Friday 16th February 1917

Brigade support positions at Zillebeke Bund and around Observatory Ridge Ridge (One Company in Stafford Street, in Sanctuary Wood (I.24.b.3.5); two platoons at the Redan, just north of Rudkin House; two platoons at Maple Copse; and the remaining two Companies at the north-west edge of Zillebeke Bund (I.21.a.1.5).

Further working parties were supplied for the front line. The weather turned much milder.

Pte. Tom Smith (see 19^th December 1916) was reported by Sgt. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 14th February) as having had a “dirty rifle on parade”; on the orders of Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne (see 19^th January) he was to be confined to barracks for seven days.

Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 15^th February) noted in his diary that, “Gen. B. and Phillips went to St. Pol to be decorated by Gen. Nivelle (French Honours)”. ‘Gen. B.” refers to Major General Sir James Babington, commanding 23^rd Division, while ‘Phillips’ would appear to be Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips (see 25^th January), Acting Adjutant with 10DWR. Phillips was certainly, at some point in 1917, awarded the Croix de Guerre, although the exact details of the award have not yet been established. 

(I am greatly indebted to Juliet Lambert for her generosity in allowing me to quote from Brig. Genl. Lambert’s diary and letters).

 

Image by kind permission of the Trustees of the DWR Museum

CSM Billy Oldfield MM (see 28^th January) and Sgt. Harry Waller MM (see 8^th December 1916) were posted to the regimental depot at Halifax. Both would enjoy a period of leave before beginning their officer training. Oldfield’s position as Company Sergeant Major went to his friend and colleague Sgt. James Davis MM (see 8^th December 1916).

CSM Billy Oldfield in uniform and in 'civvies'. Both images by kind permission of Henry Bolton.

Sgt. Harry Waller

Pte. Harold Best (see 16^th November 1916) was promoted Lance Corporal.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of Pte. Irvine Clark (see 3^rd January)

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

War Items

Private Irvine Clark is having a short leave prior to his return to France, after being in England for several months since his wounds were received on the Somme front. Mr. Tom Wolfenden jnr., of Fonden, now of the Flying Corps, stationed in France, has been made 1st Class air mechanic.