Then the outlook was completely changed by two events, reports of which reached Divisional Headquarters within a quarter of an hour of each other. At 5.15 P.M. the 47th Brigade stated that the 7th Division had been driven out of Ginchy. This was confirmed at 5.30 P.M., when the further news arrived that the 5th Division had not succeeded in advancing to its objective--the edge of Leuze Wood; in fact, parties of the enemy could be seen on the spur south-west of the wood and on the right of the 59th Brigade, where, moving on the exposed slope, they formed excellent targets to our troops across the valley. The enemy also had machine guns on this spur, but their fire was kept down most successfully by a section of the 61st M.G. Company, under Lieut. Pavier. Immediately on hearing of the repulse of the 7th Division, Major-General Douglas Smith asked for a barrage on the left flank; the prompt response of the artillery prevented any counter attack developing before a proper defence could be organised. He also ordered the 60th Brigade to move up to the west of Trônes Wood. When he learned of the situation on the right, he saw that with both flanks in the air the position was too precarious to admit of a further advance. He ordered the B.G.C. 59th Brigade, who had already cancelled the orders for the attack, to consolidate the Ginchy--Wedge Wood road, pushing out patrols towards the fourth objective, and requested the Corps heavy artillery to fire on the Ginchy-Leuze Wood road. The 7th D.C.L.I. having been drawn into the battle with the 59th Brigade, he placed at Brig.-General Pereira’s disposal the last battalion of the 61st Brigade, the 7th K.O.Y.L.I. The situation on the left flank was, as a matter of fact, critical, and was saved by the prompt action of an officer of the 12th King’s, Captain C. D. R. Cleminson, who had been sent up with the two companies of his battalion to reinforce the Connaught Rangers. When he had reached the north of Guillemont he was joined by about sixty men of the 7th Division, who stated that they had been driven out of Ginchy. Realising the danger to the left flank, Captain Cleminson on his own initiative advanced towards Ginchy and dug in on a defensive line facing the village. In response to a message purporting to come from the Royal Irish he sent forward a platoon to Ginchy Wood, on the south-west side of Ginchy. During the advance to his point the platoon commander and many men were killed. Sgt. Jones, the platoon sergeant, took command, got his platoon and the Lewis gun into position, and reported to Captain Cleminson that no trace of the Royal Irish could be found. He then returned to the platoon, and held out in this isolated position, without food or water, for two days and two nights. On the second day, owing to his coolness and resource, his platoon drove back three counter attacks with heavy loss. On the morning of the 5th he was relieved. For this magnificent deed he was awarded the Victoria Cross.