He had had a long, useful career with the 127th brigade since the
middle of 1915. Family affairs had caused the regretted departure of
Lt. G. W. Franklin, and his place at the head of the transport was taken
by Lt. Wilkinson, after a brief period of duty by Lt. C. R. Thorpe. Col.
Bromfield returned from leave just after we went into the line again at
Givenchy after the four days' rest. This spell in the line was marked
principally by cold, frosty weather and most of the battalion figured in
the trenches in wonderful fur coats popularly known as leather jerkins.
The Manchester brigade were fortunate again in being out in divisional
reserve for 'Xmas. Excellent fare was provided for the 7th in the shape
of turkeys, pork, 'Xmas pudding, extra vegetables, barrels of beer and
extra rum rations, so that hilarity was the order of the day. There
being a good deal of snow about at this time tactical exercises
frequently took the form of inter company snow-ball fights. To have
Major Hurst with us during this period previous to his departure on
Courts-martial work could not have been more opportune, for he had ever
been most energetic on the social side of the battalion. With
reminiscences of his impromptu concerts and lectures on Gallipoli and in
Egypt we knew we should not look in vain for something from him. His was
the master-mind behind this Yule-tide festivity, while a delightfully
funny sketch written by him in which Gwendoline de Vere of Greenheys
Lane figured prominently, gave the officers and sergeants of the 7th an
opportunity of displaying their dramatic skill.
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