At about 12.45am two platoons from ‘D’ Company, under the
command of Lt. Frederick Hird (see 28th July) commenced a
bombing attack up Munster Alley. They began their assault from around 20 yards
in rear of point 41, close to the junction of Munster Alley and O.G.2, with
orders to construct a barrier as far up as possible; they were supported by
fire from the two Lewis Guns under the charge of 2Lt. Bob Perks (see 28th
July). Hird led the advance personally with a bombing party of eight men.
They were followed, at a distance of 20 yards, by the remainder of no.13
platoon, with no.14 platoon following. Little opposition was met for about 60
yards, but then “the enemy vigorously counter-attacked with bombs with men
concealed in shell holes on either side of the trench and a party in the
trench”. Hird was killed and six of the bombing party wounded, and the platoons
were forced back to their original barricade behind point 41.
The Germans then maintained a concerted bombing assault on
the barricade for the next half hour. Hird having been killed, CSM Albert Edgar Palmer (see 28th July) “immediately
took command of no.13 platoon and, having re-organised it, remained throwing
bombs for several hours, being under heavy bomb fire throughout”. He was ably
assisted by Sgt. William Jones (see 28th July) who
“personally built up the greater part of the barricade and, although several
men near him were killed and wounded, continued to work with greatest bravery
and coolness until his work had been completed”. There was assistance also from
the party from ‘B’ Company who had been sent, the previous night, up towards
point 41. They were led by 2Lt. Perks who, according the official account “was
wounded in the face about 1am and was for a time insensible, but on recovering
continued to throw bombs until wounded seriously in the hand, foot and face
again. He throughout the operation showed the greatest gallantry and by his
magnificent example was largely responsible for our being able to hold and
consolidate the point gained in Munster Alley”.
Perks himself gave a vivid account of events ((I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for
her kind permission to quote from Bob Perks’ report),
“I was called away by the Company Commander on my left (Lt. Hird, commanding ‘D’ Company) who
had orders to push up Munster Alley.
This movement was meant to coincide with the Australian attack (see 28th July) but the
message was late and it was only carried out when the Bosche was relieved of
the fear of any Australians and could devote his time to us. Perhaps that was why we had such a warm
time. I was to hold my position as a
protection to the rear and flanks of the party from D Coy carrying out the
third British attempt to push up Munster Alley.
Like the other two it failed.
Various explanations are possible but all I know is after proceeding
very successfully at first the party suddenly returned minus their officer and
leading bombers – and returned with some haste with Bosche in hot pursuit. We tried to keep up a barrage of bombs and
rifle grenades behind and on the flanks of this party in spite of the flashes
and flying bits which showed the bombs were reaching us by now. The great danger was however from Munster
Alley and eventually the triumphant Bosches chasing down to what they thought
was an easy victory were stopped by two of my men who, although already
wounded, met them face to face at our original barrier and drove them
back. Of these two men one had to stop
through sheer inability to use his arm but as soon as a bit of bandage was put
on started again. I believe it was in
this first period that my leg was hurt, but I have never been very clear when
that happened – I hardly noticed until it stiffened later – but I do know that
I was wounded twice in the next ten minutes of an awful nightmare of flying
bits and flashes (near enough to be warm!) with the terribly obvious fact
continually before one that one’s life was at stake – worse all their lives
were at stake – the rapidly dwindling garrison must be kept
at it and kept at it properly and steadily until the Bosche gave way. This he did eventually and I found that
although I was only touched on the lip and finger, my power of talking (to
direct operations) was spoilt by the gory nature of my lip wound and my ability
to manipulate bombs was rapidly getting less owing to my stiffening
finger. I therefore asked for an officer
to be sent with the reinforcing men I expected.
These had hardly arrived when we indulged in more fireworks, the Boche
having returned and I got another touch on the lip. The display was not a very long one this time
and when all was quiet again, I handed over to two other officers and limped
thankfully away. I afterwards heard that
only a sergeant and three men of our party of 19* came back whole.” (*19 has been altered to 26 on a contemporary transcript
done by Robert’s father, Thomas Perks).
 |
2Lt. Robert Clement Perks
Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson
|
About 2am a second attempt was made to advance the position
along Munster Alley. 2Lt. Henry Herbert
Owen Stafford (see 25th
April) led a second bombing attack and gained about 30 yards before
encountering more stiff resistance from the Germans. However, Stafford’s party
were able to construct a new barricade at this point. It was reported that
Stafford, “was at the head of all our bombing parties at the barricade. His
bravery and exceedingly cheerful spirit was of the greatest value in cheering
on the bomb throwers when under exceedingly heavy bomb fire”. He was slightly
wounded, but remained at duty. The construction of this new barricade
“compelled the enemy to abandon his original barricade and put up another one
some yards further back from which position he opposed our further advances
vigorously for about an hour”. The position then stabilised.
Col. Hayne recognised the significance of these events,
“There is little doubt he (the Germans)
wished to drive us out of Munster Alley as his bombers came into the broken
ground in front of his barricade and continued until it was quite light to
throw bombs with great determination. Fortunately, supplies of bombs, S.A.A. (small arms’ ammunition) and filled
sandbags were sent up with great regularity and in this we received great
assistance from 17th Battalion Australian contingent, who prolonged
our chain of supplies and did us great service in this respect”. Hayne also commended
the efforts of a number of other individuals involved in the action. He
reported that stretcher-bearer Pte, Enoch
Wilson Rhodes, who had shown great fortitude on the way into the line (see 28th July), “Has in every
engagement shown the most wonderful devotion to duty … he attended to at least
50 wounded men, always under intense artillery fire”. Two men, Ptes. John William Beaver (see below) and Tom Feather (see below) “carried
many messages with speed and regularity, regardless of shell fire. Pte. Beaver
was afterwards admitted into hospital suffering from shell shock”.
Ptes. John William
Beaver and Tom Feather were both
original members of the Battalion; Feather was 23 years old and from Keighley,
but, in the absence of a surviving service record, I am unable to make a
positive identification of Pte. Beaver.
The day became fine and hot and the Battalion remained in
their front line positions, troubled only by what was described as ‘moderately
active’ German artillery.
In the late evening a third attempt was to be made to
occupy Munster Alley, but on this occasion the attack would be made over
ground, rather than by bombing up the trench itself. It would also be combined
with an attempt to advance the British position along another old German
communication trench further south-east, known as Gloster Alley.
Both attacks had been made at 10pm and by about 11.30pm
reports were received that all objectives had been reached. During the advance
from The Loop, however, ‘B’ Company had suffered severe casualties; all the
Officers, the Company Sergeant Major and a large number of NCO’s being hit. ‘A’ Company advanced in the early hours of 30th
July to help consolidate the new positions gained by ‘B’ Company.
