to England for three months' rest, and Major Wilkinson took over command.
The following day a move was made to Hook trench, where the men lived in
small shelters and provided working parties at nights. This trench was on
the sky line, and as a result received considerable attention from the
enemy gunners. To prevent casualties, and also to provide more room, two
Companies were pushed forward on the 28th to Starfish trench. From these
positions, in the afternoon, the Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion in
the front line. The relief was observed, and the communication trench
shelled. The disposition of Companies was, from right to left: Y, Z, W,
X, each Company having two Platoons in the front line (North Durham
Street) and two Platoons in the support line (South Durham Street). At
night they occupied battle positions, and extended the trench they
occupied by 150 to 300 yards. The 9th Battalion was in support in
Crescent Alley. On the left were the 5th Border Regiment, and on the
right the 47th Division, but it was not possible to get into touch with
the flanks during the night. The Company Commanders were now W Company,
2nd Lieut. Barnett; X Company, 2nd Lieut. Lean; Y Company, Lieut.
Catford; and Z Company, Capt. Peberdy. By dawn all preparations,
including the alteration of watches to winter time, were completed for
the attack, which had been ordered for the 1st October.

The preliminary bombardment commenced at 7 a.m. and continued till zero
(3.15 p.m.), when it changed to a barrage. Unfortunately there were some
casualties from shells falling short, the total casualties for the day
being about 40, including the Commanding Officer wounded. Lieut.-Col.
R.B. Bradford, now commanding the 9th Battalion, asked for and was given
permission to take command of the two Battalions, and for his subsequent
work that day was awarded the V.C. He arrived at Battalion Headquarters
at zero, and at once went up to the front line.