Sunday 8th July 1917

Billets in the Steenworde area.

A wet day.

Cpl. Wilson Allinson (see 8^th May) was promoted Sergeant.

L.Cpl. Paul Bland (see 15^th June) was promoted Corporal.

Pte. Ernest Hardcastle joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, where he had spent the previous two weeks since arriving in France. He was a 19 year-old apprentice from Silsden. Pte. Albert Edward Pope also joined the Battalion from Etaples; he was a 37 year-old lacemaker from Long Eaton, Notts. He had originally been posted to France in November 1916 when he had joined 12DWR, a labour Battalion, but had been taken ill with trench fever in March 1917 and had spent a month in hospital before being passed fit to return to active service. Pte. Norman Woodhouse also joined the Battalion; he was a 20 year-old ‘finisher’ from Huddersfield and had been called up in August 1916 and trained with 3DWR. He had been posted to Etaples on 21^st June and had originally been due to join 8DWR.

Saturday 7th July 1917

Billets in the Steenworde area.

The weather remained fine.

2Lt. Sydney Charles Ernest Farrance (see 4^th July), who had joined the Battalion just three days previously, was promoted Lieutenant.

Pte. Harry Squire (see 29^th June), who had spent a week under treatment for a mild case of ‘trench foot’, returned to duty.

Pte. John Dennis Moss (see 30^th June), who had been wounded a week earlier, was evacuated to England. 

Lt. Henry Kelly VC (see 19^th January) who had been in England since being taken ill on Christmas Day 1916, returned to France en route to re-join 10DWR. However, on arrival he again seems to have been taken ill (details unknown) and he would return to England just two days later, having never actually reported to 10DWR.

Lt. Henry Kelly VC

Pte. Alexander Wallace reported for duty with the Battalion; he was 20 years old and originally from Fife. He had volunteered (though under age) in August 1914 and had served in France with the Army Cyclist Corps between October 1915 and May 1916, when he had been transferred to 9DWR. In November 1916 he had been invalided back to England having suffered from swelling to his left knee. He had remained in England until being posted back to France on 14^th June.

QMS Joseph Henry (see 5^th March), who had been in England since March, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Edwin Wood (see 17^th May) was posted from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Fred Smith (15149) (see 14^th May) was discharged from 3^rd Western General Hospital in Cardiff; he would have ten days’ leave before reporting to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (see 14^th June), currently serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Brighton Road Schools, Gateshead, was readmitted to Hammerton VAD Hospital in Sunderland. It was reported that, “His foot was painful and he was unable to walk without limping. His foot has been put in Plaster of Paris”. He was to stay in hospital for further investigation and treatment.

Capt. Gilbert Tunstill

Pte. Mark Beaumont (see 28^th June) reported for duty at Northern Command Depot at Ripon; he had been in England since being wounded in January.

Pte. Arthur Gill (14980) (see 1^st June), who had been in England for the previous five weeks after suffering from ‘D.A.H’ (D.A.H. was Disordered Action of the Heart' otherwise known as 'Soldier's Heart' or 'Effort Syndrome'), was formally transferred to the Yorkshire Regiment and would join 3^rd (Reserve) Battalion, stationed at West Hartlepool.

Pte. William Kendall (see 26^th December 1915) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of bronchitis; he would be awarded the Silver War Badge and a pension of £1 11s. 9d. per week, reflecting a 50% disability. In the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances of his having been taken ill or any further details of his service.

The North Eastern Daily Gazette published the text of a letter from Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 5^th July) to the Mayor of Middlesbrough, regarding the part played by 69^th Brigade in the Messines attack,

“I think you will be interested to hear once again how well the men of Middlesbrough and the rest of Yorkshire have done. We had a big task during the Messines battle. It entailed long preparations and much hard work.

On 6^th June we got into our positions during the evening, and there lying out, we watched the mine explosions which were to be the signal for the great advance. They were a stupendous sight, and were followed immediately by the outburst of our artillery and machine guns under which the men advanced. They went splendidly as ever right under our barrage and, except for one or two ‘pokets’ of Germans who were dealt with in due course, without a halt, to what were known repectively as the red and the blue objectives. Within an hour machine guns, Lewis guns and platoons were each in their allotted place, finishing off with the bayonet and bullet the Germans who resisted, and passing back numbers of prisoners. The place was soon made defensible and a good many Huns were dealt with as they made off out of their dug-outs.

