The 7th Manchesters were now brought up, “D” Company forming a defensive flank on the right of the 5th. The line was advanced, but the enfilading fire was still too destructive to permit the capture of the objective until the division on the right could make good. It was during the hottest of the fighting on this flank that Private Alfred Wilkinson, 5th Manchesters, gained the Victoria Cross by the most noteworthy of many individual acts of heroism on this day. His company was held up in an exposed position by very heavy machine-gun fire from the front and right flank. All other means of communication having failed, four runners were sent out in succession with messages asking for assistance, and all four were killed before many yards had been covered. Though Wilkinson had seen the four shot down, and therefore knew how slight his chance of escape would be, he volunteered to carry the message. The distance was more than 600 yards, but somehow, though scores of bullets only missed him by inches, he got through, and assistance was sent. Throughout the remainder of the day Wilkinson continued to do splendid work. Private J. Bowers, of the same battalion, carried his wounded officer through very heavy shell fire to a place of safety. Though himself twice wounded while doing this, he refused to give in until he had got the officer under cover and had found stretcher-bearers, and undoubtedly saved the officer’s life. Great gallantry had been displayed by the 7th Manchesters, under Captain James Baker. The company had lost heavily from enemy shelling and machine-guns, both during the assembly and when attacking, but though its strength had been reduced to thirty-five when Captain Baker formed a defensive flank on the right of the 5th Manchesters, it repelled strong counter-attacks, held on for eight hours, and eventually made the position secure. [Illustration: R. SELLE FIGHTING. A SUNKEN ROAD. SOLESMES IN THE DISTANCE.] [Illustration: R. SELLE FIGHTING. MAROU.] [Illustration: CAPTURED TANKS NEAR LE QUESNOY.] [Illustration: LC.-CORP. A. WILKINSON, V.C., 1/5 BN. MANCHESTER REGT.]