Saturday 9th June 1917

Front line trenches (“Black Line”) in Battle Wood I.35.d.35.0. to I.35.d.95.50

The weather was again fine and hot and the Battalion continued to hold the new front and support lines which had been established on 7^th June. In the evening two Companies were moved forward to relieve 9^th Yorkshires from the new front line, occupying, “a series of strong points small posts well dug in”; the new front line was roughly on the line from I.35.d.3.0. to I.35.d.9.5. The remaining two Companies continued to hold the blue line defences. This move was accomplished successfully in the face of great difficulty and Maj. Charles Bathurst (see 7^th June) would subsequently be awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his, “coolness and exceptional judgement in action … he was able, in spite of heavy casualties and severe fighting, to take over the frontage of another battalion  at a time of difficulty and anxiety. His skilful leadership and power of control were most marked throughout the operation”.

Pte. Herbert Hodgkins (see 13^th April) was killed in action; he was originally buried but the site of his grave was lost in subsequent fighting and he is now commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Three men who had been wounded the previous day died of their wounds at 17^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; all three would be buried in the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Cpl. James Edward Kaye (see 8^th June) and Ptes. Harold Pape (see 8^th June) and Samuel Woodhead (see 8^th June) had all suffered severe head wounds. One of the staff from the CCS wrote to Woodhead’s wife, “Dear Madam, – I am very sorry to have to tell you that your husband was brought to hospital yesterday dangerously wounded in the head. Everything possible was done to relieve him, but he died at 4p.m. this afternoon, never being conscious since admission. Tomorrow at 2 o’clock he will be buried in the military cemetery at Remy. There will be a cross placed on his grave with his name and regiment. I am very sorry I have so little to tell you about him, but he was quite unconscious all the time. All your husband’s personal effects will be forwarded to you by the proper authorities in due course”.

Pte. Samuel Woodhead

Cpl. Walter Appleby (see 2^nd June) was promoted (Acting) Sergeant; Pte. Ernest Pearson (see 16^th February) was promoted Acting Lance Corporal.

Pte. Harry Beaumont (29306) (see 16^th January) was admitted via 71^st Field Ambulance and 2^nd Casualty Clearing Station to 1^st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples suffering from “I.C.T.” (inflammation of the connective tissue) to his right ear.

Pte. Thomas Ward (see 20^th May) was discharged from 50th Casualty Clearing Station at Hazebrouck and re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. Ernest Taylor (29168) (see 22^nd February), who had been under medical treatment in England since reporting sick with a severe case of ‘trench foot’ in February, was sufficiently recovered to be posted to 3DWR at North Shields, to prepare for a return to active service.

Pte. Clement Wilson (see 2^nd May) was discharged from Huddersfield War Hospital where he had spent the previous month being treated for dyspnoea (shortness of breath).


Pte. Tom Crowther (see 6^th October 1916), who had been in England since having suffered severe wounds which would result in the amputation of his right leg in October 1916, was formally discharged from the Amy as no longer physically fit for service on account of his wounds; he was awarded the Silver War Badge and an Army pension of £1 7s. 6d. per week.

Just four days after returning to duty following treatment for tonsilitis, Trooper Claude Darwin (see 5^th June), serving in Egypt with 1^st Field Squadron, Engineers, Anzac Mounted Division, again reported sick. He was admitted first to 53^rd Casualty Clearing Station with a swelling to his neck, and would be transferred a week later to 25^th Stationery Hospital. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin (see 7^th June), who had been wounded on 7^th June.