first and, as it proved, his last sermon. From there the Battalion
marched to Longuevillette and then to Vacquerie-le-Bourcq, spending a
night at each place. About this time Lieut. Arnott left the Battalion and
Lieut. G.D.R. Dobson (7th Durham Light Infantry) became Adjutant. The
next day Blangerval and Blangermont were reached and a short stay made,
half the Battalion being accommodated in each village. From here Major
Hunt went up by car to see the forward area and died of heart failure on
the journey. He was brought back to St. Pol, where he was buried in the
cemetery, representatives of several battalions forming the funeral
procession. Major A. Ebsworth, M.C., took over command.

When the march was resumed the direction was changed, and, moving
eastwards, billets were reached at Neuville-au-Cornet. Rumours were now
spreading of the forthcoming battle and a further march to
Villers-sur-Simon left no doubt that the Battalion would be involved.
These were the last billets occupied by the men, the next portion of the
trek bringing them to huts at Montenescourt, about six miles due west of
Arras. Here Lieut.-Col. F.W. Robson, D.S.O. (5th Yorkshire Regiment)
arrived to take over the command, which he held for nearly a year.

On the evening of the 11th April, in a blinding snowstorm, the Battalion
moved forward to the fight. Marching through Arras, they came to the
caves at Ronville. These caves were like nothing seen before. Excavated
by Spanish prisoners in the middle ages to provide stone for the building
of the city, they extended over an enormous area, and were capable of
holding thousands of men. The sensation of finding oneself in this huge
underground town, complete with electric light and water supply, after
stumbling down a long, uneven stairway, will not be forgotten by those
who survive.