Wednesday 18th September 1918

Beregana Camp, south-east of Thiene.

Pte. James Longworth (see 25^th August) re-joined the Battalion from the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. John Thorp Newsome (see 25^th August) was reported by A/CQMS George Alfred Giles (see 18^th August) as absent off leave, having failed to return on time from his two weeks’ leave to England. He would report back on 26^th September and, on the orders of Capt. Henry Kelly VC (see 8^th August) would be awarded seven days’ Field Punishment no.2 and ordered to forfeit three days’ pay.

Pte. William Douglas (see 10^th September), who had been admitted to 51^st Stationary Hospital suffering from gastritis after arriving in Italy en route to join 10DWR, was discharged from hospital and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. William Harper (25972) (see 14^th August), who had been under treatment for the previous month, was discharged from 9^th Casualty Clearing Station and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia. 

L.Cpl. Thomas Lloyd (see 26^th August), serving in France with 1^st/7^th DWR, was promoted Corporal.

Pte. John Foster (see 11^th September), serving in France with 2/7^th DWR, was posted from ‘F’ Infantry Base Depot at Etaples to re-join his Battalion.

L.Cpl. Alfred Edward Wybrow MM (see 30^th August), who had been in England since having been wounded three weeks’ previously while serving in France with 2DWR, was discharged from 3^rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. He would have one week’s leave before reporting to the Regimental Depot in Halifax.

Pte. Walter Ralph (see 14^th August), serving in England with 3^rd Battalion York and Lancasters, was attached for duty with 474^th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps, based in York; he was the elder brother of Pte. Kit Ralph (see 30^th April 1917) who had been killed at Le Sars in October 1916.

Tuesday 17th September 1918

Beregana Camp, south-east of Thiene.

Pte. Benjamin Fawcett (see 18^th August) was reported by Cpl. George Alma Cook (see 25^th May) and L.Cpl. Will Lee (29334) as ‘absenting himself without leave from 9am’; he would not return until four days later. Following a Field General Court Martial held on 5^th October, he would be sentenced, on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 13^th September), to undergo 56 days’ Field Punishment no.1..

L.Sgt. Thomas Bulcock (see 8^th February), serving in France with 2DWR, was promoted Sergeant.

Dvr. Arthur Overend (see 22^nd August), now serving in France with the ASC, departed for England on 14 days’ leave.

L.Cpl. Arthur Lund (see 25^th March), who had been in England since March having been wounded while serving in France with 1^st/4^th DWR, was posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

Pte. Percy Burrows (see 31^st July), who was in England having been wounded on 21^st June, was evacuated discharged from the King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London. He would have one week’s leave before reporting to the Regimental Depot at Halifax.

Following three weeks’ treatment for malaria, Pte. James Wilson (see 27^th August), serving with 728^th Employment Company, based at Hitchin, Herts., was discharged from hospital in Cambridge and returned to duty. 

Following their recent exchange of correspondence, Ernest Webb, brother of Pte. Edward Percy Webb (see 11^th September), who had been missing in action since the trench raid on 26th August, again wrote to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in York, “On behalf of my mother and also myself I thank you for your letter reporting my brother, Pte. E.P. Webb, 25918, as missing. My mother is at present too upset to write herself. I should be very grateful if anything more does come to hand you would be good enough to drop me a line. Kindly express to all concerned our appreciation of their expressions of sympathy. Your enclosures as stated duly received. Would you be so good as to note that my father died in March last. I presume my brother omitted to make the necessary alteration to his pay book”.

A payment of £31 2s. 6d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Ernest Haslam (see 21^st June), who had been killed during the trench raid on 21^st June; the payment would go to his father, Henry.

A payment of £1 17s. 7d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Albert Victor Wilcock (see 16^th May), who had been officially ‘missing in action’ since 20^th September 1917 and was now presumed dead; the payment would go to his widow, Sylvia.

Monday 16th September 1918

Front line positions on the far left of the divisional front, north of Mt. Lemerle.

Starting at 9pm, the Battalion was relieved by 11^th Northumberland Fusiliers and marched to Bydand Corner, from where they were taken by motor lorries to Beregana Camp, south-east of Thiene, where they had been five weeks previously.

