Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The War Diary entry for the events of the 26th to the 29th May 1918 records. FRONT LINE. During the period the Battalion had been in the line up to the 26th May the hostile artillery activity had been very slight. Much movement had been reported behind the enemy lines and the FRENCH authorities were of the opinion that an attack was to be expected on the Divisional front. At 9.30pm on the night of the 26th May when the inter Company relief was in progress a message was received from Brigade that from two prisoners statements (captured that night) the enemy intended to attack along the whole AISNE front, including the front held by the Division. Bombardment to commence at 1.00am, the attack at 3.00am. This statement proved to be correct for punctually at 1.00am the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the Divisional area. The back areas were shelled with gas shells chiefly, the mustard type being mostly used. The forward area was not subjected to gas as much as the back areas. (ie: in rear of Battalion HQ). From the time the barrage opened all communications were cut and at approximately 5.00am a runner reported having been attacked by a German in the 3rd line west of the CANAL. At 6.00am the enemy were seen from Battalion HQ to be advancing in small parties across the CANAL. By the time a platoon from the Battalion NUCLEUS party had arrived to reinforce and 2 platoons from the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and a second platoon from this Battalion NUCLEUS were on their way. The four platoons composed the NUCLEUS Company under Major H. C. TYLER M.C. 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. A verbal message was sent to Brigade that no news had been received from any Company and that the Battalion was holding the 5th line 700 yards west of the CANAL. This message reached Brigade at 7.00am. At 8.30am the left support Company Commander (Lt. R. H. GRAVER) reported Battalion HQ with 12 men. The right support Company Commander (Lt. A. HALKYARD) reported also a little later with 50 men, most of whom were stragglers from other Battalions. These 50 men were used to continue the line south of Battalion HQ. A block was established in each communication trench forward of this line and small posts were established behind these blocks. This was in accordance with instructions received meanwhile from Brigade. The three NUCLEUS platoons above mentioned had arrived by this time and this line was held for some hours by the NUCLEUS Company plus the united forces under Lt. A. HALKYARD and the battalion HQ Lewis Gun platoon. Battalion HQ moved back to a position just east of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD in a communication trench. The Battalion HQ details and the remainder of the left support Company being used as support to the front line took up a position there also. During the whole of this time the hostile artillery was barraging all communication trenches, roads and tracks forward from Brigade very heavily. “A” Company (Captain SCHOLES) of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT came up to reinforce the Battalion at about 3.00pm and held the 6th line just south of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. A report came through that the enemy had entered our trenches on the left of the 5th line and that they were bombing their way towards the main communication trench leading to the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. It was also reported that the enemy were using flammenwerfer. When the NUCLEUS Company under Major H. C. TYLER M.C. was forced out of the 5th line they withdrew down the communication trench to the 6th line leaving a platoon to form a block just west of the junction of the communication trench and the 5th line of resistance. This block was held for some hours by 12 men of this Battalion. Battalion HQ moved back to a position 100 yards south west of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. Two more Companies of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT came up to reinforce the one Company holding the 6th line. This made the garrison of the 6th line, 3 Companies of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT plus a mixed force of about 30 men under Lt. GRAVER. Major TYLER’S Company which now numbered about 80 men was withdrawn into support of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in wood west of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. Battalion HQ was forced to move back owing to the enemy having pushed forward machine guns in the wood south west of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. By this time the Battalion consisted of 1 platoon (HQ platoon) and Battalion HQ. As the line was now held by 3 Companies of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT with 1 Company of 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in support near LA TUILERIE plus Major TYLER’S NUCLEUS Company, Lt. Col. CHANCE Commanding the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT took over command of the Battalion front at 8.00pm, Battalion HQ then withdrew to Brigade HQ and moved back with Brigade HQ to VAUX VARENNES. Elements of the Battalion numbering 4 officers and about 50 men remained under Lt. Col. CHANCE who commanded the composite Battalion consisting of the three Battalions in the Brigade. During the night of the 27th/28th May Lt. Col. CHANCE’S force took up a position north of VAUX VARENNES but was withdrawn at 3.00am on the 28th May and took up a new position on the high ground south east of VAUX VARENNES. Rations for the 28th were issued at this position. The enemy attacked and drove this line back at about 8.00am just at the moment when Brigade received orders to go in reserve at PEVY. The enemy however had approached PEVY from the north west and so a general withdrawal was carried out to HILL east of PROUILLY where a line was organised and held till about 12 noon. FRENCH troops then took over the line and BRITISH troops of all Brigades withdrew to south side of the VESLE where the Division took up a line from LES VAUTES – BRANSCOURT inclusive. Troops were sorted out into Brigades, troops of the 110th Infantry Brigade under Lt. Col. SAWYER Commanding 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT held the centre sector from TILE WORKS to about 1000 yards west of this. The enemy attacking from the west pushed this line back to heights north of ROSNAY during the afternoon of the 29th May. HQ 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was to relieve Lt. Col. SAWYER on the night of the 29th/30th May and orders were received that the FRENCH had taken over the line and that BRITISH troops would withdraw to POURCY. The withdrawal of the Brigade troops was complete by 4.00am the 30th May.