At 3 p.m., June 20th, the raiding party left Rossignol Farm for Chateau de la Haie, where they arrived at 3.45 p.m. After tea and dinner the party set off for the line with blackened faces, white armlets, and plenty of bombs.
At 10.25 p.m. raid headquarters were reached, tin helmets were abandoned, and the move to assembly positions carried out. Meanwhile Robinson and the scouts were busy laying tapes and fixing sticks with metal discs to guide the party, and all was ready at 11.15 p.m.
At 11.30 p.m. the 4·5 howitzers, 18-pounders, and machine guns opened the barrage on the enemy front line, and the parties moved forward up their respective saps.
The right party, having reached the white cross, remained in their trench, which they shared with some thirty very dead Germans till 11.34 p.m., when they proceeded to extend and rush the enemy posts. However, some recently erected wire and a volley of bombs somewhat disorganized the movement; but Noon quickly collected four or five men and made a second rush with great bravery and determination, this time successfully, into the trench.
Two of the post showed fight and were killed; one bolted for a dug-out, but was taken prisoner. The rest of the post were killed or escaped over the top. Two of the raiders worked along to the right, the remainder to the left towards the other party. Just at that moment the recall signal went up, two green Véry lights, and the party only just had time to evacuate the trench before our protective barrage returned once more to the front line, whence it had temporarily lifted to the support.
The left party, after reaching "H" Trench, extended and tried to rush the enemy. They were met by steady machine-gun and rifle fire and a large number of bombs, and could make no progress. Lieutenant Profit and one or two others, with great determination, managed to reach the parapet, but all were wounded and could do nought. After one or two further efforts the raiders withdrew. On this occasion Rifleman Donaldson and Rifleman Robert Smith showed the utmost gallantry. Having penetrated with Lieutenant Profit as far as the German parapet, they saw him fall wounded, and in spite of very heavy fire proceeded to carry him back. By doing so they missed the gap in the wire. Nothing daunted, they made their way back to the enemy post, took their bearings again, and this time brought their casualty safely through. The performance was one of great coolness and courage, and the heavy rain which had begun to fall, coupled with the fact that Donaldson himself was wounded, did not make their task any easier. They were both awarded the Military Medal.
Others who for distinguished conduct during the raid received the Military Medal were Lance-Corporal Winstanley, who worked with great devotion in charge of the stretcher-bearers; Lance-Corporal Heyes, Riflemen H. E. Harrison and A. Mellor for gallantry and initiative with Noon's party; and Riflemen B. Clarke and W. Whelan, Battalion Scouts, for continuous bold patrolling before the raid and disregard of danger during its progress, while laying tapes in No Man's Land and leading the raiding parties to and from their positions.
Captain Robinson and 2nd-Lieutenant Noon were both awarded the Military Cross for their respective shares in the success of the operations. Everything that could have been found out about the enemy's position Robinson had, by persistent patrolling, discovered. Noon's action on the night of the raid has already been described. The casualties were twenty-one wounded, of whom 2nd-Lieutenant Profit subsequently died of his wounds. This had been the first real chance this young officer had had of showing of what stuff he was made. His performance on this night was most gallant, and it was with universal regret that we heard that he had succumbed to his wounds.
One prisoner and a machine gun were the trophies of the raid.
The party returned to the Chateau de la Haie for their breakfast, and thence to Rossignol Farm for twenty-four hours' rest. Congratulations from the B.G.C. and G.O.C. were received on the success of the raid.