The state of the trenches and the conditions under which the battle was fought made the task of supplying and replenishing the various wants of the Division a most difficult one. Major J. M’Gown, the D.A.D.O.S., and the supply officers nevertheless overcame all difficulties and earned the deep gratitude of all ranks. The 60th and 61st Brigades held the positions they had won on the 7th until the night of the 8th/9th of October, when the 20th Division was relieved by the 6th and moved back to the neighbourhood of Treux for a well-earned rest. Here on the 13th the Corps Commander, Lord Cavan, inspected each of the three brigades in turn on a ceremonial parade, and addressed the troops. “I have come here to-day,” he said, “to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the magnificent work you have done for the Army and for the Corps. The capture of Guillemont was chiefly due to you” (the 59th Brigade). He praised all brigades for the part they had taken in the Somme battle, and referred to the vigorous action by which the 60th had assisted the 6th Division in its successful attack on the Quadrilateral. After congratulating the 61st Brigade on the part it had taken in the capture of Guillemont, he said: “The Brigade was attached to the Guards Division from the 15th to the 17th of September and attacked on the 16th, when it gained the whole of its objectives, in spite of the fact that the units attacking on the two flanks were held up.” “On October the 7th the Brigade attacked with the 60th Brigade and once more gained the whole of its objectives.” He said how pleased he was with the extremely smart and soldier-like manner in which the troops had turned out on parade, and added: “I have asked the Army Commander and the Commander-in-Chief not to take away the 20th Division if they can help it, and they have promised to do their best. I would not lose the 20th Division for crowns and crowns.” CHAPTER VI WINTER IN THE SOMME AREA _9th October 1916 to 16th March 1917_ Divisional Artillery in Toc 7 Valley--Remainder of the Division at rest--The Division in the line opposite Le Transloy--The 93rd Field Artillery Brigade made an Army Brigade--The Sailly-Saillisel Line--The sector between Sailly-Saillisel and Le Transloy--Signs of the coming German retreat. (_Vide_ Map II.)