A comparatively quiet period followed. There were occasional heavy bombardments by the enemy’s Minenwerfers and Granatenwerfers. These did considerable damage to our trenches but no casualties occurred, and our Trench Mortars replied vigorously. Trench life alternated with periods in Brigade Support in St. Emilie and Lempire, until the Battalion went into Divisional Reserve on 2nd November in Longavesnes. The following Officer reinforcements joined during October: Second-Lieuts. R. Smith, R. W. Higginson, W. M. Stewart, G. Field, R. S. Dane, J. Mackay, G. F. Raeside, A. J. Dartnell, G. N. Russell, A. H. Pemberton, W. McAndrew, J. H. Sykes, N. Smith, C. J. Holland, G. W. Ferguson. Corpl. W. Masters, “D” Company, was killed in action, and Lance-Corpl. A. Clark, “D” Company, Pte. H. Bolton, “B” Company and Pte. H. Caton, “D” Company, wounded, the two latter accidentally. The following Decorations were awarded to Officers, N.C.O.s and men for gallantry and devotion to duty in the fighting of September 20th/23rd:—
Military Cross.—A/Capt. A. P. Procter, Lieut. and Qr.-Mr. P. W. Powell, Second-Lieuts. A. S. Latham and G. A. Taylor.
Distinguished Conduct Medal.—C.S.M. D. Graham, Sergt. F. S. Yates, Sergt. A. Burton, Lance-Sergt. J. R. Pearson.
Military Medal.—Corpl. T. Wright, Pte. A. E. Ashburn, Corpl. E. Lockey, Lance-Sergt. W. Whiteside, C.Q.M. Sergt. W. G. Hinds, Pte. J. Wild, Sergt. H. Myers, Lance-Corpl. H. Dobbs, Lance-Corpl. T. Chester and Pte. E. G. Robinson.
November, 1917
Lieut.-Colonel G. B. Balfour then returned from sick leave to command the Battalion.
The period in Longavesnes was spent in Company training and organized games. Medals were presented to the winners of the Football Competition, and the Cup offered by Colonel Balfour was presented to the Transport for the Sports held at Bonningues in September. The Battalion was also exercised in the Practice Attack as a preliminary to the real operations now impending. The Battalion Band, under Band Sergt. Rickwood, had at this time attained to a fine standard of efficiency, and, while adding considerably to the amenities, were a real asset on the march. At 5 p.m. on the 17th November we marched out from Longavesnes en route for St. Emilie, a distance of 6 miles, and reached billets at 6.45 p.m. At 7 p.m. on the 19th the Battalion marched out by Companies at half-hour intervals to take up attack positions in the right sub-sector of the Right Sector. (Gillemont Farm.)
At 2.45 a.m. on the 20th November, Companies were all in position for the attack. Their disposition was “A” Company and 1 Platoon “D” Company on the right in Stokes Trench. “B” Company and 1 Platoon “D” Company in centre in Stokes Trench. “C” Company and 1 Platoon “D” Company on left in Blunt Nose. One Company 4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment held Cat Post—Dog Trench during the attack. At zero hour, 6.20 a.m., the attack pushed forward under a heavy barrage of guns, trench mortars and machine guns. The enemy wire was found to be very thick and generally unbroken, and his barrage was quickly put down on our front line and approaches. This barrage increased as time went on; guns from both flanks evidently being brought into action. The Right Flank made good progress in spite of strong opposition, and all but gained their final objective. The Centre Company from the start encountered heavy machine gun fire, and when they reached the enemy immediate support line, were met with showers of bombs and rifle grenades, the enemy making a very stubborn resistance.
They pushed on, however, and made progress for a time, but being greatly outnumbered, and suffering heavy casualties, they were held up short of the final objective. The Left Company encountered almost uncut wire, but, forcing their way through, they pushed on until, running short of bombs, and meeting superior forces of the enemy, they were held up.
The Left Company were gradually forced back, as the attack on the left Battalion had failed, while the Centre Company were ejected from their forward position, and were hard pressed to hold their own. Towards noon the Left Company had been forced back to the enemy front line, while the Centre Company were in danger of being cut off from the Right Company, who were themselves being forced gradually back.