I have received so much assistance in the preparation of the book that I am afraid it is impossible to make any adequate individual acknowledgments of my debt. My thanks, however, are particularly due to the following:--For continuous advice and valuable suggestions, to C. W. Wilson, J. L. Heyworth, T. Sutherland, and A. L. Reade (whose diary, placed freely at my disposal, has proved invaluable); for contributions, to R. Barker, N. L. and W. A. Corkill, W. M. Ewan, E. A. Garrod, H. M. Griffiths, J. K. Harris, J. L. Henderson, J. B. Herbert, F. C. Hildred, F. Hooper, V. J. Kneen, G. L. Lane, J. Longridge, R. E. Noon, J. Payne, W. Penrice, K. V. Stevenson, H. Taggart, C. W. Walter, and T. A. Williams; for compilation of addresses, to J. McCoy; for map work, to A. S. Brown and J. T. Hazell; for photographs and drawings (the reproduction of which, on grounds of economy, had drastically to be curtailed), to W. T. Barrow, J. Beavan, W. A. Belk, C. S. Freeman, E. Fryer, T. H. Louden, F. V. Smith, and A. E. Williams; and for unfailing courtesy and ready assistance, to the War Office and No. 1 Infantry Record Office, Preston. To my father, E. A. Wurtzburg, I owe a great debt for assistance of every description, the value of which I cannot adequately express. He has, further, revised all the proofs. I should also like to record the help rendered by my publishers, Messrs. Gale & Polden, Ltd.; throughout the long period that has elapsed since the work was first commenced their interest and assistance have never flagged. In conclusion, I must add that financial responsibility for the production of the book was generously accepted by a small body of gentlemen who shall be nameless, but in the absence of whom it is certain that the work could never have been undertaken. C. E. W. 3, LAWN ROAD, HAMPSTEAD, N.W. 3. _August, 1920_. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE FORMATION OF THE BATTALION--THE DEPOT--BLACKPOOL--CANTERBURY--MARGATE--UPSTREET CAMP--CANTERBURY--GORE STREET CAMP 1 CHAPTER II PREPARATION FOR OVERSEAS--BOURLEY CAMP--INKERMAN BARRACKS, WOKING 17 CHAPTER III OVERSEAS--STRAZEELE--FLEURBAIX--BAC ST. MAUR--RUE DU BOIS--RUE MARLE--RUE DORMOIRE 30 CHAPTER IV ARMENTIÈRES UP TO GAS ATTACK 68 CHAPTER V FROM GAS ATTACK TO ST. HILAIRE--PASSCHENDAELE (FIRST TIME)--LOUCHES 126 CHAPTER VI PASSCHENDAELE (SECOND TIME)--ARMENTIÈRES--ST. HILAIRE (SECOND TIME)--ARREWAGE--FLEURBAIX 148 CHAPTER VII MERVILLE--PERIOD IN RESERVE--GOMMECOURT--FAMPOUX 172 CHAPTER VIII BATTLE OF CAMBRAI 204