Saturday 12th June 1915

Priestley’s Company arrived at Whitehill Camp, from where they would spend the following days firing their musketry courses on the ranges at Longmoor and Whitehill. Priestley observed the increased urgency of the training as, “We were on the big ranges day long there – Saturday and Sunday as well”. As these musketry exercises were undertaken by half the Battalion at a time (see 8^th June), it is unclear whether Tunstill’s Company were actually at Whitehill at this point, but their experiences must have been similar to those which Priestley related in letters and postcards written to his family over the next few days.

CQMS George Reginald Percy (see 13^th April) was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant and left Tunstill’s Company to join the Royal Engineers.

It seems likely (though the precise date has not been established) that it was at this point, following the departure of Percy, that Lance Corporal Frank Stephenson (see 18^th May) was promoted Company Quartermaster Sergeant; he certainly held this post by the end of the month. Stephenson also had as one of his clerks, whom he later described as ‘my right hand man”, Pte. Arthur Bearpark (see 13^th April); Bearpark was promoted Corporal.

Sgt. John William Headings (see 4th March) was promoted Company Sergeant Major.

CSM John William Headings (standing).
(Photo by kind permission of Jill Monk)