Captain Oppenheim, D.S.O., was wounded on this date, and Lieutenant H. L. Johnston took over the duties of Adjutant. He was subsequently confirmed in the appointment, and held it till April 7th, 1916, when he took over command of a company, being succeeded by Captain F. H. Wallis. [Sidenote: =May 14th.=] This evening the Battalion moved into the trenches in front of La Brique, which it had dug less than a week before. [Sidenote: =May 15th.=] The Battalion moved further forward into the second line, and two companies of the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were attached to it. _To face page 23._ [Illustration: CAPTAIN OTTER AND "B" COMPANY. _20th May, 1915._] [Sidenote: =May 16th.=] The Battalion was withdrawn to the canal bank. [Sidenote: =May 19th.=] Orders were received that the London Rifle Brigade was to be withdrawn and sent the next day to General Headquarters. The Battalion marched that evening to Vlamertinghe, and was billeted there. [Sidenote: =May 20th.=] The Battalion marched past the Divisional Commander after he had inspected it, and expressed his deep appreciation of all it had done since April 25th. It boarded the motor-buses, and proceeded to General Headquarters. The London Rifle Brigade thus left the 4th Division after six months. The Brigade, Divisional, and Corps Commanders had all personally thanked the Battalion for the work it had done, and congratulated it on its behaviour under the most trying circumstances. But perhaps even more valued were the farewell letters from the Battalions of the 11th Brigade, showing, as they did, that they really felt the London Rifle Brigade to have become part of their Regular Brigade. The London Rifle Brigade arrived at Tatinghem, and enjoyed ten days' complete rest during perfect weather. The Rangers and Kensingtons had also been withdrawn from the line. _To face page 24._ [Illustration: SEC.-LIEUT. F. D. CHARLES AND "C" COMPANY. _20th May, 1915._] [Sidenote: =June 1st.=] These three Battalions were amalgamated for work on lines of communications. This entailed the handing over of all the active service equipment, and also all transport. The latter was a bitter blow, as the work of the transport, personnel, and animals had been beyond all praise. It is worth noting that in spite of the very heavy work of the previous four weeks the transport had actually accomplished the thirty-mile trek from the Salient in under 20 hours. [Sidenote: =Lines of Communication.=] [Sidenote: =June 1st--Oct. 1st.=] This period calls for no detailed treatment. Headquarters, and the balance of the men not employed at the different railheads, remained at St. Omer, first in the artillery barracks, and from July 1st under canvas. The numbers at the various railheads altered very considerably from time to time, e.g., on June 6th 210 other ranks were scattered over fifteen stations, and on September 24th there were 374 other ranks at twenty-one different stations.