The weather began to improve. The enemy carried out as usual the daily strafe on the craters on the 13th. Two Other Ranks were killed, one wounded, and two gassed.
On the 14th, four Platoons from A and C Companies were detailed for carrying parties to the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, who were attacking CANTELEUX TRENCH at 1 30 p.m. The operation was classed as unsuccessful owing to strong counter-attack and heavy shelling, but they secured 10 prisoners. Second Lieutenant L. B. Smith was killed whilst assisting the attack of the Fusiliers, and six Other Ranks were wounded. The 1/7th King’s Liverpool Regiment relieved us, and we were taken back by ’buses to VAUDRICOURT, where we rested, trained, and carried out the usual recreational programme.
On the 20th, Lieutenant-Colonel T. G. Williams, M.C., went on leave, and the Battalion was then under the command of Major A. E. Entwistle.
On the 21st, the Divisional boundaries having been altered, we relieved the 18th Gloucesters on the CANAL, A Company taking over the outpost line north of the CANAL, B Company the outpost line south of the CANAL. The relief passed off without incident.
On the 22nd, B Company pushed their forward posts out about 400 yards. Much enemy harassing fire on this and the following days. The weather broke on the 23rd. On the 25th, Companies changed over.
On the 28th, we were relieved by the 1/4th King’s Own, and went into support at BARGE HOUSE. The casualties during the tour were: 5 Other Ranks killed, Second Lieutenant Kirkby and 10 Other Ranks wounded.
On the 30th, B and D Companies attacked the DISTILLERY, capturing 58 prisoners, but were forced back to their original line later in the day. Second Lieutenant Bryne and three Other Ranks were killed. Second Lieutenant Cairns and 46 Other Ranks were wounded, and two Other Ranks missing.
On the 1st October, Major H. J. G. Duggan returned from the Senior Officers’ Course, Aldershot, and took over command from Major Entwistle. On the same day, at 6 15 a.m., B and D Companies, each reinforced by two Platoons of C Company, attacked and captured the DISTILLERY and machine gun posts on the right and left of it; 23 prisoners and four machine guns were taken; Second Lieutenant Griffiths, Parkinson, Haworth, and Bowler and six Other Ranks were wounded and 13 Other Ranks killed. At night we were relieved by six Platoons of the King’s Own, and moved back into support.
On the 2nd, early morning patrols having reported that the enemy was retiring along his whole front, we moved forward, Headquarters being in MARIE KEEP. The movement was continued on the following day, 2 Other Ranks being killed and 5 Other Ranks wounded and missing.
On the 4th, we went back to positions of assembly in LA BASSEE, going into reserve billets on the 5th.