Extract from Battle Scarred: The 47th Battalion in the First World War


At about 100.00 p.m., finally aware of the artillery problems and that the Oosttaverne Line had been abandoned, Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Godley, in command of II ANZAC, ordered the barrage lengthened, and the 3rd and 4th Divisions to reoccupy that line. Imlay did not receive this order until moments before the intended start time of 3.00 a.m., and although two companies of the 48th had earlier arrived to be placed under his command (Lieutenant Joseph Mayersbeth's company of the 48th reported to Imlay just after midnight, and another 70 men under Cumming arrived soon after), it was obviously impossible to commence the attack at the appointed time. With some understatement, Imlay later recorded in his operation report that it 'was quite impossible to start at this time as Coys were slightly disorganised and quite a good way from objective'.

[It's not clear from the snippets of this book at google books when this action took place, but on the previous page it states that Bremner was recommended for the Victoria Cross. This recommendation is dated 14 or 15 June 1917. Source: www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1563043/ and www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1594735/]


Source: Battle Scarred: The 47th Battalion in the First World War By Craig Deayton