was sighted.

The return from hospital of 2nd-Lt. Jimmy Baker and of 2nd-Lt. Joe
Chatterton at this time was greeted with pleasure by the battalion, and
all were interested in the arrival of the new Padre, the Rev. E. C.
Hoskyns. It was not long, however, before he had made himself thoroughly
well-known to every man who wore the Fleur de Lys, and his cheery face
was eagerly welcomed in every "bivvy." During unbroken service with us
until July, 1918, he maintained a proud record of spontaneous popularity
with all ranks, and especially with his brother officers.

On the night of November 3rd the eastern climate displayed a side to its
character not often revealed. During the previous twenty-four hours we
had witnessed extraordinary flashes of lightning, and this was followed
by a distinct coldness and a few showers of rain in the afternoon, a new
experience which caused much amusement amongst the men. In the evening,
however, matters ripened, and after a joyous display of heavenly
pyrotechnics and thunder all round the blackening, heavy sky, we were
subjected to a violent downpour, accompanied by lurid lightning flashes.
Tremendous hailstones came down, smashing through the few remaining
flimsy blanket shelters that were still standing, so that we were left
in our nakedness to bear the full fury of the storm. We felt that God's
spectacular display on the mountains for Elijah's benefit had been at
least emulated, but it was the still, small voice that was best
appreciated again, when it remarked that it was a good job the cooks had
just finished making "gunfire" or we should never have had a dixie of
hot tea to cheer us up in our discomfort. Although the men had to stand
all night on sentry in the outposts in their wet things they took it
very good-humouredly.