The actual withdrawal commenced at 12.45 a.m., commencing from the right of Battalions. Wieltje was timed to be reached at 1.45 a.m. The casualties over the period April 25th to May 4th were 16 officers and 392 other ranks. [Sidenote: =May 4th--8th.=] These days were spent at various places in the woods behind Vlamertinghe resting, reorganising, and dealing with accumulations of mail. [Sidenote: =May 9th.=] The Battalion moved early in the morning to the grounds of the Chateau at Vlamertinghe. On this night and the next one it had to dig on the east side of the canal on the north of La Brique. _To face page 21._ [Illustration: OFFICERS. _20th May, 1915._] [Sidenote: =May 11th.=] The Battalion moved up to the canal bank, and occupied some very insanitary dug-outs, which had not been previously inhabited by British troops. [Sidenote: =May 12th.=] The London Rifle Brigade took over from the Dublins a section of the front line, and was on the extreme right of the 4th Division. A Cavalry Division was on its immediate right. [Sidenote: =May 13th.=] Extract from Sir John French's despatch:-- "On the 13th May the heaviest bombardment yet experienced broke out at 4.30 a.m., and continued with little intermission throughout the day. . . . The 5th London Regiment, despite very heavy casualties, maintained their position unfalteringly." Extract from John Buchan's "History of the War," Vol. VII.:-- "Early in the morning of Thursday, May 13th, a day of biting north winds and drenching rains, a terrific bombardment began. . . . The infantry on the left of the cavalry were fiercely attacked, but contrived to hold their own. . . . The London Rifle Brigade had lost most of its men in the earlier fighting. It began the day 278 strong, and before evening 91 more had gone. One piece of breastwork was held by Sergeant Douglas Belcher with four survivors and two Hussars, whom he had picked up, and though the trench was blown in, and the Germans attacked with their infantry, he succeeded in bluffing the enemy by rapid fire, and holding the ground until relief came. That gallant stand, for which the Victoria Cross was awarded, saved the right of the 4th Division. . . ." _To face page 22._ [Illustration: LIEUT. TREVELYAN AND "A" COMPANY. _20th May, 1915._] "A" and part of "B" Companies were in the front line. "C" Company garrisoned three fortified supporting points. The rest of "B" Company and "D" were in support. The reinforcement of the front line commenced at about 8 a.m. (the shelling on the Battalion's sector had started at 4 a.m.). The distance between the front line and the supports was about 900 yards. The shelling did not cease till 6 p.m. Later in the evening the Battalion was withdrawn to the second line.