Saturday 3rd June 1916

Bouvigny Huts

There was an interruption to the settled routine of the previous days when, at 8pm an SOS was received from 68^th Brigade holding the line near Souchez. However, despite a German bombardment of the line, nothing further occurred and the alarm was withdrawn 45 minutes later. The alarm was most likely associated with a trench raid which was carried out by 13^th Durham Light Infantry overnight.

Pte. Michael Henry Rourke (see 15^th April) was again in trouble for “insolence to an NCO”; on this occasion he was reported by Sgt. David Frederick McKrill (see below) and Sgt. Taylor (unidentified); on the orders of Capt. John Atkinson (see 5^th May) he was to be confined to barracks for seven days.

David Frederick McKrill was an original member of the Battalion; he had been promoted Lance Corporal while the Battalion was still in England and further promoted to Sergeant whilst in France. He was 27 years old and from Middlesbrough, where he had worked as a clerk before enlisting.


Following ten days’ treatment for ‘synovitis to right knee’, Pte. Albert Saville (see 19^th May) was discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques and would re-join the Battalion.

Pte. John Etchells (see 19^th May), serving at the Regimental Depot at Halifax, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of TB contracted whilst in service; he was assessed as having suffered a 20% disability and was awarded an Army pension of £1 per week.

The London Gazette published notice of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to L.Cpl. Albert Simpson (see 10^th April); the citation stated that the award recognised “conspicuous gallantry when rescuing a wounded man who had become entangled in the wire under heavy fire. After dressing his wounds he carried him back into safety”. It is unclear exactly when and where this incident had taken place.

The weekly edition of the Keighley News carried a report of the death of Pte. Ernest Dawson (see 26^th May).

KEIGHLEY SOLDIERS KILLED IN ACTION

Private Ernest Dawson (28) West Riding Regiment, son of Mrs. Dawson of 16 Park Grove, Keighley, was killed in action by a trench mortar bomb on May 24. The news was contained in a letter from Captain J.C. Bull of the same regiment who, writing on May 24, said: “I expect you will have heard from the War Office that your son was killed today by a trench mortar bomb, but I felt I must write to you personally to say how sorry I am for you in your trouble. I have known your son since October 1914 at Frensham, and he was always a hard-working and good soldier and we shall miss him a great deal. Mr. Marks, his platoon officer, who was with him when he died, is partially trained as a doctor, and he assures me that your son suffered no pain. I hope that this fact and the knowledge that he died for his country may be some consolation, but please accept the sympathy of all the officers of this Company, for we all had a high opinion of your son’s soldierly spirit”.

A further letter has been received by Mrs. Dawson from Wilfred L. Henderson, chaplain of the battalion to which Dawson belonged. Writing on May 26 he said: “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”.

Private Dawson was a single man who enlisted at the outbreak of war and had been at the front about twelve months (sic.). Prior to enlistment he worked at the Post Office and formerly was employed as a barman at the Royal Hotel. He has twin brothers serving with the Colours and a brother-in-law, Private Charlie Taylor, the well-known Keighley footballer. Private Dawson was very well known in the town.