About this time Lieutenant Freeman joined us as Transport Officer. For many years he had been with the A.S.C., and we were lucky to secure an officer with so much experience in the management of horse transport.
On August 7th the 2/7th K.L.R. relieved our small garrisons in Croix Marèchal, Elbow Farm, Chapel Farm, Smith's Villa, and Command Post; and the battalion went into billets at Fleurbaix, where Captain Plumley, R.A.M.C., reported as Medical Officer.
About this time Captain Alexander, London Regiment, who had been Brigade Major for about a month, relieving Major Geddes, was unfortunately killed by a bomb splinter while sitting in the Brigade Headquarters at Fleurbaix. He had been badly gassed in Armentières, but refused to leave. His death was greatly lamented. Captain P. H. Hansen, V.C., M.C., acted as Brigade Major for a time, being in a short while relieved by Captain R. W. Patteson, M.C., Norfolk Regiment, who remained with us to the very end, and whose ability outrivalled, if possible, even his great personal popularity.
On the evening of August 8th "A" and "D" Companies were attached to the 2/5th K.L.R., and took over the Cordonnerie sector on the right of La Boutillerie, probably the most peaceful sector in all France. The trenches were well constructed and dry, and hostile activity was normally of a very mild description.
But the fear that the enemy might intend a limited offensive on this front had not yet subsided, and elaborate orders dealing with this situation were still being issued. Meanwhile Battalion Headquarters, on August 15th, returned to Bac St. Maur, where they had more than enough to keep them occupied, as the first draft, consisting of 111 men, had arrived the previous day. On August 16th Lieutenant-General Sir R. C. B. Haking, commanding XI. Corps, presented Riflemen Bailey and Mills with the Military Medal which they had been awarded in Armentières.
On August 18th "A" and "D" Companies rejoined at Bac St. Maur; and the Company of the 2/5th K.L.R., who had been attached to us to strengthen the "battalion on Divisional Reserve," returned to their own unit. Drafts now came in apace. On August 18th drafts of 192, 61, and 131 men arrived. After these had been posted, the draft of 61 men proved to have been intended for the 2/8th K.L.R., and had to be given up. All these parties were inspected on August 21st by Brigadier-General Bray.
On the 24th the battalion moved into Fleurbaix, finding posts for the subsidiary line; and during this period two more drafts, of 79 and 45 men respectively, joined the battalion. The end of August found our effective strength 756 men, the highest figure that we had achieved since the end of February.
