own
in and several men wounded and buried. Pte. Robinson, the only man not
hit, crossed the open to the next post, but was unable to obtain
assistance. He thereupon went back, and under constant fire, dug out
several men. For this action he was awarded the D.C.M. and Croix de
Guerre.

The machine-gun section was in action on the 26th April, and for his good
work in handling them Lieut. W.P. Gill was awarded the Military Cross.
After being withdrawn on the night of the 26th the guns were kept in
reserve at Battalion Headquarters.

During the whole of the four days the Battalion was in the line, parties
from D Company under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus did good work in distributing
rations, which were brought up from Poperinghe to Zonnebeke Crossing by
limber. The exact location of the different parties was doubtful, and the
absence of roads, tracks or landmarks made the delivery of rations to the
men a very unpleasant task.

On the 30th April came news of relief. A Company were relieved at night
by the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and moved back to the
Convent near Velorenhoek. B Company had further unpleasant experiences.
Their relief by a Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers took place nearly at
dawn, and it was impossible to get further than Hicks' Farm before it was
too light to move. They were accordingly put into a barn and some
trenches for the day, being still only about 300 yards from the enemy,
whose aeroplanes were very active directing fire on to the position. This
fire was fairly successful, and the barn was hit and set on fire and
Lieut. A.B. Hare wounded. The men showed excellent discipline on this
occasion and stood fast till led out to occupy a neighbouring trench. At
night the Company rejoined the rest of the Battalion at the Convent,
where the whole were accommodated in trenches near the road.

In addition to the honours already mentioned the following were
subsequently awarded for work during this period:--Capt. T. Welch
received the Military Cross for his work with B Company on Gravenstafel
Ridge, being the first officer in the Brigade to win the decoration;
R.S.M. G. Perry, who had been doing excellent work for the Battalion
since mobilization, was granted the D.C.M. for his work in organising
ration parties; and C.S.M.s McNair and Bousfield (afterwards commanding
15th D.L.I.) also received the D.C.M. for gallantry after casualties to
officers. Others, who did excellent work, but received no decora