Colonel Vickers Dunfee, V.D., in command. Major V. H. Seyd, second in command. Captain W. G. Hayward, Adjutant. " G. H. Moore. " H. Morris. " F. C. Read. " H. G. Stanham. " H. Parkhouse. Lieut. L. C. Coates. " W. N. Towse. " A. H. Simpson. 2/Lieut. R. N. Keen. " W. A. Stark. " W. R. Botterill. " V. S. Bowater. " S. N. Davies. " R. C. Dickins. " W. H. Stevens. " N. L. Thomas. " J. R. Webster. " L. A. Dickins. " L. R. Chapman. " H. W. Dennis. " E. G. Lovell. " H. W. Vernon. Hon. Lieut. and Quartermaster, J. E. W. Lambley (Quartermaster); Lieut. Casey, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer attached. Just before departure the following telegram was received by Colonel Dunfee from General Sir Ian Hamilton, G.C.B., D.S.O.: Had arranged to go down and see your Battalion. Unfortunately situation renders imperative my presence at Headquarters. Can only, therefore, wish you best of good luck and hope we may meet again. At about 5 p.m. on the 23rd December H.T. _Avon_ put to sea, and the following day at daybreak the convoy assembled, consisting of:-- H.T. _Avon_--2/4th London Regiment and two Companies 2/3rd London Regiment. H.T. _Euralia_--2/2nd London Regiment and 2/3rd London Regiment, less two companies, under the escort of H.M.S. _Eclipse_, which accompanied the transports as far as Gibraltar. [Illustration: _Melleha_] [Illustration: _Grand Harbour, Valetta_] [Illustration: _Grand Harbour, Valetta_] The following appointments were made on H.T. _Avon_: Colonel Vickers Dunfee to be O.C. Ship; Captain and Adjutant W. G. Hayward to be Ship's Adjutant. Christmas was spent at sea with as much good cheer as circumstances permitted, and after an uneventful voyage Malta was reached and H.T. _Avon_ dropped anchor in the Grand Harbour at Valetta on 31st December 1914. * * * * * On the 30th December the 1/4th Battalion marched from Ghain Tuffieha to St George's Barracks and handed over its arms and equipment, as it was understood that these would be required for the relieving troops. The strength of the 1/4th Battalion on leaving the Island was 24 officers and about 850 other ranks. Major J. F. F. Parr remained on the Island and took over the duties of Medical Officer to the 2/4th Battalion, his duties in the 1/4th Battalion being assumed by Lieutenant Casey, who had just arrived with the 2/4th Battalion. In addition Captain R. N. Arthur and Lieut. V. W. Edwards transferred to the 2/4th Battalion together with about 85 N.C.O.'s and men who were found medically unfit for active service. These officers, N.C.O.'s, and men reported on the 3rd January to the 2/4th Battalion which was thus brought to about war strength.