Pte. Owen Frank Hyde (see 5^th September) departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

2Lt. Keith Sagar Bain (see 26^th August), who had suffered wounds to his right leg and buttock during the trench raid on 26^th August, was transferred from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia to an Officers Convalescent Hospital in Portofino.

Pte. Frank Easterby (see 26^th August), who had suffered severe wounds to his chest during the trench raid on 26^th August, was transferred from 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa, and from there, five days later, would be transferred to 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles.

Pte. Sidney John Rainbow (see 11^th September), who had been admitted to 23^rd Division Rest Station five days’ previously, suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to his right ankle, was now diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia and was transferred to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station.

Pte. Charles Hammond (see 15^th November 1917), serving in France with 2/7^th DWR, was posted back to England, having suffered wounds to his right leg; the date and circumstances of his having been wounded are unknown.

Lt. John Robert Dickinson (see 26^th March), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, appeared before a further Army Medical Board which found him fit for general service. 

Pte. Albert Saville (see 19^th July 1917), serving with 298^th Labour Company, based at Ripon, was transferred to 762^nd Area Employment Company.

Sunday 15th September 1918

Front line positions on the far left of the divisional front, north of Mt. Lemerle.

L.Cpl. Ernest Pearson MM (see 17^th December 1917) and Ptes. Frederick Abbot (see 2^nd February 1917), Joseph Blackburn (29722) (see 25^th July), Stanley Barker (see 26^th August), Septimus Chapman (see 5^th September), William Dean (see 5^th June), Fred Wilson Fawcett (see 25^th February), George Green (22749) (see 20^th June), Thomas Warburton (see 24^th February), Frederick William Warner (see 10^th June) and Robert Wilson (see 21^st June) departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

Pte. Ernest Mudd (see 10^th September), who had been under treatment for inflammation to his left knee, was transferred from 23^rd Division Rest Station to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station.

Pte. Charles William Groves (see 26^th August), who had suffered wounds to his left hand on 26^th August was transferred from 11^th General Hospital in Genoa to 81^st General Hospital in Marseilles.

Lt. Andrew Aaron Jackson (see 26^th August), who had suffered wounds to his right shoulder during the trench raid on 26^th August, was evacuated to England from Le Havre; on arriving in England he would be admitted to Lady Cooper’s Hospital, Hursley Park, Winchester.

Pte. Albert William Knight (see 23^rd November 1917), serving with 2/6^th DWR, was wounded in action, suffering wounds to both knees; he would be admitted to one of the hospitals at Etaples.

Lt. Arthur Lilley (see 17^th August), serving in France with the RAF, was admitted to 12^th Stationary Hospital; the nature of his injury or illness is unknown.

Saturday 14th September 1918

Front line positions on the far left of the divisional front, north of Mt. Lemerle.

It was around this time that Sgt. Richard Everson (see 26^th August) was recommended for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal; he had already been recommended for the Military Medal for his actions in the raid on 26^th August. The citation for his DCM award referred to his service over an extended period, “During the period 26^th February 1918 to 14^th September 1918, he has always displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty; he is a most conscientious and capable worker both in and out of the line, and under the heaviest fire, and has on all occasions been of the very greatest help to his company commander and of benefit to the members of his company”.

Pte. Frederick George Westlake (see 5^th September), who had suffered a gunshot wound to his right foot three weeks’ previously, was tried by Field General Court Martial held at 9^th Casualty Clearing Station. Pte. Westlake was charged with, “When on active service conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in that he, on or about 25^th August 1918, negligently handled a rifle whereby he became wounded”. He was found guilty and ordered to forfeit 28 days’ pay.

A medical report was recorded regarding Cpl. Harry Wood (see 5^th September), who was under treatment at 24^th Casualty Clearing Station having suffered severe wounds in the trench raid on 26^th August. It was noted that ‘Neck wound nearly closed now; shoulder wound and leg wounds much cleaner; general condition good’; Cpl. Wood was considered fit enough for transfer and, next day, would be transferred to 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles.

CQMS Maurice Harcourt Denham (see 24^th August), who had been injured in an accident three weeks’ previously, was transferred from 38^th Stationary Hospital in Genoa to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano.

CQMS Maurice Harcourt Denham

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. Alfred Shaw (see 26^th May) was transferred from hospital in Marseilles to 16^th Convalescent Depot, also in Marseilles.