However, the Germans subsequently counter-attacked up Torr Trench from the north-west and drove ‘C’ Company back to the left. A barricade was formed and held in Munster Alley slightly in advance of the point which had been barricaded in the early hours of the morning.
Meanwhile the advance along Gloster Alley, conducted by ‘D’
Company (with one company, 11th West Yorkshires, in reserve in
Gloster Alley and part of Lancashire Trench) had partially achieved its
objectives. The plan had been to move from S.1.d.1.6 (point 06) to secure
points 38 and 29 in the German Switch Line and thus achieve a position
overlooking not only the Switch Line itself but also ground to the north and
east towards High Wood and Martinpuich. In fact a point was consolidated about
25 yards short of point 38, but still commanding it, and overlooking, Switch
Trench and Martinpuich. Consolidation of the new position was then carried out
“under heavy fire of all kinds”.However, the Germans subsequently counter-attacked up Torr Trench from the north-west and drove ‘C’ Company back to the left. A barricade was formed and held in Munster Alley slightly in advance of the point which had been barricaded in the early hours of the morning.
The support of Australian troops in the operations had been
crucial: “Throughout the operations the 12th Australian Brigade gave
great assistance by bringing up bombs, carrying in wounded and other useful
work. A deputation of Australian officers kindly came across to congratulate
the 10th West Ridings on their efforts. A party of the enemy who
left Munster Alley to move northwards was effectively dealt with by Australian
machine guns”.
Casualties suffered during this action were considerable.
Two officers were reported killed, along with 31 other ranks; another officer
was reported missing in action as were 44 other ranks; five officers and 124 men
had been wounded and a further 13 men were reported as suffering from shellshock.
The officers confirmed as having been killed were Lt. Frederick Hird (see above), who was killed in the initial bombing raid up Munster
Alley, and 2Lt. Geoffrey Raymond Palmer
(see 5th July), who had
been with the Battalion for less than a month. Palmer had been with ‘C’ Company
as they advanced in the evening attack; his family received letters from both
Capt. John Atkinson (see 10th July) and Lt. George Reginald Charles Heale MC (see 6th July).
 |
| 2Lt. Geoffrey Raymond Palmer |
 |
Capt. Atkinson and Lt. Heale, pictured with other officers in Spring of 1916, annotated by Lt. Dick Bolton
Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton
|
The officer officially reported missing was 2Lt Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards
(see above). He had led the attack of
‘B’ Company across ground from ‘The Loop’, which had met with fierce German
resistance. In the confusion of the fighting there was no doubt among witnesses
as to his fate, but considerable differences as to the precise circumstances.
It was variously reported that he jumped down into the trench and “was fighting
hand to hand with the enemy” when killed; that “on top of the German parapet he
was shot by machine gun fire”; that he had been, “killed by a bomb or a piece
of shell while he was going across … waving his revolver and calling for the
men to come on when he was struck. Part of his head was blown away”; the most
reliable account, given later by an eye-witness from his own platoon, would
suggest that “He was killed outright by a bomb. His body was badly smashed.
This occurred out near the German parapet”. There was also doubt as to whether
Brinsley-Richards’ body had been recovered. One man stated that “His body was
buried at first in our trenches and I do not know if it was ever recovered. The
grave was marked”. However, another reported that, “Our stretcher bearers went
out to try and find and bring him in the following night, but the fire was too
heavy for them to reach him”. A third account conceded, “though I never heard
myself of his body being brought in, I think he must have been buried by our
own men”.
 |
| 2Lt. Roland Wyndham Brinsley-Richards |
The men confirmed as having been killed were:
CSM George Lister
Mayman (see 5th April).
Sgt. Wilfred
Blackburn (see 26th June),
who had only recently been promoted. News of his death would be conveyed to the
family by 2Lt. Frederick Lowther Dawson
Barker (see 24th May);
he wrote to Blackburn’s cousin, Elizabeth (Blackburn had been living with his
uncle and family before enlisting): “Perhaps you have already heard of the
death of your cousin, but as his Platoon Officer I would like to tell you how
much we all sympathise with you in your loss. He was a very efficient Sergeant
and was very popular among the men. Capt. Tunstill, his Company Commander,
tells me he has mentioned his name amongst those who did brilliant work in the
recent fighting in which the Battalion played so successful a part. Personally
I shall miss him very much, as he was a great help to me and could always be
relied on. Again let me assure you of our deep sympathy with you in your
sorrow”. There was news of Wifred Blackburn’s death, and confirmation of the
high regard in which he had been held, in another letter, from an (unnamed)
Addingham comrade, who wrote of how, "I am sorry to say poor Wilfred Blackburn
has been knocked out. He was laid dead close to where I stood as we halted
after the work we were on with was finished. I could not help but think about
him, he was a good sergeant."
 |
| Sgt. Wilfred Blackburn |
Sgt. William Digby
Stockdale (see 14th July 1915); he had been with the Machine Gun Section. Sgt. Tom Pickles (see 11th July) would write to Sgt. Stockdale’s family,
telling them, “He was killed instantly by a rifle bullet as he climbed the
parapet. He suffered no pain whatever and died with his usual smile on his
face. The whole section expresses its deepest sympathy with you. Digby was liked
by men and officers alike. He only came to the section a few weeks ago, but
became a favourite at once." 2Lt. Maurice
Tribe (see 11th July) also wrote, "It is not for me to try and
estimate your loss, but knowing what ours has been I can imagine something of
what yours must be. I have known him since the beginning of March 1915, when we
were in the same platoon and again out here in the Machine Gun Section. He was
one of those who cannot be replaced and who are missed by everyone. He was
handling a difficult situation with his usual ability and calmness when he was
hit. We shall not forget who he was nor how he died, and we shall always feel
honestly sorry that he had to leave us." There was also a letter from
L.Cpl. Wright Firth (see 5th September 1915), who
had enlisted with Stockdale in September 1914: “The day before he was killed we
were in a trench together all day, and we passed the time on champion. He was
in action at the time and doing his duty nobly. When I heard, we were so busy
that it took us all our time to look after ourselves; but when the rush was
over and I realised that Digby was dead, it broke me down. I don't know how to
write to you. Digby was a thorough gentleman, always the same, laughing and
cheerful, and he remained so until the end. I saw Walter Robinson (14753) (see 12th
December 1915; Robinson had been wounded in December 1915 and was now serving
with another Dukes’ Battalion; the details of his transfer are unknown) the
other day, and when he knew he was very much upset."
 |
| Sgt. William Digby Stockdale |
A/Cpl. William Munday
(see 18th April).
