'At 9.00pm on 20th July 1917, Bombardier Lynch (Transferred to the Signal Company on the 24th July 1917) and Sapper Whitelaw proceeded to lay a line connecting 3rd Artillery Brigade H.Q. to H.Q. of Battalion in Ploegsteert Wood, which was urgently required for purpose of a special bombardment. At 9.30pm the enemy commenced a heavy bombardment of the area, through which the line passed, with high explosive and gas shell. The line was constantly cut, requiring repairs, and in places relaying. The line was through by midnight, but until 5.00am, when hostile shelling ceased, constant work was necessary to keep it through. At 10.30pm Sapper Whitelaw was blown up by a shell and slightly wounded, and by this time both men were also suffering from the effects of gas poisoning, but still carried on. Owing to the efforts of Bombardier Lynch and Sapper Whitelaw communication was maintained during the special bombardment. They did not leave their work until 5.00am, by which time the cessation of hostile shelling rendered their presence unnecessary.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 17 September 1917