Monday 27th March 1916

Billets at Sains-en-Gohelle (Coron Fosse 10)

A dull day, with more working parties provided for the Royal Engineers.

The Battalion was inspected by General Sir James Babington, commanding 23^rd Division. The inspection included also the presentation of the gallantry awards earned in the action on 9^th March. Capt. Tunstill wrote to his wife, Geraldine, about the events and encouraging here to spread the news as widely as possible, which she did by forwarding her husband’s letter to the Craven Herald;

“The General is having a special parade today to give Lieut. G. Heale (one of the officers, 10^th West Ridings) (see 9^th March) the Military Cross, and Kayley Earnshaw (see 23^rd March) the D.C.M. We are so delighted about Kayley, do tell everyone in Malhamdale about it, and how well he deserves it too. He is the first of my men to win the D.C.M. although there are many others who have earned it again and again. It is really wonderful to see that he is always so cheerful and happy, all through the greatest hardships and privations, under very trying conditions, and I feel more proud of my company each day. Kayley's fellow Dalesmen will be as proud of him as we all are, and will wish both him and the rest of us a safe return home“.

When Earnshaw himself wrote home he was understated and modest about his achievement,

“We have had a general inspection. The General shook hands with me and told me I was getting the D.C.M. sometime in the future; so my chest is beginning to expand already. I wish they would get the job over with, but judging by the papers it looks like a lot of married men are having to come out yet. I received a congratulatory message from the Colonel yesterday to say I have been awarded the medal. You will no doubt want to know what for. Well, I suppose it was for digging a gun out that had been blown up by a shell, and getting it into working order again, and bandaging wounded under heavy shell fire. I am not very good at describing things, but we had rather a warm time."

Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw, pictured wearing his DCM ribbon
By kind permission of Sue Lugton

Lt. G.R.C. Heale, MC

Pte. Farrand Kayley (see 14^th March), brother of Tunstill’s recruits James and Job Kayley (see 14^th January), joined 1^st/6^th Battalion West Ridings as a transport driver.