L.Cpl. Trevor
Roseberry Haigh; he was a 22 year-old piecer from Sowerby Bridge. He had
joined 10DWR in France at some point in 1916 (details unknown).
L.Cpl. Peter Thompson;
he was a 29 year-old bricklayer from Chadwick End, Warwickshire and was married
with a young daughter. He had been an original member of the Battalion.
L.Cpl. Harry Thornton
(see 14th January), who
had been serving with the Machine Gun Section, was shot by a German sniper.
Harry Thornton’s parents received letters from 2Lt. Maurice Tribe (see above)
and from Sgt. Tom Pickles (see above). Tribe told Thornton’s
family, “Your son died instantaneously, killed by a bullet. He did not know
death was coming, nor was there a moment’s pain. He was in a difficult place
and behaving as he had done in many other difficult places; one particularly I
remember when by his coolness and clever handling of his gun he saved the life
of a particular friend of mine, and largely helped by that in taking of a
German trench. For that he had been recommended for a D.C.M., but higher
honours than this army could give have come to him. I often feel that those
whom we call dead may be able to do so much more for us than ever they could
before. We all miss him very much and I am sure we shall not forget him.” Sgt.
Pickles said: “Your son Harry made the great sacrifice whilst doing his duty
like the brave lad he was. He was caught by a sniper’s bullet … We all feel
very keenly for you. Harry was well liked in the section and I found him a good
man. He was shortly in for promotion but God willed otherwise.”
 |
| L.Cpl. Harry Thornton |
Pte. Arthur William
Bailey (see 21st September
1914) was serving with the Machine Gun Section and was reportedly killed by
German shellfire.
 |
| Pte. Arthur William Bailey |
Pte. James Thomas Coughlin; he was a 23 year-old married man with one child from Manningham, Bradford. He was an original member of the Battalion and had worked at the goods yard of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in Bradford prior to enlisting. CSM Albert Edgar Palmer (see above) would write to Pte. Coughlin’s widow; “It is with a sad heart that I write you these few words as I have only just come out of action. Kindly accept, on behalf of the platoon, our deepest sympathy in your sad loss. We miss him very much but trust you will try and bear the heavy burden as bravely as you can. We buried him before we left the trench”. However, the site of Pte. Coughlin’s grave would be lost in subsequent fighting and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
Pte. John William
Hawkridge DCM (see 9th
March).
Pte. Charles Holgate (see 7th January). His parents would receive letters from Sgt. William Eley (see 4th May) and L.Cpl. Josias Bailey (see 30th April). Sgt. Eley would tell them, “It is a most painful duty I have to perform in notifying you of your beloved son’s death. Still I feel you will bear your sorrow as bravely as possible. He was a splendid lad and met his death as only a true soldier does meet it. I sincerely assure you that he suffered not the slightest pain, his death being instantaneous. He was most reverently interred by his own comrades of the signallers in the newly captured trenches. What a glorious thing for you to be proud of. We miss his presence, as he was the life and soul of the signallers. He has been under me ever since he took to signalling and no one ever gave me greater pleasure. He was an ideal pupil. Kindly accept the assurance of our deep sympathy with you in your great loss of such a noble son”. L.Cpl. Bailey would tell them, “I write to convey to you my heartfelt sorrow and regret at the news I have to tell you. Your son lost his life last night. He was standing in the trench, near a dug-out, when a shell came over in that part of the trench and, unfortunately, he and others were caught with it and your son was killed. I may say death was instantaneous. All who knew him thought highly of him. He was a good and conscientious soldier and we shall all miss his kindly ways. I am sure, in expressing my deepest sympathy, I can couple the sympathy of all your son’s comrades. May God give you strength in this time of sorrow”. Despite having been buried by his comrades, the site of Pte. Holgate’s grave would be lost in subsequent fighting and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
Pte. Arthur Edward Holmes (see 6th June). His father would receive a letter from 2Lt. Frank Redington (see 10th July), “On the 29th of July our Battalion was detailed to bomb down a German communication trench. Your son was one of the first men to go down the trench with the first bombing party. Unfortunately he was hit through the shoulder with a bullet and he died almost immediately. Your son had only been with us a few weeks but on all occasions he proved himself a very promising soldier. He was always the foremost in all our recent operations for which the Battalion has made such a splendid name for itself. You have my sincere sympathy in your sad loss”.
Pte. Cyril Clarkson
Hoyle (see 6th June).
Pte. Wilfred
Palfreeman; he was a 21 year-old textile worker from Stainland, near
Halifax, and had been an original member of the Battalion.
Pte. Cornelius Thomas
William Rigby (see 7th
October 1915).
Pte. Thomas Robinson
(13988); he was a 22 year-old textile worker. Originally from Caton, he and his
family had been living in Morton, near Keighley. He had first been posted to
France with 9DWR in July 1915; the date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR
are unknown.
Pte. Roy Sayles (see 28th June).
Pte. Samuel Smeeton
was shot by a German sniper. He had been an original member of the Battalion. He
was 38 years old, married with five children and had been working as a
hairdresser in Farnworth, near Bolton, though he was originally from
Huddersfield.
Pte. Herbert Smith
(11899); he was a 31 year-old labourer from Sowerby Bridge and had been an
original Member of the Battalion.
Pte. Sykes Walker;
he was a 40 year-old woollen spinner from Huddersfield. He was married, with four
children, and had been an original member of the Battalion. He was buried at
Peake Wood Cemetery.
Pte. Robert Whitteron;
he was an original member of the Battalion. He was 32 years old, married and from
Huddersfield and, before enlisting, had worked in the grocery department of the
Hillhouse Co-operative Society.
Pte. Clarence
Widdowson; he was 32 years old and from Denby Dale, Huddersfield. He had
worked at Messrs. Stringer and Jagger's colliery at Emley Moor before enlisting
and had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 (date and details unknown).
Pte. Frederick Douglas Wood was struck by shrapnel whilst carrying a bag of bombs to the front line. He was a 25 year-old weaver from Huddersfield and had been an original member of the Battalion. His parents would receive letters of condolence from his pals Ptes. Arthur Hall (see below), George Ingle (see 17th July), Charles Marsden (see 20th April 1915), Walter Milnes (see 28th May) and George Smith (14547) (see below).
Arthur Hall was from Leeds and had been an original member of the Battalion, having enlisted aged 31 and married with one child; he had worked as a compositor. George Smith was from Huddersfield and had been an original member of the Battalion. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.
Four other men were reported to have died from wounds
suffered in action:
Pte. Arthur Bell;
he had suffered a fractured right femur and had been evacuated to 34th
Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. He would die there on
31st July and would be buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension.
