After I was wounded, it was found impossible for the 7th to advance any further. The plain in front of them was simply swept by a shower of lead from the enemy’s machine guns, rifles, and artillery, and the wounded were in a most precarious position. As darkness came on they gradually removed the wounded, and the battalion held on where they were. Various reports of the battle were circulated through the Press, and it appears that some members of the brigade advanced to the outskirts of the village, but were unable to capture it. The object of the British Staff, however, had been gained. Ypres was in deadly peril, and its defenders were short of artillery, ammunition, and men. Every moment saved was of value, as reinforcements and ammunition were being hurried up. In the meantime the Germans had to be kept busy and so prevented from advancing. Hence our brigade was hurled against their position, though there was no prospect of real success. As has been said before, it was a case of bluff, and it succeeded, for the Germans, thinking they were going to be attacked in great numbers, remained on the defensive, and invaluable time was gained. The cost of more than half of one of Britain’s best infantry brigades seemed heavy, but what did it matter if Ypres and the worn-out second army were saved? The 7th Northumberland Fusiliers suffered very heavily. We lost a great number of our men, our casualties for this afternoon’s work being about 470 killed and wounded. This added to our former casualties brought our total number of dead and wounded for the two and a half days up to about 620. We were fortunate, however, in the large number of only wounded in proportion to the number killed. Our officer casualties were: Second Lieutenant Kent killed, and Captains Archer (Adjutant), Wright, Welsh, and Lambton, and Lieutenants and Second Lieutenants J. Merivale, Frank Merivale, Herriott, Fenwicke-Clennell, and myself wounded. On the previous day we had lost, wounded, Captain Flint and Second Lieutenants Adams and Donkin. The other battalions in the brigade all suffered heavily, and our Brigadier himself (Brigadier-General Riddell) was killed. On all this, we can only comment that it was the ‘fortune of war,’ and what does it matter who dies, if only England lives? It is satisfactory to note that Lieutenant Bruce Ramsay, who was so instrumental in saving my life, has since been awarded the Military Cross for general good work, and also largely, I hear, for the devotion he showed in rescuing me. Sergeant Renwick was mentioned in despatches and recommended for the D.C.M., which, however, he was unfortunate to miss. Among other honours since awarded to members of the 7th, the D.S.O. of Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson and the C.M.G. of Major Mackay have been deservedly popular, as well as the M.C.s of Captains Ball and Vernon Merivale.