Tuesday 18th April 1916

Billets at Ourton

The day, which was wet, was spent, as per Lt. Col. Hayne’s orders, in “general cleaning up and interior economy”. Orders were issued in preparation for a further move next day.

L.Cpl. William Munday (see 3^rd January) was promoted (Acting) Corporal.

Pte. Ernest Carter (see 2^nd April), attached to 69^th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, was discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques and returned to duty, following treatment for dental caries.

Pte. John William Pontefract, serving with 1^st Battalion Honourable Artillery Company, was promoted Lance Corporal; he would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR. Pontefract was the younger of two surviving children (two other children had died) of Sam and Jane Pontefract. His father had been manager of a woollen mill in Huddersfield and John been apprenticed in the same industry before enlisting, aged 20, on 27^th January 1915. He was exceptionally tall by contemporary standards at 6 feet 2 ¼ inches, although his physical development was described as only ‘fair’ in his initial medical examination. He had arrived in France on 1^st July 1915 and been slightly wounded in the hand on 21^st September, being treated in hospital at Rouen for before re-joining his unit.

John William Pontefract (middle of front row, with ball at his feet) pictured with 69th Brigade football team in 1917.
(Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton)