Monday 21st May 1917

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

Another very warm day, with artillery active on both sides throughout the day. Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 12^th May) visited the Battalion’s sector, in company with temporary CO Maj. Charles Bathurst (see 18^th May). The Divisional Trench Mortar Battery was again in action, firing 78 rounds, “in retaliation heavy trench mortars and rifle grenades”. 

Cpl. Harold Best (see 8^th May) suffered minor facial wounds and was treated at 69^th Field Ambulance at Vlamertinghe Mill before being transferred, next day, to 23^rd Division Rest Station at Waratah Camp, south-east of Poperinghe; he would return to duty five days later.


Pte. Martin Reddington (see 16^th January) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance at Vlamertinghe Mill and from there, on the same day, to 23^rd Division Rest Station at Waratah Camp, south-east of Poperinghe; he was suffering from “pyrexia, NYD” (high temperature, not yet diagnosed).

Capt. Dick Bolton (see 14^th April), commanding ‘A’ Company, departed for England on ten days’ leave. In his absence, command of ‘A’ Company, in their preparations for the forthcoming Messines attack, would pass to 2Lt. Bob Perks, DSO (see 20^th May).

  

Capt. Dick Bolton

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

2Lt. Bob Perks DSO

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

Having spent twelve days being treated for inflammation of the larynx and boils, Pte. Joe Fawcett (see 9^th May) was discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station at Waratah Camp, south-east of Poperinghe, and returned to duty.

Pte. Joseph Clough (see 14^th May), who had been wounded a week previously, was evacuated from 32nd Stationery Hospital at Wimereux to England for further treatment. Having arrived in England he would be transferred to Edinburgh War Hospital.

Pte. James Pickering (see 4^th July), who had been transferred to Army Reserve Class W ten months’ previously and released to resume his former work at Tinsley Park Colliery, Sheffield, appeared before an Army Medical Board assembled at 3^rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. The findings of the Board are unknown, but there was clearly some doubt as to his fitness for work.

James Wilkinson, landlord of the Coach and Horses Inn, Bolton-by-Bowland, died; he was the father of James Wilkinson jnr. (see 10^th January 1916), who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits, but had been rejected on medical grounds. James jnr.’s elder brother, Harry, was serving with the ASC.

A payment of £3 10s. 7d. was authorised, being an amount found to be still outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Arthur Julian (see 29^th July 1916), who had been killed in action in July 1916; the payment would go to his father, George.

Pte. Arthur Julian

Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenofWorth