Wednesday 1st March 1916

Hesdigneul

With the weather described as ‘indifferent’ the Battalion remained in training, although it was acknowledged in the War Diary that, “our movements are uncertain; we are simply instructed to “stand to”’. Information was received that the Brigade would be inspected next day by Sir James Wilson, commanding IV Corps. J.B. Priestley observed that “For two days we had no proper rations and had to depend on what we could buy”. 

Pte. Frank Peel (see 13^th January) was reported by Cpl. Michael Loughlin (see 2^nd June 1915) as having been ‘absent from his billet at 10.45am’; on the orders of Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (see 10^th January) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

L.Cpl. Matthew Best (see 22^nd February) who had suffered an accidental injury to his chest during training in January and  had been in hospital, reported to the Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to re-joining the Battalion.

L.Cpl. Matthew Best

A payment of £4 16s. 5d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances for the late L.Cpl. Samuel Holroyd (see 3^rd November 1915), who had been killed when a dugout had collapsed in November 1915; the payment would go to widow, Maria.

Tuesday 29th February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

Having spent just two nights following their return to Steenbecque, the men were up at 4am, breakfasted at 5am and at 7am the Battalion was formed up and marched three miles south to the station at Thiennes. Here, “they shoved us onto a train – in cattle trucks of course – and after several hours travelling we landed in a town somewhere in the French lines!”  Their destination was in fact Calonne-Ricouart, twenty miles south of Steenbecque. The train arrived there at around 11am and the men then marched a further seven miles east, via Bruay, to Hesdigneul, south-west of Bethune, where they were billeted in purpose-built huts. J.B. Priestley found, “there are many factories and collieries around here, which makes the place look more like home to our fellows”.  Indeed, it was said that the Northumberland and Durham men of 68th Brigade ‘were not content till they had taken a turn at their old trade in the pits’.  

Pte. John William Addison was admitted to 22^nd Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to his neck. Pte. Addison was an original member of the Battalion having enlisted in Halifax on 14^th September 1914; he was 20 years old and had been working as a labourer before enlisting.

69^th Brigade War Diary recorded casualties for the Brigade for the month of February:

Killed                                    4
Accidentally killed              0
Died of wounds                  0
Wounded                           24 (including 2 officers)
Accidentally wounded      3
Missing                                3; including 2Lt. Glover (see 13^th January).

10DWR’s casualties were recorded as:

Killed                                     0
Accidentally killed               0
Died of wounds                   0
Wounded                             4
Accidentally wounded       0
Missing                                  0

It should be noted that these casualty figures take no account of the death of Pte. Harry Iredale (see 25^th February), who had died of wounds sustained on 8^th February.

The official cumulative casualty figures for the Battalion since arriving in France were now:

Killed                                     18
Accidentally killed                 4
Died of wounds                     2
Wounded                              97
Accidentally wounded        37
Missing                                    3

Monday 28th February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

As the weather improved, orders were again received “to the effect that the Battalion is to be held in readiness to move at short notice”.

At some point around this time, although the precise date has not been established, Battalion Medical Officer, Lt. John David Wilson (see 27^th August 1915) was recommended for the award of the Military Cross.

Lt. John David Wilson

 

A payment of £5 9s 5d, being the amount due on his army pay, was authorised to Walter Bennett, father of L.Cpl. Noel Bennett who had been killed in November 1915 (see 1^st December 1915).

L.Cpl Noel Bennett

Sunday 27th February 1916

Between Neuf Berquin and Estaires

The purpose of the recent emergency move had not become clear and even the official Divisional History later reported that, “a certain amount of marching and counter-marching took place; the reasons for this have not been discovered, but the nature of the movements ordered seem to indicate an uncertainty as to the enemy’s intentions”.  Whatever the emergency, it turned out to be short-lived; “we messed about several days, but evidently weren’t needed, so returned wearily to our ‘rest’ camp – in six inches of snow”.  Lt. Dick Bolton (see 11^th January), writing years later, recalled that, “the Division was ordered forward again and marched via the Foret de Nieppe to the Estaires area. Naturally the air was full of rumours which were very far from the truth; it was later learnt that an attack had been planned with a view to relieving the pressure on the French at Verdun. Nothing came of this and once more the Battalion returned to Steenbecque”. A six-hour march, starting at 9.30am saw the Battalion back at Steenbecque at 3.30pm. Orders were issued for the Battalion to resume their training programme.

