On the 26th the Brigade was relieved by the 176th Brigade, and we withdrew to Berneville, via Dainville and Warlus, in motor lorries. We were now leaving the 17th Corps area, and the following communication was received from the Corps Commander addressed to the C.O.C. 15th Division:—
"I wish to express to you and all ranks in the Division my great regret at your departure from the 17th Corps, in which you have been incorporated for many months, and I had hoped that we might have seen the battle through together. That, however, is not to be, and I only hope that the fortune of war may some day bring us together again. The Division has a great reputation, and may well be proud of it. I know that the honour of Scotland is safe in its keeping, and that those now serving will prove themselves worthy of those men who have won glory for the Division in the past. I wish you all good luck and success from the bottom of my heart.
"CHARLES FERGUSON,
"Lieut.-General Commanding 17th Corps."
On the 26th we moved by motor bus to Auchel. On the 1st May the G.O.C. inspected the Battalion and presented medals. In a short address to the Brigade he thanked all ranks for their work and devotion to duty while in the Arras sector, and dwelt particularly on their splendid work on the 28th in repelling the German attack. The following was sent from the G.O.C. 44th Brigade to O.C. 7th Camerons:—
"I wish to thank you and all ranks of your Battalion for their excellent behaviour and smart appearance the whole time we have been in billets in Auchel. I think it will be very gratifying to you to know that the Divisional Commander, during the parade yesterday, told me that he considered the 44th Brigade the best command in France, and that he had never seen smarter or cleaner men in any village during the war than the 7th Cameron Highlanders. I would like you to notify all ranks of the Divisional Commander's high appreciation of their successful efforts to keep up the credit of the 44th Brigade.
"EDWARD HILLIAM,
"Brigadier-General."
CHAPTER 8.
AMALGAMATION OF 6th AND 7th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS.
On the 4th of May the Brigade moved to the 17th Corps Area. The Camerons proceeded by march route to Calonne-Ricouart, where they entrained and proceeded to Acq. From here they proceeded to "Y" huts, Etrun, by march route, the transport moving by road. On the 6th we proceeded into support camps. We spent our time between the front lines and the reserve camps up to the 10th of June, when we were withdrawn back once more into Arras. These support camps, Collingwood, Trafalgar, and Portsmouth, were originally constructed by the Naval Brigade, who made a very fine job of it. They were, however, now under observation by the enemy, and we were shelled now and again. We luckily sustained no casualties in them, but some of the other battalions were not so fortunate.