The Division had been continually in the line since February, had fought for three days in the battle of 9-12th April, and had had only forty-eight hours' rest before again taking over a battle front. In these circumstances the battle of Roeux and the "Comical" works, as the Jocks called it, gave abundant evidence of the magnificent fighting qualities of the troops.
During this battle the Divisional rear headquarters on the St Nicolas-Bailleul road--in which the "A" and "Q" offices and a rear signal office had been established--received a direct hit from a 9-inch high-velocity gun. The signal office was destroyed, several men and horses of the signal company were killed and wounded, and ten motor bicycles were so damaged as to require replacing.
During the month of April 1917 the casualties sustained by the Division were severe. They were as follows:--
Officers 66 140 8 Other ranks 828 2972 482
--a total of 214 officers and 4382 other ranks.
Of individual units the following suffered most severely during the month:--
6th Seaforth Highlanders 16 officers and 508 other ranks 6th Gordon Highlanders 25 " " 491 " " 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 22 " " 499 " " 4th Gordon Highlanders 24 " " 575 " "
while the 5th Gordon Highlanders lost 9 officers killed and the 7th Black Watch 8.
Amongst the wounded were Major Rowbotham, M.C., 9th Royal Scots; Lieut.-Colonel S. R. M'Clintock, 4th Gordon Highlanders; Lieut.-Colonel J. Dawson, D.S.O., 6th Gordon Highlanders. The latter was severely wounded by a machine-gun bullet while gallantly directing the advance of his leading company. Colonel Dawson's wound kept him out of the field for the remainder of the war, the Division thus losing one of its most brilliant commanding officers.
After the completion of the relief of the Division, the following message was sent to General Harper by Lieut.-General Sir Charles Fergusson, commanding the XVIIth Corps:--
"I wish to express to the Division through you my congratulations on the splendid work which they have done in the recent fighting, especially on Monday, 23rd April.
"Had it not been for the fine fighting spirit of the Division, the result might easily have been disadvantageous to us. I am proud and delighted with the Division, as they may be themselves with the grand fight they put up, and I know when they are rested and reorganised they will be keen to add to their reputation."