The first tour was not without excitement. On the night of June 10/11th a strong patrol, consisting of two officers (Sec.-Lieut. F. Woodward and Sec.-Lieut. A. Charlesworth) and 12 other ranks, moved out towards Hill 40. As they drew near to it, they thought they detected movement behind a hedge. They halted and, soon after, were challenged by a sentry in German. Sec.-Lieut. F. Woodward fired at him with his revolver, and at once the whole patrol opened rapid fire. The enemy, who was evidently there in strength, retaliated with a shower of bombs, wounding Sec.-Lieut. Woodward and three of his men. The action continued for some minutes, but at length Sec.-Lieut. Charlesworth, finding he could make no impression on the hostile position, withdrew the patrol. It was afterwards found that the enemy had a very strong post on Hill 40, from which good observation was obtained of the British line. The next night the Battalion was relieved and went back into Brigade Reserve. Two companies garrisoned part of the Brielen Line, astride the Ypres-Poperinghe Road. The other two companies held a reserve line south of Ypres, from Kruisstraat to near the Lille Gate. At this time the Battalion was somewhat depleted in strength, owing to a mild form of influenza, commonly known as “Chink Fever.” (_c_) The Zillebeke Raid. The one absorbing interest of this period of Brigade Reserve was the raid, which eventually came off on the night of June 19/20th. There was little opportunity for rehearsal or training, as the companies were scattered, and many men were tied down to certain posts. But the plan was worked out most carefully, down to the minutest detail, by the Commanding Officer, who made nearly all the arrangements and wrote the orders himself. The plan was as follows:-- 1. The object of the operation was to secure identification and to do as much damage to the enemy as possible. 2. Twelve platoons of the Battalion[19] were to take part, and these were divided into three parties:-- (_a_) Two platoons of C Company, whose task was to seize and hold Hill 40, thus guarding the left flank of the main operation. (_b_) A Company, operating north of the Warrington Road. (_c_) B Company, operating south of the Warrington Road. A and B Companies were each reinforced by a platoon from D Company. 3. Objectives:-- (_a_) B Company: The line Hellblast Corner--Tuilerie--Tuilerie Chimney. (_b_) A Company: 1st Objective: Enemy posts about 100 yards east of Cavalry Road. 2nd Objective: Halfway House. 4. All platoons were to be assembled in No Man’s Land by 11-30 p.m. At 12-0 midnight the advance was to begin. First objectives were to be taken by the front platoons of companies. When B Company had gained all its objectives, Capt. N. T. Farrar was to fire a red light as a signal to A Company, the support platoons of which would then advance on Halfway House.