unfortunately an isolated tree (Cauliflower Tree) helped him in this
work. We were not surprised therefore to have our labours frequently
interrupted on the next night's digging by violent displays of wrath
accompanied by pyrotechnics. One of these was particularly spectacular,
eliciting from a digger the remark: "Wouldn't Jennison be damned jealous
if he was here now!"

Rumours increased about going out for Divisional rest, until elements of
the 58th (2nd line London Territorial) division began to appear and make
reconnaissances of the front, from which we augured good. One of their
C.O's. on being told that we had arrived in France in March, was quite
delighted, and said he had been searching the British Army for troops
who had come out after they did. They arrived a month before us--but
from England! Nothing pleased Col. Cronshaw better, and he carefully led
him through the exploits of the 42nd from the day they sailed from
England in September, 1914. The London C.O. left the dug-out with a more
or less chastened countenance, and I presume he still continued his
search.

July 8th was our last day at Havrincourt, and although we were glad at
the time for the promise of a respite from trench duties, we have since
frequently looked back on those sunny days with great pleasure, for by
comparison it was a "bon front," and picturesque withal, which can
hardly be said about any other sector we learned to know. The light
railway was utilised again to take the battalion to Ytres, and after a
night there we marched first to Barastre, and then to Achiet le Petit,
beyond Bapaume.


ACHIET.