The story of a Tank which worked opposite Rœux is told in the Honours and Awards List in the note on Sergeant J. Noel’s D.C.M.:
“During the battle of Arras on April 23 this N.C.O. took command of his Tank after his officer had been wounded. He fought his Tank with the greatest gallantry and skill, putting out of action many machine-guns and killing numbers of the enemy, besides taking fifty prisoners. His action enabled the infantry to gain possession of the Chemical Works. He brought his Tank back safely to its starting-point. His skill and gallantry were beyond all praise. He was continuously in action for nine hours.”
This was the first time a Tank was commanded in action by an N.C.O.
Another pause followed the actions of the 23rd. Of the sixty Tanks which had gone in on the 9th, not many machines remained that could soon be repaired.
However, twelve Tanks were somehow made “battle-worthy,” and on May 3 were sent in for the last time before the Brigade was withdrawn to rest and to be re-equipped at Wailly, their new training ground.
A party of four operated between Croisilles and St. Léger and became heavily engaged in a fight at close quarters against bombs and trench mortars.
The second group of eight Tanks made another assault upon Bullecourt.
Though individuals did extremely well, the attack was once more unsuccessful, as, though Tanks reached their objective, they were obliged to retire again.
No less than ten Military Medals and a D.C.M. were awarded to men and N.C.O.’s of the Tanks who took part in this little action.
The Germans had learnt their lesson, and Tanks and crews suffered heavily from armour-piercing bullets. Several of the decorations were given to drivers who had brought their Tanks safely out of action when themselves severely wounded.