Saturday 6th May 1916

Billets at Pernes

On another very hot day the Battalion was inspected by Major General Sir James Babington, commanding 23^rd Division. Working parties were provided for IV Corps School and the remainder of the men employed in training.

Following his infraction of military discipline two days’ earlier, it was ordered that L.Cpl. Christopher Longstaff (see 4^th May) should revert to the rank of Private.

Pte. John William Addison (see 17^th March) was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance at Bruay to 18^th Casualty Clearing Station at Lapugnoy, suffering from influenza and debility.

John Henry Hitchin (see 27^th April) appeared at Tower Bridge Magistrate’s Court, having surrendered himself to the authorities at some point in the previous few days, charged with presenting forged cheques at the Waterloo Hotel, York Road, Lambeth, and obtaining board and lodging by false pretences. Evidence was given that Hitchin, who had been reported absent without leave from the Army on 29^th December 1915, had stayed at the hotel from January 27th until February 7th. He had worn the uniform of a lieutenant and had told hotel staff that he had been promoted captain. He was alleged to have cashed a cheque for £10, and borrowed £5 on an I.O.U., which he repaid by giving a cheque for £12 12s. 10d. when he left, the balance of £7 12s. 10d. being the amount of his bill. The cheques were subsequently dishonoured; Hitchin had signed them in the surname of a fellow officer, but the signature was found to be quite different. Hitchin’s  own account at Cox's Bank was overdrawn.

Hitchin was defended by Mr. Percy Robinson, who suggested that in view of the sad and peculiar circumstances of the case, the Magistrate might see his way to allow it to be withdrawn. Hitchin’s family, he said, were highly respectable. He told the Court that prior to the war Hitchin had been employed at a bank in Settle, and bore the highest character. At the outbreak of hostilities he had joined the Army, and his conduct was so satisfactory that he had been granted a commission. The obtaining of that commission, however, had been his downfall. He had mixed with people “of a higher class and extravagant habits, and for some time he undoubtedly led a fast life”.  He further told the Court that a few days after leaving his hotel Hitchin had been suddenly taken ill in the Strand, had collapsed, and had been to Charing Cross Hospital, and afterwards to the military hospital at Millbank, where he had been operated on for appendicitis. Mr. Robinson then assured the Magistrate that, whatever happened, full restitution would be made to the proprietor of the hotel.

The Magistrate, Mr. Cecil Chapman, having read a letter from Hitchin’s mother, said he felt very sympathetic and touched by the circumstances of the case. However, he reminded everyone that “the matter was a grave one”, and he remanded Hitchin in custody for another week.

Aidan Nicholson (see 25^th April), having been dismissed from his officer training course, was formally relegated to Class B Army Reserve as being “of insufficient physique”. However he was told, as he later recalled, “when I should be of sufficient physique, I should be allowed to resume my course”. He would later serve with 10DWR.