Monday 14th February 1916

Billets at Fort Rompu.

The Battalion began its move back into Corps Reserve; this necessitated a 22 mile march to Steenbecque which was to be completed in two stages. The move began in heavy rain; Battalion transport, carrying kit and equipment moved off during the afternoon, but the men, in marching order and wearing their greatcoats, did not depart from Fort Rompu until 9.45 pm and marched overnight, crossing the River Lys at Croix du Bac and on via Steenwerck and Le Verrier, arriving at Vieux Berquin at 3 am on 14^th.  

Ptes. Walter Charlesworth and John William Varnham  were both admitted to an ‘isolation hospital’ (details unknown); they would spend ten days in hospital before being discharged and re-joining the Battalion. Both men were original members of the Battalion. Walter Charlesworth had enlisted in Huddersfield in September 1914, aged 19 and working as a clerk. John William Varnham was a 20 year-old labourer from Halifax.

Pte. Tom Darwin (see 13^th February), who had originally been taken ill ten days earlier, was transferred from 8 Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul to the Australian General Hospital at Wimereux for further treatment.

Sgt. Henry Herbert Calvert (see 23^rd January), serving at 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples was transferred for duty at 16^th Infantry Base Depot, also at Etaples.

Maj. Harry Hildyard (see 11^th February), who had been on sick leave since early January, reported for duty with 11^th Battalion West Ridings at Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffs.

A payment of £4 16s. 5d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances for the late Pte. Hildred Woodhouse (see 3rd November 1915), who had been killed when a dugout had collapsed in November 1915; the payment would go to his father, Arthur.