All hope of trying to help the Division on our right had to be abandoned.  They had reached the enemy’s third line and captured several prisoners in the morning; some of them actually reached the meeting place, but they, too, had to face two sectors of opposing artillery, for the attack on Serre on their right had failed, and their carrying parties and all supports for the leading units were hopelessly enfiladed from the South.  Their losses were very heavy, and in the evening, when it became obvious that we could never help them, they left the enemy’s lines and returned to their own trenches.  But there was still hope of saving some of the missing Sherwood Foresters.  They were known to have reached the wood, for their lights had been seen by our contact patrol aeroplane.  Unfortunately at mid-day this aeroplane ran into the cable of the kite balloon, and both were out of action for some hours—­a most unlucky accident.  In case some of these Sherwood Foresters might be still alive, the 5th Lincolnshires made another advance at midnight—­only a few minutes after arriving in the line—­but found the enemy present in strength, and lost heavily before they could regain our lines.

The rest of the night and all the following day were spent in collecting the wounded and dead from our lines, from the newly dug and now water-logged assembly trench in front, and from No Man’s Land.  Once more Capt.  Barton displayed the most wonderful courage, rescuing three men from a shell hole, in broad daylight, less than 200 yards from the German lines, and spending the whole day wandering about from one part to another, quite regardless of the danger so long as he could find a wounded man to help.  The next day was spent in the same way, and by the evening the trenches had been considerably tidied up, when, at 9 p.m. we were relieved by the London Regt. (Rangers), and marched back to Bienvillers au Bois, leaving some guides behind to help the newcomers.  These last two days cost us several casualties, amongst them Serjt.  R.E.  Foster, who was badly wounded by a shell.

After the battle, General Snow, the Corps Commander, sent round the following message:—­“The Corps Commander wishes to congratulate the troops of the 46th Division for the manner in which they fought and endured during the fighting on the 1st July.  Many gallant acts, both by units and individuals, are to hand.  Although Gommecourt has not fallen into our hands, the purpose of the attack, which was mainly to contain and kill Germans, was accomplished.”  To this was added:  “The Major General Commanding wishes all ranks to understand thoroughly that our recent attack on the Gommecourt salient in concert with the 50th Division embraced two purposes:  (a) The capture of the position; (b) The retaining of considerable numbers of German troops in our immediate front in order to prevent them taking part in resisting the advance of our troops in the South.  Although the first purpose was not achieved, the second was fulfilled, and there is no doubt that our action on the first materially assisted our troops in the 4th Army and contributed to their success.  The above to be read to all troops on parade.”