Saturday 26th February 1916

Between Neuf Berquin and Estaires

As on the previous day, the Battalion remained on high alert, but received no orders, until, late in the evening, they were ordered to be made ready to return to Steenbeque next morning.

Pte. John Edward Atkinson (see 10^th February), who had been in hospital for two weeks for treatment to a corneal ulcer, was discharged to 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Ptes. Herbert Burgess and Walter Robinson (15117) were posted to France and would join 10DWR. Herbert Burgess was a 22 year-old woollen fettler from Halifax; he was married with one daughter. He had previously served with 8DWR and had been posted to Gallipoli in September 1915; he had contracted dysentery and had been evacuated to England in November 1915. Walter Robinson was a 26 year-old collier from Huddersfield; he was married but had no children. He had enlisted in January 1915 and had trained with 9DWR. However, with his Battalion about to depart for France in July 1915 he and two other men had been charged with ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’; the details of their actions are unknown, but they had been reported as being ‘in civil custody’. All three would be transferred to 11DWR and would be found guilty by Court Martial convened at Lichfield on 3^rd September. Pte. Robinson had been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour, but had had six months of his sentence remitted. The other two men convicted were Ptes. Edward Burnside and Samuel Hodgetts, both had been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour, with six months of their sentences remitted. Both of these men would also subsequently be posted to 10DWR, although, in the absence of surviving service records for either, it is not known exactly when they were posted overseas. Edward Burnside was a 22 year-old mill hand from Halifax. I am currently unable to make a positive identification of Samuel Hodgetts.

CSM Harry Dewhirst (see 7^th February) joined 11^th (Reserve) Battalion DWR, with whom he would be employed as an Instructor.

CSM Harry Dewhirst (back left) pictured in 1914 with other NCOs of the Battalion
(photo by kind permission of Henry Bolton)

William George Wade (see 3^rd December 1915), serving with the Army Cyclist Corps, was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal; he would later be commissioned and join 10DWR.

William George Wade, pictured in 1918
(photo by kind permission of Henry Bolton)

Trooper Claude Darwin, (see 20^th February) was released from hospital in Egypt, having been treated for mumps, and rejoined the Australian Light Horse. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin, who was currently being treated for ‘debility’ whilst serving with 10DWR (see 14^th February).

Friday 25th February 1916

Between Neuf Berquin and Estaires

The weather remained bitterly cold and the Battalion passed a second day on stand-by, but received no further instructions.

Pte. Patrick Conley (see 2^nd January) was admitted via 7^th Casualty Clearing Station to 5^th General Hospital at Rouen suffering from ‘trench foot’.

Pte. Harry Wood (see 14^th January), who had been wounded six weeks previously, was discharged from 18^th General Hospital at Camiers and posted to Etaples, en route to re-joining 10DWR.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported on the poignancy of a letter written just days before his death by Pte. Harry Iredale (see 18^th February):

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT - A PATHETIC REMINDER

Pathetic interest attaches to the following letter, written only three days before he was mortally wounded, from Pte. H. Iredale of the 10^th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment, whose death at the age of 19 years was recorded last week:-

5th February, 1916

"Dear Mr. Bartley, - I received the parcel about a fortnight ago, but as several of the lads have not yet received their parcels I thought I would defer writing. We do very well for clothes and socks, and as a rule we have a bath and change of underclothing every five days, so that socks and comforts from home are hardly necessary. We all do very well for food, though it is plain, but we can hardly expect anything else out there, so we have to rely on the parcels sent from home. The weather is gradually changing for the better, and, I suppose, harder fighting. Our regiment has been out here nearly six months now so we are expecting the usual month's rest, and probably a pass. We received a parcel for Pte. Greenwood, who is in hospital, but as men in hospital are not allowed parcels we divided it amongst the lads. We have not much time to spare in the trenches, so I shall have to bring this letter to a close, again thanking you for the most welcome parcel.

"I remain, yours sincerely, H. IREDALE."

Pte, Harry Iredale

The same edition also reported on the recent marriage of Sgt. Tom Pickles (see 12^th February):

From the Trenches to the Altar

Sergt. Tom Pickles, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who arrived home from France on a week’s leave on the 11^th inst. was married on the following Saturday, the 12^th, at the Baptist Church, Colne, to Miss Nora Leach, of 3 Calder Street, Colne. The bridegroom is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pickles of Walden House, Barnoldswick. He has been in France several months.

