or more Huns. None were to be
found, however--evidently our inexplicable shelling had scared them off
altogether. Still the dead man was good enough for the purpose, for he
furnished the required identification, and his regiment was immediately
wired to H.Q. There had been no relief, so calm reigned once more.

The spirit of "Go one better" inspired Lieut. Wilkinson and a few of his
transport men to perform deeds of "derring do" in the line, for one
night they came up and captured a German G.S. wagon from No Man's Land.
It lay just in front of our line near the Serre Road and had evidently
been abandoned during the New Zealand counter attack in March. A bridge
of duck boards was put over the trench and Wilkinson and his men went
out and skilfully dragged their prize back to safety. Its arrival at the
transport lines next morning was naturally the occasion for great
rejoicing and hero-worship, after the sensation caused by dressing up
the driver in a Boche tin hat and great coat. On another night Sgt.
Aldred with a small party made an exceptionally plucky effort to enter
an enemy post and was afterwards awarded the M.M. After eight days of
such work as this in the front line we moved out to Bus in divisional
reserve to enjoy a most pleasant few days under canvas.

We lost Padre Hoskyns at this period. He had received an order which
filled him with chagrin to report for duty as Senior Chaplin to the 6th
division, so he journeyed at once to the divisional H.Q. and told the
major-general he would sit on his doorstep until he got permission from
him to stay with the battalion. Efforts were made but they were of no
avail, and a more peremptory order than the last was received, so he
took a sorrowful farewell and departed, followed by the regrets of the
whole battalion, and indeed of a good number of the division. "Some have
greatness thrust upon them," was applicable in his case, for he had not
sought promotion but preferred to remain a "parish priest" and live
amongst the men. Much the same remark applied to the C.O. who, in the
absence of General Henley at Divisional Headquarters, was called upon
to take command of the brigade during the succeeding weeks, for he
always expressed his preference for battalion work. Owing to the fact
that Major Rae was in hospital at this time with the "flue," Capt.
Creagh assumed command of the battalion, and Lt. Barratt being on a
month's leave in England, Lt. Wilson was temporarily appointe