Tuesday 5th June 1917

Railway Dugouts

A very hot day. There was considerable German shelling throughout the day.

There was no doubt among the men about the significance of what they were about to do as illustrated by a letter written by Pte. Samuel Woodhead (see 17^th October 1916) to his wife, "It is a beautiful day and you wouldn't think there was a war on, but all the same, the Huns are going to get hell - one of the most terrible battles in the history of the world. If I should get knocked out I hope this reaches you all right."

Pte. Samuel Woodhead

The Battalion drew iron rations as required by Brigade orders in preparation for their final move into the front line, relieving 11^th Northumberland Fusiliers. However, this was delayed by German shelling and would not actually begin until the early hours of 6^th June. 

Pte. Harry Clay (see 12^th November 1916) departed for England on ten days leave.

Pte. Alfred Spencer (see 19^th December 1916) was admitted to hospital suffering from shellshock; the details of his treatment are unknown, but at some point he was transferred to duty at the permanent base of IV Corps at Albert.

2Lt. George Henry Roberts (see 1^st January), formerly of 10^th Battalion, but currently on sick leave from 3DWR following compound fractures of his left tibia and fibula, appeared before an Army Medical Board. The Board found that, “The wound is soundly healed and an excellent result has been obtained; union of bone being perfect. He walks with a very slight limp, but is able to negotiate 2 miles with comfort and says he is improving each day and should again become an excellent officer. We have told him to return to his home and await instructions from HQ”.

Pte. George Smith (20340) (see 7^th April), who had been in England since reporting sick two months’ previously, was sufficiently recovered to be posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

Trooper Claude Darwin (see 1^st June), serving in Egypt with 1^st Field Squadron, Engineers, Anzac Mounted Division, returned to duty following a short period of treatment for tonsilitis. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin (see 1^st June), who had recently re-joined 10DWR.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Frederick William Jesson (see 12^th April), who had been killed in action at Le Sars in October 1916; his mother, Sarah, was awarded 8s. 6d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Frank Oddy Waddington (see 24^th April) who had died of wounds in November 1916; his father, Craven, was awarded 5s. per week.