the canal it consisted of a six-mile walk along a duck-board track across
one of the most devastated areas on the whole front, and to add to the
difficulties, the enemy's artillery was very active. Owing to lack of
roads for the transport, each man carried four days' rations. The
position consisted of a series of water-logged shell holes, which were
troubled considerably by low-flying aeroplanes. Battalion headquarters
were in a pill-box known as Egypt House, which received very assiduous
attention from the Boche gunners.

As it had been decided to make no further attack on this sector, though
an improved position was desired, the nights were spent in pushing
forward the posts as far as possible under cover of darkness. This was
done very successfully, and the battalion line was advanced during the
tour by 200 yards with very few casualties. Several decorations were
obtained for this work including the Bar to the Military Cross to Capt.
J.F.G. Aubin, M.C., commanding Y Company; and the Military Cross to Capt.
P.H.B. Lyon, commanding X Company. Sergts. Britton and Cruddace were
awarded Bars to the Military Medal.

After four days in the line, orders were received to move back to the
neighbourhood of the canal for two days and then return. In view of the
dangerous nature of reliefs, however, an alteration was asked for and
obtained, and the Battalion completed its tour of six days. On relief by
the 9th Battalion, it moved to Marsouin Farm Camp, near Pilkem, and spent
a very unpleasant morning under fire from high velocity shells.
Fortunately there were no casualties, and in the afternoon after the
relief it again moved to a camp at Elverdinghe for a few nights.

From there it entrained to Watten, and marched to billets at Houlle. Here
a very enjoyable month was spent. The maltery, where W and X Companies