He was a 38 year-old wire cleaner from Liversedge and was married, with seven
children. He had been an original member of 10DWR.
Pte. William James Jakeway
(see 28th July);
he was buried at Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery.
 |
| Image and additional information by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenofWorth |
Pte. Fred Mouatt;
he was evacuated to 1st/2nd South Midland Field Ambulance
but would die of his wounds on 31st July and would be buried at
Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension. He was 19 years old and from
Shipley and had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 (date and
circumstances unknown). In a recent letter he had told his parents, “We have
been in the great advance and have had a right smash up this time. The Germans
are a lot of cowards. When we went for them they turned and fled like a lot of
kids”.
Pte. Robert Sugden
had been an original member of the Battalion; he was 23 years old and from
Haworth. He was buried at Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery.
A further 31 men were reported missing in action. Of these 21
would subsequently be presumed to have been killed on or around 29th
July; they were:
L.Cpl. Thomas Hodson;
he had been an original member of the Battalion. He was a 25 year-old
warehouseman from Shipley.
L.Cpl. Fred Lockwood
(see 7th October 1915).
L.Cpl. John Sanders;
he was from Bradford and had been an original member of the Battalion.
Pte. Hugh Atkinson
(see 22nd July).
Pte. Irvin
Barraclough had been an original member of the Battalion; he was a 22
year-old millhand from Holmfirth. Just two days previously he had written to
his mother, telling her, "You must keep smiling Mother, better days are in
store." In November 1916, she would
receive a letter and her son’s soldier’s small book from a pal of her son, Pte.
Ernest Arthur Crookes (see 11th September 1915) who wrote: "You will no doubt be
a bit surprised to have a letter from me but I thought I would write and let
you know all I know of Irvin's death. I
dare not write before as I was not sure what had happened to him. I made many enquiries in his Company about
him and from what I can make out he was one of the many lads who went over the
top one night when we were in that terrible fighting and failed to return. But the strange part of it is that I had made
enquiries about him the night after we came out and they told me he was
wounded. Then we were ordered back into
the line again in a bit of a hurry and I happened to be walking in a trench
which I had never been in before and what should I pick up but his small book
which I enclose. I was dumbstruck when I
saw the name and it seems a man in another regiment which we relieved had found
his body somewhere in the line and had taken his letters etc. to forward on to
you. That was what one of our fellows
told me who had seen the letters in the man's possession and I think he must
have dropped the book whilst he was showing these letters to this fellow. It seemed very strange that the book should
be there for me to find and after that I made sure Irvin was killed. It was a blow to me and I hope you will
accept my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. He was the only friend I had who came from up
our way and when we saw one another we always used to ask each other if we had
anything fresh from home and talk over old times. I have thought since what lucky beggars we
were who came through those few weeks we were there as it was too terrible for
words. The sights we saw were awful and
I don't think words can describe them. I
suppose it was God's will that he should go under. I must apologise for not writing sooner but I
was in some doubt about him."
Pte. Charles Barrett
(see 22nd July).
Pte. Peter Burns
(see 17th July).
Pte. Dyson Denison
(see 17th July).
Pte. James French;
he was 23 years old and from Huddersfield, where he had worked for Bentley’s
Brewery. He had first been posted to France to join 2DWR in May 1915, but had
suffered a bullet wound to the chest on 11th June 1915 and had been
evacuated to England. In the absence of a surviving service record it has not
been possible to establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined
10DWR.
Pte. Jessiah
Darricott Hey (see 17th
July).
Pte. Arthur Julian
(see 17th July).
 |
| Pte. Arthur Julian |
Pte. Ackroyd Riley;
he was a 20 year-old textile worker from Bradford. He had been posted to France
at some point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it
has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances.
 |
| Pte. Ackroyd Riley |
Pte. Harold Senior;
he was 21 years old and from Bradford. He had been posted to France at some
point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it has not
been possible to establish the date and circumstances.
Pte. Fred Shackleton;
he was a 20 year-old textile worker from Saddleworth and had been an original
member of the Battalion.
Pte. Bertram Stanley Temperton
(see 17th July); news
of his fate would be delivered to his wife by L.Cpl. Thomas Edmund Troop (see 17th
July), who would tell her, “It is with deep regret that I write to inform
you that your husband has been missing since July 29th. We were
engaged in a bombing attack on that day. I have since done all I could to find
out how he fared and all I can get to know is that he was badly wounded in the
head and face by a German bomb. When we received orders to go over the top Bert
never flinched, but went over as bravely as anyone could do. He undoubtedly met
a hero’s death, with his face turned to the enemy. I have only known Bert since
we met at the Base but we have been good chums in the days which have elapsed
since and I can hardly realise that he is gone. For myself and the ret of the
lades that have come through alright so far I would ask you to accept our deep
and sincere sympathy.”
 |
| Pte. Bertram Stanley Temperton |
Pte. Willie Tordoff
(see 17th July).
Pte. Fred Townend;
he was a married man from Bradford. He had been posted to France at some point
in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it has not been
possible to establish the date and circumstances.
 |
| Pte. Fred Townend |
Pte. John William
Walkden; he was a married man from Todmorden. He had been posted to France
at some point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it
has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances.
Pte. Harold Walker;
he was a 22 year-old textile worker from Ashton-under-Lyne. He had been posted
to France at some point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service
record, it has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances.
Pte. Charles Wood;
he had been an original member of the Battalion and was from Bradford. However,
in the absence of a surviving service record I am, as yet, unable to make a positive
identification of this man.
The majority of those reported killed or missing (46 of the
51, including the three officers) have no known grave and are commemorated on
the Thiepval Memorial. The remains of CSM George
Lister Mayman, L.Cpl. John Sanders
and Pte. Fred Townend would all be recovered
from the area around Munster Alley and identified in the Summer of 1919 and all
would be re-interred at Pozieres British Cemetery. The remains of Pte. Thomas Robinson (identified by “paper
in bottle”) would be recovered in June 1920 and re-interred at Ovillers
Military Cemetery. The remains of A/Cpl. William
Munday, identified by his ID disc, would be discovered, near the site of
the junction of Munster Alley and O.G.2, as late as October 1927 and he would
be re-interred at Serre Road Cemetery no.2.
A further five of the missing were subsequently confirmed to
have been taken prisoner by the Germans, they were:
Pte. Herbert Gunningham;
he was 19 years old and from Bradford and had been an original member of the
Battalion. Ptes. Arthur Baxter (see 17th July), Frank Brooks (see 17th July), George
Clegg (see 17th July)
and James Edward Haley (see 17th July) had only
joined the Battalion less than two weeks previously. The five men would
initially be held at prison camps at Le Cateau (Baxter, Brooks and Clegg) and
Cambrai (Gunningham and Haley).