There was also notice of the continuing fund-raising efforts of Mrs. Geraldine Tunstill (see 14^th January):

GIFTS ACKNOWLEDGED

Mrs. H.G. Tunstill acknowledges with most grateful thanks the following gifts for “A” Company, 10^th West Riding Regiment: 22 pairs of socks, 1 muffler from Cawood (per Mrs. Hemsworth); 3 pairs of socks from Mrs. Thorpe, Settle; 20 pairs of socks from Halton West Sewing Party (per Mrs. Yorke); 4 pairs of mittens, £2 (monthly subscription), Mrs. H.G. Tunstill; 24 pairs of scoks from Slaidburn and District (per Mrs. King-Wilkinson); 4 pairs of socks, 1 muffler from “A friend of the Soldiers”; 24 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of mittens, 1 scarf from Newton and District (per Mrs. Peel). These comforts have been sent with 2,500 cigarettes, 12 bottles lemon squash, 1 dozen Tommy’s cookers, 300 candles, 100 pipes to Captain Tunstill for distribution to the men.

Many more socks are required, also shirts, which will be gratefully acknowledged if sent to Mrs. Tunstill, Otterburn, Bell Busk.

  

Major Paul Hammond, who was the elder brother of Lt. Leonard Hammond, Transport Officer for 10DWR, died at No.1 General Hospital, Etretat, having been wounded a week earlier (see 17^th February). Although he had initially made a good recovery, Paul Hammond had contracted pneumonia; he was buried at Etretat Churchyard.

Lt. Leonard Hammond

Major Paul Hammond

Thursday 24th February 1916

Between Neuf Berquin and Estaires

Despite the urgency of the previous two days, there was now a hiatus in activity; the War Diary reported that, “Nothing further has transpired. We were however instructed to "Stand to". The weather is bad”.

Pte. Arthur Fawbert was appointed (paid) Lance Corporal; he was a 23 year-old plumber from Bradford.

Pte. Vernon Barker (see 28^th January), who had suffered shrapnel wounds to his left thigh a month previously, re-joined the Battalion from 1^st Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, via 23^rd Infantry Base Depot where he had spent five days after being discharged from hospital.

2Lt. John Henry Hitchin (see 7^th February), who had been absent without leave from 11^th Battalion West Ridings since 29^th December 1915 was formally confirmed as having been, “removed from the Army” on account of his absence.

Wednesday 23rd February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

At 11am, in conditions described by J.B. Priestley as, “absolutely arctic – blizzards and terrible frost”, the men were assembled and marched, at the head of the Brigade, twelve miles east in the freezing conditions to the area between Neuf Berquin and Estaires, arriving at 5pm. Here they “slept, or rather tried to sleep, in ramshackle old sheds, huddled together without blankets or anything”.

Orders had been received at Brigade level for 69^th Brigade to occupy trenches in the Laventie sector, relieving 23^rd Brigade; however, these orders were quickly rescinded.

At home in Dorchester, Frances Parker, wife of L.Cpl. Charles Edward Parker (see 17^th September 1914) gave birth to the couple’s first child, a daughter who would be named Violet.

Tuesday 22nd February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

There was a heavy fall of snow and a sudden interruption to the established routine late in the day when orders were received that “all training be suspended and that the Battalion must be held in readiness to move off at a moment’s notice”. In the words of the official Divisional History, “It looked as if the Division was be given a ‘side-slip’ on this flat and dreary front in place of the rest which they had confidently expected”.

Pte. John Dinsdale (see 12^th February), who had been under treatment for “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to the fingers of both hands, was transferred from 18^th General Hospital at Camiers, onboard No.3 Ambulance Train, to 6^th Convalescent Depot at Etaples, from where he would (date and details unknown) re-join the Battalion.

L.Cpl. Matthew Best (see 8^th February) who had suffered an accidental injury to his chest during training in January and  had been in hospital, was passed fit and ordered to be sent to the Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

L.Cpl. Matthew Best

Monday 21st February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

The weather remained good and training continued.

L.Cpl. Thomas Butler (see 19^th September 1915) departed for England on one weeks’ leave.

