On 16 April 1917 the Heavies, who in the previous week had been supporting the attack on Vimy Ridge, were ordered to new positions at Vermelles on the western edge of the Loos plain, arriving there at 7am the following day. The village had been badly damaged and billets were found in the cellars of a chateau made famous in the earlier fighting.

In this view, Vermelles village, chateau and military cemetery lie 1 km directly ahead, beyond the roundabout which is on the main road from Lens, on the right, to Bethune, on the left. Bully lies 2 kms behind the camera.