Friday 31st August 1917

Bivouacs and dugouts at Chateau Segard, near the hamlet of Kruistraathoek.

There was a slight improvement in the weather, but still with the threat of further storms.

Clarification was issued as to some concerns which had clearly been raised at the Brigade conference held the previous day to discuss the forthcoming offensive:

1. Canadian Tunnellers in Jam Trench Craters 

These are at present working on the tunnels along the Menin Road; they will be all withdrawn before Z Day.

2. Torr Top Tunnels

The Division has been asked to bring the matter before Corps HQ, with a view to the areas being occupied by 10^th Duke of Wellington’s being more exactly defined and the system being cleaned up.

3. Assembly trenches etc.

The Division is directing 7^th Brigade to accelerate the following work:

(a) Burying dead bodies in Jasper Lane and Jasper Avenue.

(b) Clearing bodies away from the dug-out at west end of Jasper Avenue.

(c) Deepening entrance to Jasper Avenue.

(d) Improving front trench at back edge of Inverness Copse and joining up with Jasper Avenue and Lane.

Pte. William Franklin (see 24^th July), who had previously been in trouble on a number of occasions, was reported as having been drunk while on sentry duty. He was reported by Cpl. Edward Woffindale (see 24^th March) and Pte. John James Goodship (see 5^th July) and, on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 24^th August), was sentenced to 28 days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Pte. Thomas Caton (see 28^th June), who had also been charged with a range of previous offences, was again reported for “falling out on the line of march without permission”; he was reported on the evidence of Sgt. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 22^nd August), Cpl. Rowland Hill and LCpl. S. Ralph (I am currently unable to make a positive identification of either Cpl. Hill or LCpl. Ralph, beyond the fact that Hill was an original member of the Battalion) and was sentenced, on the orders of Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 22^nd August), to be confined to barracks for seven days.

Ptes. Amos Oddy and Charles Sidney Skelton were both admitted to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques. Pte. Oddy was 25 years old and from Wibsey, Bradford and had originally served with 1^st/7^th DWR before being transferred (date and details unknown) to 10DWR; he was suffering from boils to his legs and would be discharged to duty on 6^th September. Pte. Skelton was a 24 year-old railway porter from Shipton, near York; he was suffering from scabies and would be discharged to duty on 6^th September.

Pte. Walter Oddy (see 30^th July), having spent a month at 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques, under treatment for ‘dental caries’, was transferred to 7^th Convalescent Depot at Bouogne; three days later he would be transferred again, to 13^th Convalescent Depot at Trouville.

Pte. Patrick Ferguson (see 16^th July), who had been in hospital since having reported sick whilst on home leave in July, was discharged from Keighley War Hospital; the details of his posting are unknown.Gnr. Frank Widdup (see 1^st May), elder brother of 2Lt. Harry Widdup (see 30^th May), appeared before an Army Medical Board. The Board found that he was suffering from “V.D.H.” (valvular disease of the heart) and from a hernia. He was declared permanently unfit for military service. Although it was deemed that neither condition was “result of or aggravated by service”, and therefore he was not eligible for a military pension, he was eligible for a gratuity of £15.

Casualties during month:

1 officer wounded; 2Lt. Charles George Edward White (see 23^rd August) accidentally wounded.

1 other rank drowned.

1 other rank wounded in action.

1 other rank accidentally wounded.

The official cumulative casualty figures for the Battalion since arriving in France were now:

Killed                                   209

Accidentally killed                5

Died of wounds                    9

Wounded                           975

Accidentally wounded       53

Missing                                129

Articles in the weekly edition of the Craven Herald made reference to two former members of Tunstill’s Company:

COMMISSION FOR A GRASSINGTON SOLDIER

It will be noted with satisfaction that Sgt. Maj. Wm. Oldfield (see 30^th July) has been gazetted 2^nd Lieutenant in the West Riding Regiment. Since joining the Army as a private at the outbreak of war, he has had a splendid record, working his way up to the rank of Sergeant Major. He was in the October list for conspicuous gallantry on the field of battle, recommended to receive the Military Medal, and this was presented to him at Cambridge in July last by General Oldham. Since coming home for training he has spent four months at Trinity College, Cambridge, studying for his commission. He joins his regiment on Saturday next.

2Lt. Billy Oldfield MM

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

GALLANT THORNTON SOLDIERS - MILITARY CROSS FOR SECOND-LIEUTENANT J.B. HARTLEY

The people of Craven, and the residents of Thornton in Craven in particular, will be pleased to hear that two well known Craven soldiers have been recommended for military honours. Second Lieutenant J.B. Hartley, (see 4^th November 1915) son of Mr. and Mrs. Luke Hartley, The Bungalow, for the Military Cross, and Gunner Harry Davies, who lived with his uncle and aunt, Mrs. Johnson, Summit, for the Military Medal.

The citation for the award of the Military Cross to 2Lt. Hartley described his actions, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a pack transport. In spite of very heavy shell fire and unfavourable weather conditions, he succeeded in getting his convoy through to his battalion with rations and ammunition, displaying splendid courage and determination”.  

2Lt. Joseph Barrett Hartley