21 gruelling month of fighting until they would be withdrawn from action on the 26th of June. They would move to Wulverghem to take a well-earned rest. The 3rd of July saw the Battery come under heavy shell-fire from the German lines. The intense fire had caused an ammunition dump nearby to be set ablaze, threatening the lives of every man present. LT. Gordon Murray Wallace of the 103rd would leave the safety of the lines in order to ensure that no harm would come to his men. “Awarded for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leaving cover with a sergeant under very heavy shell fire and extinguishing two large ammunition dumps which were burning and exploding close to his battery. This gallant and timely action furnished a most inspiring example to the men of the battery.” – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 20th December 1917, Page 3374, Position 12 The constant shifting of the battlespace meant that moving was a priority as well. The battery would continue to change positions throughout the year, either pulling into reserve or relieving the line. The 3rd Artillery Field Brigade eventually became a part of the XV Corps and were attached to the 32nd Divisional Artillery from the 14th July. Their movements included Dunkerque, Nieuport and Dickebusch areas, not seeing relief until the 23rd of August. Pulled back into reserve, the Brigade marched from the line to Amplier to rest for a period of 2 days. They would then entrain to Godewaersvelde to conduct their routine maintenance and rest. This of course included stable duties and the cleaning of saddlery and equipment. They wouldn’t face the call to the frontline again until the 2nd of September, a cruisey one and a half weeks. Marching back into Ypres line on the 2nd of September, the Battery’s rest proved to have been beneficial. Hitting the ground running,, the 103rd would fire 446 rounds of HE right off the bat in barrage-styled missions. Despite this incredible level of tempo, the
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