Lieut.-Colonel G. E. C. Rasch, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Capt. G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon, D.S.O. Second in Command. Lieut. F. A. M. Browning Acting Adjutant. Lieut. J. C. Cornforth No. 1 Company. 2nd Lieut. S. H. Pearson ” ” 2nd Lieut. H. D. Stratford ” ” Capt. Sir A. L. M. Napier, Bart.[2] No. 2 Company. Lieut. the Hon. F. H. Manners ” ” 2nd Lieut. H. B. G. Morgan ” ” Capt. C. N. Newton, M.C. No. 3 Company. Lieut. A. W. Acland ” ” 2nd Lieut. H. White ” ” Lieut. G. R. Westmacott No. 4 Company. Lieut. R. A. W. Bicknell ” ” Lieut. J. Tabor ” ” Capt. J. A. Andrews, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer. Nos. 1 and 2 Companies took up their battle positions on the night of the 7th, but the relief was long and troublesome owing to the sodden and shattered state of the ground, and the night was cold and windy. On the following day Nos. 3 and 4 Companies came up into their places behind Nos. 1 and 2. The day was fine until 4 P.M., when a steady rain commenced, which increased to a downpour, and continued until early the next morning. It was a miserable night for the men who were going to attack the next morning, and well calculated to depress the spirits of the boldest. Rum and rations were sent up in addition to hot tea, and everything possible was done to make the position bearable. The condition of the Broembeek, which ran parallel to our front line, was a matter for great anxiety. During the past week patrols had reported it to be impassable at various places, and it was feared that the recent rains had converted it into a serious obstacle. Both companies sent out patrols to reconnoitre it during the night without very reassuring results, although Lieutenant the Hon. F. Manners found one or two points at which he was able to wade across. Mats and light bridges were carried to the front companies to be used by the leading waves of the attack. The 2nd Battalion was on the right of the Guards Division, with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream on its left, and the 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on its right. Nos. 1 and 2 Companies were to capture the first objective, and Nos. 3 and 4 were then to pass through and secure the second objective. The capture of the third objective was allotted to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, which was to pass through the Battalion after the second objective had been taken. The line of advance of the 1st Guards Brigade was parallel to and 300 yards from the Staden――Langemarck railway.