New Blood

Following the battle at Neuve Chapelle, the 4th Battalion went through some hasty reorganisation. 
After the battle had died down and the Battalion had been withdrawn to billets at St. Vaast, the Battalion Commander was able to take stock of the situation. Battalion strength was down to a mere 173 men after the battle although there were almost 40 men who were receiving attention for minor wounds in the nearby field hospital. It was a severe reduction in numbers from the 973 that had handed in France the previous  November.
The Adjutant, Captain Cockburn had also suffered greatly. A shard of shrapnel almost completely severed his right arm on the 12th March and after being evacuated to a field hospital, he was sent on to a general hospital to have his arm amputated. In his place, 2nd Lieutenant Barnes took over as acting adjutant. 
The following day, a draft of 3 officers and 100 other ranks came out from the 3rd Battalion in England. They managed with a little reorganisation, to arrange the four separate Company’s into a strength of around 125 all-ranks each. The Battalion was gradually being rebuilt to its former glory.

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