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At 5.30pm one Company of the 2nd South Lancashire Regiment (25th
Division) reported in Vaulx – Morchies line, they were put in on left of
Brigade sector. B Company side stepping to the right. Remainder of sector
on right as far as Lagnicourt – Maricourt Wood Road held by a portion of
the 509th Field Company, and one Company of the 11th Battalion of the
Leicestershire Regiment (C Company commanded by Captain Spencer).
At 6.40pm orders were received from Brigade that Battalion HQ’s should
move at dusk to Brigade HQ’s in Vaulx, Brigade HQ’s is moving to H.12.d.
between Vaulx and Beugnatre. At 8.00pm the move was completed HQ
shared with 2nd South Lancashire Regiment, 8th Border Regiment, 1st
King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 2nd York and Lancaster Regiment and 1st
East Kent Regiment (Buffs). So far, no news at all of A, C and D Company’s.
One further Company of 2nd South Lancashire Regiment had been put in
the Vaulx – Morchies line at dusk one immediately on each side of the
Lagnicourt – Maricourt Wood Road.
At 8.30pm a runner arrived from A Company with the report that 1 platoon
of A Company had been practically wiped out at strong point C.29.a. during
the morning. The remainder of the Company are in battle position in Vaulx
– Morchies line between Crucix - Morchies and C.29.a. 30.20 9th Norfolk
Regiment and 2nd Sherwood Foresters had also withdrawn to this line, and
the disposition in the Brigade sector was:- right to left 9th Norfolk Regiment A
Company and C Company, 2nd Sherwood Foresters, 459th Field Company
9 men with a Machine Gun, D Company (right at Morchies – Crucix, left
at C.29.c. 60.50), 2 Company’s of the South Lancashire Regiment, B and
C Company of the 11th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and 1