“An attempt was therefore made to form a defensive flank.  The counter-attack halted on a road running north-west and south-east.  Finding we had not sufficient men to form a defensive flank, a further withdrawal was ordered to Jew Hill, east of St. Julien.  From this point a large enemy counter-attack was observed commencing.  This also came from a north-easterly direction, and was apparently simultaneous with that from the south-east affecting the 1/4th Loyal North Lancs.—­the battalion on our right.  This counter-attack was overwhelming in its strength.  It had been preceded by four enemy aircraft, flying low over our advanced positions and firing Very lights and machine-guns.  The lights were apparently the call for artillery cooperation.  They were answered by the opening of fire by heavy guns which dealt with individual points.  Owing to the general disorganization caused by the very heavy casualties, troops on the whole front of this unit had now to commence a general withdrawal.  Isolated points, however, held out most gallantly and held up the advance of the enemy while consolidation on or about the Black Line was completed by troops in rear and whilst the withdrawal of the remainder was safely effected.  A small strong point situated west of Schuler Farm was held by one hundred and thirty men of this Battalion, and the 1/8 (Irish) Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment and with them Captain Bodington, one of the few remaining officers of the Battalion.  Those were first attacked from the front, which attack they warded off.  The enemy counter-attack then developed on their left and right; both these attacks also were held off for some time by machine-gun, Lewis gun, and rifle fire.  The few survivors were forced to withdraw and fight their way back, Captain Bodington and ten other ranks reaching the Black Line safely.

“Battalion Headquarters was situated at Spree Farm, and they only received late warning that the enemy were near them.  Lieutenant-Colonel B. Best-Dunkley gathered together all men available, and, placing himself at the head, beat off the counter-attack at this point.  At this time our own artillery brought down an extremely heavy barrage on the enemy which appeared to catch him, and it was probably due to this that they were unable to gain a footing in the Black Line on our immediate front.  During this withdrawal the Adjutant—­Lieutenant R. Andrews—­was killed.  The Commanding Officer was wounded shortly afterwards—­about 8 p.m.  There was then no officer of this Battalion known to be alive, and the Orderly Room Sergeant—­Sergeant F. Howarth—­took command, organizing the defence of that part of the line until the Battalion was withdrawn to Bilge Trench, about 9 a.m. the following morning—­August 1.  Captain Bodington, who was the one surviving officer, came in subsequently from the left of the line.”

Let us now follow the movements of Captain Bodington.  He afterwards wrote the following report: