considerable age. There was an enormous byre partitioned off into several
pig styes, and this was allotted to the officers, one pig stye for each
officer. The War Diary for the next three weeks gives an interesting and
accurate account of what took place, so the following extract is
included:--

May 24th.--Battalion headquarters moved up to Chateau de la
Haie, and Lieutenant-Colonel F.W.M. Drew, D.S.O., being in
need of a rest, was evacuated sick, and Major S.C. Ball, M.C.,
assumed command. While at this Chateau, Battalion headquarters
had the pleasure of being closely associated with the
headquarters of the 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers; and
it is interesting to record that this was not the first time
that the Battalion had the honour of working in conjunction
with this illustrious regiment. Many members of the Battalion
could clearly remember how the 9th had the honour of relieving
the 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers, elements of which were
incorporated in the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers, after the
Battle of Loos, in the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 1st
Division.

May 25th.--BEER TRENCH.--The Battalion relieved the 1st
Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers in Beer Trench, where "A"
and "D" Companies and the Lewis gunners of "B" were
accommodated. "B" and "C" Companies remained in the Chateau de
la Haie Switch. There was heavy shelling in "A" Company's area
during the evening, but no casualties were sustained. The
Battalion came tactically under the orders of the 170th
Infantry Brigade while in Beer Trench.