‘The G.O.C. 34th Division wishes to place on record his great appreciation of the services rendered by the 147th Infantry Brigade during the period it has been attached to the Division under his Command. The action of the 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s, South of the Lys on 10th April, the skilful rearguard fighting under cover of which the Division withdrew from the Nieppe position, the stubborn defence of the right of the Division at Steam Hill (South of Bailleul), and the complete defeat of a whole German Regiment on the 16th April, are exploits of which the Brigade may well be proud. ‘Throughout the period, the steadiness, gallantry and endurance of all ranks has been worthy of the highest traditions of British Infantry, and the G.O.C. 34th Division is proud to have had such Troops under his Command.’ Or these praises bestowed on a gallant Regiment may be tested by the record of one man: No. 24066, Pte. Arthur Poulter, of the 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding), who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his action on April 10th, commemorated in the following terms in the _London Gazette_ of June 28th: ‘For most conspicuous bravery when acting as a stretcher-bearer. On ten occasions Pte. Poulter carried badly wounded men on his back to a safer locality, through a particularly heavy artillery and machine-gun barrage. Two of these were hit a second time whilst on his back. Again, after a withdrawal over the river had been ordered, Pte. Poulter returned in full view of the enemy who were advancing, and carried back another man who had been left behind wounded. He bandaged up over forty men under fire, and his conduct throughout the whole day was a magnificent example to all ranks. This very gallant soldier was subsequently seriously wounded when attempting another rescue in the face of the enemy.’