"Captain Bradbury, who had been walking behind the guns giving orders and encouraging the men to fight to the last like true R.H.A. soldiers, was killed. Lieutenant Giffard, although seriously wounded, continued at his post of duty, telling the gunners to 'stick it,' and refusing to leave until he was practically forced by some of our men to seek cover behind a haystack. All the other officers were killed, and all our sergeants were dead with the exception of one. But a fine last stand was made at that last gun by Gunner Derbyshire and Driver Osborne, under the orders of Battery Sergeant-Major Dorrell. Quite unconcernedly they continued their duty--Driver Osborne, although wounded in the back, supplying the ammunition; and Gunner Derbyshire firing the gun, apparently unaffected by being hurled from his feet two or three times, owing to the great force of impact as shells struck the ground near at hand.
"Other survivors had been ordered to take cover, and it was no pleasant experience to crawl like snakes, as we did, through a very muddy mangold-wurzel field, especially when you have only shirt and trousers on. However, that didn't hurt us. Meanwhile I Battery of the R.H.A., stationed about two miles to our rear, evidently realizing the true state of affairs, gave the Germans a hot taste of British gunnery--so hot, in fact, that everyone of the Kaiser's guns was silenced. Then cavalry (of the 1st Brigade) and a force of the Middlesex attacked; the German guns were captured, and over six hundred prisoners were taken. To the end Gunner Derbyshire and Driver Osborne held out, and although the only comment of each is, 'I only did my duty,' the battery is naturally proud that they have been recommended for the Victoria Cross."
I cannot leave this incident without quoting the fine verses which appeared in the _Times_ shortly after the glorious valour of Battery L was reported in England. They are worth learning by heart.
Battery L of the R.H.A.-- Oh, the cold gray light o' the dawn-- Woke as the mists were wreathing pale, Woke to the moan of the shrapnel hail; Battery L of the R.H.A. Sprang to their guns in the dawn.
Six guns all at the break o' day-- Oh, the crash of the shells at dawn-- And out of the six guns only one, Left for the fight ere the fight's begun, Battery L of the R.H.A. Swung her round in the dawn.