"On October 22nd the Germans did not advance through Zonnebeke and the battalion was able to rest and improve its new line. On October 23 the enemy threatened to push their attack through Polygon Wood to the south of Zonnebeke and a company of Royal Warwickshire was consequently detached to assist the South Staffords. At dawn on the following day [24th] the three remaining companies were sent to recover lost trenches where the Germans had broken through our lines at Polygon Wood. The wood was very thick and it was difficult to keep direction, but after hard and close fighting the German's were driven back.

Then the three companies came under heavy machine-gun fire from a small farm house. Nevertheless the house was assaulted and captured, and after the line had been reformed they advanced another mileand recovered the lost trenches which they held till evening. Colonel Loring, who is spite of his wound, still remained with his regiment, rode that day at the head of his men, encouraging them to greater efforts by the example of his fearless bearing. Twice his charger was shot under him and at last he fell himself at the assault on the farm. He was one of three noble brothers, all alike conspicuous for character and courage, who were killed in the first year of the war. Earlier in the day 2nd Lieut Deane had been killed and the other casualties were over 100.

It was a fine achievement, which, as General Rawlinson told the regiment the next day, had saved the situation at a critical moment".

After one days rest the battalion moved out [from Zonnebeke] on October 26 under th command of Major P.J. Foster to Zandvoorde, where they were joined by the first reinforcement of 190 men. There next day [Oct 27] they held the trenches under heavy fire, being forced in the afternoon to withdraw a part of their line. At night they were relieved and bivouacked near Klein Zillebeke, remaining close to the village on the following day [28th]

On October 29, when the battle was at its height, The Royal Warwickshire was ordered to counter-attack; but was held up by machine-gun fire and forced to dig in, two companies having a narrow escape from being surrounded. All next day [30th] they held their trenches under a heavy bombardment. When on the morning of October 31 many of the trenches were blown in and many of their occupants buried, the battalion on the left under the strain gave way.

The Royal Warwickshire had in consequence to swing back their own left to a fresh line, which they were ordered to hold at all costs. A small party under Major Foster with five other officers did not receive the necessary orders, and remaining in their advanced position were finally surrounded and taken prisoners. The days fighting had been long and fluctuating and it was only at evening that the 22nd Brigade beat of the enemy and re-established the line. After this the Battalion now numbering a little over a hundred men, remained three days in brigade-reserve in the woods.

All this time, for nine consecutive days and nights, officers and men had little more sleep than what they might snatch in the trenches. Day after day in the face of an appalling artillery fire they had held the trenches, which they had dug in haste during the previous night, and had never lost a trench until it had been actually blown in by the enemy’s shells. At one critical time, Lieut. and Quartermaster Hyde collected all the servants and cooks, the Sergeant-Drummer, the SergeantMaster-Shoemaker, the Armourer-Sergeant and the OrderlyRoom Corporal * and hurried them forward to help to restore the fight. General Rawlinson specially commended the battalion for its steadiness and good discipline on October 19, and for its courageous conduct on October 20, 21 and 24.

Though the brigade was withdrawn on November 4, two days later it was recalled to take part in a counter-attack. With General Lawford leading them on foot they advanced at dawn on November 7 in four lines and captured the enemy’s position. That day the Royal Warwickshire and South Staffords formed a composite battalion under the command of Captain Valentine of the latter regiment, who was killed in the action after winning the Victoria Cross by the gallantry of his leading.