The explosion of the mines must have had a serious effect on them. It was impossible, of course, to say how many were caught up in them, but there is no doubt the number was considerable and those that were not close enough to be killed had a very severe shock! Of course we lost some valuable lives but no troops could have behaved better and no success more complete.

Other parts of the Brigade now passed through the blue line and met with almost equal success in a further advance, so that practically the whole of the objective was soon taken and the demoralied Huns who remained were chased away or killed or taken prisoner. I daresay some of our wounded will already have told you some of our exciting adventures. I can only say that Middlesbrough can be as proud this year as it had cause to be on the Somme last year of its representatives in the Brigade. We took a dozen machine guns and many other trophies. I have asked that some of the trophies may some day be sent to your city where I am sure they will be received and treated with honour in memory of those who fought so well for their country.”

Friday 6th July 1917

Billets in the Steenworde area.

The weather remained fine

While at Steenworde each Battalion of the Brigade, including 10DWR, “built an assault course on the plan of a course as required for the new ‘Bullet and Bayonet’ training”.

Pte. Peter Herity (see 23^rd February) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance suffering from conjunctivitis; he would be discharged to duty three days later.

Pte. Arnold Robson (see 6^th April) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from “I.C.T.” (inflammation of the connective tissue) to both legs.

2t. Cyril William Wildy reported for duty with 10DWR. He was 22 years old (born 31^st October 1894) and from Kenley, Surrey. He had joined the Inns of Court OTC in October 1915, prior to which he had been working as an articled clerk to a chartered accountancy firm. He had been commissioned on 24^th December 1915 and posted to 2/25^th Cyclist Battalion, London Regiment in Norfolk, with whom, from July 1916, he had trained on signal duties. Wildy would take over as Battalion Signalling Officer following the death in action of 2Lt. Harold Watthews (see 8^th June).

Pte. Patrick Ferguson (see 20^th April), who was still at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, departed to England on ten days’ leave.

Pte. Tom Stocks (see 7^th June), who had been wounded on 7^th June while serving with 69^th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps, was discharged from 56^th General Hospital at Rouen and posted to ‘B’ Depot at Camiers; this was the Base Depot for the Machine Gun Corps.

Pte. Walter Ralph (see 21^st June), elder brother of Pte. Kit Ralph (see 30^th April) who had been killed at Le Sars, was transferred from 9DWR to 1^st/5^th York and Lancasters.

Lt. John Charles Brison Redfearn (see 24^th September 1916), who had been under medical treatment in England for trench fever for the previous nine months, suffered a further acute attack of illness. He was reported to have been “seized with pain in the stomach, vomiting followed by violent retching and slight looseness of the bowels”. On the following day he would be admitted to 1^st Northern General Hospital in Newcastle.

Pte. Ambrose Birdsall (see 7^th June) who had been in England since being taken ill in March, was posted from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR, en route to a return to active service, having been declared A1 and fit for duty.

Pte. Robert Ellis Clayton (see 26^th June), serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Gateshead, appeared before a District Court Martial; he was charged with ‘deserting His Majesty’s service and losing by neglect his equipment, clothing and regimental necessaries’. He was found guilty and sentenced to six months’ detention and to forfeit all benefits arising from his previous service. 

A payment of £2 4s. 6d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Edward Williams (see 5^th May) who had been killed in action in October 1916; the payment would go to his sister, Ann.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported on the discharge from the army of Cpl. Billy Rawlinson (see 2^nd July),

HIGHER BENTHAM - NEWS OF THE “BOYS”

Quite a number of “Boys” have been home this week. Cpl. William Rawlinson, of Stockbridge, has received his discharge after having received 47 wounds from a shell which killed two of his pals and wounded three others on the Somme last summer.

