The London Rifle Brigade moved by motor-bus in pouring rain to join the 3rd Division, which was resting east of Cassel. It relieved the Honourable Artillery Company in the 8th Infantry Brigade. The latter Battalion returned in the same buses. The transport had marched on the previous day. Incessant rain and frequent inspections, combined with training on the lines laid down by the new Division, employed the time up to November 23rd. _To face page 26._ [Illustration: SEC.-LIEUT. BARKER AND M.G. TEAM. _20th May, 1915._] _To face page 27._ [Illustration: THE BARRACKS, GENERAL HEADQUARTERS.] [Sidenote: =Nov. 23rd.=] The Battalion marched to Poperinghe. For the first time it now had a bombing section of 2 officers and 70 other ranks; a sniping detachment was also organised. [Sidenote: =Nov. 29th.=] The Battalion relieved the Liverpool Scottish in the front line. The trenches were in a desperate state, with very few traverses, no complete communication trenches or second line, and mud quite indescribable. They were also overlooked, and enfiladed by the enemy. The tour was normally seven days, with two companies in the front line and two in reserve near Battalion Headquarters. Work was rendered very difficult owing to the water-logged nature of the ground. Ration parties took as much as seven hours to accomplish one round journey. On the whole, the Battalion was amazingly fortunate while in these trenches. It suffered casualties from occasional shelling and sniping, but on certainly two occasions the enemy bombarded the trenches and blew in fifty yards of parapet without inflicting a single casualty. The march to and from the trenches was an exceedingly trying one. Only once was part of the Battalion able to use motor-buses, but, after the first tour, use was made of the "Ypres Express," to whose Commanding Officer the London Rifle Brigade will ever remain indebted. The Battalion was in the trenches during the abortive gas attack on December 19th, but was not affected by the gas, which passed just behind it. _To face page 28._ [Illustration: POPERINGHE, 1915.] Christmas Day was spent in Poperinghe. [Sidenote: =1916.= =Jan. 4th.=] On leaving the trenches on this date the Battalion was kept in Brigade reserve. Apart from heavy night-working parties, the week was not too uncomfortable, though baths were impossible. [Sidenote: =Jan. 18th.=] The London Rifle Brigade returned to rest under canvas instead of to billets. [Sidenote: =Feb. 1st--8th.=] Owing to the relief of the 3rd Division this period was one of variety. The Battalion marched from trenches to rest, and back into reserve. It was attached to three different Brigades, and for a time was Divisional Troops. Eventually, on the 8th, orders were received to entrain the next day. The various outlying details were collected before midnight. [Sidenote: =Feb. 9th.=] The Battalion entrained for the South. [Sidenote: =Gommecourt.= =July 1st.=]