Thursday 13th September 1917

Billets in the Lederzeele area.

At 10.18am the Battalion began a march 15 miles east, via Nordpeene, where a three hour rest was taken, Zuytpeene, Bavinchove and Cassel, back to their former billets in the Steenvorde area.

Pte. Ernest Hardcastle (see 1^st September), who had been receiving treatment for accidental, minor, burns to his hands, was discharged from 23^rd Divisional Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. Ernest Wilson (11751) (see 30^th August) was transferred from 7^th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne to 14^th Convalescent Depot at Trouville.

Pte. Ernest Smith (29167) (see 3^rd August) who had suffered wounds to his head and thigh on 7^th June, and had been under treatment at the Auxiliary Hospital “A”, at Wych Cross, Forest Row, Sussex, was discharged from hospital and granted ten days leave before reporting to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

Lt. David Lewis Evans (see 2^nd August), who had been in England having wounded in July, appeared before a Medical Board assembled at 3^rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. The Board found that, “At Ypres on 16/7/17 owing to near shell burst he received numerous wounds of chest; one penetrating right lung. There was haemoptysis, haemothorax and surgical emphysema. Admitted here 2/8/17 X-ray shows foreign body at level of right fifth rib – moving with respiration. Other wounds healed. Perforation of both membrane tympani – due to otitis. Deafness of right ear seriously increased since wound”. He was declared unfit for general service for three months and for any duty for one month and recommended for admission to a convalescent hospital, pending re-examination in one months’ time.

A payment of £1 19s. 3d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Arnold Crossley (see 8^th June), who had died of wounds on 8^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Florence.