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.

Tuesday 23rd October 1917

Zudausques

Another very wet morning.

Training and range practice.

Pte. Leonard Briggs (see 13^th October) re-joined the Battalion following ten days’ treatment for conjunctivitis.

Pte. George Towler Brown (see 11^th October) re-joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. 

Pte. Harry Robinson (see 16^th October), who had left the Battalion three weeks previously having suffered a sprained ankle, re-joined from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

2Lt. Tom Hawson (see 10^th October), who had arrived in France two weeks previously, reported for duty with the Battalion. 

A week after an incident in the front line in which he “fell over an old rifle with a fixed bayonet protruding from the ground, causing a minor wound to his left thigh” Cpl. William Foulds (see 16^th October) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance for treatment to the injury. He had developed an infection in the wound and would be transferred to 10^th Stationary Hospital at St. Omer.

L.Cpl. Albert Edward White (see 11^th September) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance, suffering from “I.C.T.” (inflammation of the connective tissue) to his left knee; he would be discharged and return to duty after six days.

Sgt. Lionel Vickers (see 17^th October), who had been wounded on 20^th September, was sufficiently recovered to be posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service.

Pte. Arthur Cerenza King (see 20^th September), who had been wounded on 20^th September, was transferred from 3^rd Convalescent Depot at Le Treport to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. However, after just five days he would be transferred to 6^th Convalescent Depot, also at Etaples, on account of his wounds.

Pte. Harry Clay (see 19^th October), who had suffered multiple shrapnel wounds four days previously, was evacuated to England from 20^th General Hospital at Camiers, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen.

Lt. John Redington (see 1^st July), who had been taken ill in July 1916 and was now employed at the Army Recruiting Office in Wolverhampton, appeared before a further Medical Board. The Board found him permanently unfit for active service on the grounds that “he suffers from constipation alternating with diarrohea”. He was instructed to continue his duties at Recruiting Office in Wolverhampton.

A payment of £2 3s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Herbert Hodgkins (see 9^th June), who had been killed in action on 9^th June; the payment would go to his father, Joseph. A package of his personal effects was also returned, comprising of, “disc, cigarette case, photos”.

Monday 22nd October 1917

Micmac Camp, between Dickebusch and Ouderdom.

A very wet morning.

The Battalion boarded buses at H.30.d.4.2 and was transported via Vierstraat, Kemmel, Locre, Bailleul, Hazebrouck and St. Omer to Zudausques. Here they were again placed under the direction of 69^th Brigade.

Capt. Dick Bolton (see 12^th October) re-joined the Battalion following ten days’ leave.

 

Capt. Dick Bolton

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 17^th October), on leave in England, married Effie Smith, at Horton Lane Congregational Church, Bradford. He would re-join the Battalion five days later.

Sgt. Richard Goodchild and Effie Smith on their wedding day

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

With his period of leave about to expire, Maj. Edward Borrow (see 2^nd October), who was in England having been wounded on 20^th September, was examined by Dr. John Waugh at his surgery in London. Dr. Waugh reported that Borrow had suffered “a bullet wound transversely through his right hand. Healing has just taken place, but there is still much swelling; extension and flexion are very imperfect. It is improbable that he will be able efficiently to use the hand for at least 2 or 3 weeks”. In accordance with this report he would be granted a further extension of leave to 12^th November.

Maj. Edward Borrow

Pte. Alec Radcliffe (see 2^nd October), who had suffered facial wounds on 20^th September, was transferred from 2^nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol to the Military Hospital at Parkhurst.

James Lyon, father of 2Lt. Donald Halliday Lyon (see 20^th September) who had been killed in action on 20^th September, wrote to the War Office: “I beg to acknowledge receipt of the effects of my son, 2^nd Lt. D.H. Lyon, and to thank you for same. I notice, however, that neither his revolver, watch, nor compass (amongst other things) have been forwarded, nor will it be of much use, I suppose, to expect them now”. In reply the War Office would confirm that “no further effects have yet been placed at the disposal of this department. I am to explain that the arrangements in force provide for the recovery, wherever possible, of all the effects of deceased Officers, and for their return to this country for disposal. Every endeavour is made to ensure the safe custody of the effects, and this department has no reason to doubt that if the articles mentioned by you were recovered, they will, in due course, be received. I am to add that, owing to the abnormal conditions attaching to active service, delay in the recovery and transmission of such effects is frequently unavoidable, but that if any further articles of the late Officer’s property are at any time forthcoming, they will be at once forwarded to you”.

