long in Ypres); and the Gendarmerie would not accept responsibility, so
in the end we had to leave it in the barracks. The other two companies,
though not so comfortably housed, none the less had an enjoyable time by
the lake side, chasing the wild fowl, and watching the shelling of
Ypres.

Just at this time several changes took place in the personnel of the
Brigade and the Battalion. First, Brig.-Gen. G.C. Kemp, R.E., late
C.R.E., 6th Division, was appointed our Brigade Commander in place of
General Clifford, who left us to take up an appointment in England,
having been exactly six months in command. Capt. Bromfield, our
Adjutant, whose health had been bad for the past month, was finally
compelled to go to Hospital, whence he was shortly afterwards
transferred to England. As his assistant, Lieut. Vincent was also away
sick, Lieut. Langdale was appointed Adjutant, while 2nd Lieut. C.H.F.
Wollaston took the place of Lieut. A.T. Sharpe as machine gun officer,
the latter having left sick to Hospital at the end of July. Lieut. Moore
sprained his ankle, and 2nd Lieut. R.C.L. Mould went down with fever,
both being sent home, and with them went 2nd Lieut. L.H. Pearson, who
had severe concussion, as the result of being knocked down by a
Minenwerfer bomb. Capt. Bland became 2nd in command with the rank of
Major, and Captain R. Hastings and Lieut. R.D. Farmer were now
commanding "A" and "C" Companies. Capt. M. Barton, our original medical
officer, had come out in June and relieved Lieut. Manfield, who had been
temporarily taking his place. We had also one reinforcement--2nd Lieut.
G.B. Williams, posted to "D" Company, who the following tour lost 2nd
Lieut. C.R. Knighton who sprained his knee. At the same time Serjt. A.
Garratt, of "A" Company, became C.S.M. of "D" in place of C.S.M. J.
Cooper, who was sent home with fever.