| Regiment | 1st Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Vailly |
| Entry | (Sunday) Third reinforcement of about 90 rank and file under 2nd Lieut Gaskell arrived, and posted to companies. Enemy engaged some of our front trenches between 8 and 9a.m. and shelled us 11 to 12 noon. A party of enemy estimated at 200 with machine guns got through some dense wood in the line and rushing on got on flank of the rear of trenches held by Worcester Regt., and this broke the line at this point. Enemy pushed on and seriously threatened the right of our position, but, eventually stopped within 50 and 100 yards of our position, (as it was then). During this time a lot a close fighting took place. One of our guns on our right now shelled the wood held by the enemy with very good effect. Enemy fell back a little and started entrenching themselves on two commanding and almost bare knolls which they had gained. Our gun again shelled them out of this. While all this was happening C B & D Coys from W to E on the high ground above held their position, but were engaged with parties of the enemy sent to try and work round their rear. At 5p.m. a general advance ordered with all troops on right (about 200 men of Wiltshire, Worcesters, South Lancs Regt) at 5.45p.m. we regained our former line, and, connected with the Companies on our left. Enemy retired leaving many dead and wounded. In this fight the Battn had Lieut Col Hasted Commanding wounded. Capt Reynolds & Lieut Cruikshank killed, wounded or missing. Major J Roche was now ordered to take Command of the Battn and also of the right section of the area held by the 7th Inf Bde in which were also 1 Coy Worcester Regt and 1 Coy S Lancs Regt. This section was reinforced this night by four Machine guns. 2 of the 12th Lancers and 2 of the 19th Hussars. No further attack this night, informed that the Bde would be relieved by another within next 26 hours. (For account of this see my report sent in to Bde on 23rd Sept a duplicate of is in correspondence book. TR (2nd Lieut Roseveare died of his wounds same evening) |
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