From these
positions, in the afternoon, the Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion in
the front line. The relief was observed, and the communication trench
shelled. The disposition of Companies was, from right to left: Y, Z, W,
X, each Company having two Platoons in the front line (North Durham
Street) and two Platoons in the support line (South Durham Street). At
night they occupied battle positions, and extended the trench they
occupied by 150 to 300 yards. The 9th Battalion was in support in
Crescent Alley. On the left were the 5th Border Regiment, and on the
right the 47th Division, but it was not possible to get into touch with
the flanks during the night. The Company Commanders were now W Company,
2nd Lieut. Barnett; X Company, 2nd Lieut. Lean; Y Company, Lieut.
Catford; and Z Company, Capt. Peberdy. By dawn all preparations,
including the alteration of watches to winter time, were completed for
the attack, which had been ordered for the 1st October.

The preliminary bombardment commenced at 7 a.m. and continued till zero
(3.15 p.m.), when it changed to a barrage. Unfortunately there were some
casualties from shells falling short, the total casualties for the day
being about 40, including the Commanding Officer wounded. Lieut.-Col.
R.B. Bradford, now commanding the 9th Battalion, asked for and was given
permission to take command of the two Battalions, and for his subsequent
work that day was awarded the V.C. He arrived at Battalion Headquarters
at zero, and at once went up to the front line.

The attack commenced at 3.15 p.m., but, partly on account of the failure
of the 47th Division on the right, and partly owing to the wire not being
properly cut, the attackers were held up by machine-gun fire and suffered
heavy casualties. After considerable fighting with bombs and rifles three
Lewis gun teams of X Company, under 2nd Lieut. T. Little and 2nd Lieut.
C.L. Tyerman, and one team of W Company under 2nd Lieut. Barnett,
succeeded in getting a footing in the first objective. These organised
the position and carried on bombing attacks, 2nd Lieut. Little being
killed. During these operations Lieut.-Col. Bradford arrived on the
scene, and immediately took charge of the situation, and under his
direction and leadership the whole of the first objective was gained. A
Company of the 9th Battalion then came up, and using the new position as
a starting point, advanced and took the final objective after dark.

About dusk a co