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Chapter XI.
Ypres.

On the 13th November we marched out to rejoin our Corps which had its Headquarters at Abeele in Belgium. Our first destination was Merck St. Levien, near Fauquemberques, next day on to Zuytpeene near Cassel, and next day through Poperinghe to a place called Vancouver Camp near Vlamertinghe. This camp consisted of wood and iron huts which had been built in 1915 and were in an indifferent state of repair. However we soon made them comfortable, and also erected earth walls round each hut three feet above floor level for protection against lateral bursting bombs from aircraft.

We soon learned that our job was to be cable laying and the system embraced several forward lines in the newly captured territory east of Ypres. Approximately some 22 miles of trench would be required. As before, we were to supply the technical personnel, the diggers being supplied by a Battalion from the 2nd N.Z. Infantry Brigade.

On 17th November a party of Officers and N.C.O.'s proceeded to survey the routes. The party consisted of Major Evans, Captains McHugh and Richards, Lieut. Lord (Coy. Commanders), Lieut. J. T. Steven and others, and journeyed by motor lorry to Hellfire Corner, thence on foot to Westhoek. After three hours the party was returning from the reconnaissance when the enemy started one of his "area" shoots, and shells fell in close proximity to the party. One shell landed just alongside the road and Lieut. Steven was hit by a fragment. He was carried to the nearest dressing station, but died before reaching it. Lieut. Steven had only returned to the Unit from hospital where he was admitted on receiving a slight wound at Passchen-Daele. He was thoroughly capable, a keen sport, and page 52extremely popular with the men. His loss was keenly felt by all ranks. Lieut. Steven's death marked the first of the officers of the Unit to make the supreme sacrifice.

Work was started two days later; two parties were engaged and continued almost continuously until Christimas. The enemy shelling was considerable in this area; every day marked casualties, either our own Unit or the Battalion digging for us, sometimes both. In the first week on this work, Lieuts. Lord and Griffiths (A.I.F.) were both wounded, the latter severely, near The Butte, Polygon Wood, and Private A. Stokes was killed a. few days later.

The weather gradually became colder, and winter set in. Recreational training was not neglected and two good football teams were selected, A and B teams. Many hard games were fought out with teams from the N.Z. Division. Imperial teams were also met, but proved easy.

Our Lewis guns and teams were sent into the forward area to protect the heavy artillery from enemy aircraft, and three posts were established, one each at Hooge, Railway Wood and Westhoek Ridge. These teams were changed weekly.

Early in December the CO., Major Evans, D.S.O., went to England on leave, Captain McHugh, M.C., taking over command during his absence.

Christmas arrived and was celebrated as usual with cheer provided by our good people in New Zealand.

On 1st January, 1918, the old 2nd Anzac Corps was renamed XXII. Corps, and we became the "XXII. Corps Cyclist Battalion."

Early in January Lieut. A. C. P. Hay and Corps. McKenzie and Agnew left for England. They had been selected for some special secret service abroad, no one knew what for or where to. It has since transpired that they went east (Mesopotamia).

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The Australian Company (No. 3 Coy.) were withdrawn from the Battalion on the 16th January and left to join the Australian Corps Cyclist Battalion. At the time of parting it is shown how we regretted their leaving us and what firm friends we had made. Although at times minor differences occurred, they were all good fellows, and during the eighteen months they formed part of the Battalion, they did their "bit" to uphold the traditions of the service.

To bring the Battalion up to full strength again authority was given by G.O.C., N.Z.E.F., for the formation of another N.Z. Company. Accordingly applications for transfer were invited from the Division; the Officers and Senior N.C.O.'s were to be found by promotion within the Battalion.

The following appointments were made in the new Company which was designated "No. 3 Company."

Additional officers were to be selected by G.O.C. in London from reinforcements and sent on to complete.

Parchment Certificates, Record of Good Service, were awarded by the Corps Commander for period 15th January to 1st November, 1917, as under:—

On 24th January our camp was bombed by enemy aircraft, one hut being hit direct; Private P. Mudie and four men wounded; the former died from wounds next day.

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Lieut. C. A. Dickeson, M.C., was appointed Adjutant with acting rank of Captain, vice Lieut. H. J. McLennan. (A.I.F.) who left with the Australian Company

The selection of the personnel for the new Company from men in the Division who had volunteered for transfer was proceeded with. Preference was given to men of long service in the Division, and they were an excellent lot of men. Training into the ways of the Unit Drill, both foot and cycle, was carried out. Early in February the cable burying was resumed (this time the 3rd O.I.R. were digging) and was continued intermittently till early March. On 12th February Sergt. W. H. Thomas and Corp. Foulds were awarded the Croix de Guere (Belgian) for gallantry in the field and received their decorations from the Belgian Army Commander at Abeele.

As usual the Battalion supplied a number of men for traffic control duties in forward areas. This work was strenuous and responsible, and during March all forward road junction received particular attention from the enemy long range guns, the post in Ypres being well "straffed."' Whilst on duty there Private J. S. Clark was killed and several of our men wounded during the month.

The rest of February and part of March was spent alternately working on cable and training, with the usual recreations. Football matches were frequent. The N.Z. Divisional Theatre, and others of similar sort, were handy, and everybody found plenty to occupy any spare time on their hands.

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