Number 9 Platoon, “C” Company, 1/6th Sherwood Foresters

On the morning of Sept. 24th Lt. Jepson came to us lads and told us that we were to go over the top with the Leicesters, zero was at 5 o’clock, this was 2 o’clock and about 3 o’clock he brought us an issue of rum just to liven us up a bit. Half an hour after we had orders to toll up our great coats in bundles and dump them on the dump. About quarter past four Mr Jepson led the Platoon along the sunken road up to the ridge and lined us up in Artillery Formation.

We all got down in shell-holes and waited for zero. The zero came in and it was like hell let loose, the shriek of the shells was like a thousand locomotives welcoming in New Years Day – the flashing of our shells on his trenches, flare lights going up in all directions. It was just the sane as seeing Bosches fire work display. Up rose the gallant No. 9 Platoon who went forward like one man.

The spirit of the troops was absolutely marvellous. They stormed the trenches. Jerry went helter skelter and we lads after them. We reached our objective with only one casualty – Pte. Jones was shot in the forearm. By that time dawn was beginning to break, you could see the Leicesters on our left go forward and the wounded coming in. Shortly after some of the Leicesters came down our trench with about 100 prisoners. Our chaps were soon after souvenirs as they came along and about every man in the Platoon had a watch.

We held our objectives for 48 hours when ‘A’ Coy came to relieve us.

[202274 L/Sgt Frank Mayne of Letter “C” Company, 1/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters]

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