Pte. William Henry Jordan was posted to France en route to joining 10DWR. He was a 20 year-old labourer from Bradford. He had served as a territorial in the 6^th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment before transferring to 2DWR as a regular soldier in July 1913. He had been posted to France with the Battalion in August 1914 and had been appointed Lance Corporal in March 1915. He had been taken ill in October 1915 (details unknown) and had spent ten days in hospital in Rouen before being evacuated to England on 19^th October and had been admitted to Cheltenham V.A.D. Hospital. Since 31^st December 1915 he had been serving with 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. George Wallace Fricker (see 13^th January), who had been returned to England five weeks earlier, was posted to 11DWR, a Reserve Battalion, based at Brocton Camp in Staffordshire. He would be promoted Lance Corporal a week later.

Sunday 20th February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

The weather remained good and training continued.

Trooper Claude Darwin, (see 18^th February) serving at Heliopolis in Egypt, with 5^th Australian Army Service Corps was transferred from the local Field Ambulance Unit to hospital, suffering from mumps. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin, who was currently being treated for ‘debility’ whilst serving with 10DWR (see 14^th February).

Pte. John Sheridan was posted to France and would join 10DWR; in the absence of a more complete surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.

Saturday 19th February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

The weather remained good and training continued.

Having spent the last week at home on leave (see 12^th February), Major Lewis Ernest Buchanan was declared unfit to return to duty for at least a further three weeks. The immediate cause of his disability was not stated but given his age (he was forty-eight) it seems likely that he, like Major Harry Robert Hildyard (see 17^th February)  was simply no longer fit enough to withstand the rigours of trench warfare. In his absence he would be temporarily replaced as Second-in-Command of the Battalion by Capt. Robert Harwar Gill (see 16th January), who would be promoted Temporary Major.

Maj. Robert Harwar Gill

Ex-Tunstill’s Man, Dvr. Arthur Overend (see 22^nd November 1915), now serving with the ASC at Cirencester, again found himself in trouble, as he had on a number of previous occasions. He was found to have been, “insolent to an NCO” and was ordered to be confined to barracks for three days.

Friday 18th February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

The weather remained good and training continued.

Pte. Rennie Hirst (see 7^th October 1915) was reported by Sgt. Albert Edgar Palmer (see 23^rd January) as ‘absent from parade at 7.15am’; on the orders of Capt. James Christopher Bull MC (see 9th February) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald carried a report on the death of Pte. Harry Iredale (see 12^th February):

EARBY SOLDIER KILLED

The sad news of the death, on February 11^th (sic), of another Earby soldier was received on Wednesday morning, referring to Pte. Harry Iredale, of the 10^th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment. Deceased, who was only 19 years of age, was the only son of Mrs. Iredale, Colne Road, and grandson of the late P.C. Iredale, of Earby. He joined the Army in September, 1914, and had been in France about six months. Before enlisting he was employed as a weaver at Messrs. J. S. Watson and Sons, Albion Shed.

The sad news was contained in the following letter from Pte. M. Beaumont, a stretcher-bearer in the 'A' Company:-

February 12^th, 1916.

"Just a few lines to convey to you the sad news of your son's death, which I am sure will be a terrible shock and loss to you. I was one of the stretcher bearers who helped to carry him to the dressing station, where his wound was quickly attended to. I will try to give you the details as near as I can. He was getting up on to the fire step when he was struck by a bullet in the head. Seeing he was in the same platoon to which I belonged, I thought it my duty to express our sympathy with you. I am sure he will be missed, for he was a true soldier and friend to all who knew him. The platoon sergeant carried him on his back to the communication trench, and then we carried him forward to the dressing station. From the time he was hit, about 6 in the morning of the 8^th inst., until reaching the hospital there was no time lost. Along with the section I again express our deepest sympathy with you in your loss.

Yours sincerely, PTE. M. BEAUMONT, Stretcher bearer."

Pte. Harry Iredale

Trooper Claude Darwin, (see 11^th February) serving at Heliopolis in Egypt, with 5^th Australian Army Service Corps was admitted to the local Field Ambulance Unit, suffering from mumps. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin, who was currently being treated for ‘debility’ whilst serving with 10DWR (see 14^th February).

Thursday 17th February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

The weather remained good and training continued. 

L.Sgt. Robert William John Morris (see 4^th January) departed for England on one weeks’ leave.

Pte. John William Parker (14747) was evacuated to England suffering from epilepsy; on arrival in England he would be admitted to the British Military Hospital, Brockenhurst. He was a 34 year-old painter and decorator from Keighley, married with two children, and had been an original member of the Battalion.

