Route marching formed a considerable part of the training programme, and on January 20th the battalion marched to Garstang and back, a distance of thirty-three and three-quarter miles. It was congratulated by General Adam on being "so hard and fit that it can perform a long march in such good order." On February 1st a more ambitious scheme of marching to Liverpool and back was entered upon. Rifles had arrived that morning, and were issued on parade, string being provided in lieu of slings. The first day's march was to Preston, where we billeted for the night. The next day it rained steadily, and we were glad enough to reach Ormskirk, where the popular reception was such that the orderly-room was deluged with requests from people asking if they could not entertain at any rate one man. The spirit of Ormskirk was, indeed, conspicuous all along the route, and the arrival on the Exchange flags the next day produced a rousing reception. After breaking away for the rest of the day, the battalion set off for the return march the following day, and completed its 100-mile march in splendid form, only a few men having become casualties, and these because of ill-fitting boots. "Rip," the battalion dog, led by the Commanding Officer's groom, attracted no little attention during the march. Forms of recreation at Blackpool were manifold, the town going out of its way to entertain the troops. The Salford Harriers put up a military run of seven miles, and this was won by Rifleman J. N. C. Davies in 45 minutes 18 seconds. On February 8th the battalion moved down to Canterbury to replace the 1/6th Battalion, and at Blackpool we left behind many friends and a high reputation, of which the battalion may well be proud. Captain Lawrence left us at this point, _anno domini_ having proved too much even for his dauntless spirit. At Canterbury we found the band and 170 details of the 1/6th, the former being a great asset under the able direction of Sergeant Hodgson. Billets were different from those at Blackpool. We now had at the most two or three men to a billet, and we also had army rations. However, the "occupiers" were most kindly and made us very welcome, though they were apt to resent the rigorous daily inspection--apparently a novelty to them. Our transport was further augmented by some quaint vehicles and still quainter mules discarded by our predecessors, also one or two pack ponies. The mules were productive of considerable amusement. On March 15th, after this brief stay in Canterbury--due to the congestion of troops--we marched down to Margate, and were given billets in Cliftonville. We were the only battalion of the Division in Margate, the rest of our Brigade being at Canterbury. That we were popular at Margate, and that Margate was popular with us, need hardly be added. The behaviour of the battalion fully justified the continued and generous attention which we received from the authorities and people of the town.