Comrade Copeman assisted him over the rough country, across hill and 
dale, through olive groves and through vineyards for three kilometres 
to get to the road. 
About 8,30 that evening we got a report that our Commander had 
three wounds, two in his left arm and one in his side and that he 
was doing as well as could be expected. The news cheered us because 
we had to tell all the comrades in the Battalion how “Jock” as he was 
called, was getting on. He had a great way with the Battalion and 
was sadly missed.

Comrade Wattis Scores 

(As told by D. R. Davies) 

The Fascists had got a section of the trenches on our left. 
We at once started to dig a trench, parallel to the sector held by Fa- 
scists. I kept guard at the tree towards which the trench was being dug. 
At intervals we were sprayed by machine gun fire, and the men had to lie 
down in the shallow holes they had dug. Since it was an intensely 
dark night, we could not be seen, and luckily the fire all missed its 
mark, and none of us were hurt. 
At daybreak the trench was more or less completed and a heavy 
barrage of rifle fire broke out. The machine gun which we had 
brought up previously, after firing a few rounds, jammed, and we were 
compelled to rely solely on our rifles as the distance was too far for 
bomb throwing. 
Comrade Wattis had taken command and proceeded to a position 
outside our trench, in no man’s land, where a small earthwork provided 
cover. This was the spot where Comrade Cunningham was wounded 
the night before. This position we improved by a little digging, and 
Comrade Wattis commenced to snipe from there with one other comrade. 
I reconnoitred for a while. In the interval, a comrade had been 
killed at the side of Comrade Wattis, at the sniper’s post, and Comrade 
Wattis had a bullet right through his beret, which cut off a lock of his 
hair. 
By this time, all the English had gone away, except we three, and 
Graham then returned to Company Headquarters. Comrade Wattis 
requested Shammah and myself to man the sniping position, where 
one man had already been killed and two wounded. Comrade Wattis 
displayed extreme bravery by staying in this position. 

93