Thursday 5th July 1917

Billets in the Steenworde area

Another fine day

Over the course of the next few days several large new drafts of men arrived. A number of the men from these drafts have been identified. These were mostly either men who had attested, in locations all over the country, under the Derby Scheme in 1915-16 or men who had been called up under the terms of the Military Service Acts. In both cases they had mostly been mobilized in early 1917. Some had trained in England with 11DWR, but mostly with various Training Reserve Battalions before being posted out to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples on 17^th June 1917. Pte. Benjamin Thomas Alcraft was a 31 year-old fireman from Shieldfield, near Newcastle-on-Tyne. Pte. John William Antill was a 20 year-old labourer from Derbyshire. Pte. James Herbert Armstrong was a 34 year-old clerk from North Shields. Pte. William Axton was a 19 year-old armature winder from Loughborough. Pte. Harry Bailey (14133) was a 21 year-old labourer from Halifax; he had enlisted in October 1914 and had served with 8DWR from September 1915 until being wounded in September 1916, since when he had remained in England. Pte. Harry Bailey (25198) was a 19 year-old clerk from Bilston. Pte. Harry Bailey (25248) was 32 years old and from Elland, where he had worked as a boot maker and repairer. Pte. John William Baird was a 25 year-old clerk from Ouseburn, Newcastle. Pte. Willis Barker was 19 years old and from Sheffield. Pte. John Barrett was 21 years old and from Newcastle-on-Tyne. Pte. Lewis Batey was a 19 year-old miner from Newcastle. Pte. John Bayliss was a 19 year-old carter from West Bromwich. Pte. John Beresford was 19 years old and from Great Longstone, Derbyshire. Pte. Frank Blakeborough was a 34 year-old joiner from Huddersfield; he was married but had no children. He had originally applied to join the RFC but had been rejected. Pte. Alfred Wightman Bland was 19 years old and from Nottingham. Pte. Nicholson Braddock was a 19 year-old ironworker from Swalwell, near Gateshead. Pte. Harry Bradshaw was a 19 year-old textile worker from Leicester. Pte. George Towler Brown was a 19 year-old farm labourer from Wainfleet. Pte. John Robert Camm was a 22 year-old ‘horseman’ from Nettleham, Lincs. Pte. Arthur Clark (25164) was a 36 year-old brickyard labourer from South Killingholme; he was a married man with three children. Pte. George Carter was 19 years old and from Sneinton, Notts. He had enlisted as a boy soldier (aged 16) in the Leicestershire Regiment in October 1913 and had been transferred to 4^th Training Reserve Battalion (and subsequently to 3^rd and 1^st Training Reserve Battalions) before being posted to France on 17^th June; he had been formally transferred to the West Ridings on 1^st July. His elder brother, John Thomas Carter, had been a pre-war regular soldier and was serving in France with the Grenadier Guards. Pte. Charley Culley was a 23 year-old kennelman from Lincoln; just ten days before departing for France he had married Florence May, who was five months pregnant with their first child. Pte. William Stanley Davies was a 23 year-old shell filler from Kidwelly. Pte. Harold Deighton was a 19 year-old bricklayer from Bridlington. Pte. Thomas Henry Dixon was a 32 year-old stonemason from Cleckheaton; he was married with one daughter. Pte. Arthur William Drane was 19 years old and from Chadwell, Essex. Pte. Harold Draper was a 25 year-old labourer from Rotherham; on 30^th April he had married Ellen Jackson, who was four months pregnant. Pte. Leonard Ealham was a 23 year-old labourer from Halifax. He had enlisted in September 1914 and had served in France with 2DWR from April 1915 until being evacuated to England in July 1915 having been gassed; he had remained in England until having been posted back to France on 15^th June. Pte. John Henry Evison was a 20 year-old ‘horseman’ from Lincolnshire. Pte. John William Farrer was a 19 year-old warehouseman from Bradford. Pte. Frederick Fielden was a 31 year-old barman from Halifax; he was married but had no children. Whilst in training he had spent a month in hospital, suffering from bronchitis and had been absent without leave for 21 days on the expiry of his final embarkation leave; he had been ordered to serve 21 days’ Field Punishment no.2. Pte. Gott Fielding was a 33 year-old warehouseman from Bradford; he was married with three children. Pte. Hugh Flanagan was a 26 year-old labourer from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Pte. William Franklin was a 22 year-old labourer from Tipton; he was a married man with one son. Pte. John Walter Gethen was a 24 year-old carter from Sheffield. Prior to enlisting he had a string of criminal convictions (at least nine) for stealing and drunkenness, starting when he was just 14. He had attested in December 1915 and had been called up in June 1916. He had been reported absent without leave from 91^st Training Reserve Battalion on 8^th November 1916 and had remained absent until being apprehended by the police on 6^th February 1917. He was court-martialled on a charge of desertion but found guilty of the lesser charge of being absent without leave, and sentenced to six months’ detention. Having served half of his sentence he had been released and posted to 89^th Training Reserve Battalion, where he remained until being posted out to France. Pte. David Doughty Glossop was a 25 year-old ‘head horseman’ from Newark. Pte. John James Goodship was a 19 year-old parcels messenger from Bradford. Pte. Charles Grant was 38 years old and married with seven children; he was from Leicester where he had worked for a shoe manufacturer. Pte. William Henry Gray was a 20 year-old farm labourer from Spalding. Pte. George Hartell was 19 years old and from Leicester; he had enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment as a ‘band boy’ at the age of 15 in April 1913. He had been promoted Lance Corporal in March 1917 but had reverted, at his own request, two months later. Pte. William Hewitt (25172) was a 23 year-old mill operative from Lincoln; he was a married man with one daughter.  