Pte. Ernest Thorn (see 9^th August) was posted from the Regimental Depot in Halifax to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Harry Walsh (see 4^th July 1917), who had been in England since suffering severe wounds to his back in June 1917, was married to Edith Lawrence at St. Mark’s Church, Harrogate. Pte. Walsh’s address was stated as being St. Nicholas’ Hospital, Wetherby Lane, Harrogate. Edith Lawrence was the widow of Pte. Harry Lawrence who had been killed in September 1916 while serving with 1^st/8^th West Yorks.

Pte. William Franklin (see 1^st June), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was formally transferred to Army Reserve Class P; this classification of the reserve applied to men “whose services were deemed to be temporarily of more value to the country in civil life rather than in the Army”. He was to take up employment as a coal miner at Baggeridge Colliery, Sedgley, Staffs.

Pte. George Edward Crangle (see 6^th February), who had been in England since having wounded in February while serving in France with 2^nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of his wounds; he was assessed as having suffered a 20% disability and was awarded an Army pension of 8s. per week.

The weekly edition of the Keighley News reported on the condition of A/CSM Frank Shelah Gilleard (see 26^th August) who had been wounded in the trench raid on 26^th August,

Sergeant Major Frank Gilleard, West Riding Regiment, son of the late Mr. Fred Gilleard and of Mrs. Gilleard of 31 Argyle Street, Keighley, has been dangerously wounded in the abdomen by gunshot in Italy. Latest reports, however, go to show that he is improving somewhat. He joined the Army on September 1st 1914. Before going to Italy shortly before last Christmas he was wounded three times in action in France. Since being wounded, Sergeant Major Gilleard has been awarded the Military Cross, the presentation being made to him in hospital by the Commander-in-Chief.

Friday 13th September 1918

Reserve positions near Monte Magnaboschi.

The Battalion moved into front line positions on the far left of the divisional front, relieving 11West Yorks.; three companies went into the front line, with the fourth in close support near Cesuna Tunnels.

Pte. Walter Evans (see 25^th May) was reported by A/CSM Albert Blackburn (see 27^th August), A/Sgt. James Shackleton MM (see 21^st March; it is not clear when Shackleton had been promoted from his previous rank of Corporal) and Cpl. Alfred Frankland (see 25^th May) for drunkenness; he would be kept under close arrest for four days before being ordered by Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 12^th September) to undergo 14 days’ Field Punishment no.1.

Pte. Walter Dey (see 17^th June) was admitted via 71^st Field Ambulance and 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from malaria.

Pte. Albert Smith MM (11195) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 51^st Stationary Hospital; he was suffering from gonorrhoea. He had previously served with 8DWR and 9DWR but, in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR.

L.Cpl. Harry Bailey (25248) (see 13^th July), who had been suffering from jaundice, was discharged from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

2Lt. Harley Bentham (see 7^th September 1917), serving in France with 5DWR, was severely wounded during an attack on the village of Havrincourt, and died of his wounds later the same day. News of his death would be received by his family in a letter from the Battalion Commanding Officer; “It is with deep sorrow that I have to inform you of the death of Second-Lieutenant Bentham in action on the 13th. He was wounded by shellfire whilst gallantly leading his men in the attack, which resulted in the capture of Havrincourt. He did not suffer and died shortly after reaching the C.C.S. We officers, N.C.O.s and men of his battalion thought much of him as a gallant, cheerful comrade, and it is a great grief to us that victory has cost so much to you and him. May the knowledge that he did his duty well and bravely help to lighten this great sorrow." 2Lt. Bentham would buried at Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux St. Marc.

2Lt. Harley Bentham

L.Cpl. Dennis Waller (see 7^th September), who had been severely wounded in action on 8^th August while serving in serving in France with 2DWR, suffering a compound fracture of his left femur, was evacuated to England from 35^th General Hospital at Calais, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege. On arrival in England he would be admitted to Edmonton General Military Hospital. On the same day the London Gazette published notice of the award of the Military Medal to L.Cpl. Waller.

Pte. William Norman Whitehead (see 15^th June) who had been in England since having been severely wounded in June 1917, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

The London Gazette published notice of the award of the Military Cross to Lt. Col. Sydney Spencer Hayne (see 12^th June), commanding 2^nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, “He commanded his battalion with marked ability and skill, and when surrounded by the enemy he led a successful counter-attack, thereby relieving the pressure on other troops. He set an example of courage and cheerfulness under most trying conditions.” The same edition also reported the award of the Military medal to Cpl. George Henry Hansford (see 12^th December 1917), he had gained his award whilst serving in France with 1^st/6^th DWR, but the date and circumstances are unknown.

