The History of the 2/6th (Rifle) Battalion, "the King's" (Liverpool Regiment) 1914-1919Wurtzburg, C. E. (Charles Edward)
History
The History of the 2/6th (Rifle) Battalion, "the King's" (Liverpool Regiment) 1914-1919
Wurtzburg, C. E. (Charles Edward)
Great Britain. Army. King's Liverpool Regiment; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
The left party, after reaching "H" Trench, extended and tried to rush
the enemy. They were met by steady machine-gun and rifle fire and a
large number of bombs, and could make no progress. Lieutenant Profit
and one or two others, with great determination, managed to reach
the parapet, but all were wounded and could do nought. After one or
two further efforts the raiders withdrew. On this occasion Rifleman
Donaldson and Rifleman Robert Smith showed the utmost gallantry. Having
penetrated with Lieutenant Profit as far as the German parapet, they
saw him fall wounded, and in spite of very heavy fire proceeded to
carry him back. By doing so they missed the gap in the wire. Nothing
daunted, they made their way back to the enemy post, took their
bearings again, and this time brought their casualty safely through.
The performance was one of great coolness and courage, and the heavy
rain which had begun to fall, coupled with the fact that Donaldson
himself was wounded, did not make their task any easier. They were both
awarded the Military Medal.
Others who for distinguished conduct during the raid received the
Military Medal were Lance-Corporal Winstanley, who worked with great
devotion in charge of the stretcher-bearers; Lance-Corporal Heyes,
Riflemen H. E. Harrison and A. Mellor for gallantry and initiative with
Noon's party; and Riflemen B. Clarke and W. Whelan, Battalion Scouts,
for continuous bold patrolling before the raid and disregard of danger
during its progress, while laying tapes in No Man's Land and leading
the raiding parties to and from their positions.
Captain Robinson and 2nd-Lieutenant Noon were both awarded the Military
Cross for their respective shares in the success of the operations.
Everything that could have been found out about the enemy's position
Robinson had, by persistent patrolling, discovered. Noon's action on
the night of the raid has already been described. The casualties were
twenty-one wounded, of whom 2nd-Lieutenant Profit subsequently died of
his wounds. This had been the first real chance this young officer had
had of showing of what stuff he was made. His performance on this night
was most gallant, and it was with universal regret that we heard that
he had succumbed to his wounds.
One prisoner and a machine gun were the trophies of the raid.
The party returned to the Chateau de la Haie for their breakfast, and
thence to Rossignol Farm for twenty-four hours' rest. Congratulations
from the B.G.C. and G.O.C. were received on the success of the raid.
On the evening of June 21st "D" Company came into the line, and "B"
Company, 8th K.L.R., was relieved after some local rearrangement of
the line. Subsequently "D" Company moved into the front line, changing
places with "A" Company.
On June 22nd the 62nd Division, on our left, put over a raid with
tanks, and we got well shelled in consequence, five men being wounded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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