became casualties in the first few yards, 2nd Lieut. Marriott being
wounded and the two others gassed, and by the time they reached our
front line the Company Commander was leading them himself. Walking along
with his pipe in his mouth, Captain Langdale might have been at a Field
Day, as he calmly signalled his right platoon to keep up in line, with
"keep it up, Oakham," as they crossed our trench. The line was kept, and
so perfectly that many of the stragglers who had come back turned and
went forward again with them. But once more as they were reaching the
German front line came that deadly machine gun fire, and their gallant
Commander was one of the first to fall, killed with a bullet in the
head. C.S.M. Lovett was badly wounded at the same time, Serjt. Franks
killed, and the Company, now leaderless, was broken into isolated
parties fighting with bombs in the various trenches.

"A" Company followed. Keeping his platoons more together and on a
smaller frontage, Captain Hastings decided to attempt a bayonet attack
against the German opposition on the left of the Redoubt, and himself
led his men up to the attack. Again Platoon Commanders were the first to
fall, and as they climbed out of our trenches, 2nd Lieut. Lawton was
mortally wounded in the stomach and 2nd Lieut. Petch badly shot through
the arm. However, this did not delay the attack, and the Company,
crossing the German front line, quickened their pace and made for the
junctions of "Little Willie" and "N. Face." Once more bombs and machine
guns were too hot for them, and first Capt. Hastings, then 2nd Lieut.
Moss were killed near the German second line, leaving the Company in the
hands of 2nd Lieut. Tomson and C.S.M. Gorse, who at once organized the
platoons for the defence of the second line, realizing that it was
useless to try to advance further. 2nd Lieut. Petch, in spite of his
wound, remained several hours with his platoon, but eventually had to
leave them. The ground was covered with the dead and wounded of the