Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The War Diary records the following for the actions of the 14th to the 18th April 1918. S.5a. Sheet 28. 2.30am. Battalion stood to in field south of road, Germans attacked about 3.00pm. See appendix attached.
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS 14th to 16th APRIL 1918
14th April 1918
The Battalion ordered to move into Support position along Sunken Road in S.5a.and b (running east and west).
15th April 1918
Battalion “Stood to” ready to move in fields south of road before mentioned about 2.30pm. About 3.45pm C Company was ordered to proceed to 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and occupy high ground about b.17 central as a garrison for that locality. This Company was unable to reach their destination as the enemy had occupied the crest of the RAVELSBERG RIDGE, the Company deployed along road in S.10d. and S.11a. and advance to a line running from S.17a.1.9 to S.11b.4.3. filling a gap in what appeared to be the front line, as no British troops could be seen in front of them. The Company was then in touch with the 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT on their right, but could not get touch on the left, although some troops could be seen in the direction of S.12a. At 4.55pm A Company was ordered up as Reserve to 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and reached Railway cutting from S.11c. central to S.11a.2.8. getting in touch with 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT there about 5.30pm. Till about 6.45pm these Companies did considerable damage to the enemy while he was establishing machine gun posts on the RAVELSBERG crest but later owing to the withdrawal of the troops on their left and the enemy’s advance down the forward slopes from CRUCIFIX CORNER, had to withdraw, C Company to the road from S.11a.4.0 to S.11a.9.4 and A Company to a line from S.11c.5.7. to S.11c.9.5 in this position these two Companies came under the orders of Major LAMBERTON (9th HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY) and were disposed, A Company in its original position and C Company on a line extending from A Companies right flank about 400 yards almost south west.
16th April 1918
About 12.30am orders were received for the Battalion to withdraw through the 34th Division to SOUTHILL CAMP where they arrived about 3.30am with orders to “stand to” in the camp at the usual hour. About 5.30pm orders were received for the Battalion to take up a position in artillery formation in the area close to the junction of, and between the roads leading from BAILLEUL and DRANOUTRE to LOCRE. Arrived in position about 8.30pm. 4th and 5th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT on the left and 6th/7th ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS in front. Orders to withdraw about 11.00pm, and Battalion returned to SOUTHILL CAMP about 1.00am 17th.
17th April 1918
Resumed position of support in road on slope on right of LOCRE – DRANOUTRE ROAD about 9.00am but were heavily shelled and forced to take up position in the open on the opposite side of valley near BAILLEUL – LOCRE ROAD, and dug accommodation for protection and concealment. Casualties about 80 including a few gas cases. Withdrew about 10.30pm to camp on MONT ROUGE arriving about 12.30am 18th.
18th April 1918
Resumed position in trenches dug on 17th, A Company sent to 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS and D Company to 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGT both occupying parts of RED LINE in support.