.m. on the 15th
September. The 149th and 150th Infantry Brigades were then in the front
line between High Wood and Martinpuich with the 151st Brigade in reserve.
At zero the Battalion moved from Shelter Wood by way of Sausage Valley to
an old German trench at the south-west corner of Mametz Wood. About noon
a further forward move was made, Y and Z Companies to the northern edge
of the wood, and W and X Companies to a position a little further forward
between Mametz and Bazentin-le-Petit Woods. So far the Battalion had
escaped shell fire, and the men were much interested in prisoners who
were being escorted to the rear. About 11 a.m. a message was received
that the 47th Division had failed to take High Wood, and that the two
Brigades of the 50th Division had secured their objectives. Later came a
message that the 47th Division had taken High Wood at the second attempt.

Rations arrived about 5 p.m., and whilst they were being distributed
Lieut.-Col. Jeffreys returned from Brigade Headquarters with orders to
move up at once. Accordingly the Battalion paraded and marched up the
road to the Quarry at Bazentin-le-Petit. By this time the area was full
of movement. Guns, ammunition, ration wagons and troops were everywhere
moving up after the advance.

After a conference at Brigade Headquarters orders were again issued for a
move, and at 9 p.m. the Battalion in fours, led by the Commanding Officer
and a guide from the Northumberland Fusiliers moved from the Quarry with
orders to attack from Eye and Clarke's trenches at 9.30 p.m. The attack
was to be made in four waves, with the 9th Durham Light Infantry, who had
been in position all the afternoon, on the right, the 6th in the centre,
and the 5th Border Regiment on the left. Unfortunately the guide lost his
way, and after unnecessary wandering the head of the Battalion arrived in
Clarke's trench, at the junction with Bethel sap, at 9.15 p.m. After
considerable difficulty, owing to ignorance of the ground, the Companies
got into position. W Company, under Capt. J. Cook, was on the left of the
first wave, and X Company, under Capt. W.F.E. Badcock, on the right, with
Z (left) and Y (right) in support. Just as they got into Clarke's trench
2nd Lieut. Annett, commanding Y Company, was killed, and 2nd Lieut. B.J.
Harvey, though wounded, took command.

At the time appointed for the attack the 5th Border Regiment could not be
located, so the 6th and 9th Durham Light Infantry, after wa