THE YPRES TIMES 199
The 42nd had been called into the line as soon as possible, and helped hold the new
line. They fought magnificently and had severe losses. On June 4th the Higher
Command was satisfied that the enemy offensive had been checked effectively, and
counter measures were decided on, but these had to be postponed until the exact situation
could be clearly defined. The 42nd sent out a patrol of six, and these explored the
vicinity of the Gourock Road and brought back much useful information. It was then
decided to send out Sergeant Jones and a corporal on a daring daylight reconnais
sance.
AN OFFICER LEADING THE WAY OUT OF A S\P FOLLOWED BY THE REST OF THE RAIDING
PARTY—SHELLS BURSTING
They wormed from their trench under cover of a heap of debris and worked forward
slowly, crawling, taking advantage of all available cover. They reached an old com
munication trench, battered and useless, and proceeded along it. A German block faced
them, but after half an hour's watching they resolved that it was not occupied, and
chanced a bold advance. Reaching it, they found the post deserted, and saw a second
block beyond. Jones knew every foot of ground. He knew they could not expect to
use the second block as an observation post, yet learned, by close scrutiny that the
Germans had grown careless, and that no sentries were keeping watch in his immediate
vicinity. He crawled down what had been Warrington Avenue trench until he reached
a spot dangerously near the enemy block, where there had been a sort of shallow dugout,
but which faced into another trench. They had secured a shovel during their crawl.
One man kept watch and the other worked swiftly, cutting through the soil, driving a
Photo]
[Imperial War Museum. Crown Copyright
