Friday 26th May 1916

Front line trenches west of Angres

Another fine, quiet morning although five more high explosive shells fell just behind ‘A’ Company’s positions, causing no casualties. Orders were received for the Battalion to be relieved; the relief began at 2.30pm and was completed, without casualties, by 6pm. The Battalion did not, however, return to their former billets in Sains-en-Gohelle, but was withdrawn only as far as the reserve trenches east of Bully Grenay, moving out by platoons, with 150 yards distance between platoons. Once established, in the evening Lt. Dick Bolton (see 25^th May) reported machine gun fire directed against ‘A’ Company’s positions, “fired at frequent intervals, traversing the whole front, starting at about 9.30pm.

Pte. Thomas Delaney was admitted to to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques, suffering from “I.C.T.” (inflammation of the connective tissue) to his left foot. He was a 23 year-old dyer’s labourer (working at Aykroyd’s Dyeworks) from Bradford and had enlisted in September 1914, along with his younger brother, Pte. John Delaney, who had actually been only 17 when he enlisted, and had been working as a rag packer.

The Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Wilfred Leveson Henderson (see 23rd March), wrote to the mother of Pte. Ernest Dawson who had been killed two days previously (see 26^th May): “Another name has been added to our country’s roll of honour, and it is one which will bring home to you the sadness of war. I suppose you have already heard the sad news of the death of your son but I wish to tell you how much we all sympathise with you. He was killed last Wednesday by a trench mortar and we buried him last night in a soldiers’ cemetery immediately behind the lines. A cross with his name and number will be put over the grave, and his grave for ever kept sacred and reverently cared for. Both officers and men join with me in expressing their sympathy. Your son will be much missed by his comrades in the battalion. I know how difficult it is to say words of comfort to a mother, but, deep as your sorrow may be, I feel that there can be no bitterness in it. The mothers of England are proud of their sons today and justly proud that they should have given up all they hold dear to follow the call of duty and you too must feel that pride in your son. You must rejoice at the splendid sacrifice he has made. “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”. Our sympathy and prayers are with you. God bless and comfort you.”

Pte. George Edward Western (see 14^th May), who had suffered abdominal wounds twelve days’ previously, was transferred to 2^nd General Hospital in Le Havre.

Four men from the Battalion were transferred from 23^rd Casualty Clearing Station at Lozinghem to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques for further treatment for dental caries. They were Ptes. Edwin Baldwin (see 3^rd May), George Illingworth (see 3^rd May), Tom Nixon (11904) (see 3^rd May) and Harry Smith (15201) (see 3^rd May). Ptes. Baldwin, Illingworth and Nixon would be treated for four days and Pte. Smith for eight; all would be discharged to 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to re-joining 10DWR.

Pte. Frank Hargrave (see 7^th April), who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company, but latterly with 9DWR, was released from hospital and transferred to no.17 Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to re-joining his unit.