At 8.45 p.m. on the 27th, Companies commenced to move off to take over trenches from the 8th Liverpools, and by 10.45 the relief was complete. This was not bad going considering that no trench maps were available. Periscopes also were not on view at this period. It was comparatively quiet in the trenches but it was soon found that sniping by the enemy was the order of the day. This was a nuisance as considerable work remained to be done on parapets, dugouts and communication trenches. Good progress was made notwithstanding, and in a few days improvement was apparent.
June–July, 1915
At 10 p.m. on the 30th there was a short bombardment by our artillery, and it is to be noted how short and inadequate our bombardments were at this time. Even at Festubert when a serious attack was contemplated, and after intensive gun fire, it was remarkable how much enemy wire was left standing in virgin serenity and uncut. This was not due to any lack of skill on the part of the gunners, but to lack of shells, which were understood to be limited to three shells per gun per day. Things remained quiet but persistent sniping continued. On the 2nd July we had a visit by the G.O.C. the 51st Division, also Officers of the 5th Gordons, who had received orders to relieve us. Suspicions were being formed that the enemy was laying mines to our detriment, and not only that, but actually placing field guns in his front line. At 9 p.m. on the 3rd the relief commenced, and working smoothly, the Battalion were all out of the trenches by 11 p.m. and marched into billets close to Laventie Station. Snipers had accounted for Privates Tyson and Dodd, killed, and Sergeants Pickin and Clampitt, wounded.
The usual routine of rest billets followed, numerous working parties for the trenches being furnished, and much sanitary work had to be undertaken to make the billets habitable. On the 5th the Brigade paraded for inspection by General Sir James Wilcocks, Commander of the Indian Corps, of which we formed part, and the General was good enough to express his satisfaction with what he saw. The Battalion sighed happily when it was all over. These functions of the highly placed have an uncanny knack of raising fears and tremors out of all proportion to the occasion, and it is not without humour to reflect that the majority would cheerfully prefer a turn in the trenches to one of these devastating ordeals.
Up to this time organized bathing facilities were non-existent, and it was only in intermittent streams, accidentally met, that we could indulge the craving for a thorough soak. This, too, could only be gratified at the expense of much diffidence, as it had to be carried out in the vicinity of the local population. This deficiency was now being overcome, and in certain centres baths were in existence, where the troops could revel in real hot water and soap. This was not all. They could hand in their soiled and inhabited underwear, and receive in exchange another set, sweet and clean, a boon indeed. One of these bathing centres was at La Gorgue, of dismal memory, but now changed to an enchanting oasis. The brewery had been taken over for the purpose, and the vats provided ideal receptacles for soiled soldiers in mass formation. Pandemonium, made up of songs, shouts and laughter, during these grateful ablutions, conveyed to the authorities approval of the wisdom of their kindly ministrations. It was, then, to the baths at La Gorgue that the Battalion marched by Companies on the 7th and 8th, and returned refreshed and enthusiastic.
July, 1915
Working parties went out nightly to the trenches, where the task of strengthening the defences went on incessantly, one of the parties being shelled en route, and two men were wounded. The billets at Laventie too, received their customary shelling from the Hun, but the tortured church again bore the brunt, and no other damage was done, and there were no casualties. At 6 a.m. on the 9th orders were received to take over trenches, and in the evening the move commenced, the relief being completed by 10 p.m. The Battalion held the four posts and small ammunition depot in rear of the line, the trenches being held by the 4th Loyals and Scottish Rifles. On the 11th the Machine Gun Section went into the line in relief of one gun each of the Loyals and Scottish Rifles. The 12th was notable for the presentation to Sergeant Owen of the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the action at Rue d’Ouvert, and our snipers accounting for two of the enemy.
At 9 p.m. on the 15th the Battalion moved into the trenches in relief of the 4th Loyals and Scottish Rifles, and at 10.45 the relief was complete, but we suffered three casualties from rifle fire. On the 17th those insufferable pests, civilian snipers, were seen behind our line. A keen hunt for this new quarry was immediately organized, but without success for the moment. They are wary birds, and the nest is seldom near where they operate.
Evidence that further moves were in contemplation, not only for the Battalion but for the Division, was forthcoming when the trenches were visited by the Staff of the 8th Division, and the usual curiosity and conjecture was indulged as to our destination. It was interesting and intriguing, but, after past experience, fantastic forecast was absent, opinion more sober, and there was a disposition to “wait and see.” This visit was speedily followed by orders for the relief to be carried out, and on the 23rd we handed over to the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. This was completed at 11 p.m., and at 11.30 the Battalion marched to billets at Estaires, near La Gorgue. Here equipment and clothing were issued, and on the 25th Lieut. E. Tillyard and one N.C.O. left by motor car for the new area on billeting duty. This area was now definitely understood to be the Somme.