'On the 7th and 8th June was in charge of 3rd (Rifle) Brigade line party at the Brigade Forward Station near Messines, and after about Zero, 6 hours he also took charge and controlled the party on the lines to the Forward Station from the Cable Head. During the whole of 7th June the fire was so heavy that it was impossible to keep continuous communication, the longest single spell for which lines were working being two hours. On the 8th fire was less heavy but the whole area was constantly dangerous. Sergt Poff was out over the lines at short intervals from the time the Forward Station was established until the Brigade was called behind the line late on the evening of the 8th June. His courage and cheerful coolness set an admirable example to the linesmen under him and was of the greatest value. This NCO was noted for good work at the Somme battle, but he was not recommended then for reward. During the eight months since the Division left the Somme, his work has been uniformly good and his cheerfulness under all conditions contagious.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 16 August 1917