eved and moved to Ovillers Huts again. On the 24th it moved to
Bruce Huts, and on the 26th to Albert, returning to Ovillers Huts on
the 27th.

March 5 found the Battalion back in the trenches at Courcellette, and
on the 10th "D" Company cooperated with the 1st Royal Berks and the
1st King's Royal Rifle Corps in an attack on Grevillers Trench and
Lady's Leg Ravine, taking the ravine, killing about 20 of the enemy,
and capturing 30 men and 2 machine guns. The casualties of the company
amounted to 7 other ranks killed, 26 wounded, 1 accidentally wounded,
and 2 died later from their wounds.

The following day the Battalion moved to Wolfe Huts, and on the 19th
to Albert again, proceeding from there to Contay, Amplier, Bonnieres,
Framecourt, Aumerval, and Bailleul les Pernes.

VIMY RIDGE.--From Bailleul les Pernes the Battalion moved up to
Larosette, behind Vimy Ridge, ready to go in and take over a part of
the Ridge after its capture in the coming battle for its possession.
On the night of April 11, in a blinding snowstorm, the Battalion
relieved the 1/5th Gordons on the captured Ridge, and on the 13th
continued the advance to the line of the railway, captured the village
of Bailleul, established a line on the enemy side of it, and sent out
patrols to Oppy, which was found to be very strongly held by the
enemy.

[Illustration: _Swaine, photo._
LT.-COL. E.A. WINTER, D.S.O., M.C.
To face p. 50]

Owing to a mistaken order, one platoon of "C" Company actually
advanced on Oppy to capture it, but were themselves taken prisoners
after severe fighting. During this advance one 77mm., two field guns,
and one 4.2 howitzer were captured, and whilst moving forward, at the
Colonel's side, to the railway embankment, the Adjutant of the
Battalion, Captain Lissaman, was killed by an enemy shell.

Being relieved on the 14th by the 1st Royal Berks, the Battalion moved
into support and reserve lines, but on the 18th were in the trenches
west of Ecurie, moving to a tent camp on the Roclincourt-Maison-Blanche
road on the 22nd. Another move, to Maroeil, was made on April 23, and
on the 25th the 17th Royal Fusiliers were relieved in the trenches west
of Bailleul.

On April 29, at 4 a.m., "B" Company took part in an attack on Oppy by
the 1st Royal Berks and the 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps, and then the
Battalion moved back into reserve trenches.

On May 1 a composite battalion was formed of two companies of the 23rd
Royal