No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694].

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On the night of the 17th we had a bit of a fight. Two of our batteries shelled the enemy’s trenches, while we fired about 40 rounds rapid. The reason for this was because the 8th Division on our left was making a charge, and we fired to keep them in the trench and stop them from re-enforcing the place where the attack was made. The charge proved successful and was taken in 10 minutes, the bombardment lasted 1 hour and ¾, and commenced at 7.15p.m.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

17th April 1915. Everything went on as usual until after dinner when Private Mullin was killed. He lived about one and a half hours after being hit. After this I went to have my tea. Just as I had done my tea I was sent for again, this time it was Private Watts, death being instantaneous as he was shot through the heart. During the afternoon we had the order to come down that Hill 60 was to be taken that night. They would begin to bombard at 7 o’clock and the bombardment would come slowly down the line getting to us at 7-45. At this time our men had the order to put forty rounds into them quick. The men got very enthusiastic same of them putting over a hundred rounds into them. This ruse was to stop the Germans from sending reinforcements to Hill 60. At the same time as our men began to fire the artillery behind us started three or four hundred guns going. The noise was terrific. The German artillery began to reply but doing no damage. It was a grand sight but one I don’t want to see again. It was too dangerous to be healthy. If our men had got the order to charge they would have been into the Germans pel-mel, but our order was to hold the position. The bombardment lasted about two hours. The Germans hardly ever repllied to our rifle fire because it was as much as they could do to keep their heads down. About 12-30 the bearers came for the two casualties and I was able to get to bed.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 17th Still in trenches fairly quiet till evening then violent bombardment at dusk by our guns. Regulars on our left advanced about 3 kilos.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]