During the battle I had ridden into the village of Richebourg St. Vaast, and came on a company of my old friends the Guides, just arrived as a reinforcement from India. The village was at the time being shelled, but our meeting was all the more opportune. I spoke to the men and had a handshake with the Indian officers. One of the sepoys, who had once served as my orderly in the Peshawar Division, said as I rode down the ranks, “General Sahib, if you are in need of an orderly I am with you, but I must just see one _pukka larai_ (real fight) first, then I am ready to come.” The Connaught Rangers were also in the village, and as I passed them they raised a loud yell; it was splendid seeing the gallant Irishmen just spoiling for a fight. On 21st March I visited the trenches in Neuve Chapelle and returned _via_ Richebourg. The high tower of the church had always been a great landmark for the Corps, and as I passed it I remarked, “I wonder how much longer it will stand.” I had not long to wait, as a few moments later an 8-inch shell struck it fair, and our well-known landmark disappeared. On the 24th I was riding out to make some inspections, when I came on a party of Japanese officers going round the 4th Gurkhas drawn up on the side of a road. I watched for some time, and could not but notice the similarity of build and stature of the two races. A few days later the veteran General Sir Partab Singh came to see me. His visits were always most welcome, and his advice _re_ matters connected with the Indians most valuable. He always kept a few hog spears, much the same as cavalry lances, and used to assure me he would never be happy until he had used one on the Boches. His wish was probably gratified when the Jodhpore Lancers charged the flying Turks and Germans in Palestine in 1918. On 28th March I inspected a motor machine-gun battery which had been sent to the Corps. It looked smart and workmanlike, and I felt as if England was really waking up and meant business in earnest. My thoughts wandered away to the very early days of the war, and that night I earnestly prayed to God I might be allowed to remain in the field and see the day when the British Army would be equipped as well as and even better than our enemies; and then, and then, alas! my diary for this day notes: “Was on horseback all day.” I can recall every hour of that day, for I saw a great many units, and each one gave me signal proof of its respect. What more could a General wish? My horses were my great delight, and were kept fully employed. “Arabi” and “Guide” were old Indian friends, and recently I had added a remount. He was a fine jumper, and if by any chance I was not using one or all of them, my son, who was one of my A.D.C.’s, was always ready to take them on, as well as his own. The constant work kept us all fit, and I seldom had one sick or sorry.