Book Extract

The morning of the 13th found the Battalion posted and ready for any emergency. Two hours after dawn a supposed patrol of men, wearing field grey, was seen on our left. The patrol was fired on but they proved to be a collection of Portuguese stragglers. Later on a patrol of German cyclists was seen approaching and they were followed by German infantry who extended into open order when fired upon. At 11.00am the enemy delivered a determined attack on the battalion front at Les Lauriers but this was repulsed everywhere except at Le Vertbois farm, into which the enemy penetrated and from which we were forced to withdraw. More attacks followed, but the enemy could gain no further advantage. The gap in the line had been filled in and attack after attack was repulsed during the day merely by rifle and machine gun fire. The Guards division on our left were attacked very heavily but the battalion was able to render very useful help by firing half left and enfilading the attacking enemy lines.

The supply of ammunition often proved a source of great anxiety, for at times the frontline was reduced to five rounds per man; old spare ammunition was kept for the Lewis and machine guns. Officers’ servants, grooms, and all extra men were used to carry up ammunition which was dropped at the edge of the wood and from there it was fetched by the frontline companies. Urgent demands were also being sent back for tools and barbed wire. The divisional transport, carrying the divisional supply of tools was still on the March but a big dump was found at air and eventually tools from here were sent up. On this day no less than two and a quarter million rounds were sent up to replace expenditure in the frontline.

We were fighting in a country hitherto unscarred by war and we found a cow and fowls cheerfully carrying on in no man's land. The count reminder quietly grazing and seemingly unconcerned for two or three days before it was killed. A patrol was sent out to reckon or to a farm in front of the battalion, a Chateau like building which appeared to be untouched. Pigs and fowls were found roaming around the farm yard, and entrances made into the farm house. Here a normal farm interior was found just as the inhabitants had left it, with dinner laid on the table and an open piano proved irresistible to the musician of the party. Before the patrol returned a fowl was killed and taken back to the frontline together with bottles of wine.

In the evening of the 13^th, Major St. J. S Quarry arrived to take over command of the Battalion and orders were received for B company to attack Le Vertbois Farm that night. The farm was successfully recaptured but in the attack we lost our new CEO who was killed whilst gallantly leading his men unfortunately the farm had to be evacuated later as it formed A2 exposed salient in the line. Captain R. C. Watts again resumed command of the battalion