The following day—­the 1st of September—­we returned to trenches, and went into support with Battalion Headquarters in Le Quesnoy and the Companies in and around Gorre village.  As the new Divisional Commander had not yet arrived Brigadier General Rowley was still in command of the Division and Lieut.-Colonel Foster, of the 4th Battalion, commanded the Brigade.  The Germans were withdrawing very slowly, and by the 3rd the Staff decided that as soon as the 5th Lincolnshires had gained “Rum Corner” on the Rue du Bois, where the Boche had a strong pill box, we should go forward with a barrage with Princes’ Road as our objective.  Orders did not arrive until after midday and then Rum Corner had not fallen; it was, however, expected to fall by 4-0 p.m., and our attack was ordered for 8-0 p.m. the same evening.  There was no time for reconnaissance and little for getting out orders, but we managed to arrange for an assembly position and a barrage, which was to advance in jumps of 100yds. every 4 minutes.  Everybody had a hurried tea and set out between 5-0 p.m. and 6-0 p.m. for the line.  It was not very satisfactory and we were all glad when, owing to the stout resistance of Rum Corner the advance was postponed until 5-15 the following morning—­the 4th of September.  It was a warm night and the Companies remained in the trenches round Loisne and were able to have a good meal before starting.  Late that night the 5th Lincolnshires reported the taking of the “Corner,” so that all was now ready for the battle.  We did not expect much resistance.  Shortly before midnight fresh orders arrived making our objective the old breastwork through Tube Station and Factory Post (the support line in 1915).  If possible we were to push patrols on to the old British front line in front of Fme.  Cour D’Avoue and Fme. du Bois.

Soon after 4-0 a.m. we were all in our assembly positions—­the three attacking Companies along a line running N. and S. about 300 yards E. of Epinette Road, with our left just North of Rue du Bois; the Support Company 100 yards behind them.  “D” Company (Brooke) was on the right with orders to protect that flank, if necessary facing right to do so as they advanced, “A” Company (Petch) was in the centre, and “B” Company (Pierrepont) left, astride the Rue du Bois, “C” Company (Hawley) was in support.  Battalion Headquarters were in Epinette East Post with an Orderly Room and rear Headquarters in Loisne.  About an hour before we were due to start a curious thing happened:  It was suddenly discovered that a considerable number of the 5th Lincolnshires were now some distance E. of our “jumping off line,” and consequently beyond where the barrage was due to start.  The Brigadier tried to get the barrage advanced, but it was found impossible to tell the Artillery in time, and in the end the Lincolnshires, much to their disgust, had to be withdrawn.  As their leading men had gone as far as Princes’ Road, it did not look as though we should have much opposition that far at all events.