left the remainder of
the Battalion, who were now at Hicks' Farm and moved to reinforce 2nd
Lieut. Ball of the Royal Fusiliers (28th Div.), who, with 100 men, was
holding a position on the Gravenstafel Ridge. This position consisted of
a much battered breastwork, of which only isolated portions offered any
cover. The remainder of the Battalion was then divided. C Company were
sent to garrison a strong point near a neighbouring farm, leaving No. 9
Platoon, under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus, to form a ration party. A Company was
held in reserve in isolated trenches. Battalion Headquarters and D
Company moved back to Zevencote barn, where the Company occupied some
trenches.

On the night of the 27th April, A Company with about twenty men of D
Company were sent to fill a gap between the Hampshires and the
Shropshires, where they dug themselves in. The following day Capt. A.P.
Cummins and Capt. D. Park were seriously wounded by a sniper firing from
behind their line, and 2nd Lieut. Blenkinsop took over command till the
arrival at night of Lieut. R.V. Hare. C.S.M. Lancaster of A Company was
also badly wounded.

The men on the left of B Company, under Lieut. H.C.W. Haythornthwaite
during these days, were in very close touch with the enemy, being
separated from them in the same trench by a block about ten yards wide.
They were the first of the Battalion to use rifle grenades, which were
taken up to them by a party of the Buffs. On the night of the 28th April
No. 6 Platoon was sent up to join the Company, but it was found that they
could not be accommodated in the trench and they returned to Battalion
Headquarters. All through this period the Company was existing under very
difficult conditions. The evacuation of wounded was almost impossible,
and Corpl. Hardy did excellent work in establishing an aid post and
attending to wounded for four days and nights. He was subsequently
mentioned in dispatches for this good work. Their only rations were taken
up on the night of the 28th by a party of No. 9 Platoon under Corpl.
Hall, and water was collected from shell holes in empty ammunition boxes.

Whilst in the front line, both A and B Companies were constantly under
fire from trench mortars ("sausages") and snipers, some of whom were
firing from the rear. Several of the posts held by B Company were blown
in, and in one, occupied by Sergt. Bennison and ten men, all were hit
except Ptes. Walters and Fenwick. In another post the shelter was bl