move, and at 9 p.m. the Battalion in fours, led by the Commanding Officer
and a guide from the Northumberland Fusiliers moved from the Quarry with
orders to attack from Eye and Clarke's trenches at 9.30 p.m. The attack
was to be made in four waves, with the 9th Durham Light Infantry, who had
been in position all the afternoon, on the right, the 6th in the centre,
and the 5th Border Regiment on the left. Unfortunately the guide lost his
way, and after unnecessary wandering the head of the Battalion arrived in
Clarke's trench, at the junction with Bethel sap, at 9.15 p.m. After
considerable difficulty, owing to ignorance of the ground, the Companies
got into position. W Company, under Capt. J. Cook, was on the left of the
first wave, and X Company, under Capt. W.F.E. Badcock, on the right, with
Z (left) and Y (right) in support. Just as they got into Clarke's trench
2nd Lieut. Annett, commanding Y Company, was killed, and 2nd Lieut. B.J.
Harvey, though wounded, took command.

At the time appointed for the attack the 5th Border Regiment could not be
located, so the 6th and 9th Durham Light Infantry, after waiting about an
hour, advanced. Crossing Hook trench, which had been the enemy front line
in the morning and was now held by remnants of the 149th Brigade, they
moved down the slope towards Starfish and Prue trenches, the first
objective. They were met by a certain amount of machine-gun and rifle
fire, and had a few casualties, including Capt. Badcock, who was wounded.
The 6th Battalion continued to advance, however, until completely
checked by machine-gun fire, and then took cover in ditches and shell
holes. It was then discovered that there was a considerable gap on the
right, but by moving men in that direction touch was regained with the
9th Battalion.

About 3.30 a.m. on the 16th the Commanding Officer took up Z Company to
reinforce the front line, and the 5th Border Regiment also moved up at