F's. were staggered
to find an old French woman in a cellar in Bucquoy, and they had the
utmost difficulty in persuading her to leave her "home." That was her
abode and she was prepared to live in it whatever the conditions.
The next few days resulted in a complete victory for mud. Rain
continued, and work as we would the conditions could not be conquered.
Men stood in it, and when they could, slept in it. To move about meant
wading through it, in places up to the thighs, and this was steadily
wearing out the last flicker of humanity and grit in our men. Casualties
were also increasing. Lieut. Bateman was wounded in Essarts whilst on
his way back to the battalion from a Course, and in "B" company 2nd-Lt.
Woodworth was hit. Eventually we relieved the 5th in the front line near
Ablainzevelle, where we found the trenches in an even worse condition,
if that were possible. Real joy possessed our souls, although it is
doubtful whether at the time we were capable of appreciating it, when
the news was definite that the division was to go right out for a rest.
On the night of April 7th, the 2nd 7th West Ridings (62nd division) came
up and relieved us, and the Fleur de Lys set their faces joyfully to the
west and marched off in good spirits, although with exhausted bodies,
conscious of having done their duty in stopping the mad rush of the
Huns.
CHAPTER VIII.
Worrying the Hun.
Never since the weary entry into Katia did the 7th Manchesters present
such a sorry appearance as they did when they straggled into Soustre in
the grey hours of April 8th.
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