A May Day Promotion

On May Day 1916,  the 11th (Service) Battalion received a new commanding officer.
​Captain and Adjutant G.L.C. Tuck assumed command after Colonel Somerset  had been posted away in mid-April 1916 to assume command of the 101st Brigade.  Major W.A. Farquar was to assume the position as CO, but he was currently on leave to England along with Major Morton. In the absence of all senior officers, Captain Tuck assumed command.
It was to be the first of no fewer than five times that he would assume command of the Battalion, later leading it to victory in 1918. Gerald Louis Johnson Tuck was to be a man of exceptional character and skill. He would later receive higher awards and accolades. In civilian life, he was to become Mayor of Sudbury; being one of its most highest decorated alderman. 
The Battalion now having been on the continent for five months, were acquitting themselves well. They had received much praise from Divisional HQ in March for the conduct of their snipers in the front line near Bois Grenier and the GOC 34th Division sent the CO a personal hand-written letter of congratulation; "I wish to compliment you not only on your snipers, but on the general work of your Battalion in the trenches which is most excellent."
Tuck as Adjutant, ensured that every man got to hear of this praise. With such a feather in their cap, the men were pleased and felt ready for the big push that they felt was sure to come soon.

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