unter-attack was attempted by the enemy on the right
front. Advancing in extended order, about twenty of the enemy were
challenged, and they all cheered, shouting "Hooray." As they showed no
further friendly signs they were fired on and driven off. During the
night a further counter-attack developed from the valley on the right,
but this also was repulsed.

The following day, by organised bombing, the whole of the final objective
was captured and held, and communication trenches were dug back to North
Durham Street.

The casualties during the two days had been very heavy, and included
amongst the officers, in addition to those already mentioned, 2nd Lieut.
Peacock, killed, and 2nd Lieut. Lean, Capt. Peberdy, Lieut. Cotching, 2nd
Lieut. Barnett and 2nd Lieut. Appleby wounded. Amongst the decorations
gained were Military Medals awarded to Corporal Dixon and Privates
Rushforth and Atkinson, all signallers, and Private Turnbull of Y
Company. Good work was also done by Sergeants Gowland and Winslow.

On the night of the 2nd October Lieut.-Col. Bradford handed over the
command of the Battalion to Lieut. Ebsworth, and it was relieved by the
7th Northumberland Fusiliers the night after. Owing to the mud the relief
did not commence until 4 a.m., and it was almost dawn before the
Battalion reached Headquarters, from where it was led by Lieut. Ebsworth
to Starfish trench. Here it was joined by R.S.M. Perry and the C.S.M.'s
and a draft which had been used as a carrying party. The officers left
were Lieut. Ebsworth, 2nd Lieut. Kirkhouse, Adjutant; 2nd Lieut. K.B.
Stuart, Signalling Officer, and 2nd Lieut. Tyerman; the Medical Officer,
Capt. J.G. Hill, arrived later.

After a short rest the Battalion marched back to bivouacs in Becourt Wood
for one night.

_Second Phase._

On the 4th October, the Battalion moved back to tents in Henencourt Wood,
where drafts arrived, and remained for three weeks, reorganising and
training. The Company Commanders were now:--W Company, 2nd Lieut. A.S.
Tate; X Company, 2nd Lieut. J.H.F. Ludgate; Y Company, 2nd Lieut. R.H.
Stewart; and Z Company, 2nd Lieut. C.L. Tyerman.

At the end of this period, on the 23rd October, the Battalion left the
Wood and marched back to Becourt, where two days were spent in tents. On
the 25th October the men were on the move again over familiar ground and
soon found themselves in tents just outside Mametz Wood. After a week
spent on working parties they moved up to