almost as much pride as the cap badge, and continued to be worn as long
as the Battalion existed as a unit in France. On the 6th September
Brig.-Gen. N.J.G. Cameron took over command of the Brigade. Four days
later the Battalion moved to bivouacs in Becourt Wood, and there the
final preparations were made for action, and amid the growing violence of
the artillery preparation it moved again on the 14th September to Shelter
Wood.

Zero for the second phase of the Somme battle was 6.20 a.m. on the 15th
September. The 149th and 150th Infantry Brigades were then in the front
line between High Wood and Martinpuich with the 151st Brigade in reserve.
At zero the Battalion moved from Shelter Wood by way of Sausage Valley to
an old German trench at the south-west corner of Mametz Wood. About noon
a further forward move was made, Y and Z Companies to the northern edge
of the wood, and W and X Companies to a position a little further forward
between Mametz and Bazentin-le-Petit Woods. So far the Battalion had
escaped shell fire, and the men were much interested in prisoners who
were being escorted to the rear. About 11 a.m. a message was received
that the 47th Division had failed to take High Wood, and that the two
Brigades of the 50th Division had secured their objectives. Later came a
message that the 47th Division had taken High Wood at the second attempt.

Rations arrived about 5 p.m., and whilst they were being distributed
Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys returned from Brigade Headquarters with orders to
move up at once. Accordingly the Battalion paraded and marched up the
road to the Quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit. By this time the area was full
of movement. Guns, ammunition, ration wagons and troops were everywhere
moving up after the advance.

After a conference at Brigade Headquarters orders were again issued for a