Sunday 16th December 1917

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

A cold and cloudy day.

Overnight 16^th-17^th the Battalion would take over the front line trenches on the Montello from 11^th  West Yorks in the right sector of the right brigade of the divisional front. Battalion HQ was at 2237, 2314; A Company on the right, B Company in the centre and C Company on the left, with D Company in support.

Pte. James Allen (see 5^th July) was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

Pte. Reginald Dayson (see 8^th November) was awarded seven days’ Field Punishment no.2; the nature of his offence is unknown.

Battalion Medical Officer Capt. Leslie Fraser Eiloart Jeffcoat (see 7^th October) departed on leave for England; he would be replaced temporarily by Capt. Farquhar of 70^th Field Ambulance.

Officers and men from the draft which had been inspected by Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 15^th December) at Venegazzu the previous day now reported for duty with 10DWR. The two officers from the draft posted to 10DWR were Lt. Stephen Moss Mather (see 28^th September), who had spent just three days with the Battalion in September before being wounded and evacuated to England, and 2Lt. Fred Dyson (see 20^th November). The total number of men who joined is unknown and, to date, only a small number have been positively identified. 

Pte. William Sam Aldrich was a 32 year-old postman from Lancaster; he was married with two children. He had previously served in England with the RAMC. Pte. John Stanley Armitage was a 28 year-old cabinet maker from Huddersfield; he had enlisted in October 1914 and had served in France with 2^nd/5^th DWR between January and May 1917, before returning to England having been wounded. Pte. Edgar Baron was a 24 year-old weaver from Huddersfield; he had served in France with 2^nd/4^thDWR from January 1917 until being gassed in May, since when he had been in England. Pte. William Barber was a 25 year-old boiler firer, originally from Widnes but had been living in Cowcliffe; he was married with one son. Pte. Herbert Bibby was a 26 year-old drayman from High Bentham; he was married with one daughter. He had attested under the Derby Scheme in December 1915 but had not been called up until July 1917. Pte. Arthur Edward Bottomley was a 30 year-old warehouseman from Oakenshaw. He had attested in December 1915 and had been called up in March 1916. He had served briefly in France with 2^nd/7^th DWR before being wounded in February 1917, suffering wounds to his left leg and back, which had seen him spend two months in hospital. Pte. Walter Clarke was a 21 year-old plumber from Bentham. He had originally attested in February 1916 and had served in France with 2^nd/7^th DWR from March 1916 until suffering shrapnel wounds to his left arm on 14^th April 1917, since when he had been in England. He had been posted back to France on 24^th November and from there to Italy. Pte. Fred Clayton was a 20 year-old textile worker from Leeds; he had served one month in France with 1^st/4^th DWR before being wounded and evacuated to England in September 1916. Pte. Ernest George Denyer was a 39 year-old commercial traveller from Ipswich; he was married with two children. He had attested in December 1915 but had not been called up until March 1917 and had originally served with the Army Service Corps before being transferred, via 81^st training Reserve Battalion, to 3DWR in July 1917. Pte. Edwin Haley was a 23 year-old ‘pulley turner’ from Oakenshaw. He had attested in December 1915 and had been called up in August 1916. He had served in France with 8DWR from December 1916 until being invalided back to England in July 1917, suffering from ‘trench fever’ and had spent five weeks in hospital. Pte. Thomas Edward Laycock was a 36 year-old fettler from Bradford. He had served in the territorial battalion before the war and had enlisted in September 1914. He had gone to France in July 1915 with 9DWR and had been wounded in August 1916. He had been treated at first in hospital in Rouen before being evacuated to England where he had spent a further month in hospital in Cheltenham. He had then been posted to 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Gateshead, where he had remained until being posted back to active service in November 1917.  Pte. William Shirtcliffe Mallinson was a 22 year-old carpet designer from Bradford. He had attested in November 1915 and had been called up in January 1916 and posted to 3DWR at North Shields where he had remained. Pte. Harry Moore (16991) was a 22 year-old labourer from Halifax. Pte. Fred Oldroyd was a 26 year-old weaver from Huddersfield. He had been called up in March 1916 and had served in France between January and May 1917 before being wounded and evacuated to England. Pte. Fred Rawnsley was a 25 year-old grocer from Halifax. Pte. Hiram Tasker was a 21 year-old paviour from Bradford. He had enlisted in February 1915 and had served with 8DWR at Gallipoli between August 1915 and January 1916 before returning to England (cause unknown). Pte. John Chadwick Taylor was a 34 year-old cotton weaver from Barnoldswick. He had attested in December 1915 and had been called up in March 1916. He had served in France between February and May 1917 before being sent home suffering from an inguinal hernia, for which he had spent two months in hospital. Pte. Herman Tutty was a 24 year-old waggoner from Grimsby. He had been called up in March 1916 and had served in France with 2^nd/5^th DWR between January and May 1917 when he had been wounded and evacuated to England, spending five weeks in hospital. Pte. Walter Gee Wardley was a 28 year-old warehouseman from Halifax; he was married but had no children. He had attested in December 1915 and had served in France between November 1916 and March 1917, when he had been posted back to England after suffering inflammation to his right hand. Pte. William Herbert Websdale was a 21 year-old storekeeper from Croydon. He had served as a territorial with 4^th (Reserve) Battalion, Queen’s Regiment from February 1914 before being posted to Italy on 10^th November. Pte. Arthur Thomas Wilford was a 21 year-old hosiery worker from Rugby. He had been called up in October 1916 and had served in France with 2^nd/4^th DWR from January 1917 until being evacuated to England in March 1917 suffering from ‘trench foot’. Pte. Richard Hugh Williams (I am currently unable to make a positive identification of this man).

