condition which the exercise of authority
rendered almost inevitable.

About this time the first Battalion Bombing Squad was formed. This was a
result of some lessons from the campaign on the Western Front, where
experienced bomb-throwers, properly organised, had proved of great value
in offensive and defensive operations. This squad was placed under
Lieut. N. W. Sundercombe and was trained in some old Turkish trenches at
the lower end of the Chailak Dere. The members showed such proficiency
in their work that in the course of a few days only they were called
upon to give a demonstration in method before the other squads of the
Division. The members of the squad were Sergt. A. Brown, Corporals A.
Gibbons and I. E. Dunkley, Privates J. Connor, S. J. Price, G. B. Brown,
F. Congdon, W. G. Green, F. E. Dawkins, H. Thetford, F. Parker, H.
Denton, F. Ball, A. Kelly, H. G. Haynes, D. McDonald, and D. W.
Cunningham. Several of these bombers earned considerable distinction in
the later campaigns in Belgium and France.

The 15th October marked a change in the command of the 7th Brigade.
Colonel Burston's health had for some time past been far from robust,
nevertheless he had stuck to his post with determination until
ultimately compelled to give in. He was sent to a hospital on Lemnos
Island, and Lieut-Colonel (Hon. Colonel) J. Paton, V.D., the C.O. of the
25th Battalion, was directed to assume command. Colonel Paton had been
an infantry brigadier in New South Wales, and had also taken a
prominent part in the naval and military expedition to occupy German New
Guinea. Sickness brought other changes in the brigade staff. Captain G.
B. Rowan-Hamilton was appointed Brigade-Major. He had been adjutant of
the 1st Black Watch and shared in the opening campaign in France and
Belgium. A new Staff Captain was found in Lieut. S. S. Bond, 25th
Battalion, who performed the duties until succeeded by Captain W. F. N.
Bridges--a son of the original commander of the 1st Australian Division.

About the middle of the month the Battalion received its first supply of
canteen stores. A small party had been sent to Imbros to buy "luxuries"
and had returned with neither the quantity nor quality they sought.
Nevertheless, their arrival in the Battalion area was signalised by the
formation of a queue as for an early door at a theatre. Sweets, cake,
and notepaper were in greatest demand, and after these, in popularity,
came soap and handkerchiefs.

Si