y remember how the 9th had the honour of relieving
the 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers, elements of which were
incorporated in the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers, after the
Battle of Loos, in the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 1st
Division.

May 25th.--BEER TRENCH.--The Battalion relieved the 1st
Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers in Beer Trench, where "A"
and "D" Companies and the Lewis gunners of "B" were
accommodated. "B" and "C" Companies remained in the Chateau de
la Haie Switch. There was heavy shelling in "A" Company's area
during the evening, but no casualties were sustained. The
Battalion came tactically under the orders of the 170th
Infantry Brigade while in Beer Trench.

May 26th.--Gas shells known as yellow cross shells, were fired
over "A" Company's sector in the early morning. The men
quickly adjusted their masks, and no casualties were
sustained. The rest of the day passed quietly.

May 27th to 29th.--These days were fairly quiet.

May 29th.--RUM TRENCH.--The Battalion relieved the 2-4th Loyal
North Lancashire Regiment and occupied the reserve position in
the Left Brigade Sector. "B" Company and Headquarters were in
Gommecourt Wood. "A" Company was in the centre with posts in
Gommecourt Trench, and "C" Company was on the left flank in
Pigeon Wood. "D" Company was in reserve with orders to man a
strong point, known as Julius Point, in case of an attack.
Opportunity was afforded of studying the solidarity of the
enemy forms of revetment, their fortified sentry boxes,
observation posts, and the thoroughness of the mined dugouts,
several of which were occupied by the Battalion.

May 30th--31st.--These days were spent in comparative
quietness, and the Battalion furnished several working
parties. There was abnormal sickness during this tour in the
trenches, due in all probability to the effects of gas.

June 1st.--GOMMECOURT.--The Battalion was in reserve to the
Brigade in the Left Brigade Sector at Gommecourt with
Headquarters in the old German support line, north of
Gommecourt Wood, which was renamed Rum Support. The companies
were disposed from right to left in order, "B," "A" and "C" in
Gommecourt Trench and Gommecourt Support. "D" Company was in
reserve. The companies were housed in mined dugouts made by
the ene