It would appear that the other five men initially reported
missing were subsequently accounted for, as they appear in neither the lists of
casualties nor of prisoners.
Five officers and 124 men were reported wounded and a
further 13 men were reported as suffering from shellshock; the majority of
these have been identified.
The condition of the five wounded officers varied
considerably. Capt. Alfred Percy
Harrison (see 13th
September 1915) had been shot in the middle of the left thigh; the bullet
had passed through the muscle, missing the femur, and had exited through the
back of his leg. 2Lt. Ernest Cyril Coke
(see 28th May) had
suffered a shrapnel wound to his left hand which had shattered the tip of the
middle finger, while 2Lt. Charles Crowther
Hart (see above) had suffered a
gunshot wound to the right leg. All three men were treated first at 69th
Field Ambulance, before being sent on, via Albert, to hospital at Corbie and
then to no.8 General Hospital at Rouen. 2Lt. Bob Perks (see above) had
been wounded in the face, foot and hand; he was evacuated to no.1 Red Cross
Hospital Le Touquet. 2Lt. Henry Herbert
Owen Stafford (see above) had
suffered only a minor injury and was able to remain at duty.
 |
2Lt. Bob Perks
Image by kind permission of Janet Hudosn
|
The men who have been positively identified as having been
among the wounded are:
A/CSM Herbert Lawton (see 11th July) suffered wounds to his right shoulder;
the details of his immediate treatment are unknown, but he would be evacuated
to England on 2nd August and then admitted to Merry Flats War
Hospital, Govan, Glasgow.
Sgt. Percy Cole (see 23rd
June) suffered a bullet wound to the right arm, resulting in a compound
fracture; he would be evacuated to hospital in Rouen.
Sgt. James Davis;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would soon re-join
the Battalion. He had been an original member of the Battalion. He was
originally from Chatham but had enlisted in Bradford. He had married Charlotte
Housley in 1914 and they had two daughters.
 |
Sgt. James Davis
Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton
|
Sgt. Albert Simpson
DCM (see 3rd June); he
suffered severe wounds to his right arm. The details of his treatment in France
are unknown.
Cpl. Arthur Bearpark
(see 12th June 1915); his
wounds were relatively minor and he would remain with the Battalion.
A/Cpl. Arnold Freeman
(see 9th February); he
suffered severe wounds to his left arm, shoulder and chest which would result
in the amputation of his arm. The details of his treatment in France are
unknown, but he would be evacuated to England on 6th August and
admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.
A/Cpl. Harry Holmes (see 21st May); he suffered a minor wound to his lip and
would be admitted to 2nd Convalescent Depot at Rouen before
re-joining the Battalion.
L.Cpl. George
Frederick Barkham (see 24th December 1915); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he
would appear to have been treated in France and would re-join 10DWR once
recovered.
L.Cpl. John William Dickinson
(see 9th July); he
suffered a minor wound to his left leg. He would be admitted via 70th
Field Ambulance to 23rd Division Rest Station; he would be
discharged and return to duty after two days.
L.Cpl. William Duffy (see 25th July); he suffered
severe wounds to his left knee. The details of his treatment in France are
unknown but he would, on 2nd August, be evacuated to England and
admitted to the County of London War Hospital in Epsom.
L.Cpl. John Henry Eastwood (see 29th March 1915) suffered
shrapnel wounds to his right foot; he would be admitted via 2nd
Australian Field Ambulance and 44th Casualty Clearing Station to 1st
Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, and after four days would be further
transferred to 6th Convalescent Depot, also at Etaples.
L.Cpl. Peter Guinan;
he suffered severe wounds which would result in the amputation of his right leg,
but the details of his treatment are unknown. In the absence of a surviving
service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.
However, it is known that he had originally served with 2DWR, being posted to
France on 15th April 1915, but had been evacuated to England having
been gassed on 5th May. The date and circumstances of his posting to
10DWR are unknown.
L.Cpl. Harry Hey
(15995) (see 11th September 1915); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion.
L.Cpl. George Oversby
(see 7th July) was
severely wounded in the left thigh; he was treated first at 3rd
Stationary Hospital at Rouen before being sent back to England onboard the
hospital ship Asturias.
L.Cpl. Walter Maynard Willis (see 2nd June) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right leg
and shoulder; he would be evacuated to 1st Canadian General Hospital
at Etaples.
1. Pte. William
Ackroyd (see 21st November
1915); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion.
 |
| Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenOfWorth |
Pte. Alfred Ambler;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently
be transferred, via 8DWR, to 1st/6th DWR. In the absence
of a surviving service record the details of his service are unknown. He was 19
years old and from Bradford, where he had worked as a ‘doffer’. He had been
posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 but, in the absence of a surviving
service record, the exact date and circumstances are unknown.
Pte. George Appleyard;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently re-join the Battalion. In the absence of a surviving service record the ful details of his service are unknown. He had been an original member of 10DWR and
was only 19 years old (he had enlisted under age; born 13th June 1897) and from Keighley, where he
worked in the textile mills.
 |
| Pte. George Applyard |
Pte. John James Arrowsmith;
he suffered a bayonet wound to the right hand. The details of his wounds and
treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred to the Labour
Corps. In the absence of a surviving service record the details of his service
are unknown. He had been an original member of 10DWR and was 22 years old and
originally from Liverpool but had been working as a coal miner in Cleckheaton.
Pte. Albert Ashworth;
he suffered wounds to his head and right shoulder and would be admitted to 34th
Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be
taken, on 2nd August, by no.16 Ambulance Train to hospital in Rouen.
The details of his treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be
transferred to the RAF. He had been an original member of 10DWR but, in the
absence of a surviving service record, I am unable to make a positive
identification of this man and the further details of his service are unknown.
Pte. John Bailey;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently
be transferred to 8DWR and finally to 2nd/7thDWR. In the
absence of a surviving service record the details of his service are unknown.
He had been an original member of 10DWR and was a 24 year-old warehouseman from
Baildon.
Pte. Harold Best
(see 6th June); he
suffered only minor wounds and would return to duty on 3rd August,
having been treated locally.
Pte. George Binns
(see 29th November 1915);
he would be evacuated to England, though to which hospital is not known.
 |
| Pte. George Binns |
Pte. Stanley Bostock
(see 18th December 1915);
he suffered relatively minor wounds to his chest and stomach. He would be
treated locally in the first instance before, on 6th August, being
transferred to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers and
from there to Boulogne.
