Owing to casualties and fresh officers coming up from B Echelon, many changes took place in the personnel during the next ten days. The Battalion went into battle so hurriedly that no record of the exact strength was made, but it was approximately 650 other ranks.
[16] Extract from the 6th Supplement to the “London Gazette,” dated June 25th, 1918:—“24066 Pte. Arthur Poulter awarded Victoria Cross.
For most conspicuous bravery when acting as a stretcher-bearer. On ten occasions Pte. Poulter carried badly wounded men on his back to a safer locality, through a particularly heavy artillery and machine gun barrage. Two of these were hit a second time whilst on his back. Again, after a withdrawal over the river had been ordered, Pte. Poulter returned in full view of the enemy who were advancing, and carried back another man who had been left behind wounded. He bandaged up over forty men under fire, and his conduct throughout the whole day was a magnificent example to all ranks.
This very gallant soldier was subsequently seriously wounded when attempting another rescue in the face of the enemy.”
[17] Throughout the operations in April, 1918, Major A. L. Mowat, M.C, was attached to 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. as Assistant Brigade Major.
[18] The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into action with the Battalion on April 25th, 1918:—
Battn. H.Q.:
- Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (C.O.);
- Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. (Second in Command);
- Lieut. P. G. Bales (A/Adjt.);
- Lieut. J. C. Walton (I.O.);
- Lieut. L. J. Smets (Sig. O.);
- Capt. F. C. Harrison, R.A.M.C. (M.O.).
- R.S.M. T. S. Sherwood.
- Capt. H. N. Taylor (Liaison Officer at 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q.).
A Company: