eting arrangements. One billet, for 150
men, at the Folie Auberge was uninhabitable, and the appearance of the
billets in general was greeted with good-natured growls of amazement
and disgust. The weather, however, was mild and sunny, and after about
eight hours' work all the troops were more or less under cover. When
every incident was an experience novel and suggestive, such minor
discomforts did not trouble anyone seriously; but considered in
retrospect it must be admitted that these, their first billets, were
very poor for a village so far behind the line. If it was an
unpromising beginning for the companies, it proved a delusion and a
snare for headquarters, for they scored on this occasion in having at
the Chateau the most comfortable billets they ever were fated to
enjoy.

The next day was spent in resting, and on the 27th the march was
continued along the magnificent Amiens Road, through Felixcourt and
Belloy-sur-Somme to La Chaussee. This was a day of keen frost and
bright sunshine, and headed by the band, the 17th stepped out through
the various villages in the best of spirits. Following the same column
was the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers and two A.S.C. Companies. That
night the billets were good, everyone felt somehow in holiday mood,
helped perhaps by the successful bargaining for eggs, chickens and
wine, for to make purchases at all was even at that early date a
matter for rejoicing. The pipers delighted with their playing the
heart of Madame la Comptesse at her chateau at Turancourt where
Brigade headquarters were stationed.

On the 28th, a bitterly cold day, the Battalion marched eleven miles
via Coisy and Ranneville to Molliens-au-Bois, and there they stayed
until the morning of December 1st, when they were joined by M.
Duchamps, interpreter. Molliens-au-Bois lies about eight miles north
of Amiens, but the outstanding feature was that, from the high ground
above there was got the first glimpse of the illuminations provided
nightly by the Bosche, all along the battle front.

On 1st December they left at 8.15 a.m., in company with the 16th
H.L.I., and on the way a Company of the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers
joined the column, which now was moving into the front area.

During the afternoon of that day, the Officers and N.C.O.s of "A" and
"B" Companies went from Bouzincourt into the front line trenches, just
north of Albert, and were attached for instruction to the 7th Gordons
and the 7th Black Watch