Pte. Harry Bradley
(see 6th June) suffered
relatively minor shrapnel wounds to his back and, following treatment locally,
would return to duty on 4th August.
Pte. Daniel Brennan
(see 17th July); his
wounds were relatively minor and he would quickly return to duty.
1. Pte. Fred
Brook (see 22nd June);
his wounds were relatively minor and he would soon re-join the Battalion.
Pte. William Brooke
(see 22nd July); he
suffered wounds to his head and arm and would be admitted to 5th
General Hospital at Rouen before being evacuated to England on 2nd
August. He would then be transferred to 4th Scottish General
Hospital in Glasgow. Once recovered he would be posted successively to 9DWR and
1st/5thDWR.
Pte. Albert Buckley
(see 11th February 1915);
he suffered wounds to his left hand and would be admitted to 1st
Stationary Hospital at Rouen before being evacuated to England on 2nd
August. He was then admitted to Wellington Road Auxiliary Military Hospital in
Liverpool.
Pte. Charles Burn;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently
be transferred successively to 9DWR. He was 20 years old and from Bradford and had
been an original member of 10DWR.
Pte. Richard Butler (see 25th June); he was
wounded in the left arm and would be admitted to 3rd Stationary
Hospital at Rouen, before then being evacuated to England, from where he was
transferred to Bargrave War Hospital, West Lothian.
Pte. Lodge Calvert;
he suffered wounds to his left thigh and would be admitted to 34th
Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be
taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance Train to hospital in Rouen. He was 19 years
old, from Buckden, near Skipton, and had been posted to 10DWR at some point in
1916 (date and circumstances unknown).
Pte. Joseph Chandler
(see 11th September 1915)
was wounded; the details of his wounds, which appear to have been relatively
minor, and immediate treatment are unknown, but he would be admitted to 1st
Convalescent Depot at Rouen on 3rd August, before then re-joining
10DWR.
Pte. Irvine Clark
(see 31st March); he was
wounded in the right thigh and would be sent home to be treated at the Southern
General Hospital in Bristol.
Pte. Arthur Clarke
(see 6th June) suffered
wounds to his leg and thigh; he would be admitted to 6th General
Hospital at Rouen and then evacuated to England on the Hospital Ship Asturias. On arriving in England he
would be admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital in Warrington.
Pte. Walter Clarkson
Pte. Edmund Wilkinson Clay (Huddersfield)
Pte. John Clegg (see 22nd July); he suffered
shrapnel wounds to his right thigh and buttock. He would be evacuated to 2nd
Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau and from there, on 1st
August, to England, where he would be admitted to 2nd Southern
General Hospital in Bristol.
Pte. Arthur Cliffe
(see 6th June); he
suffered shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and left leg, including a fractured tibia and was
evacuated via 2nd and 57th Field Ambulances to 44th
Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers.
Pte. John Arthur Cole;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would subsequently
be transferred to 2nd/6th DWR. He was a 24 year-old
foundry labourer from Keighley. He had served two years (1912 to 1914) with
3DWR and had then enlisted with 8DWR, being posted to Gallipoli in July 1915.
The date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR are unknown.
Pte. Michael Conley;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently
be transferred successively to 2DWR and 9DWR. In the absence of a surviving
service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man, other
than the fact that he was originally from Milltown, County Galway, but was
living in Sheffield (and married) when he enlisted. He had been posted to 10DWR
at some point in 1916 (date and circumstances unknown).
Pte. Bertie Constantine (Shipley)
Pte. Hubert Crabtree
(see 17th July); he
suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh. The details of his treatment in
France are unknown but, on 11th August, he would be evacuated to
England and admitted to hospital in Edmonton.
Pte. John Dalby (Bradford)
Pte. George H. Day;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently
be transferred successively to the Labour Corps, the Royal Inniskilling
Fusiliers, and, latterly, the Royal Engineers. In the absence of a surviving
service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man, other
than the fact that he had been an original member of 10DWR.
Pte. Albert Donald (Morecambe)
Pte. Norman England
(see 17th July) suffered
severe wounds to his right leg; he would be evacuated to 2nd
Canadian General Hospital at Outreau before being evacuated to England and
admitted to 2nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol, where his
right leg would be amputated at the thigh.
Pte. Joseph Fitzgerald (unknown)
Pte. Herbert Fogg
(see 6th March); he
suffered wounds to his back, chest and right forearm. He was admitted via 104th
Field Ambulance to 34th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont,
east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance
Train to 5th General Hospital in Rouen.
1. Pte. John
William Ford; he suffered a fracture to his right leg. He would be
evacuated to 34th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of
Amiens. From there he would be taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance Train to 5th
General Hospital in Rouen. From there (details unknown) he would be evacuated
to England. He was a 19 year-old textile worker from Wyke.
Pte. Arthur Forster;
he suffered wounds to his left arm. He was evacuated to 34th
Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be
taken, later that day, by no.28 Ambulance Train to one of the Base Hospitals in
France (details unknown). He would subsequently (details unknown) be evacuated
to England. He was 40 years old and from Sheffield; he had been posted to 10DWR
at some point in 1916 (date and circumstances unknown).
Pte. Robert Foulger;
he suffered wounds to the right side of his chest and would be evacuated to 5th
General Hospital at Rouen and from there, on 1st August, evacuated
to England and admitted to the Queen Mary Military Hospital, Whalley. He was a
19 year-old warehouseman from Bradford and had been posted to 10DWR at some
point in 1916 (date and circumstances unknown).
L.Cpl. Arthur Gill (Skipton)
Pte. James Ginley;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would subsequently
be transferred to 8DWR. He was a 22 year-old textile worker from Keighley and
had been an original member of 10DWR.
Pte. William Gleeson (Barnsley)
1.
Pte. George
Frederick Glover; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but
he would re-join the Battalion. He was a 22 year-old iron planer from Otley. He
had originally served with 9DWR, being first posted to France in July 1915 and
had been wounded in March 1916 spending some time in England before returning
to France and joining 10DWR (date and details unknown).
Pte. Ralph Godfrey (Earby)
1.
Pte. Rowland
Greenwood; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he
appears to have soon re-joined the Battalion. He was a 22 year-old textile
worker from Sowerby Bridge and had four children. He had originally served with
8DWR, being posted to Gallipoli in September 1915. He had been wounded within weeks
of arriving and had been evacuated to England. He had been posted back to
France in February (exact details unknown) and had joined 10DWR.
1. Pte. Frank
Gunson; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. He had been an original member of the Battalion and was
a 29 year-old collier from Clayton West, near Huddersfield.
