Monday 1st May 1916

Billets at Hersin

The weather has remained fine and settled; it was hot during the day, and pleasant during the evening.  The Battalion was primarily engaged in training exercises and also in providing large working parties (the Brigade as a whole provided up to 1,100 men per day) . The evening saw an increase in artillery activity from both sides, lasting between two and three hours.

 

CSM Harry Dewhirst (see 26^th February) left 11^th (Reserve) Battalion DWR, with whom he had been employed as an Instructor after returning to England having broken down under the strain of active service; he was posted back to the Regimental Depot at Halifax.

CSM Harry Dewhirst (back left) pictured, along with other senior NCOs during Battalion training in 1915,
(Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton)

Sunday 30th April 1916

Billets at Hersin

A quieter day which passed off without incident.

L.Cpl. John William Wardman (see 12^th December 1914) was promoted Acting Corporal.

L.Cpl. Josias Bailey (see 23^rd December 1915) departed to England on one weeks’ leave.

 

The parents of 2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company before being commissioned, received a telegram from the War Office, informing them that their son had been killed in action on 26^th April. The news came to them the day after they had received a letter from their son, telling them that he was, “quite well and feeling very fit” (see 29^th April).

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles

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

Killed                                     10

Accidentally killed                 1 (a man from 9^th Yorkshires reported drowned)

Died of wounds                     0

Wounded                              42

Accidentally wounded        10

Missing                                   0

All of the above casualties were among other ranks; there were no reported casualties among officers.

10DWR’s casualties were recorded as:

Killed                                     1 (see 1^st April)

Accidentally killed              0

Died of wounds                  0

Wounded                             5

Accidentally wounded       4 (see 11^th April)

Missing                                  0

It should be noted that these casualty figures take no account of the deaths of CSM. Watson and Ptes. Holmes and Ellis (see 4^th, 7^th and 12^th April), all of whom died of wounds some time after having been wounded and evacuated for treatment..

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

Killed                                     26

Accidentally killed                 4

Died of wounds                     3

Wounded                           138

Accidentally wounded       43

Missing                                    3

Saturday 29th April 1916

Billets at Hersin

The day was again marked by periodic, heavy shelling and there were further reports of the use of gas by the Germans but, “there is no information to hand that they have met with any success.” The overnight period was again quiet.

Further enquiries were made in the case of 2Lt. William Neville Dawson (see 25^th April). Capt. Charles Bathurst, Battalion Adjutant (see 5^th September 1915), confirmed that Dawson, “has never had any employment. Previous to joining the army he was at Oxford University where he was an undergraduate. He was also keeping law terms at the Inner Temple”.

The parents of 2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company before being commissioned, received a letter from their son, telling them that he was, “quite well and feeling very fit”. When they received the letter his parents had no knowledge of the fact that he had actually been killed in action the day after writing the letter (see 26^th April)

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles

LCpl. Robert William Buckingham (see 9^th February), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was promoted Corporal.

Friday 28th April 1916

Billets at Hersin

There was again heavy shelling in the evening, between 8pm and midnight, but otherwise the day was largely quiet.

Pte. Eli Bradley (see 1^st February) was admitted via 100^th Field Ambulance and 18^th Casualty Clearing Station to 12^th General Hospital at Rouen; he was suffering from debility.

2Lt. Charles Douglas Storrs, who had joined the Battalion a month earlier (see 26^th March) departed for England. He had applied for a posting to the RFC but in the event would join the Royal Engineers Special Brigade, dealing with the use of gas.

Pte. Albert Bateson (see 29^th March), who had been in England since having been wounded in March, was posted to 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs.

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Thursday 27th April 1916

Billets at Hersin

The Battalion provided large working parties both morning and evening; over the next eight days 69^th Brigade as a whole would furnish up to 1,200 men per day for working parties. At 7.30pm a warning was issued that the Germans were using gas at Hulloch (five miles to the east) and “the necessary precautions were at once observed”. There was considerable German shelling of the mines in and around Hersin and artillery exchanges were especially heavy between 9pm and midnight. However, overnight, conditions became quieter.

Pte. James Edward Simpson (see 11^th September 1915) was reported as being ‘dirty on Company Officer’s inspection’; on the orders of Capt. James Christopher Bull (see 4^th April), he would be confined to barracks for five days.

Pte. Charles Smith (12380) (see 9^th March) was ordered to undergo ten days’ Field Punishment No.2 on account of ‘misconduct’; the details of his offence are unknown.

Pte. Patrick Conley (see 23^rd March) re-joined the Battalion from 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples; he had been away since reporting with a case of ‘trench foot’ two months previously.

Pte. Willis Ryal (see 7^th September 1915), who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company before being transferred to 11DWR, was formally reported as being permanently unfit for any further military service. He was reported to be suffering from “V.D.H.” (valvular disease of the heart) and specifically from “aortic regurgitation”; his condition was deemed to have been neither caused, nor aggravated by, his military service and rather that, “He suffered from rheumatic; as a consequence his heart was weakened”.

Little has been established about Willis Ryal’s life after leaving the Army, other than that he married Cecilia Green in Barnsley in the Summer of 1918 and that he died in 1964, aged 73.

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles (see 26^th April), who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company before being commissioned, and had, the previous day, been killed in action while serving with 9^th Battalion West Ridings, in front line trenches near Houplines, was buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres.

