An unpleasant incident had occurred with a "booby trap" at Riencourt, which caused the death of a rifleman and hurled Quartermaster Smith to a considerable distance. Consequently, when the fire by the Battalion Headquarters tent suddenly blew up, lodging a considerable quantity of hot potato in the eyes of the cook, we were somewhat alarmed. It turned out, however, to be only a small bomb detonator that the heat had exploded. While we were in bivouac here word came that the Commanding Officer had been awarded the D.S.O. Although he modestly referred to it as being a recognition of the merit of the battalion, all ranks felt that it was richly deserved. His unofficial exploits in rallying and taking forward stragglers from other units had been noted with approval by the men, and throughout the operations he had been conspicuous by his total disregard of personal safety. On October 4th we moved up from reserve into support with two companies ("A" and "B") in the Marcoing Line and "C" and "D" Company in support. Battalion Headquarters were to have occupied the Chateau Pill-box at the corner of La Folie Wood, but this was already in occupation, and eventually they were accommodated for the night in a deep dug-out in the sunken road some two or three hundred yards farther back and next door to Brigade Headquarters. Next morning (October 5th), most unfortunately, Brigadier-General Longbourne was wounded while patrolling in front of the advanced posts. Though his wounds were not at first thought serious, they proved worse than had been suspected, and we saw him no more. He was a fine leader of men, a most gallant gentleman, and as popular with the men as with the officers. No one could wish for a better Brigadier. The Commanding Officer assumed command of the Brigade, and Major C. W. Wilson of the battalion. The same morning Battalion Headquarters moved up to the Chateau Pill-box. This was a small concrete erection, of no strength, and the inside was literally covered with flies. Besides this there were various wooden "bivvies" and slit trenches for the men, into which all soon settled. A large number of demolition charges littered the ground in wooden cases about the size of a box that would contain a dozen bottles of beer. These charges seemed to have an unholy attraction for some people. A pioneer was found hacking the casing off one for firewood; the cooks made a screen round their fire with others; while a signaller was found carrying one into the pill-box to put his candle on. They may have been safe enough, but you can never tell.