Sunday 8th July 1917

Billets in the Steenworde area.

A wet day.

Cpl. Wilson Allinson (see 8^th May) was promoted Sergeant.

L.Cpl. Paul Bland (see 15^th June) was promoted Corporal.

Pte. Ernest Hardcastle joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, where he had spent the previous two weeks since arriving in France. He was a 19 year-old apprentice from Silsden. Pte. Albert Edward Pope also joined the Battalion from Etaples; he was a 37 year-old lacemaker from Long Eaton, Notts. He had originally been posted to France in November 1916 when he had joined 12DWR, a labour Battalion, but had been taken ill with trench fever in March 1917 and had spent a month in hospital before being passed fit to return to active service. Pte. Norman Woodhouse also joined the Battalion; he was a 20 year-old ‘finisher’ from Huddersfield and had been called up in August 1916 and trained with 3DWR. He had been posted to Etaples on 21^st June and had originally been due to join 8DWR.