al Hill, who decided after some difficulty that the Quartermaster
and Mullen were the best dressed couple, the former as a tin of Ideal
Milk, the latter as an extremely pretty girl dressed in much flowing
white. But there were many other striking costumes, Girot, in shabby
black tail coat and life-like nose made of bread, representing one of
the race that hopes to return to Palestine. Sweet, a monkey (tail and
all); J.W. Parr lived again one of his days as an A.B. at the Crystal
Palace. Colonel Gibbons of the 7th and his Adjutant, Blair, were not
recognised for long in their coster costumes. Colonel Anderson of the
6th arrived as a pirate mounted on a donkey. His fierce mustachios,
jersey, boots and cutlass made him a terrifying sight, while his
Adjutant, Speirs, made a most fascinating young girl, with whom even
Generals showed a disposition to fall in love. The Flying Corps were of
course in evidence and the squadron stationed behind us turned out en
masse, including their energetic juggler. There were young ladies, old
ladies, ladies of the harem and of the ballet; there were all races and
colours. Pipers played the reels, an orchestra of eight from the
Divisional band, with Pte. Williams at the piano, the other dance music.
A well-stocked buffet did a roaring trade. And we all thought there had
never been a night like it.

On the night of 19th March our Brigade relieved the 156th Brigade in the
right sector of the line. We took over from 7th S.R. and were again in
support to the 7th H.L.I. to begin with. The weather was now more
perfect and the country at its best. Spring in Palestine is wonderful;
in addition to the wealth of flowers, the oranges and lemons were
delicious. Part of the line passed in front of a very large grove and
there our limbers could fill up in a few minutes with oranges such as we
had never tasted before. The Turk we saw little of; he was digging in,
but some miles away, and his night patrols never came near us. We spent
quite a pleasant fortnight training, with only an occasional work party
at night. On the 31st of March Lieut. Legate left with a small advance
party to sort kits at Kantara.

CHAPTER XV

FRANCE

On 10th April, 1918, we embarked on _H.M.T. Omrah_ at Alexandria and set
sail for France on the following day. Many were sorry to leave the
Palestine front, where in between the battles the life was often very
pleasant, and no regimental officer was ever heard to say leave