Thursday 5th August 1915

In late July (the precise date has not been established) the whole of 23^rd Division, including Tunstill’s Company, had begun their period of leave, prior to embarkation for active service; this was divided into two separate periods, each of one week’s leave for the men concerned. From the few details which have been pieced together, it appears likely that Tunstill’s Company took their leave in the second period, commencing around 12^th August. J.B. Priestley later recalled this as having been, “a brief last leave, spent mostly in crowded trains”.

Pte. William Baxter (see 14^th May) was reported for not having returned from is period of leave; he was due to have returned by 11pm but would remain absent until “apprehended by the Civil Police in London” on 9th August. On returning to the Battalion he would be confined to barracks for 14 days and forfeit seven days’ pay.

Pte. Albert Nixon (see 11^th July) was also reported, by Cpl. Atkinson, as ‘absent off pass from 11pm’; he would report at 10.30pm on 9^th August and, on the orders of Lt. Col. Bartholomew he would be confined to barracks for 14 days and deprived of seven days’ pay.