Wednesday 9th May 2017

Chippewa Camp, south-east of Reninghelst

The Battalion supplied large working parties to assist in the construction of pipes to carry fresh water from Zillebeke Bund and Dickebusch Lake towards the British front lines and on the construction of second line trenches. They would remain employed on this task, providing working parties of almost 500 men each night, until 17^th May. Training continued on another hot day. In a postscript to his letter of the previous day, Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 8^th May) reflected somewhat ruefully on the employment of so many from the Brigade in labouring tasks;

“The men will be out working nearly al day and every day so I shall see little of them and even their own COs will not see much more. It seems a pity that after being fairly well primed up by training, much of its value should be lost by their now being scattered about without much supervision and with no chance of further training. However, it cannot be helped and I daresay it will not really do much harm.”

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

Pte. Milton Sutcliffe (see 9^th January) found himself on a charge of “irregular conduct whilst on guard duty; absent when guard was turned out for the C.O”. The charge was raised on the evidence given by Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips (see 16^th February), and 2Lt. George Edward White (see 2^nd March), and Sutcliffe was ordered to serve five extra guard duties.

Pte. Joe Fawcett (see 11^th January) was admitted via 6^th London Field Ambulance, at Remy Sidings, Lijssenthoek, to the Division Rest Station at Waratah Camp, south-east of Poperinghe, suffering from inflammation of the larynx.

Pte. Alfred Whittaker (see 16^th April) was discharged from 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings, Lijssenthoek, and re-joined the Battalion.

A telegram was sent to the father of Capt. George Reginald Charles Heale MC, serving with 2DWR (see 3^rd May), informing him that his son, “is reported wounded and missing May 3^rd. Further news sent immediately on receipt”.

Capt. G R C Heale MC

A payment of £1 18s 10d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. William Butterfield (see 1^st January); the payment would go to his widow, Sarah. There were similar payments to the widow of Pte. Sydney Fox (see 5^th January), of £4 15s 8d; and to the father of Pte. Frank Harrison (19068) (see 5^th January), of £2 2s 3d.