Here we were joined by 2nd Lieuts.  C.C.  Craggs, S.R.  Mee, and B.G.  Bligh, all new-comers. 2nd Lieuts.  R.C.  Broughton and A. Ramsden had joined a week or two before, so we now had our full complement of Platoon Commanders.  Soon afterwards, however, 2nd Lieut. and A/Adjt.  C.H.  Morris went to the Indian Army, and his place was taken by Lieut.  L.H.  Pearson.  In Bertrancourt we found some German prisoners working, one of whom obviously received the latest news from London quicker than we did, for he told us that as the result of an air raid “London was in bits”!  After one night here we marched via Acheux, Lealvillers and Arqueves to Raincheval, where we again stayed one night—­a hard frost.  The next day we moved on again, passing through Puchevillers, Rubempre and Pierregot to Rainnevillers.  The march was made particularly uncomfortable by the number of different Units on the road, marching in all directions, and we had to keep big intervals between Companies.

Rainnevillers was only six kilometres from Amiens, and many officers availed themselves of this opportunity of visiting the town.  The mysteries of Charlie’s Bar, Godbert’s, the Cafe du Cathedral, and other haunts were revealed for the first time, and proved so attractive that two senior officers made a very wet night the excuse for staying in a Hotel.  They returned at dawn, but did not realise how early the Colonel rose, and met him at the breakfast table, to be congratulated on their (most unusual) earliness!  We stayed here two days, and the G.O.C. came and presented medal ribbons to those who had been awarded decorations at Gommecourt.  On the 26th March we “embussed” with the 4th Leicestershires, and were taken through Amiens to Dury, whence we marched a short distance to St. Fuscien, and went into billets.  We were still near enough to Amiens for those who wished to “joy ride” into the town.

Two days later, on the 28th March, we marched to Saleux and entrained for the North.  Passing through Doullens we arrived at Lillers early the next morning, and marched thence to Laires, twelve miles through the driving rain.  We reached billets all wet through.  “B” Company followed by a later train, and joined us in billets just after midnight.

We were now in the 2nd Corps, and, before we had time to look round our new billets, the Corps Commander, General Jacob, came and was introduced to all officers, speaking to us in the village school room.  After that we looked round our new quarters and found them excellent, so settled down to have, if possible, an enjoyable rest.  Marie, of the “Cheval Blanc,” provided a room where officers might meet and drink beer, subalterns, of course, champagne, and her name must be added to the long list of Tina’s, Bertha’s, and others who all over France welcomed the British officer so cordially at their estaminets.  Meanwhile, we spent our days training, and particular attention was paid to route marching, in which we were severely