Pte. Harry Hey (25170) was a 19 year-old colliery screener from Castleford; his brother, Thomas, had been killed in action in September 1916 while serving with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Pte. Victor Hillam was a 19 year-old apprentice hairdresser from Eccleshill, Bradford. Pte. Alfred Hirst was 19 years old and from Burton-on-Trent. Pte. Herbert Hirst was a 19 year-old cloth finisher from Huddersfield. Pte. Cyril Hollingsworth was a 21 year-old carter from Sheffield. Pte. Arthur Holden was a 35 year-old woolsorter from Wibsey, Bradford; he was a married man with one son. Pte. Joseph Honeyble was a 27 year-old fish boxwood sawyer from Grimsby; he was a married man with two children. Pte. Raymond Charles Ingleson was a 28 year-old markert gardener from Bradford. Pte. Herbert Jacklin was a 19 year-old waggoner from Brigg, Lincs. Pte. James Jackson was a 37 year-old groom from Shieldfield, near Newcastle-on-Tyne; he was a married man. His only child, James William had died in January aged nine months and his wife was now pregnant with their second child. Pte. Martin Jackson was a 20 year-old mill hand from Huddersfield; he had served in France with 2^nd/5^th DWR between June and September 1916 before being invalided home having been wounded. Pte. Thomas Charles Jaques was a 32 year-old cowman from Crowle. Pte. Arthur Cerenza King was a 26 year-old cycle repairer from Grimsby; he was married, with one daughter. Pte. Charles Knight was a 33 year-old baker from North Wales. Pte. George Herbert Lant was a 37 year-old lithographer from Halifax; he was married with two children. Pte. Leonard Le Lacheur was a 19 year-old clerk from Newcastle (although originally from the Channel islands). Pte. Victor Munnery was a 21 year-old married man from Paddington, London. Pte. William Hay Murdock was a 29 year-old tailor from Leeds; he was a married man with three children.  Pte. Charley Norman was a 19 year-old textile worker from Oadby, Leics. Pte. Claude Wilfred Norman was a 19 year-old hosiery worker from Wigston Magna, Leics. Pte. Philip Pankhurst was a 31 year-old grocer from Surrey; he was a married man, but had no children. Pte. Harold Parsons was a 19 year-old grocer’s assistant from Lincoln. Pte. Frank Patterson was a 30 year-old munitions worker from Newcastle; between March and May he had three times been reported absent without leave from 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion and had served a total of 21 days in detention for his offences. Pte. John Perrin was a 19 year-old milkman from South Carlton, Lincs. Pte. Robert Phillips was a 19 year-old labourer from Barnsley. Pte. Sidney Powdrill was a 25 year-old horseman from Bassingham, Lincs. Pte. Arthur Prestwood was a 20 year-old blacksmith’s striker from Bracebridge, Lincs. He had married in November 1916 when he and his wife, Elsie Briggs, already had a daughter from a previous relationship who had been born on 8^th June 1916, and Elsie was now pregnant with their first child. Pte. Thomas Prince was 19 years old and from New Mills, where he had worked as a machinist for a Bleaching and Dyeing Company. Pte. Gerald Pullen was a 19 year-old textile worker from Bradford. Pte. Frederick Russell (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man). Pte. Stephen Shevill was 19 years old and from Newcastle. Pte. Charles Simmons was a 19 year-old silk comber from Bradford. Pte. William Noel Simpson was a 19 year-old engine cleaner from Grantham. Pte. Ernest Smith (25187) was a 30 year-old carpenter from Bourne, Lincs; he was a married man with one son, Trevor John. Pte. George Stinson was a 20 year-old labourer from Grimsby. Pte. Augustus Edgar Stone was a 35 year-old painter from Haggerston; he was married with two children. Pte. Arthur Tempest was a 37 year-old spinning mill overlooker from Bradford; he was a married man with one daughter. Pte. Arthur Thornton was a 31 year-old bootmaker from Brighouse; he was a married man, though with no children. Pte. Edward Westle was a 24 year-old coal miner from Ashington. Pte. Robert Whitaker was a 34 year-old tram conductor from Bradford; he was married with one daughter. Pte. Sidney Christopher Hugh Williams was a 21 year-old ‘press hand’ from Lutterworth; he had joined the Leicestershire Regiment in April 1916 and had been promoted Lance Corporal in June 1916. However, he had been deprived of his rank and demoted to Private in January 1917. The reason for his demotion was stated to have been, “Disobedience of Army Orders, in that he communicated direct with the War Office”. On 9^th December 1916 he had written to the War Office asking to be posted to active service: “In view of the present crisis I wish to offer my services as I think I am fit and do not see why I should be kept here to do clerical work. My height is 5’ 0” and I think I should be doing a lot more in the new Tanks than sitting in an office doing nothing but writing and wasting time”. Pte. William Wills was a 31 year-old motor driver from Warrington; he was married with two children. Pte. Thomas Henry Wood was a 19 year-old under gardener from Repton. Pte. Sidney Wood was a 19 year-old miner from Castleford.

