division fighting in the British Army, and I desire to offer to
all ranks my warmest thanks for their gallantry and
self-sacrifice.

"In addition to the considerable area of ground gained the
Division has captured over 1700 prisoners.

"I greatly regret that the Division is leaving the Fourth Army,
and in wishing all ranks every good fortune, I trust I may at
some future time find the 74th Division once more under my
command."

We left Corbie early in the morning of the 28th for Mericourt where we
entrained for Berguette, reaching our destination the following
morning, whence we marched to our billeting area in Bourecq, just
south of our old billeting ground at Fontes. Here we stayed till 2nd
October when we moved by the light railway to "what was Locon." Two
days later we were at Herlies. On the night 10/11th October the 229th
Brigade took over from the 231st Brigade, and on the 14th we moved
into the line relieving the 12th Battalion S.L.I., D Company on left,
A in centre, and B on right, with C in support in Ligny Wood. On 15th
October we occupied the railway line east of Ligny, and next day our
patrols had pushed forward to the outskirts of Haubourdin (a suburb of
Lille). On the 17th we again advanced, crossed the Haute Deule Canal,
and on reaching our final objective handed over to the 16th Devons
while we remained in support. Petit Ronchin, Ascq (on the
Lille-Tournai road), and Baisieux gave us billets for the following
nights. We were now in support to the Somersets, who carried on the
advance until held up outside Marquain. The 231st Brigade had been
withdrawn, so the Division was advancing on a one-battalion frontage.

As soon as Orcq was gained we were to pass through the Somersets and
carry on the advance. The enemy's resistance, however, was stiffening,
and the Somersets were unable to push on. On the 22nd we took over the
line in front of Orcq, but found it impossible to patrol much to the
front owing to the heavy machine-gun fire. The trenches opposite were
well wired in and strongly manned, and the attack by B Company on the
23rd was held up within 100 yards of the objective by intense
trench-mortar and machine-gun fire and artillery barrage, and the two
platoons were compelled to withdraw to their original line after
suffering 32 casualties.

Next day we were relieved by the 10th Buffs and moved back to billets
in Baisieux, where we rested for ten days and got thr