Sunday 3rd June 1917

“Scottish Lines” in the Boeschepe training area, near Watou.

Another hot and dusty day. There was the usual church parade at 10am before a further eight miles march took the Battalion to fields between Brandhoek and Ouderdom where they bivouacked for the night.

In the continuing absence of Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 18^th May) there were a series of temporary promotions to provide for the command of the Battalion in the coming operations. Maj. Charles Bathurst (see 2nd June) was confirmed in temporary command of the Battalion, and was temporarily promoted Lieutenant Colonel. Capt. Hugh William Lester MC (see 27^th May) was promoted Temporary Major and Second-in-Command and Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips (see 9^th May), who had previously been Acting Adjutant, was now confirmed in his post.

Image by kind permission of the Trustees of the DWR Museum

LCpl. Edwin Lightfoot (see 10^th April) was promoted (unpaid) Corporal.

Pte. Frank Easterby (see 8^th December 1916) was admitted to 23^rd Division Rest Station at Waratah Camp, south-east of Poperinghe, suffering from “I.C.T.” (inflammation of the connective tissue) to his right foot; he would be discharged to duty after seven days.

Capt. James Watson Paterson (see 5^th August 1916) was transferred away from the Training Reserve and posted instead to the West Riding Regiment; he would, in due course, be posted to 10DWR. 

L.Cpl. Frank Bounds (see 6^th July 1916) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to wounds; he was assessed as having suffered a 30% disability and was awarded an Army pension of 13s. per week for life.