Wednesday 24th October 1917

Zudausques

A fine day, though with some rain in the evening.

Training and range practice.

Pte. James Hillhouse (see 5^th October) was reported for ‘making an improper reply to an NCO’; on the evidence of 2Lt. Edwin Everingham Ison (see 9^th October),  and on the orders of Maj. Charles Bathurst MC (see 30^th September) he was to undergo seven days Field Punishment no.1.

Pte. William George Ruddock (see 19^th October), who had suffered shrapnel wounds to his head on 21^st September, re-joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Following ten days in hospital, Cpl. James Henry Howarth (see 13^th October) was posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service.

Ptes. John Edward Scott (see 3^rd September) and William Postill Taylor (see 11^th September), serving serving with 3DWR at North Shields, were both reported absent off final embarkation leave. Scott would not return until 9pm on 29^th October and would be ordered to forfeit six days’ pay and undergo six days Field Punishment no.2. Taylor would return to duty on 1^st November, at which point he would be sentenced to four days’ detention.

Pte. Ernest William Evans (see 5^th September), who had been evacuated to England after being wounded on 8^th June; Pte. Rowland Firby (see 9^th August), who had been in England for the previous two months; and Pte. Selwyn Stansfield (see 7^th September), who had been in England since being wounded in May, were all posted from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Claude Prosser (see 20^th June), who had been in hospital since having his left arm amputated due to wounds received on 7^th June, was discharged from Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley on indeterminate furlough until arrangements could be made for him to be fitted with an artificial limb.

Pte. Leonard Ellis (see 24^th April), who had been evacuated to England nine months previously for treatment to severe wounds to his right forearm, appeared before an Army Medical Board assembled at the Military Hospital in Bethnal Green. The Board recommended that he be discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service.

An official of the Sheffield War Pensions Committee wrote to the Depot of the West Riding Regiment regarding Pte. James Pickering (see 21^st May), who had been transferred to Army Reserve Class W 15 months’ previously and released to resume his former work at Tinsley Park Colliery, Sheffield. He explained Pickering’s situation, “I have been consulted by the above named man. He is unable to follow employment and has been examined at the 3^rd Northern General Hospital several weeks ago, where he was told that he would have to go in to hospital but up to the present he has heard nothing. I shall be obliged if you will inform me what steps are being taken in this case”. In reply the Infantry Records Office would confirm that Pte. Pickering should either continue in his current employment or be recalled to the Army. Pickering would elect to remain with his employers.