Friday 20th July 1917

In close reserve with BHQ at Larch Wood (I.29.c.2.9). One Company at the Dump (I.29.c.2.4); one Company at Battersea Farm (I.23.c.7.2) and two Companies much further back at Scottish Wood near Dickebusch.

A hot day

Pte. Samuel Garside Hardy (see 29^th November 1916) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance, suffering from scabies; he was then transferred to one of the local Casualty Clearing Stations for further treatment.

Cpl. Lionel Vickers (see 24^th May) reported sick, suffering from “PUO” (‘pyrexia’ or raised temperature, of unknown origin). He would be admitted via 71^st Field Ambulance to 23^rd Divisional Rest Station where he would spend four days, before returning to duty on 24^th July.

Pte. Fred Heppinstall (see 26^th May), was transferred from 50^th Casualty Clearing Station at Mont des Cats to 2^nd Stationary Hospital at Hazebrouck; he was suffering from scabies and boils.

L.Cpl. Louis Feather (see 7^th June), who had suffered a relatively minor wound to his left arm on 7^th June, was discharged from 22^nd General Hospital at Camiers and joined 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service.

Pte. Robert Ellis Clayton (see 6^th July), who had been convicted of desertion from 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Gateshead, was posted back to France; he was originally to have joined 9DWR but would be re-posted to 1^st/7^thDWR. 

Pte. Willie Hey (see 7^th June), who had been in England since having been wounded on 7^th June, was discharged from the County of Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury, near St. Albans; once recovered he would not re-join 10DWR but would instead be posted to 9DWR.

Pte. Harry Clark (see 8^th June), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was reported absent off his final embarkation leave. He would return at 9pm on 27^th July and would be ordered to forfeit eight days’ pay and undergo eight days’ Field Punishment no.2

Sgt. Richard Farrar (see 14^th June), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was reported absent off his final embarkation leave. He would return at 10am on 23^rd July and would be reprimanded and ordered to forfeit four days’ pay.

Pte. James Edward Simpson (see 16^th June), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was reported absent off his final embarkation leave from 6am. He would return on 23^rd July and would be ordered to forfeit four days’ pay and undergo four days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Following six months’ treatment for the severe wounds he had suffered in January, Cpl. Henry Markham (see 14^th January) was discharged from Brechin Infirmary and granted ten days’ leave. 

Former member of Tunstill’s Company, Cpl. George Clark (see 31^st January), now serving with ASC, Motor Transport Section in England, having been diagnosed with Raynauds Disease, was formally discharged from the Army on account of his illness. He was granted a pension for one year in the first instance, to be reviewed thereafter. On discharge it was said that, “His conduct has been very good. He is sober, reliable and intelligent. He is a competent motor driver and has performed his duties satisfactorily”.

The father of 2Lt. Harold Watthews (see 6^th July), who had been killed in action on 8^th June, wrote to the War Office acknowledging receipt of various (unstated) personal effects, but also stating that the following were missing: “Two pocket books containing letters and private papers, a gold wristlet watch, compass, revolver, case of razors, flask, tobacco pouch, camp kit, 4 new shirts – only just sent out, also several pairs of new socks”. In reply the War Office stated that there were no other personal effects and that “owing to the abnormal conditions attaching to active service, delay in the recovery and transmission of such effects is frequently unavoidable”

 

2Lt. Harold Watthews