Tuesday 27th November 1917

In billets at Grantorto for rest and training

Capt. William Norman Town (see 25^th November) remembered the stay at Grantorto fondly, “At last, the long-promised rest arrived and we had four days of rest at Grantorto and very welcome it was”.

Pte. Wellington Baldwin (see 19^th December 1916) was granted Proficiency Pay, Class II.

L.Cpl. Roderick Harmer (see 3^rd November), A/Cpl. Bertie Gooch (see 8^th November), and Ptes. Jack Edgar Hall (see 3^rd November) and Herbert John Wicks (see 3^rd November) all of whom had gone on leave to England just before the Battalion set off for Italy, now re-joined.

Pte. Herbert Butterworth (see 10^th September), serving with 2/6^thDWR, was killed in action. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval. The circumstances of his death were described in letters home to his family. 2Lt. Kirk wrote, “We were relieving another Company in the front line when the Germans attacked and your son gallantly brought his Lewis Gun into action against the attackers. Unfortunately he was shot whilst doing his duty so well and died immediately. He was a good soldier and always exceptionally clean, smart and cheerful and his loss is a great one to me and to the Battalion. I am sure he was a credit to any Battalion and a splendid example to his comrades. I greatly deplore his loss and extend my deepest sympathy to you in your bereavement”. L.Cpl. Midgley wrote, “Please accept my deepest sympathy and sorrow at the loss of your son Herbert. He was in my section of Lewis Gunners and was a good lad to have with one. It will be some consolation to you to know that he suffered no pain as his death was instantaneous. I can assure you of the regret and sorrow of his other pals who were in the gun team with him. The other day I received a parcel from you to him, so I shared it out amongst his pals and I am sure you would wish it so as the contents would be unfit to eat before you could get it back agan. I can assure you the lads did enjoy the contents as they had just come out of the trenches. Enclosed you will find your note that was in the parcel. So once more I must express my regret and sorrow hoping that the Help of all Help will be yours in your trouble and bereavement”.

Pte. George Edward Milner (see 15^th November), serving with 2/7^th DWR, was reported missing in action and would subsequently be presumed to have been killed in action. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval. 

Pte. Fred Slater (see 7^th November), serving with 2/7^th DWR, was wounded in action, suffering wounds to his left forearm; the details of his treatment are unknown.

L.Cpl. Sydney Exley (see 12^th November), serving with 2^nd/6^th DWR, was wounded in action, suffering severe injuries to his head and thigh and was admitted to hospital (details unknown). Pte. Herbert Burgess (see 10^th September), serving with the same Battalion, was also wounded; he suffered severe wounds to his right shoulder and hand and would be evacuated via 2/2 West Riding Field Ambulance and 48^th Casualty Clearing Station to 8^th General Hospital in Rouen before being evacuated to England on 3^rd December, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle. The details of his treatment in England are unknown. Pte. Herbert Willis Pickles (see 29^th July), serving with the same Battalion, was also wounded; he suffered a wound to his left wrist and would be evacuated to hospital in Rouen before being evacuated to England on 5^th December, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Carisbroke Castle. On arrival in England he would be admitted to Wharncliffe War Hospital in Sheffield.

Pte. Harry Briggs (19286) (see 15^th November), serving with 5^th Army School of Mortars, departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

Enquiries were made by the War Office regarding Pte. John Thomas Mason (see 5^th September), serving with 878^th Area Employment Company of the Labour Corps, as to whether, as being a “skilled turner”, he had been trade tested for employment other than in the Army. In the event, no action seems to have been taken and Mason remained with the Labour Corps.

CSM Valentine Curson (see 7^th April) was commissioned Second Lieutenant and posted to the Northumberland Fusiliers; it is not known when he had left 10DWR.

L.Cpl. William Swift (see 4^th October 1916) was commissioned Second Lieutenant; it is not known when he had left 10DWR. He was commissioned with the West Yorkshire Regiment but would serve on attachment with 1^st/7^th DWR.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 23^rd November), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, again wrote to his father; he reflected on events mentioned in his previous letters and also referred to some impending dental treatment which was to keep him in England for some time to come, “Thanks so much for your letter and the enclosures.  I am awfully sorry to cause you so much trouble but I was not sure of staying here when I asked.  I suspect now that some receipts are in my belongings upstairs and now there is no hurry.  I am not going out just yet and I hope to be home before the end of the year to sort them out myself. The Show for the Inspector General did not come off as the 30 men pushing off to India and other things left me with only eight men who knew anything about it. I think John Bull is probably right about Cox.  They are a bit sharp I believe but they have been very good up to date – judgement is suspended at the moment.  I have not been to the dentist yet.  I am contemplating a thorough effort after Christmas but shall probably grow a tooth before then”. 

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to allow me to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

Capt. Bob Perks DSO

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

Pte. Leonard Fox (see 26^th July 1916), home on leave while serving with 255^th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, was married to Lucy Alice Buckman in a service held at Kirby Malham Church. A subsequent report in the Craven Herald (30^th November) gave details of the wedding:

“The wedding was a quiet one on account of the death of the bridegroom’s mother and the bride having a brother a prisoner of war in Germany since 1914. The Vicar (Rev. D.R. Hall) officiated and Mrs. Hall played appropriate music on the organ. The bride was attired in a navy-blue tailor-made costume with beaver hat to match. The bridegroom was supported by Mr. Charles J.W. Buckman, the bride’s brother, as best man. The bride was given away by her father. After the ceremony, the wedding party and guests proceeded to the home of the bride’s parents at Bell Busk for breakfast. The young couple were the recipients of many handsome and useful presents”.