Third Row:—Lt. W. H. Montague; Padré Capt. Costello; Lt. A. S. Deeks; Lt. F. T. H. Youngman, M.C.; Capt. A. M. Close; Lt. D. M. Waterous; Capt. E. C. Harris (C.A.M.C.); Capt. H. E. Patterson, M.C.; Lt. M. Crabtree, M.C.; Lt. E. J. Sager; Lt. H. J. A. Painter.
Second Row:—Capt. J. H. Hughes, M.C. (Quartermaster); Capt. A. K. Wilson, M.C., O.C. (A. Coy); Capt. E. P. S. Allen, D.S.O. (Adjutant); Major A. W. Pratt. D.S.O. (2nd in Command); Lt.-Col. G. R. Pearkes, V.C., D.S.O., M.C. (O.C.); Major A. F. Hind, O.C. (D Co’y); Capt. W. A. Dunlop, M.C., O.C. (B Co’y); Capt. F. H. Moody, O.C. (C Co’y); Capt. C. M. Sheppard.
Front Row:—Lt. R. R. Huestis (Transport Off.); Lt. E. Pearson; Lt. J. A. Tiffin; Lt. I. M. Wylie.
Under these distressing conditions it seemed almost as if our gallant unit would fail, for the first time, to win its objective. A battery of our Field Artillery were in action about one thousand yards directly to our rear and a messenger was despatched at once to explain the situation to the Battery Commander, and, if possible, obtain his assistance.
Fire was immediately brought to bear on the machine gun positions in the St. Olle trench, and the work by this battery, in conjunction with our own Lewis guns, was so effective that it was possible to work two platoons from “C” and “D” Companies around the north-west of the village, and Lt. Bonner, who was placed in command of the operation, succeeded with consummate skill and bravery, in rushing the St. Olle trench, destroying a large number of the enemy and capturing one hundred prisoners with ten heavy machine guns.
“D” Company was then able to push through the village as far as the junction of the Arras-Cambrai and Bapaume-Cambrai roads, along which posts were immediately established, and the remnants of “A” and “B” Companies were withdrawn to Battalion Headquarters.
If Fritz had not been so concerned about his own safety at this time he might have found the retaking of St. Olle a very easy matter, for after practically three days and nights without sleep the resisting powers of the gallant “Umpty Umps” were fast waning.
On account of the severe casualties the battalion was reduced to three companies, each one having an average strength of ninety rifles, and orders were issued by the Brigadier to make use of the Battalion Band and Bugles, as the attack was to be continued on the first of October.
Such things had happened to other units we knew, but we certainly did not relish the thought of losing our “music,” although the “music” itself, with the true battalion spirit, was game to the core. During the day Major Carmichael, with Major Pratt and Lieutenant Bonner, made a reconnaissance of the ground immediately between us and Cambrai, and were very nearly put out of business by our own heavy artillery, which had started to register without warning, on the junction of the Arras-Cambrai and Bapaume-Cambrai roads.
All that night it poured with rain, but towards dawn the weather commenced to clear, and companies moved off from their positions around St. Olle, “D” Company leading, followed by “C”, “B” and Headquarters. An intense artillery barrage was encountered whilst crossing the Douai-Cambrai Road, and the battalion suffered quite a number of casualties. Major Carmichael was badly wounded in the face, and gave instructions to Captain Allen, the next senior officer, to take over the remnants of the battalion.