The battalion marched east along a good road recently made for military
purposes, and eventually reached Hill 70, where the headquarters were
established. Early next morning, garrisons marched out before the heat
of the day to occupy a series of posts arranged in semi-circular
formation between two inundations about three miles apart. "B" Company
took over Turk Top and No. 1 Post. Capt. Smedley, Capt. Brian Norbury,
2nd-Lt. C. B. Douglas, 2nd-Lt. Pell-Ilderton being at the former, while
Capt. J. R. Creagh, 2nd-Lt. Hacker, and later 2nd-Lt. Gresty took charge
of the latter. "C" Company were divided between Nos. 2 and 3 posts, with
Lt. Nasmith and 2nd-Lt. S. J. Wilson at No. 2, and Lt. Nidd and Lt.
Marshall at No. 3. "A" Company, who were responsible for Hill 70, was
commanded by Capt. Tinker assisted by 2nd-Lt's. Kay, Woodward, Wood and
Wilkinson. The officers comprising headquarters were Lt.-Col. Canning,
C.M.G., Capt. Cyril Norbury (second in command), Major Scott
(Quartermaster), Capt. Farrow, M.C. (Medical Officer), Lt. H. C.
Franklin, M.C., Adjutant and 2nd-Lt. Bateman (Signal Officer), while
2nd-Lt. J. Baker was in charge of the Lewis guns of the battalion. "D"
Company were at Hill 40 in a reserve position under the command of
Capt. Higham supported by Capt. Townson, 2nd-Lt's. Grey Burn, G. W. F.
Franklin, Ross-Bain, Gresty, Morten, and R. J. R. Baker. The work of the
transport was divided between Capt. Ward-Jones, and 2nd-Lt. M. Norbury.

The posts consisted of self-contained redoubts which were capable of
holding out in the matter of food and water for about three days.
They had been constructed at the cost of great labour by the 52nd
Division. Routine was simple, our only duties being to man our posts
before dawn, then improve and maintain the trenches and wire until
about 7 when the sun entered his impossible stage. The same thing
happened in the evening. During the night patrols were executed from