- 3rd Mar
Concert by Bn. band in the afternoon - 4th Mar
Inspected by C.O.
Baths - 6th Mar
Practice firing at flying aeroplane - 7th Mar
Moved to Brigade support south of Guémappe - 8th Mar
Lt.Col. A.J.S James MC, (late of R.W.Fus) arrived to take over command of the battalion preparatory to Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt D.S.O. leaving - 9th Mar
Lt.Col. R.S.Hunt relinquished command of the Batt. and left for Division.
The following letter from Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt D.S.O. :-On relinquishing command of the 8th Bn. The King’s Own (R.L.) Regt. Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt wishes to thank every officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer & man (past & present) for the loyalty and devotion to duty they have always shown.
He is fond of them individually and proud of them as a Battn. of splendid fighters who have never lost a trench.
He feels sure that all ranks will understand how much he feels the separation after the 17 months of his command.
He wishes them “Good luck” and “Godspeed” feeling confident that their courage and fighting qualities will add to their great name in the future reminding them that the rifle bullet, the Lewis Gun and their own stout hearts are what have never yet failed them, nor have the Orderlies and Coy. runners.Lt.Col. James and Coy commanders visited the trenches.
In his own memoirs, Reginald says :-
In April of 1918 I made a horrible but great resolve. I’d done 3 ½ years fighting in the front line, & felt myself done-in. Up till then I had not funked, but suddenly I felt I’d lost my nerve, finished. Somehow I dared to go & see a friend of mine commanding the 3rd Division, General Deverell. I put it plainly to him, he gave me 6 months leave for Home Service.
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