Saturday 11th August 1917

Billets near Moulle.

Further heavy thunderstorms.

Pte. John Bayliss (see 24^th July) was reported by Sgt. Alfred Dolding (see 25^th July) for “inattention on parade”; on the orders of Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 10^th August), he wasto be confined to barracks for four days.

Pte. Harold Draper (see 24^th July) was reported by L.Cpl. Thomas Riding (see 25^th July) and Cpl. Anthony John Laskey (see below) for “insolence to an NCO”; on the orders of Capt. Perks he was awarded seven days Field Punishment no.2.

Anthony John Laskey was an original member of the Battalion. He was 33 years old, a married man with two children, from Newcastle, where he had worked as a tram conductor. 

Pte. Patrick Sweeney (see 12^th June) was again reported absent without leave at 9.30pm. His absence was reported by Sgt. John Stephenson (see 28^th June), Cpl. Dobson (I am, as yet, unable to make a positive identification of this man) and L.Cpl. Middleton Busfield (see 4th October 1916).

Cpl. Albert Harold Hanson (see 31^st July) was discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques and re-joined the Battalion.
Pte. William Brooke (see 8^th June), serving in France with 2^nd/5^thDWR, was wounded in action, suffering severe wounds to his left arm and hand; he would be evacuated via 19^th Field Ambulance to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station at Oosthoek and, same day, by no.22 Ambulance Train. He would be evacuated to England two days later.

Pte. John Edward Atkinson (see 28^th July), who had spent the previous two weeks at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples following a stay in hospital, was re-classified as fit only for Base Duties, due to “age and debility” (he was 40 years old).

The personal effects of the late Lt. Arthur Halstead (see 6^th August) were despatched to his family; they comprised of, “2 wrist watches and straps (1 broken); 1 ring; 3 identity discs; letters, cards etc; 1 cigarette case; 1 pipe, 1 protractor (broken); 1 pair of binoculars in case and 1 sling; 2 reigious books; 1 knife-fork-spoon (combined); 1 compass and case; 1 cheque book; 2 pass books; 1 account book; 1 advance book; 8 military books; 1 safety razor and case; 1 whistle and leather lanyard; 6 notebooks; 1 leather purse (damaged); 1 wallet; 1 nail clippers; 2 crucifix (1 damaged); 2 collar badges; 2 bronze stars; 4 cloth stars; 1 MC ribbon; 1 cap badge, 1 flask; 1 fountain pen; stamps; 1 cuff link; 1 Field Service pocket book; 2 ABS 152; 1 AB 153 and refills; 1 diary; 2 religious medallions; note papers”.

A grant of probate was issued in respect of the affairs of the late 2Lt. Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards (see 25^th June), who had been officially reported ‘missing in action’ following the action at Munster Alley in July 1916; his estate, valued at £1,082 6s. 8d., was to be administered by his widowed mother, Blanche.