_Preparations commenced for the Somme offensive--a complimentary
shoot with "P" Battery--Divisional, Brigade and Battalion
identification marks--happy days at Rubempre._
On 27th April, in brilliant summer weather, the Commanding Officer,
Company Commanders, the Intelligence Officer and four N.C.O.s per
Company attended a Divisional Exercise at Baizieux, and this was the
start of those preparations which were to culminate in the Battle of
the Somme on 1st July.
On 3rd May the Colonel returned and took over command from Major Paul,
and during the following day, Major Lawder, Commanding "A" Battery,
168th Brigade, R.F.A., entertained those who had taken part in the
raid and allowed them to fire the guns which had rendered such fine
support during the sortie.
Identification marks had now been issued for some time for major
operations pending. The Divisional colours were crimson and the sleeve
mark was a red circle for the 97th Brigade. The K.O.Y.L.I. had one bar
below the circle; the Border Regiment, two; the 16th H.L.I., three;
and the 17th, four bars, worn horizontally and parallel. Runners,
bombers, etc., had further identification marks. Prior to this, from
November 1915, to April, 1916, no distinctive mark had been worn on
the sleeve, but on the centre of the tunic collar at the back there
was worn a strip of ribbon coloured yellow, pale blue, and yellow.
During the succeeding period, up to the disbandment of the Battalion,
the sleeve marks were used only. While the circle was always red the
bars were coloured respectively black for Headquarters; red for "A"
Company; green for "B"; yellow for "C"; and blue for "D" Company. The
Divisional sign on flags and limbers, etc., was a red coloured
intertwined double 8.
The weather was now very fine, and when not in the line, delightful
days were spent at Rubempre, Contay and Warloy, and strenuous days on
Divisional exercises at Baizieux in preparation for the Somme. From
this it will be seen that the Battalion was not engaged in killing
Germans all the time, or being killed by them. At times they had a
change. There were periods of rest. The word "rest" is very often the
subject of sarcastic humour amongst troops. "Resting" may mean
anything. It may be quite a good time or it may be worse than the
firing line. Too often it is simply an occasion of smartening
up--guards, ceremonial parades, saluting, and "spit and polish"
generally--in fact the things that can be indulged in to excess. And
very often a rest simply means preparation for a big stunt. But the
17th will remember occasions when they did have a real rest. This was
particularly the case at Rubempre. The weather was good, and they had
a comparatively easy time. They had about three hours' training in the
forenoons. Thereafter they were free. There were sports and games in
the afternoons for the enthusiasts. There were entirely successful
concerts and sing-songs in the evenings. It was a change to see and be
among civilians--to be welcome in the village houses--and generally to
experience peace time conditions again. This may not seem to amount to
very much, but it meant a lot then. And it certainly had a fine effect
on the morale of the Battalion. It was a sheer relief to be out of
sound of the guns, to forget the mud, the exhaustion, mental and
physical, the weary night watches, standing to, and working parties.
But such days passed quickly, and all too soon they found themselves
on the road again, loaded up, silent, thoughtful, on the way back to
the firing line.