f the organisations home in Glasgow and the
interest taken in the Regiment and the men of the 17th Battalion soon
became manifested by the arrival of parcels to such an extent that the
postal arrangements were severely strained!

TRENCH ROUTINE.

_In the line--Xmas '15 and the New Year--the new
trench--"Standing to"--routine and patrols._

The Battalion returned to the line from Molliens-au-Bois on 23rd
December, 1915, and from then till 17th February, 1916, held the
Sector F1 alternately with the 11th Border Regiment. The outstanding
features of this period were the digging and then the taking over of
the new trenches across the big re-entrant on their right on 2nd
February, and the enemy raid on the 2nd K.O.Y.L.I., on their left on
9th February.

It will be noted that this spell of trench warfare activities brackets
in both Christmas and New Year--both of which were accordingly spent
in the front line trenches. As far as possible Christmas fare was
provided in the line, and strict orders were issued that if the enemy
made any friendly offers they were to be rejected strenuously. The
only exchange of greetings notified for Christmas and New Year in the
Official War Diary of the Battalion is a brief record of shelling and
machine gunning. But during this period the Battalion had nevertheless
very few casualties--only seven killed, including two died of wounds.
The first casualty was Corporal Houston of No. 16 Platoon, who was
killed at Lower Donnet on 3rd January.

Except for patrol work, the piece of work carried out on 2nd February,
1916, in connection with the new trenches was the first military
operation carried out by the 17th when in close touch with the enemy,
and it was confined to "B" Company and a Platoon of "A" Company, who
acted as covering party.

For some time the Battalion had been exercised in night manoeuvres,
and on 1st February they had a full-dress rehearsal of the impending
operation, which, on Tuesday, 2nd February, came off sooner than had
been anticipated. The scheme was to form a new line of trenches,
protected by wire, nearer the German line, some 300 yards in front of
the existing one, the length dug being about 600 yards, with
communication trenches in addition.

At 6 p.m., in pitch darkness, "B" Company filed out into "no man's
land." Instructions were, "No firing, bayonet only if necessary."
There were Hun flares and machine guns, but no search-light. Had the
enemy