CHAPTER VIII

PRINCESS PATRICIA'S LIGHT INFANTRY

Review in Lansdowne Park--Princess Patricia presents the Colours--South African veterans and reservists--Princess Patricias in the trenches--St. Eloi--Major Hamilton Gault--A dangerous reconnaissance--Attack on a sap--A German onslaught--Lessons from the enemy--A march to battle--Voormezeele--Death of Colonel Farquhar--Polygone Wood--Regiment's work admired--A move towards Ypres--Heavily shelled--A new line--Arrival of Major Gault--Regiment sadly reduced--Gas shells--A German rush--Major Gault wounded--Lieut. Niven in command--A critical position--Corporal Dover's heroism--A terrible day--Shortage of small arms ammunition--Germans' third attack--Enemy repulsed--Regiment reduced to 150 rifles--Relieved--A service for the dead--In bivouac--A trench line at Armentières--Regiment at full strength again--Moved to the south--Back in billets--Princess Patricias instruct new troops--Rejoin Canadians--A glorious record