The officers of the 1st Battalion on January 1, 1917, were:
| Lieut.-Colonel M. E. Makgill-Crichton-Maitland | Commanding Officer. |
| Major E. N. E. M. Vaughan, D.S.O. | Second in Command. |
| Capt. E. H. J. Duberly | Adjutant. |
| Capt. P. J. S. Pearson-Gregory | Bombing and L.-G.Officer. |
| Lieut. D. H. S. Riddiford | Transport Officer. |
| Lieut. and Quartermaster J. Teece | Quartermaster. |
| Capt. L. G. Fisher-Rowe | King’s Company. |
| Lieut. F. C. St. Aubyn | ” ” |
| Lieut. C. Wilkinson | ” ” |
| Lieut. B. L. Lawrence | No. 2 Company. |
| Lieut. T. P. M. Bevan | ” ” |
| 2nd Lieut. H. Bird | ” ” |
| Capt. P. M. Spence | No. 3 Company. |
| Lieut. G. F. Pauling, M.C. | ” ” |
| Lieut. W. J. Dashwood | ” ” |
| 2nd Lieut. J. F. Eastwood | ” ” |
| Capt. R. D. Lawford | No. 4 Company. |
| Lieut. R. P. le P. Trench, M.C. | ” ” |
| 2nd Lieut. W. H. Lovell | ” ” |
| Capt. J. C. B. Grant, R.A.M.C. | Medical Officer. |
At the beginning of 1917 the 1st Battalion was in camp at Maltzhorn, where it had retired after the usual tour of duty in the trenches. On the 2nd it moved to Méaulte, and on the 10th to Billon Wood Camp, where it remained for twelve days’ training by companies. On the 22nd it proceeded to Priez Farm, and on the 25th to Maurepas. Lieutenant C. S. de Cerjat joined on the 14th, and Lieutenant C. D. Baker on the 24th.
On the 30th the 1st Battalion moved into
the line about fifteen miles north of St. Quentin, and during the first three days spent in the trenches nothing occurred worth recording. Just before it was relieved, however, the Germans attempted a raid on the advanced posts. An intense bombardment lasting for thirty-five minutes warned the 1st Battalion of the impending attack, and the King’s Company, which was holding the part of the line selected by the Germans, was easily able to repulse the raiders by rifle-fire. The casualties were 1 man killed, 1 missing, and 2 wounded. In the evening the 1st Battalion was relieved by the 4th Battalion, and proceeded to camp at Maurepas.
Feb.
After four days’ rest it returned to the trenches, placing two companies in the front line and two companies in reserve, and carrying out inter-company relief. On the 10th of February, about 5 A.M., the enemy launched a bombing attack, and tried to raid the two right posts of the right companies, but it was a half-hearted affair, and the enemy succeeded in reaching the wire in front of our trenches; the Lewis-gun and rifle fire was too strong for them, and none of the bombs they threw reached our men. The remainder of the month was spent at Mericourt, where training was carried on by companies. Second Lieutenant S. Y. P. Gardner and Second Lieutenant O. F. Stein arrived on the 13th, and on the 21st Lieutenant M. Thrupp joined the Battalion. On the 17th a Guard of Honour consisting of Captain L. G. Fisher-Rowe, Lieutenant W. J. Dashwood, and Lieutenant C. Wilkinson, with 100 rank and file from the King’s Company,
proceeded to the 4th Army Headquarters for the reception of General Nivelle, the Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies.
March.
On March 3 the 1st Battalion moved to Bronfay Farm, and on the following day to the trenches at Fregicourt and Haie Wood, where it was employed in improving the dug-outs. On the 5th a shell most unluckily fell among the King’s Company. Company Sergeant-Major Bradbury had both his legs blown off, and three other Sergeants were wounded. Captain Fisher-Rowe was knocked down but not hurt, and Brigadier-General Lord Henry Seymour and Lieut.-Colonel Maitland, who were only a few yards off, were untouched. Sergeant-Major Bradbury was carried back on a stretcher, but it was plain to every one, including himself, that he could not live. As he was being borne away he asked to speak to the Adjutant, Captain Pearson-Gregory, who at once came up thinking it was some personal request or last wish the dying man wanted to communicate. “You won’t forget, sir,” said Bradbury, “the Battalion has to find a fatigue party of a hundred men to-morrow early.” Unselfish to the last, no thought of himself in his terrible condition crossed his mind. His sole idea, to the very last, was to do his duty to the Battalion.