During the whole of september the Battalion was training at Brake and Clyde Camps and in the neighbourhood of Houtkerque, where Second-Lieutenants R. G. Bird, A, B. Paterson and J. G. Jameson and 100 other ranks joined for duty.
On the 2nd October the 6th Border Regiment returned to Siege Camp and marched thence next day to dug-outs at Canal Bank preparatory to again going into action. Here at 1 a.m. on the 4th a hot meal was served out and then Battalion Headquarters, followed, at 50 yards intervals between platoons, by the four companies, moved forward towards the line. Headquarters occupied Varna Farm (Langemark), while " A " and " B " Companies moved up and dug in between the Steenbeek and the Langemarck-Winnipeg Road, " C " and " D " digging in in the area about Varna Farm; all were in position and well under cover by 5 a.m. The attack opened at 6, the duty of the 6th Battalion The Border Regiment being to support the other battalions of the Brigade and re-counter any successful enemy counterattack ; it was not to be used to reinforce.
At 7 a.m. " A " and " B " Companies moved to the front and dug in 150 yards in front of Pheasant Farm (Jungburg), while half an hour later the remainder of the Battalion also advanced, Headquarters to Snipe House (Langemark), the other two companies entrenching themselves in rear of Pheasant Farm (Jungburg), which was heavily shelled all the morning, many casualties being incurred. At night on the 5th the Battalion took over the whole Brigade front, and during the 6th and 7th much useful patrol work was done, Second-Lieutenants Bell and Knight, Corporal Douthwaite and Private Black specially distinguishing themselves.
Relieved on the night of the 7th/8th the Battalion thereafter had many moves —to Siege Camp, Watten, Bayenghem, Lillers, Nedon and Houchin-les-Bains, and then at the end of October moved by Grenay to Noeux-les-Mines, where it was accommodated in hutments; during October 37 were killed, 136 wounded, while 1 man was missing.
Bron: the Border Regiment in the Great War; door Wylly H.