There are also a small number of men known to have been among these drafts, but for whom it has not been possible to make a positive identification. They were Ptes. Joseph Formby, William Green (25220), Frank Knott, Samuel Slone, Sydney Daniel Stamper and James Matthew Willey.

Also joining with this draft was Pte. James Allen (see 19^th June); he had originally been due to join 10DWR six weeks earlier, but had spent some time in hospital.

Pte. John Edward Atkinson (see 13^th November 1916) was admitted 69^th Field Ambulance and 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital at Camiers; he was suffering from a carbuncle to his neck.

Pte. Milton Wood (see 17^th June 1916) reported sick and was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance and from there transferred to 4^th General Hospital at Camiers; the nature of his illness is unclear.

Pte. Smith Stephenson Whitaker (see 7^th June), who, on 7^th June, had suffered wounds to both legs, was transferred from 56^th General Hospital at Etaples to 6^th Convalescent Depot, also at Etaples. 

Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 28^th June) went on leave to England; he would return on 15^th July.

Pte. William Frederick Ackrill (see 19^th April), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was posted back to France and would join 2DWR.

Three original members of Tunstill’s Company, Sgt. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 10^th May), LCpl. Christopher Longstaff (see 22^nd June) and Cpl. Fred Swale (see 18^th May) all reported to begin their officer training courses. Gaunt reported to no.2 Officer Cadet Battalion at Cambridge and Longstaff and Swale to no.6 Officer Cadet Battalion at Balliol College, Oxford.

Cpl. Fred Swale

Image by kind permission of Joan Rigg and family

Capt. James Watson Paterson, arrived in France, en route to join 10DWR. Born in Edinburgh in 1889, he was the son of Thomas Watson Paterson, who was a teacher. He had joined the Scots Guards following the outbreak of war and been posted to France on 25^th May 1915 with 2^nd Battalion, but was discharged on appointment to a temporary commission with 11DWR on 23^rd July 1915. He was promoted Lieutenant with effect from 1^st May 1916 and Captain on 1^st September 1916, whilst, it seems serving with a Training Reserve Battalion. He had been transferred away from the Training Reserve on 3^rd June.

Pte. Lewis Walton (see 17^th June), serving with 1DWR in India, was discharged from hospital in Gharial, following treatment for scabies.

2Lt. Thomas Arnold Woodcock (see 4^th June), who had served with the Battalion for only three weeks before reporting sick on 7^th April, appeared before a Medical Board at 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester. The Board reported the details of his illness and found that, “he still has pain after ordinary food and he is constipated. The general condition has improved. Not necessary to appear before same Medical Board”. He was recommended a two weeks’ stay at an officer’s convalescent hospital before then being posted to light duties at home.

Wednesday 4th July 1917

Micmac Camp, between Dickebusch and Ouderdom.

