seen from the rear was greeted with much enthusiasm by the men. About two
hours later a message was received from a commanding officer in Zouave
Wood that he was about to attack north-east of Hooge. Accordingly, two
Companies under Major Hawdon were sent in support, the others being
assembled ready to follow. The attack was cancelled, however, and at 7.30
a.m. the Battalion re-assembled in its original trenches. At night it
moved up and relieved the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers in the Hooge
defences. The disposition of Companies was as follows: B Company, under
Lieut. Gill, were in "B9" trench. A Company, under Capt. Bradford, in
"H13" and "H14" trenches; C Company, under Lieut. Heslop, in the Hooge
Château stables; and D Company, under Capt. Livesay, in support in "H16"
trench. The trenches, especially those occupied by B Company, had been
much battered, and a considerable amount of work had to be done on them
during the night. At this time the Château and stables were still
standing, and though C Company were in occupation of the stables, the
Germans held the Château, from the windows of which their snipers were
able to give considerable trouble.

The following day was marked by considerable shelling, and at night a
successful bombing enterprise was led against a sap head. For two days
the position remained unchanged, the Battalion being engaged in repairing
the trenches and carrying up rations and ammunition, till on the night of
the 18th it was relieved by a Company of the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers
and a Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment, and went to F. hutments south
of Vlamertinghe.

This concluded the Battalion's first tour in the "Salient."