Friday 15th December 1916

Infantry Barracks in Ypres

A damp and foggy day. The whole of 69^th Brigade was relieved by 70^th Brigade, with 8KOYLI taken over from the Battalion in the barracks in Ypres. At 7.30 pm the Battalion left Ypres by train for Vlamertinghe and from there completed the short march to Winnipeg Camp, where they would remain until 23^rd.

In a letter to his wife, Brigadier General T.S. Lambert (see passim), commanding 69^th Brigade, commented on the current conditions, telling her that, “You could hardly imagine what a lot of mud and slush there is everywhere … There has been a lot of heavy ‘strafing’ by both sides yesterday and all night, but not on our lines, though not far off. I only hope we have done Boche some damage. I think his shells have knocked trenches a bit but not done any great harm to the men”.

(I am greatly indebted to Juliet Lambert for her generosity in allowing me to reproduce extracts from the letters here).

Acting Cpl. Josias Bailey (see 27^th October) was confirmed in his rank.

Pte. Herbert Kitley (see 16^th October) was posted from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples to return to active service. However, rather than re-joining 10DWR, he was, instead, posted to 8DWR on the Somme front.

Matthew Best (see 10^th November), who had been discharged from the Army a month earlier, received the Silver War Badge which was issued to men in his position.

Matthew Best

2Lt. Ernest George Costello (see 8^th October), who had served two months with 10DWR before returning to England in October was now formally transferred to the Army Service Corps, and posted to 1^st Corps Troops Supply Column, based at Le Havre. 


A pension award was made in respect of the late Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw, DCM (see 11^th September), who had been killed on 9^th June; his widow, Jane, was awarded 19s. per week, later (in May 1917) increased to £1 3s.

Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw DCM