of the 51st Division, and on the following day
these two Companies joined their Officers in the front line for one
night. The trenches were in a very bad condition after hard frost and
heavy rain. Parts of the trenches were collapsing under the severe
conditions and cases were reported from neighbouring units of men
being drowned in the mud and water.

On the 3rd and 4th December "C" and "D" Companies from Millencourt
went through a similar programme. On the 6th the front line only of
Sectors F1 and F2 were taken over, and then on the 8th the whole
Battalion took over Sector F1--some 2,000 yards of system from just
north of La Boisselle towards Authuille (Blighty) Wood. The front line
and communication trenches were knee deep in water and the trench
shelters were poor. Rats galore and of enormous size added to the
amenity of the district.

[Illustration: HAVRE.]

[Illustration: RUINS OF BETHUNE.
_To face page 28._]

On the 4th of December the 17th suffered their first casualty by enemy
action, Pte. J.M. Harper, "A" Company, being wounded by a rifle
grenade.

The next day Ptes. A. Taylor and R. Cross, of "D" Company, were
wounded while bringing up rations. On the afternoon of the 11th, the
Battalion, having completed its course of practical instruction, was
relieved, and returned, two Companies to Bouzincourt, two to
Millencourt. During the relief the enemy shelled the position heavily,
and the Battalion was fortunate in escaping with only one casualty,
Pte. R. M'Kelvie of "B" Company. The next day the Battalion marched
back to Molliens-au-Bois, via Senlis and Beaucourt, to recuperate
after their opening experience of active trench warfare conditions.
The mud and water and the delapidated condition of the trenches were
indeed an eye-opener to the men, as much as the comparative absence of
"enemy activity." As they tramped back to Molliens, they passed some
Companies of the 15th H.L.I. en route for their first spell, and their
blank astonishment at the muddy appearance of the returning 17th
Battalion was much appreciated by the war-worn veterans!

All ranks received a good reception from the villagers, and the next
few days were spent in resting, inspections and training. Considerable
time was taken up in making duck-boards from the smaller trees of a
wood near the village until this exercise was stopped by the forester.
A few secured the grant of leave to Amiens, a privilege greatly
enjoyed. The work o