further to the north.

In accordance with the orders issued by Lt.-Col. Hicks, commanding the
Hampshires, B Company, who were about 90 strong, left the remainder of
the Battalion, who were now at Hicks' Farm and moved to reinforce 2nd
Lieut. Ball of the Royal Fusiliers (28th Div.), who, with 100 men, was
holding a position on the Gravenstafel Ridge. This position consisted of
a much battered breastwork, of which only isolated portions offered any
cover. The remainder of the Battalion was then divided. C Company were
sent to garrison a strong point near a neighbouring farm, leaving No. 9
Platoon, under 2nd Lieut. G. Angus, to form a ration party. A Company was
held in reserve in isolated trenches. Battalion Headquarters and D
Company moved back to Zevencote barn, where the Company occupied some
trenches.

On the night of the 27th April, A Company with about twenty men of D
Company were sent to fill a gap between the Hampshires and the
Shropshires, where they dug themselves in. The following day Capt. A.P.
Cummins and Capt. D. Park were seriously wounded by a sniper firing from
behind their line, and 2nd Lieut. Blenkinsop took over command till the
arrival at night of Lieut. R.V. Hare. C.S.M. Lancaster of A Company was
also badly wounded.

The men on the left of B Company, under Lieut. H.C.W. Haythornthwaite
during these days, were in very close touch with the enemy, being
separated from them in the same trench by a block about ten yards wide.
They were the first of the Battalion to use rifle grenades, which were
taken up to them by a party of the Buffs. On the night of the 28th April
No. 6 Platoon was sent up to join the Company, but it was found that they
could not be accommodated in the trench and they returned to Battalion