The 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (Accrington Pals) was to reach its assembly positions by 1.30am on 1st July 1916. At the head of the battalion, No. 6 Platoon (X Company) was to turn north at the eastern end of Excema trench, and move into Sap 'D'. Following behind, No. 5 Platoon (X Company) was to take up the front-line positions between Excema and Mark Copse. Next in line would be No. 1 Platoon (W Company), which was to turn south at the eastern end of Excema and occupy positions as far as Matthew Copse. The first wave under the command of Captain Tough would be completed by No. 2 Platoon (W Company) which was to lead on at the end of Excema and occupy Sap 'C'. Battalion Headquarters was to follow No. 2 Platoon and would be located at the western end of Sap 'C'. The second wave under the command of Captain Livesey was formed from the remaining platoons of W and X companies, together with machine gunners and pioneers whose objective was to garrison two strongpoints in the German fourth line (Serre Trench). No. 8 Platoon (X Company), together with an N.C.O. and twelve men from the 1st Barnsley Pals, an N.C.O. and six men of the Machine Gun Company, and an N.C.O. and four men from the Pioneer Battalion, was to turn north out of Excema into Copse Trench, and would be followed by No. 7 Platoon (X Company). Behind them, No. 3 Platoon (W Company), together with an N.C.O. and twelve men from the 1st Barnsley Pals, an N.C.O. and six men of the Machine Gun Company, and an N.C.O. and four men from the Pioneer Battalion, would turn south out of Excema into Copse Trench, followed by No. 4 Platoon (W Company). Two platoons from the 1st Barnsley Pals were then to turn north out of Excema to occupy Ration Trench.  Map of the intended assembly positions by platoon between Matthew Copse (MW) and Mark Copse (MK), 1st July 1916. The third wave under Lieutenant Williams was to form up in Campion Trench. No. 14 Platoon (Z Company) followed by No. 13 Platoon (Z Company) and No. 12 Platoon (Y Company) would occupy the trench north of Excema, while No. 11 Platoon (Y Company) would occupy the trench south of Excema. The fourth wave under Captain Riley was to occupy Monk Trench north from the junction with Excema, and was formed from the remaining platoons of Y and Z companies, together with machine gunners and pioneers whose objective was to help garrison three strongpoints on the eastern and southern ends of Serre village. No. 16 Platoon (Z Company) would lead the way into Monk, followed by No. 15 Platoon (Z Company), No. 10 Platoon (Y Company), together with an N.C.O. and four men from the Pioneer Battalion, and an N.C.O. and six men of the Machine Gun Company, and No. 9 Platoon (Y Company), together with two N.C.O.s and twelve men of the Machine Gun Company, and two N.C.O.s and eight men from the Pioneer Battalion. In reality, by the time Lieutenant-Colonel Rickman led the battalion into the front line trenches at 2.40am, orders had been given that Sap 'C' and Sap 'D' were not to be occupied. Rickman accordingly placed the four platoons of the first wave into the partially blow-in fire bays of the front line and into the traffic trench that ran directly behind. The advance would begin at 7.20am. Email author:
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