Major Paul Hammond, who was the elder brother of Lt. Leonard Hammond (see 27^th September 1914), Transport Officer for 10DWR, was wounded whilst serving with 8^th Battalion East Lancs Regiment; he was hit by a stray bullet as he was leaving a communication trench at the village of Foncquevillers,  and suffered a compound fracture of the femur. He was evacuated to No.1 General Hospital, Etretat, on the coast, north of Le Havre.

Major Paul Hammond

Lt. Leonard Hammond

Wednesday 16th February 1916

Corps Reserve at Steenbecque

Once settled at their new location,  cnditions immediately proved difficult and it was reported that, “A strong wind got up during the night accompanied by heavy rain. A number of tents were blown down during the day. The air is very pure. Owing to recent heavy rain there is much mud about. The water is reported not good, and the farmers’ milk is also considered of questionable quality. Orders have been issued that water and milk must be boiled before drinking”.

However, for the next week the weather remained good and the time was spent mainly in training exercises. It was while here that the Battalion finally received short Lee Enfield rifles to replace the older models which had originally been issued to them.

Tuesday 15th February 1916

Vieux Berquin

After taking a short rest after arriving at 3am, the Battalion resumed its march at 9.30am. Five hours later the Battalion finally arrived, having marched via La Motte, at their new camp one mile north of Steenbecque, where, despite the winter weather, the Battalion was to be quartered in tents. The War Diary recorded that, “The troops marched well; only a few cases of men falling out were reported”.

However, the long march may well have been what accounted for Tunstill’s Man L.Cpl. George Liddemore being sent back to England. He had been hospitalised briefly in August 1915 suffering from inflammation of the joints and now, just a week after surrendering his former rank as Corporal, (see 12^th February) was sent back to the Regimental Depot in England, having been taken ill.

Monday 14th February 1916

Billets at Fort Rompu.

The Battalion began its move back into Corps Reserve; this necessitated a 22 mile march to Steenbecque which was to be completed in two stages. The move began in heavy rain; Battalion transport, carrying kit and equipment moved off during the afternoon, but the men, in marching order and wearing their greatcoats, did not depart from Fort Rompu until 9.45 pm and marched overnight, crossing the River Lys at Croix du Bac and on via Steenwerck and Le Verrier, arriving at Vieux Berquin at 3 am on 14^th.  

Ptes. Walter Charlesworth and John William Varnham  were both admitted to an ‘isolation hospital’ (details unknown); they would spend ten days in hospital before being discharged and re-joining the Battalion. Both men were original members of the Battalion. Walter Charlesworth had enlisted in Huddersfield in September 1914, aged 19 and working as a clerk. John William Varnham was a 20 year-old labourer from Halifax.

Pte. Tom Darwin (see 13^th February), who had originally been taken ill ten days earlier, was transferred from 8 Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul to the Australian General Hospital at Wimereux for further treatment.

Sgt. Henry Herbert Calvert (see 23^rd January), serving at 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples was transferred for duty at 16^th Infantry Base Depot, also at Etaples.

Maj. Harry Hildyard (see 11^th February), who had been on sick leave since early January, reported for duty with 11^th Battalion West Ridings at Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffs.

A payment of £4 16s. 5d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances for the late Pte. Hildred Woodhouse (see 3rd November 1915), who had been killed when a dugout had collapsed in November 1915; the payment would go to his father, Arthur.

Sunday 13th February 1916

Billets at Fort Rompu.

A largely quiet, fine day. The only incident of note was the passage of two German aircraft which dropped bombs close to the Battalion billets, but without causing any damage or casualties. Orders were issued in preparation for a move into Corps Reserve.

L.Cpl. Michael Kenefick (see 28^th December 1915) began to be paid according to his rank having previously held the post unpaid.

Cpl. Henry Markham (see 2^nd February), who had only returned from leave five days previously, reported sick, suffering from influenza, and was admitted to 23^rd Divisional Rest Station at Estaires, where he would be treated for a week before returning to duty.

Pte. Thomas Lloyd (see 7^th October 1915) was admitted to hospital suffering from inflammation to his left hand; he would be discharged to duty six days later.

Pte. Tom Darwin, who had been taken ill ten days earlier (see 4^th February) was transferred to 8 Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul for further treatment.

Saturday 12th February 1916

Billets at Fort Rompu.

After the heavy rain of the previous day, drier conditions returned and the Battalion again provided a working party, this time of one officer and fifty men.

