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).