On Monday 25 September 1916, Sherriff, still stationed with the 3rd East Surreys at the Grand Shaft Barracks in Dover, was called into the Orderly Room along with six other officers. The Assistant Adjutant told them that they were to catch the train from Charing Cross to France on the Thursday morning, and that they could proceed on leave at once.

He was anxious, of course, but relieved to finally be going abroad. Several of his old school-friends and work colleagues had already been posted to France, and some, he knew, would not be coming back. He felt it was time for him to do his bit, but he intended to make the most of the few remaining hours at home. After receiving his travel warrant he rushed straight back to his home in Hampton Wick, and spent the next two days walking with his mother or with his father – in the country lanes near his home, along the river, or through Bushy Park in the moonlight. 

On the Wednesday he got his kit together, so that there would be no last-minute rush the next morning: he was due to catch the 10:00 o’clock train, and wanted to avoid spoiling ‘the tranquility of the final moments at home.’ With his kit packed, all that was left was to enjoy his final walks, and to try to avoid dwelling too much on what awaited him across the Channel.