Total effective strength of the battalion:

During the month of February 1918, the following awards were made to the battalion:

2/Lt P.F Davy, Chevalier de l’ordre de la Couronne (with Croix de Guerre)
Z2282 Sgt Balchin, N: Croix de Geurre
A/Capt E. Wood: Military Cross
30420 L/Cpl Anthony, F: DCM

Notification was received that S/6522 Sgt W. Gregg DCM MM and B/203174 Rfmn W. Beesley had both been awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in the field, during action carried out by the Battalion in the Bucquoy area on 8th May 1918. [Citations and other details: Gregg, Beesley]

During the month of June 1918, the following awards were made to the battalion:

S/6522 Sgt W. Gregg, B/203174 Rfmn W. Beesley: Victoria Cross

A/Capt P.F. Davy, 2/Lts A.C.W. George, W.Wallace, J. Forrester: Military Cross

S/20479 L/Cpl R. Lewis, 14454 Rfmn F. Barton: DCM

A/Capt W.S. Bascombe MM, 59714 L/Sgt F. Quilty: Mentioned in Despatches

S/4566 Q/Sgt T. Jolly, S/4362 Sgt S. Renton: Meritorious Service Medal

In the afternoon, the battalion moved forward from Bertincourt and took up a position in Havrincourt Wood, preparatory to taking up assembly positions for an attack on Trescault Spur. Although Havrincourt Wood was subjected to very heavy shellfire, probably as a result of our attack which was taking place North of our sector, our casualties during the concentration were surprisingly light.

An outpost line, running approximately round the edge of the wood on the battalion front was thrown out by the reserve company (“A” Coy. – Capt A.E. Harvey MC). This company suffered several casualties from shell fire, and, [during the night] was attacked by the enemy, which bombed one their posts, wounding an officer and killing three men. In spite of the fact that gas shells fell continuously on the wood, little difficulty was experienced in taking up assembly positions, which operation was completed by 4.45am on the 12th September.

At 5.25am the barrage opened up and was very successful on the whole, but one or two casualties were experienced, owing to the proximity of the barrage to our position, which rendered the inevitable percentage of “shorts” even more deadly than usual. The attack was launched with two companies in the Front line: “B” Coy. on the right (Capt G.H. Fairburn MC), “D” Coy on the left (Capt P.F. Davy MC), “C” Coy in support (Capt E.H. Wood MC), with “D” Coy (Capt. E.A. Harvey MC), in reserve, afforded great support with Lewis gun fire from the edge of the wood.

The advance was checked by heavy machine gun fire from points in the Transvaal system [of enemy trenches]. The prompt and skilful way in which the strong points were silenced was probably the most outstanding feature of the whole action.

At 7am messages were received that the front companies had reached their first objective, and that the support company was consolidating the Transvaal system. About this time the first prisoners began arriving.

At 8am, the Trench Mortars attached to the Battalion went forward to assist with the consolidation. An hour later, the Intelligence Officer (2/Lieut. J.C.H. Mathams MC) returned and reported that all objectives were gained, that companies were in touch on the left and right flanks and that sound liaison had been established with the Battalions on the left and right.

At 6.35pm after a comparatively quiet day, there was a marked increase in enemy harassing fire, and much enemy movement was seen. The enemy launched a massive counter attack against “D” Coy. on the left.

At 6.55 pm, in response to our SOS, our artillery put down a good and heavy bombardment of 15 minutes duration. This effectively cut off his retreat and resulted in him suffering heavy casualties, and largely contributed to the fiasco in which his attack ended. Although several parties of enemy managed to break into our lines, they were soon driven out by dogged defence, leaving behind them a large number of dead. Our capture included six machine guns, one TM, many boxes of ammunition and a complete telephone unit.

At 6am, following repeated enemy counter attacks, an inter-Company relief was carried out; “A” Company relieving “C” Company, who in turn relieved “D” company. This company had suffered most badly and had only one officer (Capt P.F. Davy MC) and one NCO (Cpl. Faggeter) above the rank of Lance Corporal left alive, and were withdrawn into reserve.
Except for a persistent and spiteful bombardment of the sunken road and the edges of the wood, the day offered nothing of note, but the enemy persisted with counter-attacks, much on the same lines as before, without the artillery bombardment preceeding.
The SOS went up at 5.47pm but was not seen, however the same order was relayed by telephone at 5.53pm and the guns produced a slow and steady barrage.

Shortly after this, the enemy approached from our right company’s front from the direction of Charing Cross, but was driven off by Lewis gun and rifle fire. Almost at the same time, a heavy counter attack was launched against our left, and twenty of the enemy succeeded in gaining a footing in our trench. They were immediately ejected and becoming tangled in our wire, were immediately shot down. By 8.50pm the situation was completely restored and all companies reported everything as quiet on the Battalion’s front.

Throughout the whole of the 12th September, and the night of the 12/13th September the enemy kept up a heavy barrage of gas shells on the eastern edge of the wood.

At 5.20am our barrage opened in support of an attack by the 62nd Division and the 10th Royal Fusiliers on our Left.

At 8am, the 10th RF were reported to have gained their objective at Chapel Wood switch, and established posts.

At 1.25pm, our Left company reported that the SOS had been put up by the 10th RF. The HQrs of this Battalion having been informed of this by telephone, reported that the situation was being dealt with.

At 2.20pm, the enemy having been reported as being in Derby Trench, and reported by the 10th RF, our Support Company threw out two Platoons to form a defensive flank, in which operation our Reserve Company co-operated.

At 4pm the 10th RF reported the situation was completely restored and the line strongly held status quo ante…..

At 5.20pm the relief by the 13th RF, commenced and was completed by 10.45pm.

The casualties from the 11th to the 14th September (inclusive) were:

The supply of water and ammunition of all kinds was excellent throughout and much praise is due to the Transport, under charge of Lieut. M.G.S. Hopson, for the very good work at bringing it forward to advanced dumps under most trying circumstances. The pack mule system of bringing up rations was employed most effectively. Rations were delivered at Transvaal point without loss to either mules or drivers.

[During the night 14/15th] The Battalion came back to a position West of Havrincourt Wood, in the vicinity of Velu. The Battalion [then] moved back to Lebecquiere.

The Battalion moved to Ligny-Thilloy.

The Battalion moved forward, after short notice, to vicinity of Villers-au-Flos.

Moved forwards to relieve 95th Infantry Brigade of 5th Division, NE of Gonnelieu. Sports cancelled.