It was fortunately possible to grant forty-eight hours' leave to all ranks before departure, destined to be the last home leave for some nineteen months, and on 23rd December the Battalion entrained at 10 a.m. for Southampton, where it embarked on H.T. Avon (Royal Mail Steam Packet Company), the strength on embarkation being 27 officers and 889 other ranks.
The following officers proceeded overseas with the Battalion:
| Colonel | Vickers Dunfee, V.D., in command. |
| Major | V. H. Seyd, second in command. |
| Captain | W. G. Hayward, Adjutant. |
| " | G. H. Moore. |
| " | H. Morris. |
| " | F. C. Read. |
| " | H. G. Stanham. |
| " | H. Parkhouse. |
| Lieut. | L. C. Coates. |
| " | W. N. Towse. |
| " | A. H. Simpson. |
| 2/Lieut. | R. N. Keen. |
| " | W. A. Stark. |
| " | W. R. Botterill. |
| " | V. S. Bowater. |
| " | S. N. Davies. |
| " | R. C. Dickins. |
| " | W. H. Stevens. |
| " | N. L. Thomas. |
| " | J. R. Webster. |
| " | L. A. Dickins. |
| " | L. R. Chapman. |
| " | H. W. Dennis. |
| " | E. G. Lovell. |
| " | H. W. Vernon. |
Hon. Lieut. and Quartermaster, J. E. W. Lambley (Quartermaster); Lieut. Casey, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer attached.
Just before departure the following telegram was received by Colonel Dunfee from General Sir Ian Hamilton, G.C.B., D.S.O.:
Had arranged to go down and see your Battalion. Unfortunately situation renders imperative my presence at Headquarters. Can only, therefore, wish you best of good luck and hope we may meet again.
At about 5 p.m. on the 23rd December H.T. Avon put to sea, and the following day at daybreak the convoy assembled, consisting of:—
H.T. Avon—2/4th London Regiment and two Companies 2/3rd London Regiment.
H.T. Euralia—2/2nd London Regiment and 2/3rd London Regiment, less two companies, under the escort of H.M.S. Eclipse, which accompanied the transports as far as Gibraltar.