Friday 9th February 1917

Winnipeg Camp

The weather remained very cold with another hard frost. The Battalion returned to the front line, on this occasion marching direct, rather than by train via Vlamertinghe and Ypres. Before departing they received a new draft of 29 men just arrived from the Base Depot at Etaples where they had arrived three weeks earlier; among those in this draft was Pte. Harold Illingworth Cawthra (see 22^nd January). Other men from this draft have also been identified. Pte. Louis Hodgson was a 19 year-old warehouseman from Bradford. Another man who joined was Pte. Fred Addy; he was a 20 year-old boot repairer from Staveley Town, near Chesterfield. Pte. Alfred Whittaker was a 19 year-old wire warehouseman from Bradford.

The Battalion then marched to new positions near Observatory Ridge, east of Zillebeke, between I.24.d.7.1 to I.24.d.8.6, relieving 11^th Northumberland Fusiliers. Two and a half Companies were in the front line, with one in support; the remaining two platoons were lent to 8^th Yorkshires who were holding the line on the right (south). Battalion HQ was at Valley Cottages. The relief was completed at about 12.30am on 10^th.

Sgt. Michael Kenefick MM (see 5^th January), who had been wounded a month previously, was transferred from 2^nd Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne to 7^th Convalescent Depot, also in Boulogne.

Pte. Patrick Sweeney (see 7^th February), who had been admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance two days previously with a diagnosis of gonorrhoea, was transferred to 10th Casualty Clearing Station.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the death of Pte. George Gelling (see 24^th January).

SKIPTON FOOTBALLER KILLED - CORPORAL GEORGE GELLING

We regret to record the death on active service of Corporal (sic.) George Gelling, of the West Riding Regiment (son of Mr. Gelling, of Union Square, Skipton), whose wife lives at 17, Cumberland Street, Skipton. The sad news was first received in a letter from another Skipton soldier, and this was followed by the official intimation from the Records Office on Saturday. Thirty-nine years of age, deceased enlisted about a month after the outbreak of war and went a year later to the Western Front, where he had taken part in a good deal of fighting, including an encounter with the famous Prussian Guards who, on that particular occasion, were badly cut up by the English. He had also had at least one narrow shave - about three months ago when he was 'blown' into a trench without injury.

Corporal Gelling was interested in all kinds of sport, and at one time was a prominent Northern Union Rugby Football player. He first joined the Worth Village Club and subsequently rendered most useful service as a three-quarter with both the Manningham and Keighley Clubs. Prior to enlisting he was a stoker at the Skipton Gasworks.

 

Pte. George Gelling

There was also news of the continuing fund-raising efforts being carried out by Mrs. Geraldine Tunstill (see 8^th December 1916).

COMFORTS FOR CAPT. TUNSTILL’S MEN

Mrs. H.G. Tunstill acknowledges most gratefully the following gifts: Mr. John Waugh, £1; Mr. and Mrs. F. Garnett, £2 2s.; “a friend of the soldiers”, 4 pairs of socks; Mrs. W.G. Tunstill, cigarettes, three knitted cardigans, 100 Christmas cards. Two parcels were sent to all Capt. Tunstill’s men, whether at home or abroad, and many grateful letters have been received. Each parcel contained socks, diary, writing wallet, card, chocolate, Oxo cubes, peppermints, tobacco, cigarettes and handkerchiefs, but in some cases a postal order was sent to those in hospital or on light duty in England.

If by any chance one of Captain Tunstill’s original recruits have not received a gift, they can have one on applying to Mrs. Tunstill, who will continue the monthly consignments to France, and will be most grateful for any “comforts”, or money for same, to be sent to her at Milford Hall, South Milford, Yorkshire.