Lt. Col. Sidney Spencer Hayne MC

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald published news of the death of Pte. Edwin Kenyon (see 26^th August) who had been killed during the trench raid on 26^th August; there were also In Memoriam notices from Pte. Kenyon’s family.

News was received last week-end, from Italy, of the death of Private Edwin Kenyon, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who was killed in action on the 26th August. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Kenyon, 54 Willow Bank, Barnoldswick, and leaves a wife residing at Cornholme. Private Kenyon joined up in January, 1915, and after serving two years and five months in France was transferred to the Italian Front in October last. In a letter of sympathy to the bereaved wife an N.C.O. says:- "The company was ordered to make a raid on enemy trenches. This took place and I saw your husband after we had reached our objective. After a short time we were ordered back again and he was all right until he got within a short distance of our own lines, when a bullet struck him in the head, killing him instantly." Private Kenyon was 24 years of age.

KENYON – In loving memory of Private Edwin Kenyon, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, killed in Italy August 26th, aged 24 years.

We pictured his safe returning,

We longed to clasp his hand,

But God has postponed the meeting

Till we meet in the better land.

From Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters, 54 Willow Bank, Barnoldswick.

KENYON – In loving memory of my dear husband, Private Edwin Kenyon, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who was killed in Italy August 26th, 1918, aged 24 years.

I often think of the days gone by,

When we were both together;

But a shadow o’er my life is cast,

A dear one gone for ever.

From his loving wife, May, Vale School House, Cornholme. 

Pte. Edwin Kenyon

Thursday 12th September 1918

Reserve positions near Monte Magnaboschi.

The detached battalions from each brigade of 23^rd Division (see 9^th September) departed for France and it was intended that the remainder of both 7^th and 23^rd Divisions should follow as soon as sufficient transport could be procured. Pte. Harold Charnock (see 26^th August) would later recall that, “it was freely rumoured that the Division was to return to France.  This seemed probable”.

Pte. Walter Limmer (see 11^th September), who had suffered severe head wounds the previous day, died at 24^th Casualty Clearing Station; he would be buried at the adjacent Cavalletto British Cemetery. News of his death would be communicated to his wife (they had married only a month previously while Pte. Limmer was on leave) by 2Lt. George Clifford Sugden (see 23^rd August): “I write on behalf of No. 4 Platoon and myself to express my deep sympathy in your great bereavement. I personally feel the loss very much, as perhaps you know he has been my batman for some months now, and consequently we have been much together in the trenches, and naturally got to know each other very well. We had just moved to a new camp on the 11^th, and your husband had only reported an hour before to me from leave. He had just finished tea when a shell came over that gave us no chance, and burst in the midst of us. Walter, I found, was badly wounded in his head. We immediately dressed his wounds and rushed off to the doctor, but I don’t think he ever regained consciousness until the following day, when he died at 4-30; at any rate he did not suffer any pain. I assure you we all miss him very much because he was always cheerful and willing to do anything I asked of him. You will be glad to know that he is buried in a very pretty cemetery in a pine wood. We have made a very nice cross for his grave. Be assured his resting place will be looked after as far as we are able”. There was also a letter from Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 5^th September), “He was a good and a gallant soldier, and it is particularly sad that he should have been hit just after returning from leave. Please accept the sincerest sympathy of myself and all my fellow officers in your terrible bereavement. Your consolation must be that your husband died doing his duty for his King and Country”. One of Pte. Limmer’s ‘pals’ (unnamed) also wrote, “He was always one of the cheeriest, best and bravest – an example of what a really good soldier should be. The regiment can ill afford to lose men of his type”.

Pte. Walter Limmer

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. Herbert Willis Pickles (see 7^th August), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was posted back to France and would join 2^nd/4^th DWR on 18^th September.

Pte. Walter William Scott (see 21^st May), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to bronchitis; he was awarded a pension of 11s. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

A payment of £12 2s. 2d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harry Robinson (see 19^th July), who had died of his wounds on 19^th July; the payment would go to his widow, Edith.