Tuesday 22nd February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

There was a heavy fall of snow and a sudden interruption to the established routine late in the day when orders were received that “all training be suspended and that the Battalion must be held in readiness to move off at a moment’s notice”. In the words of the official Divisional History, “It looked as if the Division was be given a ‘side-slip’ on this flat and dreary front in place of the rest which they had confidently expected”.

Pte. John Dinsdale (see 12^th February), who had been under treatment for “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to the fingers of both hands, was transferred from 18^th General Hospital at Camiers, onboard No.3 Ambulance Train, to 6^th Convalescent Depot at Etaples, from where he would (date and details unknown) re-join the Battalion.

L.Cpl. Matthew Best (see 8^th February) who had suffered an accidental injury to his chest during training in January and  had been in hospital, was passed fit and ordered to be sent to the Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

L.Cpl. Matthew Best