Pte. John Dinsdale (see 7^th January) was admitted to 18^th General Hospital at Camiers, suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to the fingers of both hands.

Pte. Arthur Holt was admitted to 13^th General Hospital at Boulogne, suffering from ‘myalgia; the details of his treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. He had been original member of the Battalion, having enlisted in January 1915; he was a 34 year-old married man with one child and had previously worked as a dyer’s labourer in Rastrick.

Pte. Mark Beaumont wrote to the mother of Pte. Harry Iredale who had died of wounds four days earlier (see 8^th February). Beaumont had been one of the stretcher bearers who had evacuated Harry from the trenches;

"Just a few lines to convey to you the sad news of your son's death, which I am sure will be a terrible shock and loss to you. I was one of the stretcher bearers who helped to carry him to the dressing station, where his wound was quickly attended to. I will try to give you the details as near as I can. He was getting up on to the fire step when he was struck by a bullet in the head. Seeing he was in the same platoon to which I belonged, I thought it my duty to express our sympathy with you. I am sure he will be missed, for he was a true soldier and friend to all who knew him. The platoon sergeant carried him on his back to the communication trench, and then we carried him forward to the dressing station. From the time he was hit, about 6 in the morning of the 8^th inst., until reaching the hospital there was no time lost. Along with the section I again express our deepest sympathy with you in your loss.”

Pte. Harry Iredale

Second-in-Command of 10DWR, Major Lewis Ernest Buchanan (see 30^th January) went home to England on one weeks’ leave. Cpl. Arthur Edward Hunt (see 26^th November 1915) also departed for England on one weeks’ leave.

Cpl. George Liddemore (see 3^rd December 1915) reverted to the rank of Lance Corporal. 

Pte. George Edward Bush (see 28^th January) wrote home to a friend, “I am in the best of health, feeling as fit as the proverbial fiddle and that is something to be thankful for as the only sympathy a chap gets here when ‘seedy’ is one of the Medical Officer’s no.9 pills which are ungrudgingly dished out for all complaints, from toothache to a sprained ankle. You will no doubt be better informed yourself than I am as to how the war is progressing. As far as we are concerned it is the same routine day after day, but I expect there will be a general wakening up as the better weather arrives. It was the Kaiser’s birthday recently and our Battalion got to know about it too as the Huns opposite decided to celebrate it by giving us a particularly lively day. They commenced early, about 4am, by ‘strafing’ us severely with ‘whizz bangs’. These are very spiteful little shells, as they arrive without any warning and only just skim the parapet. Of course, it’s the same for both sides, but very unpleasant for the poor infantryman in the front line when the artillery have these mad half hours. We are powerless to act in any way. All we can do is lie low and be pelted with Krupp’s ‘instruments of hate’.  The other day one of our aeroplanes, while flying over the enemy’s lines, was hit with a shell from one of their aircraft guns. It at once burst into flame and came toppling to earth. Both the occupants either fell or jumped out but what riled our men most was to hear the Huns cheering. If our chaps had been allowed to go across just then there would have been ‘something doing’. I am hoping to get home on leave soon. I think it will be some time in April or May if things go alright”.

Pte. Fred Haywood (see 28^th January), who had been wounded two weeks previously, discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital in Arques and would re-join the Battalion; he had undergone treatment for detail caries in addition to treatment for his wounds.

Having arrived home on leave Sgt. Tom Pickles (see 11^th February) was married to Nora Leach, of 3 Calder Street, Colne, at the Baptist Church, Colne. Witnesses to the marriage were Henry Pickles (Tom’s father) and Frank Widdup, who was the elder brother of L.Cpl. Harry Widdup (see 2^nd January), who was a colleague of Tom’s in Tunstill’s Company. 

A payment of £4 10s. 6d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. James Bradley (11737) (see 4^th November 1915), who had been killed in action in November 1915; the payment would go to his grandmother, Mary Markham.

Friday 11th February 1916

Billets at Fort Rompu.

Heavy rain fell for much of the day and the Battalion provided a working party of one officer and eighty men to work in the Bois Grenier line. Meanwhile, there was considerable German shelling of Erquinghem; around fifty shells between 10.45 and 11am. However the damage was slight (mainly to the Royal Engineers store) and only a few men were reported wounded.

 

More men departed for England on one week leave (see 23^rd January); among them were Sgt. Tom Pickles (see 7^th July 1915) and Signaller Arthur Herbert Procter (see 7th September 1914).

