Grenay-Vermelles Line – 25 Sep 1915

Moved off at 4:45 AM to the attack marching over ground as far as I was lying to quality St., at this point trench southwest? was entered. Head of battalion turned down Trench 21 and went on until they came in touch with the Blackwatch (9^th) I've waited for the assault. Gas turned on at 5:50 am for 40 minutes.

Assault delivered at 6:30 am. Wind was not very favourable for the gas and some confusion arose amongst front troops some of whom were gassed. Assault delivered by Blackwatch (9^th) with their right on the Lens Road, Seaforths (8^th) left of Black Watch. 7th Camerons followed in support, 10^th? In reserve.

Assault went straight through German first line and support trench with very little opposition and swept on to Loos, where it was held up for a short time at German third line by strong wire untouched by artillery.

Unreadable … but troops pressed on to Hill 70. This was the final objective of division which appeared as much as could be expected from the troops but and after order was issued giving an objective as a point two or three miles further on. The impression from this order was that it sounded more dashing and in accordance with the offensive that it so freely preached.

The result of the changed order was that instead of making good Hill 70 the troops pressed on near the slope down towards St Laurent, where it was met with heavy machine gunfire. It is difficult to know how many men got onto the forward slope, probably about 500, few of them got back. Lt Col Sandilands DSO lead 7 Camerons in following up his own battalion, he continued two companies of 7^th Welsh Fusiliers? In Loos who instead of keeping to the West of Loos had initially dispatched their orders to come straight on.

Recognizing the fact that the forward line was quite untenable with the troops at his disposal Lieutenant Colonel Sandilands gave orders for all troops to dig in on a back line 200 to 300 yards down the reverse slope. As soon as the line was fairly well established orders were sent out for what was left of the forward line to come in. This started a panic and an ugly rush to the rear on the left of hill 70 took place. The new line however rallied.

I prominent part end the rally was played by the HQ flag of the 7th Camerons it consisted of 1 update yellow flags issued to the division with a patch of Cameron tartan sown on each side. This was planted on hill 70 at 10am and was not removed until 11:00pm that night there were two more scares in the next hour or two and several large bodies of men showing signs of retreating the flag however was sent back and the men followed it back.

About 3:00pm the line settled down and became confident. The losses from rifle fire were slight there was a certain amount of shelling but very little damage. Rain fell heavily during the afternoon. The measurements represented on hill 70 during the afternoon were the 9th Black Watch, the 7th Cameron Highlanders, the 8th Seaforth and the 9th and 10^th ?, 7^th Scots Fusiliers, 11^th Argyll & Sutherlands.

Lt Col Sandilands DSO commanded on hill 70 from 10:00am to 11:00pm when he handed over to Lieutenant Colonel McLean 13th Royal Scots. At 8:00 PM G O C 44th brigade arrived in Loos. It was decided that 45th brigade should hold hill 70 and that what was left of the Camerons might withdraw.

The 62nd brigade was ordered to take over Hill 70 but it did not arrive on September the 25th at 11:00pm the battalion marched off back through Loos to Philosophe. Losses for the day, four officers killed, six officers wounded and four officers missing. Men killed 64, wounded 253 and missing 217. Total casualties 548. END