TO-DAY'S NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8508, 22 July 1916, Page 5

TO-DAY'S NEWS.

EULOGY OF TERRITORIALS.

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

HEROIC STAND OF LONDON

RIFLE BRIGADE

(Per Press Association.-rCopyright.)

(Received July 22, 8.50 a.m.)

LONDON, July 21. Mr Phillip Gibbs (special correspondent of the "Chronicle"), states:-—

■r In the offensive, the Territorials proved themselves to be great soldiers, both in attack and in resistance. The Queen's Westminsters, Queen Victoria's Rifles, London Rifle Brigade, Rangers, and London Scottish, advancing at Gommecourt, reached the German linos and captured a network ' of trenches with amazing speed. Tho enemy put a barrage of high plosives through which no living thing could pass; the London Rifle Brigade was caught, in a death-trap, their escape' being cut off. Tho barrage smashed our communication trenches, preventing supports reaching the men in the captured salients. Their comrades desperately attempted to send ammunition. One party of 60, with hand-grenades, set out, but only three returned. -

The enemy organised a scries of counter-attacks. Some of the enemy parties approached the Londoner,*; from a northern position, whence the enemy enfiladed the London Scottish on the right, who' were holding a. redoubt and Jbuilding barricades. Ammunition grew scarce,' and the bombs were almost exhausted. The .Londoners gathered German bombs, but the position became uglier. The men never lost heart. An officer rallied six good men and ordered the others to retreat with ' thd "'wounded nnd take thpir chance across: "No Man's Land," while he nut.up a last 'jifht.-/Ho stuck tn the..barricado until nil but two were killed; he was the last to leave; J ■'■'■

Gradually the Londoners ..withdraw under great shell fire. Many of the "•ounded remaiTipd on the field, sufforinf? creat ano;nish_, for dnys. One officer, who wp-<? wovnflod in +ho lAjjV oraw^d about thfl field for 12 days before he was rescued, c ;■"■■ ■ ■•'.•.