Football, boxing and concerts, not to mention dancing, filled our spare time, and there was the famous race which ended:—­Bob, Major Toller, a, 1., Berlin, Capt.  Bromfield, a, 2.  And we are not forgetting that it was at Sawbridgeworth that we ate our first Christmas war dinner.  Never was such a feed.  The eight companies had each a separate room, and the Commanding officer, Major Martin, and the adjutant made a tour of visits, drinking the health of each company in turn—­eight healths, eight drinks, and which of the three stood it best?  Some say the second in command shirked.

Officers had their dinner, too.  After the loyal toast there was one only—­“Colour Sergt.  Joe Collins, and may he live for ever!” The reply was short—­“Gentlemen, I think you are all looking very well.”  It was his only thought, and we were well.  We know how much we owe to him as our mess sergeant; he studied our individual tastes and requirements, and kept us well for many months.  Good luck to him!

It was not till January, 1915, that a most important, and as a matter of fact the very simplest, change in our organisation was made.  To be in keeping with the regular forces, our eight companies were re-organised as four.  This system would always have suited our County battalion even in 1908, and our only wonder is that it was not introduced before.

When, on the 18th of February, the G.O.C. returned from a week’s visit to France, and gave us a lecture upon the very latest things, we knew we might go at any time.  Actually at noon on the 25th we got the order to entrain at Harlow at midnight, and the next morning we were on Southampton Docks.

We left behind at Sawbridgeworth Captain R.S.  Goward, now Lieut.  Colonel and T.D., in command of a company which afterwards developed into a battalion called the 3rd 5th Leicestershire.  This battalion was a nursery and rest house for officers and men for the 1st Fifth.  It existed as a separate unit until the 1st of September, 1916, and during those months successfully initiated all ranks in the ways of the regiment, and kept alive the spirit which has carried us through the Great War.

CHAPTER II.

Early experiences.

26th Feb., 1915. 16th June, 1915.

After spending the greater part of the day (the 26th February) lounging about the Hangars at Southampton, we at length embarked late in the afternoon—­Headquarters and the right half battalion in S.S.  Duchess of Argyle, left half, under Major Martin, in S.S.  Atalanta.  The transport, under Capt.  Burnett, was due to sail later in S.S.  Mazaran, since torpedoed in the Channel, but they embarked at the same time as the rest.  Four other ships containing Divisional Headquarters and some of the Sherwood Foresters were to sail with us, and at 9 p.m., to the accompaniment of several syrens blowing “Farewell,” we