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Chapter XLVI.

During this spell of rest and training, the 1st Battalion played the 2nd Battalion at Rugby football. On the same day, an exhibition game of baseball was played by teams of Americans from the 301st Tank Battalion. The game was watched by a large number of interested spectators from the Regiment. Our 1st and 2nd Battalions each, entertained one team to tea, and several American officers also stayed to dinner at one or other of the officers' messes. A few days later the Wellington Regiment beat the Auckland Regiment at Rugby. Here, also, one evening, the 2nd Battalion played a Soccer match against the R.G.A., and were beaten by 2 goals to nil, while next day, we beat them, at Rugby. However, it was not all football, for a good deal of musketry and other training was done. General Russell inspected the 1st and 2nd Battalions separately, and on different days. To each battalion ho addressed a few words, highly commending each for its excellent turn out and for the good work done in the recent fighting. During this period, both battalions were at two hours' notice to go forward to the Bertincourt area to act as Corps Reserve in the event of attack.

While at Biefvillers, both battalions received a number of reinforcements, and 2nd Lieut. J. Makin,¹ W. S. Brown, M.M., S. S. Pennefather, D.C.M., B. S. Hastedt, so well known in the 1st Battalion, now returning from England with Commissions, were posted to the 2nd Battalion. The award now came through of the D.C.M. to Corporal H. P. Gilbert, and of page 296the Military Cross to 2nd Lieut. R. V. Hollis, to be followed only a few days later by a bar, for that officer's gallantry already noted. Now also, Lieut. W. R. Burge was to receive the M.C., and the late Lieut. C. E. Lee's bravery was not to go unrewarded, for an award of the M.C. was now made to him also, although too late for him to hear of it.

On the 26th September, both battalions carried out a route march, the 1st Battalion headed by the band, marching through Grevillers to Five Cross Roads and back. That, however, was the end of this pleasant spell, for, from 5 a.m. on the 27th, both battalions had to be ready to move at an hour's notice to the Neuville sector. Accordingly, preparations were made for the move, and, late in the day, orders were received that both battalions would move at 4.30 a.m. the following morning by motor lorries, starting from Monument Wood on the Bapaune-Arras Road.

Major F. K. Turnbull, M.C. was now to receive the D.S.O. During many days hard fighting he had been in command of the 1st Battalion and had handled it with great ability, repelling several determined counter-attacks. During the whole time, his unfailing cheerfulness and example of personal courage had greatly encouraged his officers and men.

On the 18th September, on a seventeen miles front south of Gouzecourt, the IV. and III. Armies had undertaken operations, successful over practically the whole front. The two armies had captured nearly 12,000 prisoners and 100 guns. The smashing of the Hidenburg line was now imminent.