d Adjutant.
Capt. Palmer, an old officer of the 7th, who had been carrying out
important work in England since his recovery from a wound obtained in
Gallipoli on June 4th, returned to us some weeks previous to this and
was put in command of "C" company.

During our period in reserve the 126th brigade had continued our
worrying tactics and had attempted to raid La Signy Farm. They found the
place strongly held, however, and after repeated efforts to get to the
Hun positions had been forced to abandon the attempt. When we took over
the front line from the 10th Manchesters for a continuous spell of
sixteen days, we found that we were expected to co-operate at once in a
forward movement with the New Zealanders, who were in the Hebuterne
sector, and who intended to occupy a shorter line across the valley. The
first day, July 19th, found us making preparations for this operation at
express speed ready for evening. Lieut. Edge, an old second line
officer, was put in charge of a party supplied by "C" company, and they
were expected to capture and hold a Boche post about 500 yards away. It
was decided that the silent method would be the best, so artillery
support was declined. Edge displayed consummate skill and patience in
carrying out this hazardous enterprise, and his difficulties were not
lessened by disturbing events on both flanks. All along the New Zealand
front, from Hebuterne to Rossignol Wood, an advance was taking place,
while immediately on the left the 6th were moving forward and in the
process had met with considerable resistance so that a pitched battle
had arisen. To add to the troubles the Naval Division on our right had
selected this night for a raid near Beaumont Hamel, accompanied with
noise, with the result that the Hun put down his protective barrage all
along our ridge. Our front line was packed with men who were to go over
and dig a communication trench and generally assist in the consolidation
when the post had been captured, and how they escaped casualties from
this shelling was nothing short of a miracle. Meanwhile, Edge and his
men were creeping steadily forward, and were encountering difficulties
amongst huge shell holes, loose tags of wire and a very irregular hedge
which they were trying to follow as a guide. Eventually they reached the
post and took the enemy completely by surprise. A short rush carried
them in and one Boche was captured, but the rest got away in the
darkness, leaving their gear b