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles

On the day his son was discharged from Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital, Millbank, London, on three week’s leave to recover from his recent operation, John Hitchin of Long Preston, the father of John Henry Hitchin (see 26^th April) wrote to the War Office to confirm that he had, three days’ earlier, met with his son and had secured an assurance from him that he would give a full account of the events following his going absent without leave on 29^th December 1915.

Wednesday 26th April 1916

Beaumetz-les-Aires

The men were given breakfast at 5.15am and made ready for their planned return to Hersin, as ordered the previous day. The Battalion transport, under the command of Lt. Hammond (see 25^th February) was first to depart at 6am, travelling by road; the remainder of the Battalion formed up at 7am. The day soon became “scorchingly hot” and the twelve-mile march from Beaumetz to Pernes, via Laires and Sains, completed in just four hours, took its toll, with 44 men falling out. However all of them had re-joined by 11.50 am when they boarded, 40 men to a truck, the train which was to take them on to Barlin. The train was to carry two and a half Battalions and the Brigade HQ. As a result, precise instructions were issued as to the arrangements for boarding:

ENTRAINING & DETRAINING ORDERS

OC Coys will halt their respective Coys by whistle opposite the trucks allotted to their Coys.
On 1st Whistle sounding: Coys will turn facing the train in fours.
2nd Whistle: Sections of fours to enter the train commencing from the left section.
Each party of 40 will be kept closed up towards their respective trucks as much as possible.
There is to be no talking or noise of any description during entrainment. Arms to be slung. No man is to leave his truck once he has entrained.
On arrival at Hersin on whistle sounding Coys will fall in outside their carriages and await orders.

Officers’ horses were not boarded onto the train but were instead taken by road to Hersin, with each in the care of their individual grooms and the whole supervised by L.Cpl. Thornton.

The train journey proved to be somewhat convoluted and it took more than two hours, via Bours, Bryas, Houdain, Hallicourt and Bruay, to cover what was actually only twelve miles as the crow flies. On arrival at Barlin the men were marched off the final two miles to billets at Hersin.

Prior to their departure, Lt. Dick Bolton (see 22^nd April) had re-joined the Battalion having been released from 70^th Field Ambulance, following four days’ treatment for influenza.

Cpl. Arthur Edward Hunt (see 19^th April), who had been suffering from ‘dental caries’, was discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques and posted for duty at 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

After spending three days at 18^th General Hospital at Camiers, Pte. Harry Smith (see 23^rd April) was evacuated to England for further medical treatment; he travelled onboard the Hospital Ship Brighton. On arrival in England he was admitted to Endell Street Military Hospital in London where he had a number of teeth extracted as part of his treatment.  

Pte. James Leonard Bloomer (see 10^th March), who had spent the previous eight weeks at 17^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, having originally been due to be posted to 9DWR, was instead attached to the Base Details Battalion and would remain at Etaples.

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles (see 25^th April), who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company before being commissioned, was killed in action while serving with 9^th Battalion West Ridings, in front line trenches near Houplines. He was killed by killed by the concussion from a shell explosion whilst going through the trenches to see that his men were alright. It was reported that he “was not struck by the projectile nor disfigured in any way, and that had he stuck to his dugout he would doubtless have come through scathless”. The bombardment was the precursor to an assault by German troops against the sector held by 9DWR, which they were able to repel.

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles

John Henry Hitchin (see 24^th April) appeared before a Medical Board convened at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Millbank, London, and was found to be making a satisfactory recovery from acute appendicitis, following an emergency operation. He was granted three weeks’ leave. The members of the Board were clearly unaware that Hitchin had in fact been absent without leave since 29^th December 1915 and had been stripped of his commission in February. Hitchin had clearly revealed nothing to the Hospital staff; he had, two days’ previously, told his father that he would give a full account of his case, but to his former CO. He would be discharged from hospital the following day.

Tuesday 25th April 1916

Beaumetz-les-Aires

It was reported in the War Diary that the training programme of the previous days had been successful and that, “good results have been obtained”. Orders were received that the Battalion was to return to Hersin on the following day. Battalion transport was to travel by road, but the men were to march twelve miles to Pernes, where they would then board a train to be conveyed to Barlin, before then completing the final two-mile march to their former billets in Hersin.

Pte. Sam Shuttleworth was found to be drunk in his billet at 1.50pm, as reported by Sgt. George Smitham  (see 17^th April) and Cpl. Billy Rawlinson (see 23^rd January). He was awarded ten day’s field punishment number two. He had earlier brushes with military discipline already on his record (see 29^th May 1915).

2Lt. Henry Herbert Owen Stafford (see 20^th April) reported for duty with 10DWR, joining ‘D’ Company.

Further attempts were made to resolve the case of 2Lt. William Neville Dawson, regarded as unfit to continue as a platoon commander with 10DWR (see 23^rd April). An enquiry was now made as to whether he might be suited to employment with a Labour Battalion; it was acknowledged at Divisional level, that, “It is difficult to know how to dispose of this officer if some suggestion is not put forward as to how he could be suitably employed in the event of it being considered desirable to retain his services”.

Pte. Fred Teal (see 2nd April) was discharged from 4^th Stationery Hospital at Arques, after suffering from ‘dental caries’, and re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. Matthew Woodward (see 20^th March), who had been wounded five weeks’ previously, was evacuated to England from 26^th General Hospital at Etaples; on arrival in England he would be admitted to the Bevan Hospital, