Tuesday 27th February 1917

Winnipeg Camp

The Battalion was ordered to march from Winnipeg Camp to begin what would be a six-week period away from the front line; the weather was described as “excellent for marching … a cool, easy day”. Provision was made for a ten-minute halt every hour along the line of march. The Battalion was to be in position just west of Brandhoek, ready to move off from there at 10.17am. They would be the final Battalion in the Brigade, followed only by 69^th Field Ambulance and 192 Company, ASC. They first marched eight miles to ‘Z’ Camp, near Sint Jan ter Biezen, east of Poperinghe, where an overnight stop was taken.

Cpl. Luke Dawson (see 10^th January) was promoted Acting Sergeant.

Pte. Ernest Mudd (see 12^th November 1916) was admitted to 70^th Field Ambulance; he was suffering from inflammation to his right leg.

Pte. Arnold Robson (see 12th December 1916) was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from a mild case of ‘trench foot’. 

Pte. Bertie Constantine (see 12^th February), serving with 3DWR at North Shields was released following a period of seven days’ detention; he was immediately reported ‘absent from tattoo’ and would not return until 9pm on the 28^th, as a result of which he would serve a further two days’ detention.

Pte. Frank William Rabjohn (see 2^nd February) was discharged to duty from Bevan Military Hospital, Sandgate; two days later he would be posted back to France.

Almost two months after having been wounded, Pte. James Duncan Foster (see 7^th January) was sufficiently recovered to be posted to 3DWR at Tynemouth.

Cpl. Henry Feather was killed in action while serving with 16^th Battalion West Yorks.; he was buried at Owl Trench Cemetery, Hebuterne. Henry was the younger brother of Pte. Joe Feather (see 29^th July), who had been one of the Keighley men who had served with Tunstill’s Company; Joe himself had been wounded on the Somme in July 1916.

A payment of £2 17s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Arthur Cooper Clapham (see 6^th October 1916) who had been killed in action in October 1916; the payment would go to his father, Matthew.

A payment of £7 8s 5d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Sgt. Albert Edward Dury (see 6^th October 1916); the payment would go to his father, Richard. 

A payment of £5 2s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Arthur Edward Windsor (see 6^th October 1916) who had been killed in action in October 1916; the payment would go to his father, Albert.