train.

On arrival at Proven the Battalion occupied Piddington Camp on the
Poperinghe road, and incidentally, renewed the acquaintance of Belgian
mud. After one night there it moved for the next night to bivouacs known
as Sarawak Camp, in the woods north of Poperinghe. This will probably be
remembered as one of the dirtiest camps ever occupied. The last stage of
the journey eastwards was done by train from Proven to Boesinghe.
Arriving at the latter place in the morning, the men proceeded to Hulls
Farm Camp close by, on the Ypres road. This camp was occupied, however,
by the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, which was moving up in the
afternoon to take part in an attack along the Ypres-Staden railway north
of Poelcapelle. Whilst lying in an open field waiting to occupy the camp
a visit was received from a squadron of Gotha bombing planes, and about
20 casualties were suffered. About 5 p.m. the camp was taken over. Here
the Battalion remained for three days, and had considerable experience of
Hun aeroplane bombs, fortunately without further casualties.
Exceptionally large working parties were demanded on each of the three
nights, and their experiences were perhaps worse than those of the tour
in the line which was to follow.

The third battle of Ypres was still in progress at this time, and
Passchendaele had not yet been taken. On the front between the railway
and Houthulst Forest, due north of Poelcapelle, the 149th Infantry
Brigade had attacked and advanced the line slightly. A further attack by
battalions of the 150th Brigade had partially failed, and about the
beginning of November the battalion moved up to occupy the left sector
of the line which was just inside the forest.

The journey up to the front line was far from pleasant. After crossing