Australians and New Zealanders had their full share in it, but the shoulder to shoulder advance of the two Irish Divisions caught everyone's imagination: it was Ireland's day.
Then came through the message that Willie Redmond had fallen.
Ever since his illness in the previous summer he had been taken away from his work as company commander; at his age--fifty-six--he was probably the oldest man in any capacity with the Division.

A post was found for him on General Hickie's divisional staff which made him specially responsible for the comforts of the men, in trenches and out of trenches.

In the battles on the Somme he entreated hard to be let rejoin his battalion, but General Hickie issued peremptory orders which did not allow him to pass the first dressing-station.

Here, indeed, he was under terrible shell fire and saw many of his comrades struck down; but he was not content.

For this new battle he insisted that he must be in the actual advance.