Monday 16th July 1917

Support trenches in the left sector of the Divisional front near Observatory Ridge. Battalion HQ and one Company were positioned in Hedge Street Tunnels about I.24.d.5.1; one Company in Canada dugouts about I.30.a.9.4; one Company at Rudkin House Tunnels about I.24.a.0.1; and one Company in Metropolitan Left about I.29.a.8.2.

A very hot day.

Lt. David Lewis Evans (see 1^st July) was wounded when a German shell exploded in the trench he was in. He suffered multiple shrapnel wounds to the chest, including one which penetrated his lung, and was also rendered partially deaf. He would be evacuated via a local Casualty Clearing Station to one of the hospitals at Le Treport. Cpl. Paul Bland (see 8^th July) was also among an unknown number wounded; his wounds were severe, but the details of his treatment are unknown. Also wounded was Pte. James Robert Ingleson (see 29^th January); he suffered severe wounds to his left eye, right leg and both feet and was admitted to 64^th Casualty Clearing Station at Mendighem.

On the night of the 16/17th the Battalion relieved the 9th Yorks Regt in the front line. However, only two Companies moved into the front line, between I.30.b.9.8. and I.30.c.8.4, where the line was held by a series of posts in the absence of continuous trenches. Battalion HQ and one Company remained in Hedge Street Tunnels and the remaining Company in Canada dugouts. The enemy shelling was heavy and many gas shells were used. 

Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 30^th June) who had been away from the Battalion since being taken ill on 18^th May, returned and resumed command. Acting CO Maj. Herbert Henry Hudson MC (see 10^th July) returned to 11^th West Yorks. 

Lt. Col. Robert Raymer

2Lt. Leopold Henry Burrow (see 15^th July) who had only re-joined the Battalion the previous day, reported sick, having suffered a sprain to his right leg. He was admitted to 4^th London Field Ambulance and would be transferred via 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 7^th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne.

Pte. Augustus Edgar Stone (see 5^th July), who had only joined the Battalion eleven days previously, was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Divisional Rest Station, suffering from a raised remperature; he would be discharged to duty after five days.

Pte. Arnold Robson (see 6^th July) was discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion.
Pte. James Charles Eugene O’Callaghan (see 7^th June), who had been severely wounded on 7^th June, was now evacuated to England for further treatment to his injuries.  

Pte. Patrick Ferguson (see 6^th July), on leave in England, was admitted to Keighley War Hospital, suffering from a recurrence of the rheumatic fever from which he had first suffered in September 1916. 


A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. William Butterfield (see 9^th May) who had been killed in action in January; his widow, Sarah, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.