Over in Battalion HQ, Digby had gotten windthat something was amiss and that the enemy were infiltrating a portion of hisperimeter. After collecting some men, he set out to see for himself. 

Capt Frank, still under the bridge, sawDigby coming:

Digby Tatham-Warter came walking calmly across from Battalion HQ with hisbrolly, quite unconcerned about any danger. He was very angry with me forletting McDermont's platoon come back and ordered me to retake the house. 

From anupstairs window of a nearby building, Pte Morgan, who had a good view of proceedings,noticed that Digby was furious. He also noticed that Digby had acquired a newaccessory to compliment his umbrella–a bowler, that was now perched on his headin place of his beret that he had been wearing instead of his helmet.

From Brigade HQ, Freddie Gough had observedDigby leaving the neighbouring building of Battalion HQ. Gough had started thebattle in fine fettle, laughing and smiling behind his jeep’s K-guns as heploughed bullets into the Germans on the bridge during Gräbner’s attack. Butnow was a different matter, and even the most steadfast men like Gough werebeginning to feel the pressure. The appearance of the German armour hadhorrified him and his heart had sank when he saw what he described as ‘hugeMark IV’s thundering down the street’, firing into the buildings at point-blankrange. But Gough’s spirits were instantly raised when he saw Digbyheading outside. ‘I looked and then looked again’, said Gough, ‘There, out onthe street, was Tatham-Warter, leading his men. He had found an old bowlersomeplace and he was walking along, twirling a battered umbrella, looking forall the world like Charlie Chaplin.’

The sight of Digby in the bowler hat was toomuch for Gough, who, despite the seriousness of the situation, ‘roared withlaughter and went off to find John Frost. ‘”When I mentioned it to him”,’ notedGough, ‘John just smiled and said, “Oh, yes. Digby’s quite a leader”.’