The 11th Division, advancing on the southern side of the Poelcapelle road (with the 4th Division on its left advancing on the northern side), stormed the western half of the village and captured the whole of its objective. In this sector the 6th Battalion (Pioneers) were, as usual, at work on the communications: " Companies stood by early in the morning," records the Battalion Diary, " awaiting results of the attack which took place. They were ordered out to work on forward roads at 9 a.m. Weather wet and very unpromising."
THE BATTLE OF POELCAPELLE.
9th October.
In this battle, which took place on 9th October, on a front of 6th Bn. over six miles from a point east of Zonnebeke to the junction of the French and British lines north-west of Langemarck, the 11th Division fought its way forward in the face of great opposition to the eastern outskirts of Poelcapelle village. But to their work during this operation the Pioneers (6th Battalion) in their Battalion Diary make only brief reference : " Companies continued on road work. Heavy hostile shelling during the morning preventing the Companies working until 11.15 a.m. Casualties, 1 other rank wounded." The Battalion Diary of 6th East Yorkshires records that on 8th October one officer died of wounds; his name is not given, but according to the War Office List it was presumably 2nd Lieutenant W. R. Sawyer. Captain O. Varley slightly wounded. Captain H. P. S. Buckley died of wounds 29th May, and znd-Lieutenant J. P. Watson.
Bron: the East Yorkshire Regiment in the Great War, 1914-1918; door Wyrall E.
