Monday 16th April 1917

Trenches in the Hill 60 sub-sector, opposite the Caterpillar

Another largely quiet day, fine for much of the day but with rain in the evening, with repairs and improvements still being carried out. However, at least two men were wounded in action. Pte. Michael Edward McCuen (known as ‘Teddy’) (see 12^th November 1916) was severely injured by a shell explosion, suffering wounds to his face, right leg and a compound fracture of his right forearm; he was treated first at 4^th London Field Ambulance before being evacuated to 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings, Lijssenthoek. Pte. Alfred Whittaker (see 23^rd March) was also wounded; he suffered shrapnel wounds to the head and would also be admitted via 4^th London Field Ambulance to 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station.

L.Cpl. Harry Smith (12240) (see 16^th July 1916) was promoted Corporal.

2Lt. Frank Wilkinson arrived in France, en route to join 10DWR; I am, as yet unable to make a positive identification of this officer.

Maj. Stephen Minchin Mercer, ASC (see 19^th March), who had taken a prominent role in raising recruits in the Craven area in the Autumn of 1914, was declared permanently unfit for service (reason not stated).

Capt. William Norman Town (see 5^th March), recently transferred to 3DWR from 3^rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, appeared before a further Medical Board convened at Tynemouth. The Board found him now to be fit for general service.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. John Whitaker Fennell (see 24^thFebruary), who had been killed in October 1916; his widow, Kate, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week for herself and their daughter.


A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Charlie Wilman (see 29^th March), who had been killed in action in October 1916; his widow, Elsie, was awarded £1 2s. 11d. per week for herself and their two daughters.