Defence of Monchy-le-Preux

On the 11th April, the 37th Division had taken Monchy-le-Preux.

CGS: I suspect it was this action in defence of Monchy-le-Preux that Reggie refers to in his memoirs :-

I got the D.S.O. for a little place called Monchy Le Preuse just outside Arras. I was told to take it. My Battalion did. We took it & held it for 3 days. I took 884 lads & 27 officers into action, & on relief had 23 men left, & 3 officers besides myself, all of us bleedy-bloody.

• 23 Apr
  Moved to trenches N.W. of The Harp
• 24 Apr
  Occupied part of BROWN LINE H28D4.9
  Moved to trenches east of Monchy at O2A

• 25 Apr
  Royal Welch Fusiliers HQ joined Battalion HQ (theirs being heavily shelled)
  Communication very difficult because lines keep getting shelled
  Overnight took up a trench O2d2.5 to O2d0.8
• Night of 26th/27th Apr
  At 11.30 pm enemy attacked
  Attack repulsed
  Battalion “Stood to” all night in case of another attack
• 27th Apr
  HQ heavily shelled
• Night of 28th/29th Apr
  Incessant rifle fire and machine guns very active
• 29th Apr
  Situation normal
• Night of 29th/30th Apr
  Attempt to get in touch with post on Bit Lane failed
• 30th Apr
  Situation normal
• Night of 30th/Apr 1st/May
  Finally got in touch with post on Bit Lane
  Enemy still very active with rifle and machine guns
• 1st May
  Battalion relieved by the 13th King’s Liverpool
  Battalion
  Proceeded to trench near Tilloy (S.E. of Arras)