“Our artillery bombardment started at 2.10am and carried out the work of demolition so successfully that little difficulty was experienced in taking the first and second line trenches. Unfortunately however in continuing the advance we suffered many casualties as, owing to the difficulty experienced in observing signals, it was impossible to keep our shells ahead of the advancing infantry. Although the third line German trenches were reached it was impossible to hold onto them and so the whole Brigade consolidated the first and part of the second line German trenches, manning them until 11.30pm pm the night of the 16^th at which hour we were relived…. The casualties amongst our officers were particularly heavy and of the 24 officers who went up only Lt Wall, 2/Lt TG Roddick and Lt Chavasse came back unscathed.”

Map from 'The Fifth in the Great War' by Brigadier H.R. Sandilands

The Western Front Association have produced an excellent article on their website about the 10th Bn Liverpool Scottish and their actions on the day that Charles was wounded and it can be found by clicking here.