2Lt. Donald Halliday Lyon

Sunday 21st October 1917

‘C’ Camp, near Kruistraathoek (H.30.c.4.2)

A fine day.

The Battalion marched a further three miles west to Micmac Camp, between Dickebusch and Ouderdom.

Pte. Willie Davenport Frame (see 27^th March) was reported by Sgt. John William Wardman (see 6th October) for ‘inattention on parade”; on the orders of Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne (see 6th October), he was to be confined to barracks for three days.

Ptes. Henry Grimshaw (see 5^th October) and Claude Wilfred Norman (see 24^th September) were both admitted to 71^st Field Ambulance, suffering from mild cases of ‘trench foot’. Pte. Willie Holmes (see 19^th August) was also admitted; he was suffering from exhaustion. All three men would be discharged to duty after three days.

Pte. John William Camps (see 18^th October), who had suffered severe wounds to his left leg three days previously, was evacuated to England; on arrival he would be admitted to 1^st London General Hospital (St. Bartholomew’s).

Pte. Samuel Walker (see 11^th January) was evacuated to England; the details of his illness or wounds are unknown, but it seems likely that he had been wounded in one of the recent actions.

Pte. Walter Oddy (see 31^st August) was discharged from 13^th Convalescent Depot at Trouville and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples; two days later he would be re-classified as fit only for permanent base duties and transferred to the Employment Base Depot, also at Etaples.

Pte. Fred Abbey, serving with 8DWR was evacuated by no.31 Ambulance Train from Camiers to Boulogne, having at some point (details unknown) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right thigh. He had been an original member of 10DWR and had gone to France with the Battalion in August 1915. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish the date or circumstances of his leaving 10DWR.

Ex-Tunstill’s Man, Dvr. Arthur Overend (see 23^rd July), now serving in France with the ASC, was reported for “leading horses on a road without bits, contrary to orders”; he was ordered to forfeit three days’ pay.

A payment of £2 5s. 5d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Pte. Thomas Wood (see 7^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Catherine.

A memorial service was conducted by Rev. Luke Beaumont at Bridge End Congregational Church, Brighouse, to remember three local men who had recently been killed in action; one of the three was Pte. Arthur Thornton (see 20^th September).

Saturday 20th October 1917

In bivouacs at Railway Dugouts and Zillebeke Bund.

The Battalion marched three miles south to ‘C’ Camp, near Kruistraathoek (H.30.c.4.2)

Pte. Bertie Thurling (see 16^th January) was admitted to 71^st Field Ambulance, having suffered bruising to his abdomen; he would re-join the Battalion a week later.

It seems to have been around this date, though the exact date is unknown, that an (unnamed) officer wrote to the parents of Cpl. Joseph Smith (12748) (see 18^th October) who had been killed in action on 18^th October. “It is with deepest sorrow that I have to inform you of the death of your son, Corpl. Joseph Smith. The enemy were heavily shelling the front line trenches and a shell burst in the trench close to where your son and two others were standing, killing all three instantaneously. He was buried where he fell by his comrades. Your son’s death is keenly felt by all who knew him. He was most highly respected and a very reliable NCO. Please accept the deepest sympathy of all ranks in this Company in your sad bereavement”. (I am most obliged to Edward Wild for the information on Joseph Smith).

Pte. Joseph Walton (see 18^th April) , who was serving at the Based Depot at Dieppe, was formally transferred to the Labour Corps and would join 729^th Labour Company.

L.Sgt. Albert Earnshaw (see 24^th September), who had been in England since having been wounded on 20^th September was transferred to Netherfield Road Auxiliary Hospital in Liverpool.

In accordance with the recommendation of an Army Medical Board held three weeks previously, Pte. Sam Appleyard (see 29^th September) who had suffered a fractured left shoulder and other wounds on 7^th June, was formally discharged as no longer fit for military service. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. per week.

