Wednesday 5th May 1915

Pte. John Edward Emmott, brother of Tunstill’s Men, Ptes. William Hartley Emmott and Tom Emmott (see 17^th March), was reported missing in action whilst serving in France with 2^nd Battalion West Riding Regiment. His Battalion had been holding positions at Hill 60 when they were subjected to a gas attack by the Germans. The 2^nd Battalion War Diary reported that this attack, “had disastrous effects … nearly all the men were badly asphyxiated and large numbers died from the effect … the Battalion had to vacate Hill 60 and trenches 40, 43, 45 on account of their being practically no men left to hold them”. John Edward Emmott was subsequently presumed killed in action. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.

At least three former members of Tunstill’s Company had joined 2^nd Battalion in the previous few days; their involvement in the events of 5^th May is unknown. The three men were Lance Corporal Frederick Griggs (see 4^th May) and Ptes. Walter Shackleton and Walter White (see 2^nd May).