the crew.

Patrolling was also a queer business. In warmer weather it was
accomplished in bathing costume and tin hat, with revolver between the
teeth or behind the ear, but cold nights discouraged these efforts, and
we sneaked about on our side of the river wondering what we could do.
We were now at the seaside and there was the usual crop of mad holiday
projects. One of these was to experiment with a new gas to be projected
into the Boche front trench across the river. Then Lt. Morten was to
pilot a boat over, hop into the said trench, and return in possession of
a "gassee" from whom the results would be studied. Morten went down the
line with a sturdy crew of A.B's. from "D" company to practise rowing,
but luckily that was as far as the scheme progressed. Then we had our
sea-serpent. An odd sentry or so had sworn to having seen a boat on
successive nights knocking about the river. A careful look-out was
instituted, but no one in authority caught a glimpse of this "mystery
ship." After six days of this sort of thing we were surprised to find
ourselves relieved by the 20th D.L.I. of the 41st division. They had
just arrived from Ypres and the 42nd were to take over the sector on the
right. The 127th brigade, however, went out into reserve at La Panne and
there we had a splendid time.

It was about this time that the new divisional commander
arrived--Maj.-Gen. Solly-Flood, D.S.O., who was destined to raise the
fair name of the 42nd to rank with the proudest of the British Army. He
had been for a time the director of training at G.H.Q., and this fact
filled us with awe but none the less with pleasure, for every sensible
soldier knows that success in the field is the product of good training.
We expected strafe upon strafe whilst out of the line, but it was a joy
to find that the new commander knew that the best results are obtained
by instructing everyone down to the meanest soldier in his job rather
than by bullying. What could the Manchesters better wish for then, than
to have Generals Henley and Solly-Flood? It was indeed a lucky chance
that had brought us under his command. The 7th were also able to welcome
an old friend in Major Hurst who suddenly rejoined the battalion from
England about this period.

La Panne had not altogether lost its characteristics as a pleasure
resort, for it was the place where the tired officers of the Belgian
Army came for a rest cure. King Albert and the Queen frequently stayed
at their