Percy Geldard (see 7^th June), who had been discharged from the Army on account of his wounds, appeared before a Medical Board assembled at Queen Mary’s Military Hospital, Whalley. The Board reported that he had ‘a large scar inner side of the left buttock, extending along perineum; right testicle absent; left is atrophied; wound on penis not healed. He passes water not through urethral orifice but through sinus below glans penis’. His degree of disability was revised from 40% to 20% and his pension reduced accordingly. 

A payment of £2 1s. 7d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. John Coltman (see 7^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his mother, Elizabeth. His mother was also sent a ‘religious book’ which was the only surviving item from among her son’s personal effects.

The weekly edition of the Keighley News carried a report of the wounding of Cpl. Edwin Lightfoot (see 28^th September), who had been wounded on 20^th September.

Corporal Edwin Lightfoot, West Riding Regiment, of 11 Marlborough Street, Keighley, has been wounded. Before enlistment in September 1914, he was employed as a butcher by the Keighley Co-Operative Society. His father has also been in the Army nearly three years.

Friday 19th October 1917

Front line trenches west of Polygon Wood. A and B Coys in the front line from J.11.d.7.5. to J.12.a.5.5, with C and D Coys in the Support Line from J.11.c.5.6 to J.11.b.1.5. HQ at The Butte (J.10.a.7.9).

A fine day.

Overnight, 19^th/20^th, the Battalion was relieved by 12DLI and returned to Railway Dugouts and Zillebeke Bund.

Pte. Harry Clay (see 5^th June) suffered multiple shrapnel wounds; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance, 11^th Casualty Clearing Station and no.30 Ambulance Train to 20^th General Hospital at Camiers.

L.Sgt. Albert Bradley (see 18^th October), who had been severely wounded the previous day, died of his wounds at 17^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Pte. William George Ruddock (see 21^st September), who had suffered shrapnel wounds to his head on 21^st September, was discharged from hospital and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service.

Cpl. Thomas Angus McAndrew (see 14^th May), formerly of 10DWR but now serving with 37^th Company, Labour Corps, reverted to the rank of Private.

Lt. Ernest Cyril Coke (see 1^st July), who had been wounded on the Somme in July 1916 and was now serving with 2DWR in France, appeared before an Army Medical Board assembled at the Base Depot at Boulogne. The Board found that Coke was still suffering from the effects of the wounds he had suffered in July 1916 and recommended him for three weeks sick leave in England.

Pte. Fred Stokes (see 13^th April) was formally discharged from the Army as being unfit for military service due to chronic nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d., reducing to 22s. after four weeks; this was to be reviewed in 44 weeks.

Thursday 18th October 1917

Front line trenches west of Polygon Wood. A and B Coys in the front line from J.11.d.7.5. to J.12.a.5.5, with C and D Coys in the Support Line from J.11.c.5.6 to J.11.b.1.5. HQ at The Butte (J.10.a.7.9).

A wet day.

Overnight 17^th/18^th the Germans launched a major raid against the British line which was beaten off with considerable casualties; 18 men were killed in action and many more wounded. The majority of these men, though most likely buried by their comrades in the aftermath of the fighting, now have no known grave and are commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing. In just five cases their remains were subsequently identified, exhumed and re-interred. The men killed were:

CSM Joseph Bona (see 5^th September).

Sgt. James Scott (14445) (see 20^th September); he had been recommended for the Military Medal for his conduct on 20^th September.

Sgt. Norman Wilson, aged 21 and from Halifax had been an original member of the Battalion. In October 1920 his remains, identified by his paybook, would be recovered from an unmarked grave east of Polygon Wood and re-interred at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Cpl. Joseph Smith (12748) (see 20^th September); he had been recommended for the Military Medal for his conduct on 20^th September.

L.Cpl. Christopher Smith Birch (see 3^rd August). An (unnamed) officer would write to Pte. Birch’s mother, telling them, “Through your son’s bravery and cheerful spirits he set a very fine example and won the esteemed respect of both officers and men of this Battalion. On their behalf and myself I tender to you madam, in this your sad hour of bereavement, our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your son, which is keenly felt by the whole Battalion”. In 1923 Pte. Birch’s remains, identified by his identity disc, would be recovered from an unmarked grave east of Polygon Wood and re-interred at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

L.Cpl. Alfred Exley (see 12^th August).

Pte. James Herbert Armstrong (see 5^th July).

