re relieved again by the 5th and went back to our old support
position. After two days the L.F's. came up again to relieve the
brigade, but the bulk of our battalion continued to go up in the evening
to dig in a corps cable which was being laid as far forward as possible.
By the time we completed the last of our journeys to the east of Ypres,
we were a battalion chastened in body and spirit. Many big gaps had been
made in the ranks, and it was when we settled down to the more
comfortable and peaceful existence that these gaps were keenly felt. A
most noticeable absentee was R.S.M. Hartnett. He had been badly hit by a
piece of shell at Bill Cottage, and later died in hospital at Rouen.
Hartnett's work with the 7th Manchesters has nothing but good to show.
He had been a sergeant instructor with the battalion in pre-war days,
being sent to us by the 1st Manchesters, and had gone out in 1914 to the
Soudan. He stayed on through Gallipoli, and became R.S.M. when Franklin
was made adjutant. A keen, regular, disciplinarian and the scourge of
feeble N.C.O's., he was an untiring worker in entertainments. His song
in Gallipoli--"Oh, Achi, Achi Baba," to the tune of the "Absent Minded
Beggar" will never be forgotten, while some of the sketches that he
wrote and had performed were masterpieces of good humour. C.S.M. Clough,
of "D" company, was appointed as his successor and although the post of
R.S.M. is a difficult one to fill, he did some excellent work,
particularly in the line.

Toronto Camp sheltered us again for a night or two after which we moved
nearer to Poperinghe. It was evident by now that we were to leave Ypres
altogether, and no one exhibited any regrets, but there was a peculiar
feeling that the division was rather under a cloud, and apart from a
natural partisanship in the matter, everyone was indignant at the
unfortunate opportunities which had been afforded us to make our
reputation in this country. All were emphatic that had we been given a
sporting chance in a general attack, there would have been nothing
wanting in the final result. However, there was a violent spring clean
through the division. The G.O.C. left us, as well as a number of the
staff. In accordance with an army scheme to move round commanding
officers, Lt.-Col. Cronshaw was exchanged for the C.O. of the 8th
Worcesters--Lt.-Col. Carr, D.S.O.--and bade a sad farewell to the 7th on
September 20th. The men sent a good many regrets after him, for he had