The following day the 82nd Field Company Royal Engineers constructed field defence strongpoints around Bazentin-le-Petit for the 57th Brigade in preparation for a forthcoming operation.
The ‘Nine Brave Men’ were part of 3 Section 82nd Field Company Royal Engineers and during the night of July 29 they moved to Bazentin-le-Petit with the Company who were supported by the infantry.
During the night the infantry support was withdrawn in order to prepare for an attack the next day. This left the Section to continue constructing the strongpoints under direct enemy fire at this point (named Crucifix Corner) until the task was complete.
Six men from the Section were killed and a further three badly injured who subsequently died from their injuries. All displayed outstanding courage whilst under direct enemy fire during the task.
This memorial stone was erected by Lieutenant Colonel RFA Butterworth, Royal Engineers who at the time of the action was the Company Commander of the 82nd Field Company Royal Engineers. After this tragic incident he was posted away, however he came back with his Adjutant and two sappers in November 1917 to erect this memorial.
Bricks were used from the ruined buildings in the village and the Memorial Stone made of granite was engraved in the Divisional Workshops at Canada Corner, near Mount Kemmel.
