April 12, 1917

The last stretcher squads I obtained from Infantry Ambulance came at 6 a.m. After this, in spite of several messages, which were apparently never received, I could not obtain stretcher squads. Fortunately I was able to keep my cases warm, and feed them in the cellars, I should, probably, have had deaths from exposure, owing to the adverse weather conditions, as several of my cases were not moved until twelve hours after I had received them.

I have the honour to be sir,

Your obedient servant,

A F Elliott Capt R.A.M.C.

M.O. i/c 8th East Lancs Regiment

[Account of the infantry returning to Arras along the main road:

On the left infantry were coming back, dirty, unshaved, their tattered clothes white with chalk and grey with mud, their faces sallow with exhaustion. They shuffled blindly along in single file, their eyes on the ground. They paused and staggered on the uneven pavé. They never turned when a hurrying ambulance hooted behind them, but lurched heavily to the side. They never looked up; they were too tired even to face this wan light. Each was a lonely secretive figure, its mind turned inward, desperately drawing the shrivelled soul back to life. 1.]

[The capture of Monchy-le-Preux was made notable by the Army and the British press as a great breakthrough – five miles of ground taken in just three days. 2.]

1. Chapman, G., A Passionate Prodigality p. 151 (Nicholson and Watson: 1933)

2. Barker, S. & Boardman, C., Lancashire’s Forgotten Heroes p.120 (The History Press: 2008)