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Photo[Imperial War MuseumCrown Copyright
AERIAL VIEW OF HIGH WOOD, OCTOBER, 1916.
like a kick at the bottom of the spine, followed by a dull pain somewhere inside.
What had happened to him he did not know, but what he did know was that he
must get out of that wood while he had strength to do it as he might collapse
at any minute. The British had already evacuated part of the wood, and sooner
or later the Germans would attack, perhaps retaking what they had lost, together
with those wounded who were fortunate enough to escape the shells. So on
he went until he was through the wood, and there in front of him he saw the
enemy's barrage between our support line and the wood. Though he did not
know it, Military Medals were given that day to runners who passed through that
barrage. He did not hesitateanything was better than to lie helpless and
unattended in that woodand through the barrage he went. He was not alone,
and one man near him went through at the expense of an arm blown off at the
shoulder.
the Germans got out of their trenches, advancing in short rushes towards the
wood. They did not come very far, taking cover in shell holes, and though
they came 011 later in the day Brown was not there to see it.
A Scottish Major now came up with orders to the thinned front line to retire to
the middle of the wood. Brown had only gone a few yards before he came upon the
Major lying on his facehe must have been killed immediately aftert he had given
the order. As the men ran for their new positions shrapnel burst over, behind,
and in front of them, while thousands of machine-gun bullets cracked in the
trees like chattering demons.
Brown was destined never to see that line. He had found his way into the
main ride through the wood, and had not gone far before he felt something