Friday 26th January 1917

Billets in the Infantry Barracks in Ypres

Another quiet day but bitterly cold day, with large working parties again provided for the Royal Engineers.

L.Cpls. Harry Holmes (see 30^th July 1916) and William Hutchinson (see 9^th December) were promoted Corporal. L.Cpl. Jonathan Richardson Sunderland (see 20^th October 1916) was confirmed and paid in his rank, which he had previously held on an unpaid basis. Despite his previous brushes with military discipline, Pte. Clarence Best (see 19^th December 1916) was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal. Pte. James Arthur Heap (17^th December 1916) was also promoted (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

Pte. Fred Riddiough (see 12^th September 1916), was admitted to 50^th Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from scabies.

Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (see 5^th January), currently on light duty with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Brighton Road Schools, Gateshead appeared before a further Medical Board assembled at Tynemouth. The Board found that, “nothing is now to be observed wrong with the knee joint; no swelling or tenderness. He states that he has some pain and swelling if he walks far, but the Board ascertains that he is able to march 10 miles”. He was declared fit for general service.

Capt. Gilbert Tunstill

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

A payment of £5 19s. 1d. was authorised, in respect of pay and allowances due to the late Pte. Edward Kilburn (see 6th October 1916) who had been killed in action in October 1916; the payment would go to his widow, Ethel.
The weekly edition of the Craven Herald again reported on the death of Sgt. Thomas Moyle MM (see 12^th January)

STEETON-WITH-EASTBURN - THE LATE SERGEANT T. MOYLE

During the past fortnight many sincere expressions of sympathy from local friends, as well as letters from Steeton soldiers in their late son's battalion, have reached Mr. and Mrs. E. Moyle, Elmsley Street, Steeton. The Chaplain of the gallant sergeant's brigade (Rev. Wilfred L. Henderson, see 7^th January) has also written a sympathising letter in which he says:-

"You will already have heard the sad news of the death of your son, but I also wish to tell you how deeply we all sympathise with you in your loss. It happened while we were in a billet behind the line, an unfortunate German shell killing and wounding many of our men. Your son was very seriously wounded and died shortly afterwards. We buried him the following evening in a soldier's cemetery and a short service was held at the graveside. A cross with his name and number will be put over his grave and it will be forever kept sacred and reverently cared for. Your son will be much missed in the battalion. He had been with us so long and had the love and respect of all. Believe me our prayers and sympathy are with you in your great sorrow."

Sgt Thomas Moyle MM

There was also news of the continuing fund-raising efforts and the provision of parcels for men at the front:

SOLDIER’S GRATITUDE

Letters have been received from men on the Longpreston and Wigglesworth Roll of Honour showing how much they have appreciated their Christmas parcels. They all comment on the variety and usefulness of the contents and wish to convey the thanks of all who had in any way contributed, either by working or giving, towards sending them out. One of the letters received brought news that Company Sergeant Major William Jones (see 23^rd January) had been awarded the Military Medal during the ‘Big Push’.