The Meerut Division after the fighting on the 19th December was disposed as under: Garhwal Brigade back in its own trenches; to their right the 6th Jats, the left battalion of the Dehra Dun Brigade, held their line with the right thrown back so as to connect with, and conform to, the retired line of the 2nd Gurkhas behind the “Orchard”; the Seaforth Highlanders formed the right of the Brigade to near the “Picquet” house, from which point the Sirhind Brigade of the Lahore Division continued farther still to the right. About 9 A.M., December 20, the attack on the Meerut Division was started. The 2nd Gurkhas and the Seaforths—old and trusted comrades—were singled out, and a heavy bombardment and Infantry advance told the Division that a day which was to be an important one for the Indian Corps had begun. Half an hour later word reached General Anderson that the Seaforths’ right was in the air owing to the retirement of the left of the Sirhind Brigade and that they were being heavily attacked from this flank and at the same time bombed on their left owing to retirement of part of the 2nd Gurkhas, which exposed them to the enemy’s bombers. The Seaforths never lose an inch of ground without making the attackers pay a heavy toll, but they were now fighting against great odds, hand-grenades, machine-guns, and trench mortars, with both their flanks in the air. One company was driven from its trench, but not until fifty per cent of the enemy lay dead in it. Captain the Hon. St. Clair was killed just as he had skilfully withdrawn into and was holding a communication trench. The 2nd Gurkhas were again put to a severe test this day; bombed and overmatched, they were driven from their newly-occupied trenches; followed up with hand-grenades and harried they retired, but always took their toll in the retreat and finally drew up in a retired position under Major Boileau, a soldier with an extraordinary personality. I cannot better describe him than in the words of one of his own Gurkha officers, “Asal Jangi Sahib” (a truly brave gentleman). With him was Major Watt, another staunch fighter. During this fighting the Gurkhas were pushed back a long way and were glad indeed to meet the 9th Gurkhas coming up to their assistance. To do what is set you is of course the best proof that you are competent to do it, but I have found in life that sometimes though you may fail in the eyes of your judges, you may nevertheless have done everything that was possible. Those gallant Gurkhas deserved success, and I would as soon have them by me in a tight place as any battalion I know.