"Perhaps your finest record is that of March, 1918, when along a great part of our front detached Divisions fought their way slowly back from position to position, facing overwhelming numbers, and an enemy drunk with the idea that the final victory was theirs; it was then, when short of food, without rest, short of men, that you showed what you were made of, and after successive days of retirement you turned and held the Germans. "It is fitting that the work of this Battalion should be crowned by the victorious march to the Rhine, and that your colours should make their first appearance in a conquered country--a country which has taken us four and a half years to reach." +-----------------------------------------------------+ | "GOOD-BYE, AND GOOD LUCK!"--BRIGADIER-GENERAL A.E. | | McNAMARA, C.M.G., D.S.O., AND HIS FAREWELL TO THE | | 23RD ROYAL FUSILIERS (FIRST SPORTSMAN'S BATTALION) | +-----------------------------------------------------+ "GOOD-BYE, AND GOOD LUCK!"--BRIGADIER-GENERAL A.E. McNAMARA, C.M.G., D.S.O., AND HIS FAREWELL TO THE 23RD ROYAL FUSILIERS (FIRST SPORTSMAN'S BATTALION) Appreciation of and admiration for the Battalion was also expressed by Brigadier-General A.E. McNamara, commanding the 99th Infantry Brigade, when he bade it "good-bye and good luck" on February 25, 1919, when it left the 2nd Division to join the London Division. "Owing to the reorganization of the Army of Occupation," he said, "the 23rd Royal Fusiliers, the oldest member of the 99th Infantry Brigade, is leaving it. "I wish to place on record my high appreciation and admiration of the magnificent services of the Battalion while in the 99th Infantry Brigade. "The Battalion came out to France with the 99th Infantry Brigade in November, 1915. Since then it has taken a leading part in all the many and strenuous battles in which the Brigade has been engaged. In these eventful three years we have seen together good times and bad, but whether things were good or evil the 23rd Royal Fusiliers have ever shown the same high discipline, _esprit de corps_, and indomitable spirit which eventually beat down all resistance and won the war. [Illustration: BATTALION HEADQUARTERS: HORNCHURCH.] [Illustration: THE BATTALION PIERROT TROUPE: GERMANY. To face p. 80] "The battles of Delville Wood, Bourlon Wood, Ayette, Behagnies, Mory Copse, Canal du Nord, Forenville, and Ruesnes stand out in history as a record of the achievements of the 23rd Royal Fusiliers--a record of which the Battalion may well be proud. "The Battalion is now going to another Brigade and another Division. I wish it the best of luck, and know it will maintain the high reputation for discipline, efficiency, and, if need be, fighting, which it has built up since its formation.