lf almost a cure, but the change of the
surroundings, the lack of military duties, the sea bathing, and the
enjoyment of everything that dear old "Alex." could offer worked
wonders. Further, the hot season was drawing to a close and men began to
feel more normal, so that by the end of October the troops were as fit
as they had ever been in their lives. The 127th Brigade were withdrawn
to Romani whilst this work of recuperation was in progress, and the
beginning of November saw us back again at Negiliat.

Meanwhile, the mounted troops, closely supported by the infantry, kept
constant touch with the Turk. When the railhead reached the outpost line
it was necessary to move the enemy by force and to this end engagements
were fought at Bir el Abd, and at El Mazar, both of which resulted in
the Turk withdrawing upon El Arish. His aircraft was always busy, but
the bombing was not often effective. Even the natives in the E.L.C.
(Egyptian Labour Corps) began to grow accustomed to these raids and
steadily resisted their impulse to dash back along the line when a taube
was sighted.

The return from hospital of 2nd-Lt. Jimmy Baker and of 2nd-Lt. Joe
Chatterton at this time was greeted with pleasure by the battalion, and
all were interested in the arrival of the new Padre, the Rev. E. C.
Hoskyns. It was not long, however, before he had made himself thoroughly
well-known to every man who wore the Fleur de Lys, and his cheery face
was eagerly welcomed in every "bivvy." During unbroken service with us
until July, 1918, he maintained a proud record of spontaneous popularity
with all ranks, and especially with his brother officers.

On the night of November 3rd the eastern climate displayed a side to its
character not often revealed. During the previous twenty-four hours we
had witnessed extraordinary flashes of lightning, and this was followed
by a distinct coldness and a few showers of rain in the afternoon, a new
experience which caused much amusement amongst the men. In the evening,
however, matters ripened, and after a joyous display of heavenly
pyrotechnics and thunder all round the blackening, heavy sky, we were
subjected to a violent downpour, accompanied by lurid lightning flashes.
Tremendous hailstones came down, smashing through the few remaining
flimsy blanket shelters that were still standing, so that we were left
in our nakedness to bear the full fury of the storm. We felt that God's
spectacular display on the mountains f