A largely fine day, but with a little rain at times. In the afternoon the Battalion moved to billets around Steenworde; travelling by train from Ouderdom to Godewaersvelde and thence by road to the billets.

Ptes. Thomas Henry Fearn (see 12^th June), Thomas Fielden (see 25^th June), Thomas Hemingway (see 23^rd June), who had all suffered relatively minor wounds on 7^th June, re-joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

2Lt. Sydney Charles Ernest Farrance (see 26^th June), who had arrived in France a week earlier, reported for duty with 10DWR.

Pte. Augustus Edgar Stone joined the Battalion. He had been posted to France on 16^th June having trained in England with the Northumberland Fusiliers but had been transferred to the West Ridings whilst at 32^nd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. He was a 34 year-old painter from Haggerston in North London and was married, with two children.

Pte. Harry Walsh (see 6^th June), who had suffered severe wounds to his back whilst on patrol on the night of 6^th/7^th June, was evacuated to England for further treatment.

2Lt. George Patrick Doggett (see 10^th June), who had had his right leg amputated as a result of wounds suffered on 7^th June, died at 9.45pm at Carnarvon Hospital, Bryanston Square, London. He would be buried at at Cambridge City Cemetery.

Pte. Harold Precious (see 16^th June) who had suffered severe wounds to his right thigh and back on 7^th June, died at the East Leeds War Hospital; he would be cremated at Lawnswood Crematorium and his ashes interred at York Cemetery.

Maj. Charles Bathurst (see 29^th June), who was back in England to embark on a senior officers’ training course, married Marcella Hilda Charlotte Barnewall.

Tuesday 3rd July 1917

Front line trenches in Battle Wood; one company at the Caterpillar (I.35.a.9.2) and three Companies between O.6.a.2.5 and I.36.b.2.3.

Another hot day, with further German shelling.

Overnight 3rd/4th the Battalion was relieved by 1/17^th Londons, with the relief completed by 2am, and moved back to Micmac Camp, between Dickebusch and Ouderdom. 

Pte. Richard Marsden (see 13^th May) was wounded; he suffered shrapnel wounds to his left thigh and was admitted, via 71^st Field Ambulance, to 10^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings, and from there he would be transferred to 3^rd Canadian Stationery Hospital at Boulogne. Pte. Sidney Best (see 16^th January) was also wounded, suffering shrapnel wounds to his right shoulder; the details of his immediate treatment are unknown.

Pte. Ronald Bray (see 20^th May), serving with the Divisional Machine Gun Company, was wounded, suffering multiple shrapnel wounds to his left shoulder and back. He was admitted first to 69^th Field Ambulance, transferred to 3^rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and then to 18^th General Hospital at Camiers.

L.Cpl. John Smith Hodgson (see 15^th June) began to be paid according to his rank, having previously held it unpaid. L.Cpl. Thomas Anthony Swale (see 19^th June 1916) was promoted Corporal.

Cpl. Albert George Ashton (see 16^th January) was awarded a bounty of £20 under Army regulations.

L.Cpl. Stephen Grady (see 25^th June), serving with 69^th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, was promoted Corporal.

Cpl. Thomas Arthur Sturdy (see 6^th June), who had suffered severe wounds to his left leg on 6^th June, was evacuated to England; the details of his further treatment are unknown.

Pte. Willie Kershaw (see 2^nd March), who had been posted back to England four months’ previously, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Sunday 1st July and Monday 2nd July 1917

Support trenches, in the area of Hill 60 and the Caterpillar; A Company at Larch Wood; B Company at The Caterpillar; C Company at The Dump and D Company at Imperial Trench (about I.34.a.7.2).

A fine day. There was heavy German shelling of reserve positions and intensive shelling of British front line around dawn.

Overnight 1st/2nd the Battalion relieved 8Yorks in the front line on the right sector of the Divisional Front. One Company remained at the Caterpillar (I.35.a.9.2) and three Companies were positioned on the eastern edge of Battle Wood between O.6.a.2.5 and I.36.b.2.3; Battalion HQ was located at I.35.a.35.20. The line in this sector was by no means continuous or secure and was actually held by a series of posts.

Three officers serving with the Battalion were promoted Lieutenant. Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 28^th June) was already holding his more senior rank in an acting capacity whilst commanding a Company; 2Lt. David Lewis Evans (see 15^th June) and 2Lt. Herbert Sparling (see 15^th June) were also promoted.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

2Lts. Conrad Anderson (see 20^th June) and Ronald Ferguson (see 20^th June), who had arrived in France ten days previously, reported for duty with 10DWR. 

