Friday 11th August 1916

Train from Mericourt L’Abbe

The overnight journey, beginning at midnight on 10^th/11^th, and accommodated in the usual cattle trucks, brought the Battalion to Pontremy at 6.50 on the morning of 11^th, from where they marched four miles to Buigny L’Abbe, east of Abbeville, arriving at 9.30 am. The Battalion was then despatched to various billets and bivouacs in and around the villages of Vauchelles, Vaucourt, Bussus, Bellancourt and Buigny itself. At 5.30am the Battalion transport and Lewis Gun section had departed from their overnight stays at Allonville and Poulanville respectively. The transport was re-united with the remainder of the Battalion while the Lewis Gun section was accommodated a few miles south-east at Bouchon. The remainder of the day was spent resting.

Lt. Dick Bolton (see 3^rd August) was billeted with M. and Mme. Alfred Crimet and kept a calling card given to him by them.

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. George Barber (see 30^th October 1914) was admitted to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont; he was suffering from ‘myalgia and slight pyrexia’ and would be transferred, next day, onboard no.4 Ambulance Train to one of the Base Hospitals (details unknown) at Etaples.

Sgt. Edward Hunter (see 17^th March), who had been in England since having been wounded in March, was posted to 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs.

In Bradford, Phyllis Chapman, wife of Pte. George Edward Chapman (see 13^th June), who was back in England after serving just one week with 10DWR before suffering shellshock, gave birth to the couple’s first child; the boy would be named Frank. 

The War Office issued a death certificate for 2Lt. Samuel Lawrence Glover who had been officially posted as missing in action since January (see 19^th June); the recent receipt of correspondence from the German authorities, including Glover’s identity disc, had provided formal conformation of his death.

2Lt. Samuel Lawrence Glover

Walter John Hammond died, aged 66; he was the father of the late Lt. Leonard Hammond (see 27^th July), who had been killed in action at Contalmaison. Walter Hammond’s eldest son, Major Paul Hammond had died of wounds on 25^th February.

Lt. Leonard Hammond

The weekly editions of the local newspapers were again filled with reports of casualties from the recent fighting, among them several from Tunstill’s Company.

Craven Herald

ADDINGHAM

We regret to announce further casualties amongst Addingham lads:- In a letter to his parents, an Addingham soldier conveys the sad news that Sergt. Wilfred Blackburn (see 29^th July) has been killed. He says:- "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."

Blackburn, who was only 23 years of age, was a fine type of young manhood. He had resided with his uncle, the late Mr. Thomas Blackburn, West Hall Farm, since he was 11 years old. He joined the Dukes in September, 1914, and had been in France about nine months.

Sgt. Wilfred Blackburn

THE LATE PTE. T. B. CARTMAN OF SKIPTON - LETTERS FROM TWO COMRADES

Official news of the death of Pte. T.B. Cartman (see 4^th August) of Skipton, which was referred to in our last issue, was received on Tuesday. Letters have also been received by his relatives from two of his comrades, both of which indicate the high esteem in which deceased was held by the men in A Company of the 10th Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

From a letter written by Pte. T. Greenwood (see 10^th July), we take the following:- "It is with a heavy heart that I write these few sorrowful words of your Tommy's death, which occurred in hospital on Wednesday, July 12th, at which place they buried him. On Monday morning previous, we shared a parcel and had a few happy minutes together. That night we moved into the trenches on our way to the village. Both your Charlie (Pte. Charlie Branston, see 28^th July) and Tommy were hit, Charlie very slightly in the knee. I was close to him and we shook hands before he turned to walk back to the dressing station. It was not until the following afternoon that I heard Tommy had got hit. I am sorry I don't know any particulars of his death and funeral. I scarcely know how to express my feelings for I have lost the very best pal I ever had, and I ask you to bear up and face it, if not with a smile, with a good heart and keep your trust in Him above, who guides us in all things. All the platoon join in with their sympathy."

Pte. John William Atkinson (see 4^th August), another Skipton soldier, has written as follows:- "I cannot tell you how sorry I am to hear about poor Tommy dying from his wounds. He was very badly wounded in the legs when we carried him out on the stretcher, but we did our level best for him. There were a lot of killed and wounded lying all over the trench, but we got them all away as quickly as possible. I thought it my duty to write to you with carrying him out, and being a lad I have known for years. I am pleased to say Charlie only got a slight wound and will soon be back again. He helped us to carry Tom out of the trenches to the dressing station and he worked very hard. I am sorry to say we have had two Skipton lads die from wounds, the other one being Clifford Unwin, who got badly wounded in the big advance. The Germans lost very heavily and had a lot both killed and wounded and we also took a lot of prisoners."

Pte. Cartman was the son of Mrs. Rishworth, of Wood Side Farm, Silsden, and resided for many years with his aunt Mrs. Branston, in Brook Street, Skipton. He enlisted on the outbreak of war; prior to which he was employed by Messrs. Lipton's, High Street, Skipton.

Pte. Tommy Cartman

Pte. Tom Greenwood

Pte. Charlie Branston

Wounded.

Geo. Oversby (see 29^th July), 10^th West Riding, Duke of Wellington’s, of Cowgill, is in hospital at Edinburgh, suffering from a wound in the leg.

  

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

We are sorry to have to add another name to our list of wounded at the Front. This is Private Irvine Clark (see 29^th July), son of Mr. and Mrs. George Clark, of the Post Office. Pte. Clark joined Captain Tunstill’s men, and has seen much fighting, meeting with his first misfortune, July 29 at Pozieres. He was shot through the thigh, and is now in the Military Hospital at Bristol, where we are glad to know he is progressing favourably.

Clitheroe Times

A DEAD HERO

PRIVATE RIGBY RECOMMENDED FOR HONOURS

Mr. T.E. Rigby, (father of Pte. Thomas Rigby, see 3^rd August) of Lawson’s House, Sawley, has received the following letter from Captain Tunstill of the West Riding Regiment: “I have only just heard the sad news that your son, who was the best stretcher bearer that anyone could ever wish to have, died in hospital at Frensham. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Rigby was one of those who had been in my company since it was formed. He was a bandsman until we came out a year ago and has been a stretcher bearer ever since. I was hoping he had got a slight wound and would have got home and better, and not had to come out again. We have been fighting more or less continuously since your son was wounded and our losses are naturally heavy. It may be some consolation to you to know that I recommended your son to the Commission Office, the day he was hit, for very brave and gallant conduct in bringing in wounded across the open under very heavy fire”.

Pte. Tom Rigby