On June 22, at the Brigade swimming gala, the Battalion won two-thirds of the prizes put up for competition, although they had previously lost (2-1) in the "Kalk" football cup final to the 57th Siege Battery. Battalion sports were held at Klef, near Vilkerath, on July 19, the championship being annexed by "C" Company. A competition for the best company in the Division was won by "D" Company, who were subsequently called upon to furnish a guard of honour on the occasion of the visit of the Army Council to Cologne. The Battalion also scored in another way, for on August 1 the War Savings results for July were announced. The amount subscribed by the 23rd Royal Fusiliers was L1,137 19s. 1d., the percentage of members being 51 per cent, of the Battalion strength, and the Battalion being top of the VIth Corps list for the amount subscribed. Finally, the 23rd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (1st Sportsman's) ceased to exist in March, 1920, after having had a longer life than any other Service Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. +-----------------------------------------------------+ | GREAT WORK ACCOMPLISHED--HOLDING UP A GERMAN | | ADVANCE--SILENCING SNIPERS IN A DERELICT TANK--AND | | SOME OTHER THINGS | +-----------------------------------------------------+ GREAT WORK ACCOMPLISHED--HOLDING UP A GERMAN ADVANCE--SILENCING SNIPERS IN A DERELICT TANK--AND SOME OTHER THINGS From the official narratives available it is possible to amplify, in some few instances, the great work accomplished by the Battalion, and which is told but tersely in the War Diary from which the previous pages have been collated. Taking May 3, 1917, as an instance, when the 23rd Royal Fusiliers formed a part of the attacking force, we are told it was determined to capture-- Fresnoy Trench on a front of 1,400 yards. Oppy Support, by a bombing attack, over a length of 200 yards. Crucifix Lane, by a bombing attack, over a length of 200 yards. Form a defensive front facing south on a front of 400 yards, and Form eight strong points and four posts. The above, it may be explained, entailed the Brigade having, on the whole, a fighting front of no fewer than 2,200 yards. "The task of the 23rd Royal Fusiliers, forming the left assaulting battalion, was to capture a certain sector of Fresnoy Trench, to form two strong points, and to form four posts.... "The whole of 'C' Battalion (the 23rd Royal Fusiliers) gained their objective, but, owing to a slight loss of direction, found the enemy still occupying Fresnoy Trench to their north.