Monday 13th November 1916

Front line trenches south of Sanctuary Wood

The sector remained largely quiet, with only a few trench mortars and an occasional burst of machine gun fire from the Germans. In the evening, ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies moved into the front line to relieve ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies who took up their positions in close support and reserve respectively. Overnight patrols continued to be sent out and work proceeded on improving the wire.

One man from the Battalion died of wounds in the care of one of the local Field Ambulance units. Although the Battalion War Diary makes no specific note of any man having been wounded during this tour, the final monthly total makes it clear that four men were wounded during the month without specific note having been made. The man who died was L.Cpl. William Hemp; he was not an original member of the Battalion and had arrived at some point in 1916. He was 21 years old and from Bradford; he would be buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery. An (unnamed) platoon sergeant would write to L.Cpl. Hemp’s family; “He was without doubt one of the bravest lads who ever donned soldier’s uniform and had gained the respect of all of us by the manner he went about his duties”.

Pte. Harry Horner (see 11^th September) was admitted to hospital (details unknown); he would be discharged and return to duty after ten days.

Having spent the previous days observing and analysing the German positions, Lt. Col. Robert Raymer, C.O., 10DWR (see 10th November) submitted an ‘outline scheme’ to 69^th Brigade for a raid against German trenches which he proposed to carry out on 20^th November. Raymer explained the objectives and method of attack in his plan.

SECRET

69^th Brigade

I have the honour to submit herewith an outline scheme for raid against enemy trenches on 20^th inst.

References are to attached sketch.

1. Objective

Saps marked A and B.

The sap A approaches somewhat closer to our trenches than would appear from the sketch (taken from aeroplane photo dated 21.10.16). It is within 25 or 30 yards of Cross Street, is sandbagged and protected by wire closely interlaced and fairly strong, but not very deep (about 20-30 feet). It is occupied by the enemy during the day, the sentry was seen this afternoon looking over the parapet, and afterwards using a periscope. Another German was also observed looking over the parapet. Its northern flank is covered by a broad ditch, a sunken road filled with wire (shown on sketch by dotted line).

The sap B runs from our listening post apparently right into the German line. It is partially blocked by wire at outside our post and a patrol which examined it last night heard Germans walking on duck boards at the other end.

2. Strength of attacking force.

(a) Two bomb parties of 12-15 men each.

(b) A supporting party of similar strength.

Each party commanded by an Officer and accompanied by a Lewis Gun. Total 40 men.

3. Scheme of attack

The wire at X having been breached by a Bangalore torpedo, the left column, starting from the listening post opposite, would rush the sap A, while at the same time the right column would push along sap B. The supporting party would be held in readiness between the two saps to cover their retirement, which would be effected on a given signal from O.C. support, who would also be O.C. raid.

The communication trenches leading back from the German front line near the sap junctions would be kept under machine gun fire, while Stokes mortars, conveniently placed, would be detailed to engage hostile machine guns already located and likely to give trouble.

Arrangements would be made with the artillery to place a barrage along the dotted blue line immediately the attack started.

The object of the attack would be to destroy or capture as many as possible of the enemy forming posts in the saps or at the sap junctions.

2Lt. Charles Archibald Milford (see 26^th October), who had joined the Battalion less than three weeks’ earlier, was admitted to No.10 Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Siding, Lijssenthoek, suffering from influenza.

Pte. John Edward Atkinson (see 30^th October) was admitted to hospital suffering from ‘Pyrexia, NYD’ (high temperature, not yet diagnosed); he would return to duty six days later.

Pte. Robert Hitchen (see 17^th October) was admitted to hospital (cause and details unknown); he would be discharged to duty two days later.

Pte. Stanley Sykes (see 17^th July) was admitted to 23^rd Divisional Rest Station, suffering from ‘trench foot’; he would return to duty eight days later.

Having just arrived home, at John Street, Greetland, Halifax, on 10 days’ leave, Lt. Daniel William Paris Foster (see 12^th November), Quartermaster, 10DWR, reported to the Senior Medical Officer at the Regimental Depot at Halifax, as suffering from bronchitis. He was issued with a medical certificate, which he forwarded to CO 10DWR, confirming that he had been granted an extension of his leave to 12^th December, on medical grounds.

Pte. Lewis Walton (see 14^th July) was discharged from 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester; he had spent four months in hospital being treated treated for shrapnel wounds suffered on the Somme in July. He would have ten days’ leave before joining 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead. 

Lt. Cecil Edward Merryweather (see 27^th October), currently on home service with the RFA, appeared before a Medical Board at the Military Hospital at Ripon. The Board found that, “He has no symptoms from the wound, but still is very nervous and sleeps badly”. They declared him fit for home service and ordered that he be re-examined in another month.

L.Cpl. William George Wade (see 3^rd August), having completed his training with no.3 Officer Cadet Battalion at Bristol, was commissioned Second Lieutenant and posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

 

Lt. William George Wade

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton