied by night. It was rather an uncomfortable spot,
because, while it commanded a magnificent view of the surrounding
country, the Turks knew we had a post on it, and it came in for periodic
shelling.

"A" Company held the main ridge, or Moore Ridge as it was called in
compliment to our Brigade commander. "B" Company held a knoll in the
left valley, known as Christmas Hill from the fact that it was occupied
in a re-adjustment of the line on that day. This was an extremely hot
spot, and was continually getting more than its fair share of shelling.
On 7th January Lieut. Gardiner, who had joined us on 20th December, and
one man were killed by a shell at this post while reconnoitring.

Our life in the line was very uneventful. The digging of the posts was
not nearly completed, and we were continually digging and wiring. In
this we had the assistance of the 7th H.L.I. Our two main difficulties
were in getting the trenches to stand and drainage. The Lyle's Post and
Christmas Hill trenches were in sand, and required almost complete
revetting. The Moore Ridge trenches were in clay, and every time it
rained they had to be bailed out with buckets. A few days in this part
of the line made us all very efficient sanitary engineers; if it did not
teach us where to dig drains, it certainly taught us where not to dig
them.

A beautiful cookhouse was dug at Lyle's Post, partly to conceal the fire
and partly to give the cooks shelter from the daily heat. The night
after it was completed with much labour it rained; in the morning the
degtchies, which had been filled the night before ready for breakfast,
were under three feet of water and mud. After much vain fishing with
bivouac sticks, the degtchies were rescued, but it was only after
several hours' drain-digging that the cookhouse was cleared of water and
the bacon discovered in a far corner.

On the night of 21st January we were relieved by 7th H.L.I. and retire