Cpl. John Henry Crawshaw (see 20^th September), who had been at 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport since having been wounded in September, was evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship Esscuibo; on arrival in England he would admitted to hospital (location unknown).

Pte. James Bentley Crosland (see 26^th November), serving at the Dukes’ Regimental Depot at Halifax, was formally discharged from the Army as being no longer physically fit, due to gastritis; he was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. for four weeks, reducing to 11s. per week thereafter, and to be reviewed in a year’s time.

Saturday 15th December 1917

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

A cold and dull and day.

Pte. Ernest Wilson (11751) (see 17^th November) was arrested and place in confinement to await trial by Field General Court Martial; he would be charged with “when on active service disobeying, in such a manner as to show wilful defiance of authority, a lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the execution of his office” and also “using insubordinate language to his superior officer”.

Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 10^th December) inspected new draft of 10 officers and 400 men at Vengazzu, describing them as, “all good”.

Pte. Arthur Cerenza King (see 8^th December) was transferred from 6^th Convalescent Depot at Etaples to 14^th Convalescent Depot at Trouville.

2Lt. John Robert Dickinson (see 5^th December), who had suffered gas poisoning ten days previously while serving with 2DWR in the line near Arras, reported sick and left his unit for further medical treatment in France (details unknown).

Pte. John Dalby (see 25^th May), serving in France with 2^nd/6^th DWR, was appointed Lance Corporal.

Pte. Ernest Thorn (see 20^th September), who had been in England since having been wounded on 20^th September, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Friday 14th December 1917

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

A fine but dull day.

Pte. Frank Wood (see 5^th November) was reported by Sgt. Harry Holmes (see 20^th September) as having “dirty boots on 8.45am parade”; he was reprimanded by Capt. Henry Kelly VC (see 10^th December).

Ptes. Ellis Sutcliffe (see 5^th December) and Milton Wood (see 10^th November) were posted from 3DWR back to France and would join 2^nd/5^th DWR.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 27^th November), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, wrote to his father with news of his prospects of leave over Christmas; “Thanks for the letter. I seem to have made some mistakes with my dates. My leave is from 21^st to 27^th inclusive. That means from early morning to late at night on the dates. But one’s time after tea is usually free and thus I shall be able to start on the Thursday 20^th but not able to reach Hebden same night and hit upon Leads as a resting place.  Similarly I intend to get back as far as Newcastle on 27^th but it will be all right if I blow up here by morning 28^th. As to meeting you, I should like it immensely but am rather doubtful as to how soon I can get off. With luck and an awful rush I might manage to arrive by 7.35pm, otherwise it will be something after ten. I will try and let you know nearer. Am very busy now, very and have had a touch of flu too but am recovering now.  Am going to play Bridge with my vicarage friends to-night”. 

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

CQMS Andrew Hermiston (see 30^th November 1916) was transferred from 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion to 3DWR at North Shields.

Sgt. Cecil Stanley Pitblado (see 4^th August), serving with 89^th Training Reserve Battalion, based at Catterick, was transferred to 4DWR and reverted to the rank of Corporal.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Sgt. Charles Smith (11791) (see 8^th June 1917), who had died of wounds in June 1917; his widow, Elizabeth, was awarded £1 1s. 3d. per week. She had received no payment from her late husband’s pay and allowances as there had been found to have been a debit balance on his account at the time of his death.
A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. George William Cook (see 1^st October), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; his mother, Clara, was awarded 10s. per week.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the progress of two men who had been among Tunstill’s original volunteers. Pte. Jim Coates (see 9^th November) had been wounded while serving with the West Yorks; Pte. Richard Howell (see 15^th September 1914) had originally failed to pass his Army medical, but had apparently been called up at a later date (details unknown). There was also a mention of George Singleton, brother of Pte. Robert Singleton (see 8^th December 1916), who had been another of Tunstill’s original recruits.

