--^^:7>-^:^- 



CHAPTER VII. 



THE WAR AND THE FINAL TRIUMPH. 



When the war cloud broke over Europe in the summer of 1914 

 the E.C.H. was in a very flourishing condition. During the 

 season 1913-14 38 hares had been killed, which remains a record 

 for the pack. There was every prospect of a good year to follow, 

 especially as R. D. Grossman was to have stayed till the end of 

 the Easter Half, and he had already hunted the hounds with 

 considerable success. 



But all this was changed. Grossman and R. W. G. Dill, his 

 first whip, both got commissions. They left at Ghristmas. 

 Grossman closed the Journal Book in the following way : 



"I think it is rather hard luck on Dill and myself having to 

 leave, but country comes even before hunting, and I only hope 

 this infernal war will end soon." 



He went out to fight and was killed. His whip Dill went 

 right through the War but emerged unhurt. Few more 

 promising hound men ever existed than R. D. Grossman, but, 

 like many another, he gave up everything to serve his country. 

 G. G. Gox-Gox, Grossman's second whip, stayed until Ghristmas 

 1915, and was succeeded by W. A. D. Eley in the Easter Half. 

 Both the seasons 1914-15 and 1915-16 were fairly successful, 

 though in the latter only nine hares were killed. The war-time 

 conditions were of course very difficult. Little breeding took 

 place, and consequently the pack decreased in size. The food 

 also was inferior ; but Ghampion always had the hounds fit and 

 ready for work. Owing to the E.G.O.T.G. parading every 

 Thursday the beagles were only able to hunt two days a week in 

 the Easter Half. 



During a hunt about this time a very promising young bitch 

 was killed on the railway line close to Remenham. I mention 