There were also promotions for a number of former officers of 10DWR who were now in England, having been wounded or taken ill on active service. 2Lt. Frederick Lowther Dawson Barker (see 22^nd September 1916), who had been taken ill in September 1916; 2Lt. Harry Foster (see 8^th July 1916), who had been in England since suffering shellshock on the Somme in July 1916; 2Lt. Ernest Cyril Coke (see 11^th January), who had been wounded on the Somme in July 1916 and was now serving with 3DWR at North Shields; and 2Lts. Stanley Currington (see 4^th October 1916) and John Keighley Snowden (see 28^th June), both of whom had been wounded at Le Sars in October 1916, were all promoted Lieutenant. 2Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 7^th April), who had been taken ill in April, and 2Lt. John Redington (see 10^th April), who had been taken ill in July 1916 and was now employed at the Army Recruiting Office in Wolverhampton, were also both promoted Lieutenant.

Lt. George Stuart Hulburd

Image by kind permission of Paddy Ireland

Cpl. Arthur Edward Hunt (see 27^th November 1916), serving at VI Corps HQ, was awarded Class I Proficiency Pay.

For the second time in less than a month Pte. Albert Saville (see 7^th June) was reported absent without leave from 298^th Labour Company, based at Ripon. On this occasion he was apprehended, on the same evening, by a member of the Military Police. On returning he was confined to barracks for three days.

Trooper Claude Darwin (see 9^th June), serving in Egypt with 1^st Field Squadron, Engineers, Anzac Mounted Division, who had been in hospital for the previous two weeks suffering from an abcess to his neck, was transferred to the Citadel General Hospital in Cairo. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin (see 26^th June), who had recently been evacuated to England having been wounded on 7^th June

Following the death of James Hatton Kershaw (see 13^th June) there was a review of his pension arrangements. Henceforth the pension was to payable at the ‘motherless rate’ of 14s. per week in respect of his two sons. 7s. per week was to be payable to the paternal grandmother, Eliza Kershaw as guardian of the elder son, William Riley Kershaw, aged seven, and 7s. per week to the maternal grandfather, Arthur Wilson, as guardian of the younger son, Stanley Lister Wilson Kershaw, aged three.

Monday 2nd July

Front line trenches in Battle Wood; one company at the Caterpillar (I.35.a.9.2) and three Companies between O.6.a.2.5 and I.36.b.2.3.

Another fine and hot day. The front line was very heavily shelled around dawn. 

Pte. Albert Edward Ford was buried by a shell explosion; I am unable to establish the details of his medical treatment. He was 21 years old and had enlisted in August 1915; he had originally served with 9DWR and had suffered wounds to his left arm in August 1916. The date and details of his transfer to 10DWR are unknown.

Pte. Albert Edward Ford (standing, left)

Image by kind permission of Kirstie Ford

L.Cpl. Thomas Riding (see 25^th June) and Ptes. Albert Nixon (see 3^rd May 1916) and Fred Teal (see 5^th December 1916) departed for England on ten days’ leave.

Pte. James Arthur Markinson (see 7^th June) was admitted, via 5^th London Ambulance, to 23^rd Divisional Rest Station for treatment for inflammation (‘ICT’) in his left hand.

Ptes. Ernest Ashness (see 25^th June) and Herbert Willoughby (see 25^th June) were discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and returned to duty. 

Cpl. Thomas Arthur Sturdy (see 6^th June), who had suffered severe wounds to his left leg on 6^th June, was evacuated to England for further treatment. Pte. Fred Mitchell (see 8^th June), who had had his right leg amputated having been wounded on 8^th June, was also evacuated to England.

Cpl. Billy Rawlinson (see 12^th June), who had been severely wounded at Contalmaison, was formally discharged from the Army, with the award of the Silver War Badge. His character reference on discharge described him as, “A steady, willing, intelligent and reliable man; has been a non-commissioned officer for over two years and served 11 months at the front where he gave satisfaction. Received multiple wounds in action”. 

A payment of £20 4s. 7d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Acting CQMS Thomas Doyne (see 17^th February); the payment would go to his daughter and sole legatee, Eileen. His widow, Bridget, was an inmate at Richmond Asylum, Dublin.