waist high in mud. Yet through all this you never lost heart and were as keen as ever for the fight. I am proud to know I have you under my command, and I have that feeling that I know I can call on you to do anything & go anywhere, that you will never fail me.] [Insert: manuscript pages of notes for speech by WDS to 61st Brigade 61st Brigade I have asked General D to give me this opportunity of telling you [how] magnificently you fought during the battle of Guillemont. Although you were in reserve at the commencement of the objective it was not long before you were absorbed in the fighting & the Brigades whom you supported are warm in their praise of your behaviour & courage. This little village of Guillemont has held up the British Army for some considerable time & although British infantry have succeeded in penetrating the village on more than one occasion they were unable to hold on to it on account of the heavy shelling & German counter attacks. With your help we were able to do what other brave troops have failed to do & it should be a red letter day for all who took part in it. The few days you were in the trenches before the attack were possibly some of the worst you had