 

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald carried news of the death of Trooper Reggie Killeen and of the memorial service which had been held in his home village of Bolton-by-Bowland. Reggie was the younger brother of one of Tunstill’s original recruits, Pte. Harry Killeen (see 6^th February), who had only recently been wounded and was still being treated in hospital in Manchester.

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND - TROOPER REGGIE VICTOR KILLEEN KILLED

Sad news from the front to Bolton-by-Bowland continues to be received. Inspector and Mrs. Killeen, of the Police Station, have been informed that their younger son Reggie has died for his country. This so soon after the wounding of their elder son, who is now in hospital at Manchester, is a very hard blow to the parents who have the sympathy of the whole district.

Reggie, who is only 18 years of age, joined he 12^th Lancers in September 1914, and was afterwards attached to the 3^rd Dragoon Guards. He was sent to France early in October 1914 and has often been in action. He has had a lot of experience in trench warfare, and bomb throwing.

Trooper L. Boyer writes:- "I thought it my duty to write and let you know the sad end of Reggie. I feel very sorry, as he was my mate. I am in the same troop and squadron, and he died a hero fighting, and his death was instantaneous. He had no pain. I was only five yards from him when he was killed."

At the Parish Church on Sunday evening, the Rev. C. Broadhurst made feeling reference to the loss the village has sustained. His text was St. John. ii. 25, 'I am the Resurrection and the Life.' He continued "When he who has parted this life is laid to his rest, whether amidst the roar of artillery, or whether he be in the quiet of our own country churchyard, the first words of the Burial Service are words, not of death, but of life. 'I am the Resurrection and the Life.' It does not say I promise to bring the Resurrection of Life, but I am the Resurrection and the Life - an absolute certainty, which God alone could say. Surely it is as a thought to help us in the hour of sorrow that he whom we loved, losing his life, has gained it. That the boy which fought a brave fight for his country rests in peace, but this soul - his real life - lives in Paradise."

In spite of an exceptionally wet morning, special constables from Gisburn, Bolton-by-Bowland, and Grindleton attended the service at the conclusion of which the organist played the Dead March in 'Saul.'

Trooper Reggie Killeen

 

Trooper Claude Darwin, (see 3^rd December 1915) serving at Heliopolis in Egypt, was transferred from the Australian Light Horse to 5^th Australian Army Service Corps. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin, who was currently being treated for ‘debility’ whilst serving with 10DWR (see 4^th February).

Thursday 10th February 1916

Billets at Fort Rompu.

Another quiet day, with the weather remaining fine.

Pte. John Edward Atkinson (see 9th December 1915) was admitted via 2^nd London Casualty Clearing Station to 5^th General Hospital at Rouen suffering from a corneal ulcer.

Pte. William Hissett (see 16^th January), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs., was reported absent from camp for several hours; on returning he would be confined to barracks for three days.

Maj. Harry Hildyard (see 4^th February), who had been on sick leave since early January, appeared before a further Medical Board. He was declared fit for home service as being, ‘somewhat improved but not yet fit for full duty’ and unlikely to be so for three months. He was therefore ordered to join 11^th Battalion West Ridings at Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffs., with a further re-examination set for 10^th April.

A payment of £3 9s. 11d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances for the late Pte. Isaac Beardsley (see 26^th October 1915), who had been killed in action in October 1915; the payment would go to his sister, Florence.

Wednesday 9th February 1916

Billets at Fort Rompu.

There was a marked improvement in the weather and, although conditions at Fort Rompu were poor, with the billets described as, “dreadful – rusting heaps of corrugated tin, draped in canvas”, spirits must have been lifted further with the news that on the 14^th the Battalion would march further back into Corps Reserve. They would not return to the front line for almost a month and, although they would not have known it at the time, this was to be the end of the Battalion’s stay in the Bois Grenier area, which had been their area of operation for almost five months since they had first arrived in France.

Pte. Arnold Freeman (see 18^th December 1915) was appointed Acting Corporal.

Pte. George Edward Western (see 16^th January) was reported by A/Sgt. Edgar Shuttleworth (see 23^rd January) and L.Cpl. Robert Holdsworth (see below) for ‘neglect of duty when orderly man’ and being ‘absent from parade at 2pm’; on the orders of Capt. James Christopher Bull MC (see 27^th August 1915) he would be confined to barracks for seven days.