Pte. Arthur Frederick Boulton was a 27 year-old labourer from Huddersfield; he was killed while acting as a stretcher bearer. He had originally served with 8DWR before suffering a wound to his right foot in October 1915; the date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR are unknown.

Pte. Ernest Bradley (see 5^th October). In 1923 his remains, identified by his identity disc, would be recovered from an unmarked grave east of Polygon Wood and re-interred at Tyne Cot Cemetery. As he had only been with 10DWR for less than two weeks, his identity disc still stated him to be serving with 16^th Cheshires.

Pte. Arthur Cawley (see 5^th October).

Pte. John Driver (see 20^th September). An (unnamed officer) would write to Pte. Driver’s widow, Mabel, “It is with a feeling of deepest regret that I have to advise you of the death of your husband which was caused by the explosion of a shell, death being instantaneous. Your husband, by his bravery and devotion to duty, won the esteem, respect and admiration of all. I tender to you, in your sad hour of bereavement, the condolences and heartfelt sympathy of both officers and me, by whom the loss of your husband is most keenly fel”. In October 1920 Pte. Driver’s remains, identified by his identity disc and paybook, would be recovered from an unmarked grave east of Polygon Wood and re-interred at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenOfWorth

Pte. Joseph William Henley (see 31^st December 1914). His younger brother, George, had been killed in action on 11^th April while serving with 10^th Yorkshires.

Pte. Norman Holmes (see 16^th January). The circumstances of his death would be described in a letter to Pte. Holmes’ mother from 2Lt. Edward Kent Waite (see 1^st October), "It is with sincere regret that I have to inform you of the death of your husband who was killed in action a few days ago.  He was a good man and his death is a severe loss to us.  A shell fell near him and killed him instantaneously.  He was buried in a shellhole and the position of the grave has been notified to the authorities.  I offer you the sympathies of the whole platoon and of myself in your sad bereavement."

Pte. William James Horne (see 8^th September 1917).

Pte. George King (16475) (see 12th February).

Pte. Henry Leech (see 5^th October). In October 1920 his remains, identified by his identity disc, would be recovered from an unmarked grave east of Polygon Wood and re-interred at Tyne Cot Cemetery. As he had only been with 10DWR for less than two weeks, his identity disc still stated him to be serving with 17^th Cheshires.

Pte. Frank Ernest Walton (see 15^th September).

Pte. Henry Percival Widdop (see 16^th January).

The number of men wounded is unknown, but a number have been identified. Capt. Herbert Sparling (see 5^th October) suffered severe wounds to his left leg. He was evacuated to one of the local Casualty Clearing Stations where his leg would be amputated at the knee joint. Also among those wounded was L.Sgt. Albert Bradley (see 27^th August); he was buried by a shell explosion and suffered severe head injuries. He was evacuated to 17^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings. Pte. Sydney Drake (see 20^th September) suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm; he was evacuated to 11^th Casualty Clearing Station, before being transferred, onboard no.24 Ambulance Train, to hospital at Camiers (details unknown). Pte. John William Camps (see 5^th October) suffered severe wounds to his left leg. Pte. Will Lee (see 16^th January) was also wounded (details unknown) and would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to hospital at Camiers (details unknown). Pte. Robert McCall (see 5^th October) was also severely wounded, suffering major chest wounds; the details of their treatment are unknown. Pte. Robert Frank Smith (25829) (see 5^th October) suffered a shrapnel wound to his left thigh; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 37^th Casualty Clearing Station to 22^nd General Hospital at Camiers.

Pte. Frank Easterby (see 3^rd June) was appointed Lance Corporal.

Ptes. Willie Cowgill (see 13^th October) and David Doughty Glossop (see 4^th August) both re-joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, where they had been for the previous week, following their discharge from hospital.

Pte. Walter Smith (18428) (see 29^th July) also joined the Battalion; he had been posted to France in July but had remained at Etaples in the interim.

Sgt. Walter Appleby (see 20^th September), who had been severely wounded a month previously, was evacuated to England from hospital in Rouen; he would be taken by no.31 Ambulance Train from Rouen to Le Havre and from there to England onboard the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle. The details of his hospital treatment in England are unknown.

Sgt. Walter Appleby

Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenOfWorth

A payment of £12 5s. 2d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. James William Brennan (see 7^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his sister-in-law, Harriet, who was guardian to his three children.