Lochnagar crater stands on high ground with Sausage Valley to its south, named after the 'sausages' - German observation balloons - above it. To the north was Mash Valley, attacked by 2nd Battalion The Middlesex regiment. Lieutenant Alfred Bundy was with them.

'Went over the top at 7.30 am after what seemed an interminable period of terrible apprehension. Our artillery seemed to increase in intensity and the German guns opened up on No Man's Land. The din was deafening, the fumes choking and visibility limited owing to the dust and clouds caused by exploding shells. It was a veritable inferno.

I was momentarily expecting to be blown to pieces. My platoon continued to advance in good order without many casualties until we had reached nearly half way to the Boche front line. I saw no sign of life there. Suddenly however an appalling rifle and machine-gun fire opened against us and my men commenced to fall. I shouted 'down' but most of those that were still not hit had already taken what cover they could find.'

Malcolm Brown, The Imperial War Museum Book of The Somme