On the 15th April 1918 the battalion where in the front lines at Hinges and were ordered to take part in an attack on Pacault Wood, in order to try and prevent the German's using the wood for gathering up for an attack under cover of the trees. The attack ultimately failed due to heavy casualties caused by a combination of the allies own artillery barrage falling short and then creeping over their own lines, an enemy counter barrage and enemy machine gun fire from the far end of wood. The war diary speaks of many acts of bravery by the officers and men but they suffered casualties of 7 officers and 225 other ranks being killed, missing or wounded, including Richard.

Also killed in this action were Arthur James Rathbone of Southam and Richard Bradburn of Tanworth in Arden