Wednesday 10th January 1917

Winnipeg Camp

Training continued; according to the War Diary, “Specialists were trained under Specialist Officers. One Platoon in each Company was set aside for training. About 60 men per day were employed on working parties”. 

Pte. Robert Arthur Watkinson (see 10^th November 1916) was reported for ‘neglect of duty whilst on guard’; on the orders of 2Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 9^th January) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

Lt. James Oag, RAMC, who had been temporarily transferred from 69^th Field Ambulance to stand in as RMO for the Battalion from 1^st January was instructed “to proceed forthwith to 12DLI for temporary duty”; presumably Battalion Medical Officer Capt. Cecil Berry (see 1^stJanuary) had returned to duty.

LCpl. Luke Dawson (see 22^nd October 1916) was promoted Corporal.

L.Cpl. Luke Dawson (standing left)

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Capt. John Atkinson (see 29^th October 1916), who had been on sick leave in England since September, was posted to 3^rd (Reserve) Battalion at North Shields, as being unfit for further service overseas.

 

Capt. John Atkinson (front, centre)

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Lt. Thomas Beattie, (see 10^th December 1916), currently serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion in Gateshead, appeared before a further Medical Board convened in Newcastle. The Board found that, “the wound on left shoulder is healed and, though there is no impairment of movement, the scar is still somewhat weak and would be likely to break down if kit is worn. He is fit for service at home but should not wear kit yet”. He was to be re-examined in a further month.

Pte. Albert Hoggarth (see 29^th December 1916), was posted to France to join 9DWR.

2Lt. Sydney Charles Ernest Farrance (see 17^th October 1916) who had been wounded in September while serving with 8DWR, losing the sight in his right eye, wrote to the War Office, with a query regarding his future in the Army.

“Sir

On 12^th August 1914 I joined in the ranks of the 4^th Royal West Surrey Regt and served as a Tommy until I received my commission as 2^nd. Lt. on 22^nd Sept. 14, being gazetted to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

I was sent on active service to a Dardanelles division in Dec. 1915. This division afterwards served on the eastern front of Egypt, coming to France in Juy 1916. I served with this division up to the date when I was wounded, Sept. 14 1916. I was wounded in the eye at the taking of the Wonder Work during the Somme offensive. I have permanently lost the sight of my right eye.

I have been granted three months’ sick leave which expires on 17^th Jan. I have orders to report to 3^rd Reserve Battalion at North Shields. I have now served two years four months as as Second Lieutenant. I should be pleased to know if I am eligible for any promotion. I am desirous of returning to France but dislike doing so as a Second Lieutenant with the use of only one eye”.

Despite his injuries, Farrance would later serve with 10DWR.

  

A payment of £5 7s 5d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Acting Sgt. Albert Herd (see 23^rd August 1916). The payment would go to his father, John Herd.

 

Acting Sgt. Albert Herd