Under such conditions the details of the relief are best left to the imagination. To cut a horrible nightmare short it may be said that towards 3 a.m. the following morning a line was established by our men in badly demolished trenches and shell holes running through a portion of the ruined Cité St. Elizabeth to the outskirts of the City of Lens proper. Our final dispositions were in the front line right sector “D” Company (Captain Pratt), left sector “A” Company (Captain Ritchie). In close support “C” Company (Major Currie), in reserve “B” Company (Captain Every). The support and reserve companies both occupied whatever ruins or cellars they could find.
This was a truly delightful awakening after our recent rest in billets!
The enemy was either very nervous or else he suspected that a relief was in progress, for during the next forty-eight hours, we were treated to every variety of explosive, both large and high.
So intense was the fire from his artillery, that our front line companies experienced considerable difficulty in carrying out the all-important work of consolidation; whilst the support and reserve companies were equally handicapped in their work of establishing ammunition dumps, and providing burial and ration parties.
After twelve days, during which we spent eight in the front line and suffered casualties of no less than twenty O.R’s. killed and two officers and ninety O.R’s. wounded, we were more than glad to be relieved by the 15th Battalion (1st Division).
After spending one night at Marqueffles Farm, in the neighborhood of Boulay Grenay, we marched south to our old familiar front around Vimy Ridge, taking over from the 11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, who were in reserve along the Arras-Avion railway embankment. The dug-out accommodation, having been constructed by the Bosch, was excellent, if somewhat dirty, and with the exception of one or two working parties we had nothing very much to worry us. Now and again Fritz would take it into his head to land a few salvos into the artillery positions in Vimy Village, about 300 yards away, and as we had to go there for water it was generally advisable to time our visits so as not to coincide with the arrival of his shells. He used to fool us sometimes though, and then the water party would return rather hurriedly, minus the water and the petrol tins for carrying it.
The Distinguished Conduct Medal
Number won by Batt. 27
The Distinguished Service Order
Number won by Batt. 7