The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

58 4TH CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLEScasualties.enant C. L. Johnston was killed.It was during this bombardment that LieutThey had been in the line for sixty -three hours underthe most trying weather conditions without blankets orgreatcoats and with a very meagre rest the night beforethe attack. They were relieved in a snowstorm on thenight of the llth and tramped back through the mud,over the ground they had captured, to Neuville St.Vaast. The condition of the ground and the weatherwas so terrible and the men so tired that the Battalionhad great difficulty getting out. They had been lookingforward to returning to the comfortable huts theyhad left on the first of the month, but were bitterlydisappointed to find themselves in an improvisedcamp, which had hardly been completed, known asDumbell Camp. Insufficient tents without floorboardswere pitched on the muddy ground behind the front line;consequently, the men had only the sodden ground onwhich to rest after this unusually arduous time. Outsideof the trenches it was the worst place the Battalion hadexperienced since arriving in France. They spent twodays trying to improve their habitation and finallymoved the whole camp from the mire it was in to slightlyhigher and less saturated ground. They had but oneday in the new camp when they were ordered to go intobivouacs at Fort George, a redoubt built in the supporttrench system a few hundred yards north of Neuville St.Vaast.While at Dumbell Camp, General Lipsett addressed theBattalion, congratulating Colonel Gordon, his officers,N. C. O s and men on their discipline and bearing duringthe engagement. He complimented them for the preciseway they had carried out their orders and thanked themfor their share in the successful achievement of hisDivision :Colonel Gordon, Officers, N.C.O. s and men of the 4th C.M.R.Battalion. General Elmsley gave me kind permission to come andtell you how pleased I am to thank you all for what you have donein the late engagement and which is still going on. It was the mostcomplete victory in the history of the British Army. So far, wehave taken approximately 12,000 German Prisoners, 160 Guns and