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

“Our Boys”: News was received on Sunday morning last that Pte. Albert Geldard, who was seriously wounded, has much improved. Mr. and Mrs. Singleton of ‘Closes’ have had official intimation that their son, Pte. George Singleton, has been wounded in France to the left arm and right leg. He is now in hospital in England. Corporal James Coates, who is still in hospital, is reported as being much better, and expected to be home before long. Pte. Richard Howell is engaged on farm work in France.

Thursday 13th December 1917

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

The day was mainly fine but with some light snow showers. Normally snow would have been expected in late November but this was the first snow of the winter.

Pte. Ernest Portman (see 29^th October) was transferred to 23^rd Division Military Police “on traffic control duties”.

Pte. Robert Frank Smith (25829) (see 2^nd November) was admitted to 23^rd Divisional Rest Station suffering from swelling to his right knee.

Pte. Leonard Beaconsfield Turner (see 28^th June) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance, suffering from boils; he would be discharged to duty after two days.

2Lt. Harry Waller MM (see 11^th November), re-joined 111^th Company Machine Gun Corps after attending a one-month Infantry Training Course in France (location unknown).

Pte. Frank Wood (3/11631) (see 20^th September), who had been wounded in September, was formally transferred to the Labour Corps to serve with 933^rd Area Employment Company.

Pte. Selwyn Stansfield (see 5^th December), who had been in England since being wounded in May, and was serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was posted back to France and would join 2^nd/5^th DWR.

Pte. Ben Hutchinson (see 25^th September), who had been in England since having been wounded on 20^th September, appeared before an Army Medical Board which recommended that he be discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Charles Arthur Stott (see 27^th August), who had been killed in action on 10^th June; his widow, Marcella, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week for herself and her daughter, Teresa.

Wednesday 12th December 1917

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

The weather became very wet overnight 11^th/12^th and it continued to rain all morning and for much of the day.

Pte. Percy Montgomery (see 19^th September), who had been under arrest since having been reported as a deserter in September, appeared before a Field General Court Martial. He was found guilty of desertion and was sentenced to death; however, this would shortly be commuted to 15 years’ penal servitude and he would be committed to No.1 Military Prison in Rouen.

L.Cpl. Albert Edward White (see 23th October) was admitted to 70^th Field Ambulance, suffering from a recurrence of the “I.C.T.” (inflammation of the connective tissue) to his left knee; he would be discharged and return to duty after ten days.

Pte. John Crossley was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from jaundice; after four days he would be transferred to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia. He was a 40 year-old chair maker from Keighley; he had originally served with 1^st/5^th DWR but the date and circumstances of his transfer to 10DWR are unknown. 

L.Cpl. George Henry Hansford (see 11^th May), serving in France with 1^st/6^th DWR, was promoted Corporal.

L.Cpl. Stanley Basil Studd (see 1^st December), serving in France with 9DWR, was discharged from 61^st Casualty Clearing Station and re-joined his Battalion. Four days later he would depart on two weeks’ leave to England.

L.Cpl. Herbert Newton (see 27^th October), who had been in England since having been wounded on 20^th September, was posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

Lt. Harold Lockhart Waite (see 16^th November), who had served with the Battalion from its creation until being transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in May 1916, appeared before a further RFC Medical Board, having been wounded in August. He was again declared fit for light duties at home, but with no flying; he would be re-examined in a further two months.

Pte. Harry Smith (3/11979) (see 30^th June), who had been serving with 377^th Home Service Labour Company, was formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class W, to take up employment with Messrs. Clayton and Shuttleworth, an engineering company in Lincoln.

Pte. Arthur Holt (see 7^th June) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of the wounds he had suffered in June; he was awarded an Army pension (details unknown).

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Arnold Crossley (see 25^th November), who had died of wounds on 8^th June; his widow, Florence, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week. 

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Herbert Smith (200022) (see 4^th October), who had died of wounds on 8^th June; his widow, Elizabeth, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

Tuesday 11th December 1917

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

Another fine day.

