Monday, 11th January 1915

The eight Earby men who had been posted to serve with Tunstill’s Company were entertained at the local Conservative Club whilst home on leave (see 7^th January). The event was reported in the Craven Herald:

EARBY

Kitchener’s Men Feted

On Monday evening eight of the Earby Pals who have been home on furlough from Aldershot were entertained to supper at the Conservative Club, of which they were all members prior to enlistment. Their names are: Ptes James Pilkington, Reginald Watson, Willie Gaunt, Edgar Shuttleworth, Wright Firth, Thomas Tuley, Allan Wharton and James Walker. The supper was provided by the Misses Holgate, confectioners, Water Street, to whose catering the highest compliments were paid. The company, of whom about 60 were present, afterwards adjourned upstairs to the Albion Hall where the “fleeting hours” sped in a most convivial manner under the genial chairmanship of Mr. Walter Willis. Music, both vocal and instrumental, was interspersed with speeches. Patriotic fervour was the order of the evening which was brought to a close at about 3.30 am, by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”. The toast of the evening, wishing the Pals, “Good health, God speed and a safe return” was submitted by Mr. C. Francis, supported by Mr. W. Watson and responded to by Ptes. Gaunt, Firth and Shuttleworth. Songs, chiefly of a patriotic flavour, were contributed by Mr. Herbert Lord, Messrs. J.W. Blackburn, P. Wormwell and Ptes. E. Shuttleworth and R. Watson; cornet solos by Mr. Edwin Firth and Mr. Squire Firth and recitations by Mr. Willie Watson.

Leonard Fox was released from hospital following his treatment for scabies (see 2^nd January).