Thursday 23rd December 1915

Divisional Reserve at Rue Dormoire.

Heavy rain continued to fall making living conditions increasingly difficult. Conditions even in the rest camps could be extremely difficult. Lt. Dick Bolton (see 12^th November) described how, “Some of the rest camps were poor and uncomfortable. One consisted of painted canvas sheets slung over rails with a little straw underfoot. The ends of these homes consisted of sacks, boards or any other material that the temporary inhabitants could find. Biscuits were often issued as part of the bread ration. Many men used them as fuel to burn in braziers, whilst themselves buying yard-long French loaves to eat”. 

There was, however, some consolation for some of the officers and men. For a lucky few there was the prospect of leave to England, which had recently been introduced for the first time since the Battalion had arrived in France in August (see 5^th December). Lt. Daniel William Paris Foster (see 24^th February), RSM John William Headings, (see 3^rd December), CQMS Frank Stephenson (see 31^st August) L.Cpls. Josias Bailey (see 20^th August) and Matthew Best (see 16^th May) and Pte. Albert Nixon (see 5^th September), are known to have been home for Christmas, having been granted one week’s leave from 23^rd December. The issue of leave would become a cause of significant discontent, especially as there was a major discrepancy between the opportunities open to the men as opposed to the leave enjoyed by the officers of the Battalion. Capt. Tunstill himself had been home on leave in early December; Lt. Bolton was to be granted a week’s leave from 2^nd January and Maj. Hildyard went home on 7^th January, whereas as late as June J.B. Priestley would complain to his family, “Ten months out here and no signs of a leave; it’s a shame! Some of the officers have been three times”.

Cpl. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 1^st June) was promoted Lance Sergeant.

Pte. Frank William Rabjohn was awarded seven days’ Field Punishment no.2; the nature of his offence is unknown. He was an original member of the Battalion, having enlisted at the age of 20 when working as a fitter’s labourer in Sheffield.

Pte. Thomas Ward (see 18^th December) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance, suffering from a mild case of ‘trench foot’; he would be discharged to duty five days later.