"On September 11 the Battalion was camped outside Mametz Wood, southwest of Bazentin-le-Petit. The next day orders were given that the enemy was to be attacked, simultaneously by the Fourth Army and the Reserve Army, together with the French. The aim was to capture Morval, Guedecourt and Flers. On 12 September the 2 Otagos took up position near high Wood, northeast of Bazentin-le-Petit." (Church, p.112)

Three days later William Cooper was wounded in his head and back, after having endured 60 hours of incessant rain and mud up to his knees. On 23 September he was transferred to No.1 NZGH, Brockenhurst, he died one week later.(Church, p.112) AWMM