On 27 March 1916, the 7th (Service) Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers began to move back to the line after a period of respite in billets at Cauchy-à-la-Tour west of Béthune. The Battalion prepared to march to the entraining station at Lapugnoy with the Signal Officer on foot at the head of the column. He was responsible for selecting the correct route, especially during the absence of the Commanding Officer. At the beginning of the march, the Commanding Officer was at the head of the Battalion mounted on a horse with a fast ‘walk’. He was some 400 yards ahead of the Battalion column when he reached and then passed straight through the town of Auchel. Some time later, he stopped and waited for the column to catch up.

Meanwhile, the Signal Officer turned right in the town of Auchel and led the Battalion on towards the town of Bruay. After an hour of marching, and just as the column had passed through the town of Bruay, up galloped the Commanding Officer. He proceeded to berate both the Adjutant and the Signals Officer for their navigational error. However, following a period of discussion over an open map, conversation ceased and the matter was considered ‘closed’ as the Battalion resumed the march onward to entrain at Lapugnoy.