he nearest enemy trenches were some 600 yards distant. The intervening
space was mostly covered with scrub, but in the breaks and on the bare
patches could be seen the bodies of many of those who had taken part in
the ill-fated attempt of Baldwin's Brigade to storm Chunuk Bair on the
10th August. Boxes, tins of biscuits, coils of wire, and various
portions of equipment were scattered broadcast about the valley.

[Illustration: THE FRONT LINE ON CHESHIRE RIDGE.
_Map by Australian War Museum._]

Life at Lower Cheshire Ridge was peaceful as compared with that at the
Apex. A daily dose of shrapnel was sent along from the direction of
Abdel Rahman Bair, to the north-east, but this seldom did any harm. On
the evening of the 7th October a machine gun fire demonstration was made
by our divisions on either flank without any apparent effect. At 7 p.m.
on the following day the wind rose and was soon followed by drenching
rain which lasted most of the night. About an hour after it commenced
the Turks opened a heavy rifle and machine gun fire against the Light
Horse Brigade and Walker's Ridge. This continued for some time but there
was no further development. Owing to the weather the Battalion spent a
very miserable night.

About this period, a method of recording time that was novel to most of
the Australians was brought into vogue by the adoption of the French
system. This at first led to some little confusion, but was considered
essential in order to ensure proper co-ordination in the efforts of the
Allies. Later on, it came naturally to all. The difficulty of easily
recognising the figures "0015" as representing 12.15 a.m., "1430" as
2.30 p.m., and "2245" as 10.45 p.m., may be quite understood.

Apart from holding this part of the line, the officers and men were
principally engaged, during their stay here, in improving the
accommodation for the supports and providing for their protection in the
winter. A detachment of New Zealand Engineers was attached to the
Battalion to advise. However, little progress could be made owing to the
scarcity of timber and iron and the nature of the soil, which, in this
quarter, was composed of the scourings of the hills and had no
stability. Difficulty was also encountered with the plans of the
Commanding Royal Engineer of the Division, which were frequently
changed, in order to conform to the varying moods of the Divisional
Commander. In consequence, much labour was expended, but little real