Pte. Frank Hargrave (Addingham)
Pte. Clarence Hayworth
Pte. Joseph Hird;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join
10DWR. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a
positive identification of this man.
Pte. Arthur Purcell Hollows (Barnoldswick)
Pte. Michael Hopkins (Bradford)
Pte. John Hudson;
he suffered wounds to his right arm and would be evacuated to hospital in
Rouen. In a letter home to his parents he told them, “You will be glad to hear
that I am out of the big push for a little while again, although I don't think
I shall get to 'Blighty' with it. I was slightly wounded in the right arm early
on Sunday morning in a little bomb strafe near Contalmaison which village our
brigade took and held about three weeks ago. You can rest assured that I am
safe from all further harm for some considerable time”. In the event it would
be around eight weeks before he re-joined 10DWR. Hudson had been one of a group
of five young men from Bradley who had enlisted soon after the outbreak of war.
He had been posted to France in September 1915 with 9DWR and had been wounded
on 19th December 1915, near Ypres. Once recovered he had then been posted
to 10DWR.
 |
| Pte. John Hudson |
L.Cpl. William Hutchinson (Castleford)
1. Pte. Clifford
Import (see 17th July);
he suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck, throat and right arm. The details of
his treatment in France are unknown, but he would be admitted to hospital in
Rouen and from there evacuated to England on 7th August and admitted
to 2nd Western General Hospital in Manchester.
Pte. Norman Jagger;
he suffered severe wounds to his right hand and would be evacuated to England,
but the details of his treatment are unknown. He was 19 years old and from
Bradford.
Pte. Ernest Jellicoe
(see 17th July); he
suffered wounds to his neck and ear. He would be evacuated to 13th
General Hospital at Boulogne and from there, on 5th August, to
England, where he would be admitted to Northampton War Hospital.
Pte. Thomas William Jones;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but it would appear that
he would soon be able to re-join the Battalion. He was 19 years old and had
enlisted under age in September 1914, along with his cousin Pte. Joseph Jones (see below); both were from Castleford and had been working in the
local coal mines.
Pte. Joseph Jones;
the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but it would appear that
he was treated in France and, once recovered, would be posted to 2DWR. Like his
cousin, Pte. Thomas William Jones (see above), he was only 19 years old and
had enlisted under age.
Pte. Job Kayley (see 27th March); his wounds were
apparently minor and he soon re-joined the Battalion.
L.Cpl. William Knox
(see 7th October 1915); he
was wounded and partially buried by a shell explosion and was evacuated to a
local Field Ambulance unit, with wounds to his arm and leg. On being carried
away he was ‘remarkably cheerful on the
way, observing to his platoon Sergeant as he was being carried off, “Well, Jim,
lad, I have beat you to Wharncliffe after all” (referring to Wharncliffe Military Hospital in Sheffield). However, he
would die in the early hours of the following morning. Letters were written
home by both his platoon Sergeant (identity unknown) who told his widow, “He
was a good, honest, straightforward and clean soldier; never shirking in his
duties, and often volunteering for jobs which most people would not very well
relish the idea of undertaking”; and by Sgt. John Hartley (see 11th
July), who wrote to Knox’s sister,
telling her, “I am sorry to have to convey you the sad news that your
brother W. Knox, has been killed or rather died of wounds received a few hours
earlier. He was wounded on the night of Saturday in the leg and arm and died at
the field ambulance the next morning. He was extremely cheerful; everyone
remarked on it who saw him though he had been partly buried for some little
time by the explosion of a shell, as well as wounded. All the platoon were very
sorry indeed to lose him.” The
circumstances of his original burial are unclear but L.Cpl. Knox’s remains would
subsequently be exhumed and re-interred at Dantzig Alley British
Cemetery near Mametz.
Pte. Thomas Lloyd
(see 13th February)
suffered a bullet wound to his left arm; he would be admitted to 26th
General Hospital at Etaples.
Sgt. Brian McAvan (Bradford)
1. Pte. Thomas McDonald (see 17th
July); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would be
evacuated to England on 3rd August.
L.Sgt. William McGill
L.Cpl. Lawrence Matthews (Hull)
Pte. Thomas Metcalfe 12153
Pte. Clifford Midwood
(see 17th June) suffered
shrapnel wounds to his left side and would be evacuated to England on 2nd
August and admitted to Northern General Hospital in Manchester.
L.Cpl. Leonard Stanley Mitchell (Huddersfield)
Pte. John Osmond O’Donnell (Dewsbury)
Pte. Patrick O’Neill
Pte. Ernest
Perry; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown and, in the
absence of a surviving service record, the details of his subsequent service
are unclear. He was a 36 year-old draper from Elland and had been an original
member of the Battalion.
Pte. Herbert Willis
Pickles (see 11th June
1915) suffered wounds to his left arm and neck; he was admtited via 104th
Field Ambulance to 3rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen before being
evacuated to England two days later on the Hospital Ship Asturias. On arrival in England he would be transferred to
Edinburgh War Hospital.
Pte. John William
Procter (see 17th July)
had only been with the Battalion for twelve days; he suffered severe wounds to
his left arm and would be admitted via 104th Field Ambulance and 34th
Casualty Clearing Station to 5th General Hospital at Rouen. From
there, on 1st August, he would be evacuated to England, travelling
on the Hospital Ship Asturias. Once
in England he would be admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital in Warrington.
L.Cpl. William Rawnsley (Bradford)
Pte. James Robinson 12323 (Bradford)
Pte. Walter Robinson 15117 (Huddersfield)
Pte. Thomas Robson (Penrith)
Pte. Harry Salmons (Halifax)
A/Cpl. Frank Shackleton 12297 (Bradford)
Pte. George Slater (17th October 1915); he
suffered wounds to his head and to his left knee and ankle and would be
evacuated to 5th General Hospital in Rouen, where he would be
treated for some weeks (details unknown) before being evacuated to England.
A/Sgt. Harry
Smith 13781
A/Sgt. Douglas Smith 17862 (Earby)
Pte. Albert Edgar Smith 13789
Pte. Tom Swales (see 7th January) was treated
for some time at 11th Stationary Hospital, Rouen, before being evacuated
to England.
Pte. Jacob Sweeting
(see 9th May) suffered
wounds to his left arm and would be evacuated to England onboard the hospital
ship St George on 2nd
August.
Pte. Michael Taylor 18527 (Barnoldswick)
1. Pte. William
Henry Thornton (see 17th
July); he suffered wounds to his left thigh and was admitted via 104th
Field Ambulance to 34th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont,
east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance
Train to 1st Stationary Hospital in Rouen. He would be evacuated to
England onboard the Hospital Ship St.
