l communiques as to events there, but it was recognised as a
place where opportunities of getting in touch with our invisible enemy
were rather better than in the south. So it was felt that, even if we
did not go to France, life would lose a certain amount of that deadly
monotony which we had experienced for six months.

It transpired that the 127th Brigade were to relieve detachments of the
11th Division, who, it was openly whispered, were definitely to sail for
France to try their luck in the more vigorous scene of this great
adventure. Most interesting to us was the discovery that we were to take
over posts occupied by the 11th Manchesters, the first Kitchener
battalion of our own regiment. Our astonishment and delight can be
imagined when we saw that they wore the good old Fleur de Lys for a
battalion flash on the puggarees of their helmets--just as we wore it,
but yellow instead of green.

The battalion marched east along a good road recently made for military
purposes, and eventually reached Hill 70, where the headquarters were
established. Early next morning, garrisons marched out before the heat
of the day to occupy a series of posts arranged in semi-circular
formation between two inundations about three miles apart. "B" Company
took over Turk Top and No. 1 Post. Capt. Smedley, Capt. Brian Norbury,
2nd-Lt. C. B. Douglas, 2nd-Lt. Pell-Ilderton being at the former, while
Capt. J. R. Creagh, 2nd-Lt. Hacker, and later 2nd-Lt. Gresty took charge
of the latter. "C" Company were divided between Nos. 2 and 3 posts, with
Lt. Nasmith and 2nd-Lt. S. J. Wilson at No. 2, and Lt. Nidd and Lt.
Marshall at No. 3. "A" Company, who were responsible for Hill 70, was
commanded by Capt. Tinker assisted by 2nd-Lt's. Kay, Woodward, Wood and
Wilkinson. The officers comprising headquarters were Lt.-Col. Canning,
C.M.G., Capt. Cyril Norbury (second in command), Major Scott
(Quartermaster), Capt. Farrow, M.C. (Medical Officer), Lt. H. C.
Franklin, M.C., Adjutant and 2nd-Lt. Bateman (Signal Officer), while
2nd-Lt. J. Baker was in charge of the Lewis guns of the battalion. "D"
Company were at Hill 40 in a reserve position under the command of
Capt. Higham supported by Capt. Townson, 2nd-Lt's. Grey Burn, G. W. F.
Franklin, Ross-Bain, Gresty, Morten, and R. J. R. Baker. The work of the
transport was divided between Capt. Ward-Jones, and 2nd-Lt. M. Norbury.

The posts consisted of self-contained redoubts which were capable of
holding out in