In the morning there was heavy shelling of the British front line and of the reserve positions, which raised concerns about a possible Austrian attack, but nothing materialised. Pte. John Killerby (see 3^rd September) was wounded, suffering shrapnel wounds to his left arm and shoulder, including a fractured scapula. He would be evacuated to the UK, via 2^nd General Hospital at Le Havre, arriving at Oakbank War Hospital, Glasgow, on 2^nd January 1918.

Pte. Walter Robinson (14753) (see 13th March) was killed in action while serving with 1^st/6^th DWR in France. He had been wounded in December 1915 while serving with 10DWR and, having recovered, had been posted successively (details unknown) to 8DWR, 9DWR and 1^st/6^th DWR, being wounded twice more. Capt. Godfrey Buxton would write to Robinson’s parents with news of their son’s death, "I am very sorry you have not been informed before, but I was away at the time. Your son has always been a reliable soldier and done his work thoroughly. I fear it will be a great loss to you, and all ranks in 'D' Company join with me in expressing our sympathy to you. He died without pain and was buried near where he fell with some of his comrades, and a cross has been erected over his grave." Robinson’s grave would be lost in subsequent fighting and he is now commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Pte. Walter Robinson

Pte. William Postill Taylor (see 15^th November), serving in France with 2DWR, was admitted to hospital suffering from a high temperature.

Pte. James Wilson (see 19^th November), serving in East Africa as a lorry driver with the Motor Transport Section of the ASC, was admitted to hospital in Ndanda (in modern day Tanzania) suffering from malaria.

Sgt. William Allen Sayer (see 22^nd September), who had been in hospital in England since having been wounded on 20^th September, was discharged as fit for duty; he was granted ten days’ leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields. In actual fact he would be overdue reporting for duty and would not report until 27^th December.

Pte. Herbert Farrand Hogley (see 25^th November), who was in England having been wounded in action serving with 2/6^thDWR, was transferred from hospital in Eastleigh to the Military Hospital in Bangor, North Wales.

CSM Harry Dewhirst (see 13^th October), formerly of 10DWR, was posted from 3DWR at North Shields to 4DWR at Rugeley Camp, Staffs.

Pte. Ernest William Evans (see 24^th October), who had been in England since having been wounded in June, was formally discharged from the Army as being no longer physically fit. His discharge report stated that following his abdominal wounds, “Has considerable bladder disturbance. Very sudden necessity to pass water always ‘wets himself’ if he does not get the chance to pass it at once. Has to support abdomen with hands while urinating. Will not make Class A, B or C”. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. for four weeks, reducing thereafter to 8s. 3d; to be reviewed in a year.

Margaret Rothera, aged 60, died at her home in Keighley; she was the mother of L.Cpl. Cain Rothera (see 7^th November).

A payment of £15 15s. 4d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Joseph Dobson MM (see 12^th March), who had died of wounds on 21^st September; the payment would go to his father, Matthew.

A payment of £6 11s. 10d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Albert Edward Pope (see 24^th September), who had died of wounds on 24^th September; the payment would go to his widow, Clara. She would also receive a parcel of her late husband’s personal effects, comprising of, ‘disc, cap badge, spectacles in case, cigarette case’.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Herbert Hodgkins (see 23^rd October), who had been killed in action on 9^th June; his mother, Sophia, was awarded 7s. 6d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Maurice Stead Hodgson (see 19^th September), who had been killed in action on 8^th June; his widow, Mabel, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Samuel Sharp (see 7^th June) who had been killed in action on 6^th June; his widow, Alice, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week for herself and her son, Jack.


A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Frederick Arthur Stead (see 22^nd November), who had been killed in action in June 1917; his mother, Sarah, was awarded 7s. 6d. per week.

Monday 10th December 1917

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

A fine day.

Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 7^th December) visited 10DWR and declared “Range practically complete except for targets”.

Pte. Frank William Rabjohn (see 13^th November), who had been reported ‘wounded and missing’ on 20^th September but had subsequently (on 13^th November) been arrested by the Military Police near Dickebusch re-joined the Battalion under close arrest; he would be held in detention for five weeks, awaiting trial by Field General Court Martial.

Pte. George Towler Brown (see 23^rd October) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance suffering from a high temperature; he would be discharged to duty four days later.

Pte. George Green (22749) (see 30^th November) was reported as having been ‘dirty on CO’s parade’; he was reprimanded by Capt. Henry Kelly VC (see 3^rd December).

Pte. Robert Wilson Irving (see 19^th November), serving with 360^th Labour Company, Labour Corps, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service, following his episodes of shellshock. He was awarded a gratuity of £75 in lieu of any pension for a year, on the basis that his disability would be resolved within the year. 

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Joe Dyson (see 6^th September), who had been killed in action on 23^rd May; his widow, Maud, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.