4th October 1917

NE of Ypres – 4 Oct 1917: Remainder of the night was quiet. At 5.30am the enemy put down a heavy barrage on and about the Langemarck Line. At 6.00am our barrage came down and the attack commenced  C & D Coys attacking the first objective a line from V.25.g.9.1 to V.2.c.4.1 and including Tweed House.

C Coy on the right experienced great difficultly on account of bad ground, numerous shell holes and very wet. At about D.2.a.7.1 their right was held up by a machine gun. Here Capt. Corall was killed and the Coy sustained many casualties. The left pushed on, 2/Lt Nicholls assuming command of the Coy. The left support Platoon was put out to form a defensive flank and deal with the M.G. holding up the right, after about half an hours fighting the M.G. was captured and the enemy either killed or captured.

The Coy then pushed on again capturing 10 prisoners about V.26.c.9.3. It was difficult to locate their position accurately and the company found they had reached the Cemetery. Finding they were in our own barrage they withdrew to a line V.26.c.4.8 to V.26.c.7.2 which they consolidated.

D Coy on the left advanced well without much opposition at first. They then were held up by a M.G at Tweed House. Both gun and team were captured. The Coy pushed on again to its objective and seized it and consolidated a line from V.26.a.2.2 to V.26.c.3.8 joining with C Coy on the right and the 9^th Lancs Fus on the left. 2/Lt Brant was wounded in this operation.

The remaining two Coys A & B, who were to attack the second objective, kept as well up to the barrage as possible without becoming involved in the fighting for the first objectives. B Coy on the right pushed forward to a line about V.26.b.1.3 along the front edge of the road and far side of the Cemetery, taking a few prisoners. They found that this line could not be held, both flanks were in the air and the protective barrage had settled on the Cemetery. They therefore withdrew to a line V.2.c.9.8 to V.26.d.8.7 linking up with the 6^th Bn R War R on the right at V.26.c.9.3.

A Coy on the left pushed forward close after the barrage captured Terrier Farm and then advanced to a line from V.26.a.9.8 to V.26.g.1.1 meeting with strong enemy resistance at V.26.g.1.3. A party of men attacked this point and captured one Officer and about 50 other ranks. This company also pushed on too far and got into the protective barrage so withdrew to a line V.26.a.7.5 through County Cross Roads to V.26.c.9.5 linking up with the 9^th Lancs Fus on the left and B Coy on the right.

A large enemy party joined up near Gloster House and counter attacked. This was met and completely broken up by our Lewis Gun and rifle fire. Three small counter attacks started from Beek House but they were all dispersed by our fire. Two other attacks started from V.26.a.7.6 were also smashed.

Two Vickers M. Guns were got into position near Tweed House where they could sweep the whole of our fronts. Advanced Bn HQ were established at Tweed House.

5th October 1917

NE of Ypres – 5 Oct 1917: Rain fell during the day and the weather became very cold. No enemy attack took place but his shelling was very severe at times. Sniping was active on both sides. The enemy firing continually from Beek House. At night a dry change of socks was got up together with rations.