Wednesday 5th January 1916

Front line trenches north of Rue du Bois.

It was reported that through the morning there was, “pronounced aerial activity”. There were further artillery exchanges; the Germans again focussed their attention on Chapelle d’Armentieres, while the British shelled the German lines and also sent some shells into Lille. Orders were received for the Battalion to prepare to be relieved next day by 9^th Yorkshires. Overnight, “rifle and machine gun fire was very active on both sides”.

L.Cpl. John Thomas Matthews (see 23^rd August 1915) was promoted Acting Corporal.

After weeks of administrative delays, it was finally confirmed that CSM Harry Dewhirst (see 1^st January) was to be sent back to England.

Pte. Charles Davey (see 11^th October 1915), who had been posted back to England three months previously (reason unknown), was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.