| Regiment | 2/4th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Le Quesnil |
| Entry | About 2am Battalion embussed, debussing at MARCELCAVE about 3.30am. At midday orders were received for the Battalion to participate in a counter-attack upon LAMOTTE-EN-SANTERRE. The 183 BRIGADE were to take the Village, the 184 BRIGADE passing through them and clearing two Woods NW of the Village, and the 182 BRIGADE pressing on further and consolidating on the high ground. GLOSTERS were on the Right, OXFORDS in the Centre, and R BERKS on the Left. There was no Artillery barrage, very little cover and the ground was swept with MG fire. Consequently progress could not be made beyond a certain point, and a withdrawal was ordered about 5pm. Meanwhile 2/Lieut A WHITFIELD MC with 20 men and a party of 1/9th ROYAL SCOTS reached the SW fringe of the Village, and being entirely isolated, hung on till dusk, when they effected a withdrawal. The Battalion reformed and took up a defensive position in front of MARCHELCAVE, with the right on the RAILWAY and the Left linking up with a Composite Battalion. Extent of frontage was about 300 yards. In this day's fighting Capt G O W WILLINK MC and CAPT and Adjutant J S DARBY were killed, and Lieuts A CARTER and JA BRAIN and 2/Lieuts E W BIDDISCOMBE and HUDSON were wounded. The losses in the ranks were heavy, but a high proportion wounded. |
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