in my throat.  These Cockneys are the best men in the world.  Their spirits are simply wonderful, and I do not think any division ever went into a big show with higher moral.  After three years of war it is refreshing to hear the men’s earnestly expressed desire to go into action again.  These grand fellows went forward with the full bloom on them, there never was any hesitation, their discipline was absolutely perfect, their physique and courage were alike magnificent, and their valour beyond words.  The Cockney makes the perfect soldier.’  I wrote at the time that ’whether the men came from Bermondsey, Camberwell or Kennington, or belonged to what were known as class corps, such as the Civil Service or Kensingtons, before the war, all battalions were equally good.  They were trained for months for the big battle till their bodies were brought to such a state of fitness that Spartan fare during the ten days of ceaseless action caused neither grumble nor fatigue.  The men may well be rewarded with the title “London’s Pride,” and London is honoured by having such stalwarts to represent the heart of the British Empire.  In eight days the Londoners marched sixty-six miles and fought a number of hot actions.  The march may not seem long, but Palestine is not Salisbury Plain.  A leg-weary man was asked by an officer if his feet were blistered, and replied:  “They’re rotten sore, but my heart’s gay.”  That is typical of the spirit of these unconquerable Cockneys.  I have just left them.  They still have the bloom of freshness and I do not think it will ever fade.  Scorching winds which parched the throat and made everything one wore hot to the touch were enough to oppress the staunchest soldier, but these sterling Territorials, costers and labourers, artisans and tradesmen, professional men and men of independent means, true brothers in arms and good Britons, left their bivouacs and trudged across heavy country, fearless, strong, proud, and with the cheerfulness of good men who fight for right.’  What I said in those early days of the great advance was more than borne out later, and in the capture of Jerusalem, in taking Jericho, and in forcing the passage of the Jordan this glorious Division of Londoners was always the same, a pride to its commander, a bulwark of the XXth Corps, and a great asset of the Empire.

CHAPTER X

THROUGH GAZA INTO THE OPEN

On the Gaza section of the front the XXIst Corps had been busily occupied with preparations for a powerful thrust through the remainder of the defences on the enemy’s right when the XXth Corps should have succeeded in turning the main positions on the left.  The 52nd Division on the coast was ready to go ahead immediately there was any sign that the enemy, seeing that the worst was about to happen, intended to order a general retirement, and then it would be a race and a fight to prevent his establishing himself on the high ground north of the wadi Hesi.  Should he