Patrick on 7th August. The details of his treatment in England
are unknown.
1. Pte. Henry
Wood Thrippleton (see 14th April) suffered wounds to his back and was admitted to 34th
Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be
taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance Train to 5th General Hospital at
Rouen, but would shortly re-join the Battalion.
L.Cpl. William M. Tingle
Pte. William Turner (Bradford)
Pte. Albert Tyerman
Pte. John William Varnham (Halifax)
Cpl. Herbert Veal (Halifax)
Pte. Herbert Walker 12315 (Bradford)
A.Cpl. William Walsh 12004
Pte. Joseph Walton 13061 (Bradford)
Pte. Frank Willey
Pte. Charlie Wilman (Bradford)
L.Cpl. Ben Yeadon (Yeadon)
The men reported as ‘shellshocked’ were:
L.Cpl. G. Holmes
Pte. John William Beaver
Pte. Joe Feather; he had been an original
member of the Battalion, having enlisted aged 27 and had been working as
a coal miner. Three of his brothers also enlisted; their father, Robert, was well known as an auctioneer
in their home town of Keighley. Joe Feather would re-join 10DWR.
Pte. Richard Harper (see 12th September 1914)
Pte. Charles Hoyle
Pte. Amos Ibbotson (Brierfield)
Pte. George Jellett
(see 31st January) was
listed as suffering from shellshock; he appears to have re-joined the
Battalion.
Pte. Henry Vanderstein Joyce (London)
Pte. Anthony
Lofthouse (see 15th
September 1914).
Pte. Jack Massheder;
he had joined the army aged 20, having been an apprentice brush-maker before
joining up; he was originally from Bradford.
Pte. Archie Munro
(see above).
Pte. Owen Shaw (Staffs.).
Pte. John Smith 13382 (Keighley)
Cpl. Billy Rawlinson
(see 11th July)) who had
been severely wounded at Contalmaison was evacuated to England and admitted to Southern
General Hospital in Bristol. Billy’s
injuries, 47 in total, were severe, including losing the sight in his left eye
and breaks to his left leg and right foot. Remarkably, he was able, within days
of his injury to write to Mr. George Charnley, for whom he had worked as
chauffeur and gardener before the war, to tell him how well he was being
treated in hospital and to assure him that he was ‘going on well’.
The weekly edition of the Keighley News carried extended reports on the deaths of two local men who had been serving with Tunstill’s Company, along with more brief mention of others:
MEN WHO HAVE MADE THE
SUPREME SACRIFICE
Private Francis
Herbert Maltby (22) (see 11th
July), West Riding Regiment, the son of Mrs. Maltby of 41 Redcliffe Street,
Keighley, has been killed by the bursting of a shell. A letter has been
received from Second-Lieutenant Maurice Tribe, who said: “I am very sorry to
have to tell you that your son has died, but he felt no pain. It is more than
sad to know that it is only by deaths such as his, and fights such as that in
which he played his part so well that England can come through this war to
something better. I know it cannot lessen your personal grief but it does
greatly add to his personal glory. Without such men no one can say where
England would be now … Personally I am very sorry for he was invaluable to the
section.” Sergeant Tom Pickles, writing to Mrs. Maltby, said: “Your son was not
in the section a long time, and personally I did not know him, but the other
boys liked him well. From what I have seen he was a fine lad and did his duty
well and nobly. The whole section desire me to convey to you their deepest
sympathy”. Private Maltby enlisted in the early stages of the war, and went
abroad about twelve months ago. Formerly he was apprenticed to Mr. Arthur
Tillotson, painter and decorator, Keighley. He was associated with the
Devonshire Street, Congregational Church, being a member of the Young Men’s
Class. |
| Pte. Bert Maltby |
COWLING
TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN
COMRADE
Mrs. William Benson, of 129 Crag View, Cowling, has received
a private letter from Quartermaster Sergeant Frank Stephenson, informing her
that her only son, Private Fred Benson
(see 23rd July), of the
West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on July 11th in France.
Another Cowling man, Corporal John Hartley, writing to Mrs. Benson says, “On
Monday afternoon, part of our Brigade attacked and carried a village for which
there had previously been heavy fighting by other Brigades. We were in support,
and as dusk fell we moved up through a heavy barrage fire to reinforce and to consolidate
the position. That night and next day passed quietly. During the evening Fred
and another lad went on listening post duty a little in front of the trench
where we had dug ourselves in. A little later they gave the alarm and turned
round to get back into the trench, but before they had gone a yard they were
both hit by the Germans. A small enemy patrol had crept up within a short
distance unobserved till quite close. Both staggered back somehow into the
trench. A minute or two later when the alarm was over I and two others got him
out and did what we could but it was of no avail and he passed quietly and
gently away. He was hit just above the left hip bone and the bullet passed
through and out at the right groin. I was supporting his head when he died. We
were relieved in a few minutes. All the boys in the platoon with me convey to
you their sincere sympathy in your loss, which is also in a less degree ours,
for he was a cheerful, willing comrade. We shall all miss him very much. He was
in great spirits, as we all are because of the successes of the past few days.
We were all much affected by his and the other chap’s death”. Private Benson
enlisted in Kitchener’s Army along with seventeen other Cowling young men in
August 1914, and after training went to France in September 1915. Before
enlisting he was employed as a weaver at Messrs J. Binns & Sons Ltd, Carr
Mills.
A memorial service was held, conducted at the United Methodist
Church, on Sunday morning
last by the Rev. C.E. Penrose. Private Benson had passed through the Sunday
School as a scholar. The choir rendered an anthem and Miss Whitaker played
Beethoven’s ‘Funeral March’ and ‘O rest in the Lord’. A memorial service was
also held at the Parish Church, conducted by the vicar, and a similar service
was held at the Ickornshaw
Wesleyan Church.
 |
| Pte. Fred Benson |
 |
CQMS Frank Stephenson
Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton
|
Wounded
Lance Corporal Herbert
Thornton (see 5th July),
West Riding Regiment, the son of Mr. T. Bailey Thornton of 75 East Avenue,
Keighley, is in hospital suffering from severe wounds in the chest and leg. He
is now in the hospital of St. John at Etaples.
An extended list of the names of wounded men also included
Pte. Herbert Rooke (see 5th July).
 |
| L.Cpl. Herbert Thornton |
 |
| Pte. Herbert Rooke |
Pte. Andrew Aaron
Jackson, who would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR (see 25th
July), serving with 27th Battalion Royal Fusiliers at Portobello,
near Edinburgh, was released from 2nd Scottish General Hospital,
Craigleath, following treatment to a puncture wound to the armpit, suffered as
the result of an accident.
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