Old German Trenches near Madame Wood showing the remains of a barricade erected by the Germans to ...

Old German Trenches near Madame Wood showing the remains of a barricade erected by the Germans to impede the progress of hostile bombing parties. The trenches in this area were so numerous and interwoven that communication existed between all lines. The sap seen in the photograph is where a party of the 16th Battalion, under Lieutenant (Lt) Lawrence (Laurence) Dominic McCarthy, forced back a German bombing party that had penetrated the lines of some British troops. Lt McCarthy demonstrated conspicuous gallantry for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).