6 January 1916 The Liverpool Scottish leave my command on the 8th – they are to form one of the units for a new division being formed out here – very sorry to lose them. They have been with me for over a year & have always done well. I made them a farewell speech & told them so. Very wild weather strong southwest winds every day. If a wind favourable for German gas blows, everyone has to stand to arms whether night or day as the Germans are sure to have gas cylinders all along their front. The wind for this gas would have to be between south & east. Everyone has a pair of goggles & two gas helmets – the goggles keep out the gas from the lachrymatory shells but