An extract from the Diary of Robert Lindsay Mackay of the 11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Martinpuich British Cemetery was begun in November 1916 and used by fighting units and Field Ambulances until June 1917, and again at the end of August 1918.

On 14 July 1916 at 03.25 twenty thousand men of the 3rd and 7th Divisions moved forward up Caterpillar Valley to attack Delville Wood, whilst the 21st Division advanced on and captured Bazentin-le-Petit Wood.

On 28 July 1916, 82nd Field Company Royal Engineers received orders to march to Mametz Wood.  They were to take over from the 94th Field Company Royal Engineer who had just completed the construction of a 300 yard communication trench to the 57th Brigade who at the time had been cut off for 24 hours in the village of Bazentin-le-Petit.