Thursday 16th November 1916

Brigade Reserve, west of Zillebeke Bund

Over the next few days, which were largely foggy, the Battalion enjoyed a quiet period, with just small parties, of around twenty men, being despatched each night as working parties to assist the Royal Engineers.

Plans began to be developed for the proposed raid to be conducted by a party from the Battalion on 20^th November (see 13^th November). An artillery scheme was put in place and “for the instruction of the raiding party the O.C. Canadian Tunnelling Company has kindly arranged for materials to be available for practice and explanation in Ypres during the next two days”.

After spending two weeks at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples following a period in hospital, Ptes. Ernest Ashness (see 30^th October) and Harold Best (see 30^th October) re-joined the Battalion.

After spending two months in hospital Pte. Samuel Garside Hardy (see 14^th September) was admitted posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service.

Dr. R. Richmond of 35 High Street, Wimbledon certified that he had examined Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 18^th October) who was currently on sick leave. He reported that Pereira “has lost most of his neurasthenia symptoms with which he invalided home. I consider that he is now fit for light duty”.

Capt. Adrian O'Donnell Pereira

Just one day after having been found absent from parade, Pte. Patrick Sweeney (see 15^th November), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, again failed to appear on parade (this time at 7.15am). He received a further sentence of five days confined to barracks.