At long last the weather took a turn for the better and the day was generally quiet. However, exchanges of artillery fire were to become a regular feature of this tour in the trenches. In the afternoon British guns shelled the German lines; the War Diary reported that, “the shells fell with accuracy and were very effective”. In response, German artillery shelled Erquinghem, with around forty 5.9 inch shells landing in the town, but causing few casualties. Once again, German aeroplanes were in evidence over the British lines. As on the previous night, conditions were generally quiet overnight, but one man was killed and another wounded (neither of them from ‘A’ Company; the man killed was Pte. Anthony Hudson (13379); he was a 38 year-old weaver, originally from Padiham, but had been living in Barnoldswick, and had been an original member of the Battalion. He was buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery, Chapelle d’Armentieres. His brother, Pte. William Hudson, had been killed in action in December 1914 with 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancs.
There was a round
of promotions in Tunstill’s Company, following on from the departure of CSM
Harry Dewhirst (see 29th November). Sgt. Alfred Lodge (see 7th
April) replaced Dewhirst as Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class
II; in turn, his appointment as Sergeant went to Cpl. Billy Oldfield (see 25th
September). L. Cpl. John Hartley (see
21st August) was promoted Corporal and Pte. George Oversby (see 9th
September 1914) was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.
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| Sgt. Alfred Lodge |
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