Robert Holdsworth was an original member of the battalion and had been promoted Lance Corporal during training in 1914-15; other than that, I am, as yet, unable to confirm a positive identification for this man.

Pte. Robert William Buckingham (see 20^th April 1915), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was appointed Lance Corporal.

A payment of £2 5s. 8d was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Ellis Gill (see 26^th October 1915), who had been killed in action in October 1915; the payment would go to his father, Arthur.

Tuesday 8th February 1916

Front line trenches east of Bois Grenier.

At 6 am Pte. Harry Iredale, who just days earlier had written home with thanks for parcels received, (see 5^th February) was taking his position on the fire-step for stand-to when he was shot in the head. He was quickly carried back down the communication trench by his platoon sergeant and then taken by the company stretcher-bearers, including Pte. Mark Beaumont (see below) to the dressing station. He was treated there before being transferred on to 8th Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul where he would die of his wounds; he was nineteen years old. Harry would be buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord) (grave ref. II.C.120).

The remainder of the day passed quietly. At 10am officers from each company departed to take over billets from 13^th Durham Light Infantry but by the time that the relief began in the early evening heavy rain was falling, which slowed the relief to such an extent that it was almost midnight before the last of the Battalion completed the five mile march to their billets at Fort Rompu.



Pte.Harry Iredale

Pte. Mark Beaumont had enlisted at Ilkley on 17^th September 1914 and had been one of the local contingent who had been added to Tunstill’s original recruits prior to their departure for training. He was born in Menston on 7^th November 1890 and was the youngest of six children of David and Jane Beaumont. His father had owned a greengrocer’s shop but had died in 1903. Mark had been working before the war as a weaver for Abraham Moon and Sons, Netherfield Mills, Guiseley. His elder brother, Harry, had attested for service under the Derby Scheme in December 1915, but had not yet been called up.

L.Cpl. Matthew Best who had suffered an accidental injury to his chest during training three weeks earlier and had been treated at 13 General Hospital in Boulogne (see 3^rd February) was transferred to 25 General Hospital in Hardelot, near Etaples.

L,Cpl. Matthew Best

  

At home in Huddersfield, Ethel Kilburn, wife of Pte. Edward Kilburn, gave birth to the couple’s second son, who would be named Harold. Edward Kilburn was an original member of the Battalion; he had enlisted aged 27 and had worked as a cobbler.

A final payment, being the amount outstanding on his army pay, of 7s 7d was authorised to Jessie Ellis, mother of the late Sgt. Irvine Ellis (see 22^nd January).

Monday 7th February 1916

Front line trenches east of Bois Grenier.

Another quiet day with only limited artillery exchanges to report. Orders were received for the Battalion to be relieved next day by 11^th Northumberland Fusiliers and would return to billets at Fort Rompu. Overnight, one man was wounded. The wounded man was almost certainly Pte. James Barker (12288) who suffered wounds to his left leg and right shoulder; the details of his immediate treatment are unknown but he would admitted to 20^th General Hospital at Camiers on 10^th February. He had been an original member of the Battalion having enlisted in September 1914; he was a 27 year-old textile worker from Bardford and was married, with one daughter.

A/Cpl. John Thomas Matthews (see 5^th January) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 4^th Casualty Clearing Station to 5^th Stationary Hospital at St. Omer, suffering from dental caries.

Pte. Joseph Harry Poole who had been transferred back to England to the Regimental Depot five weeks earlier (see 1^st January) was posted to 11^th Battalion West Riding Regiment, based at Brocton Camp. Cannock Chase, Staffs.

Having reviewed all the various correspondence of the last few months, it was at last ordered that CSM Harry Dewhirst (see 3^rd February) should be sent from the Regimental Depot to 11^th (Reserve) Battalion, with whom he would be employed as an Instructor.

2Lt. John Henry Hitchin, who had been absent without leave from 11^th Battalion West Ridings for more than six weeks (see 27^th January) checked out of the Waterloo Hotel, York Road, Lambeth, where he had stayed for the previous ten days. Whilst staying at the hotel had had cashed a cheque for £10 and had also borrowed £5 on an I.O.U. When he left, he settled his account, amounting to £7 12s. 10d. and redeemed his I.O.U. with a further cheque for £12 12s. 10d. However, it was subsequently found that he had fraudulently attempted to pass these cheques in the name of another officer, whilst his own account, at Cox's Bank, was overdrawn.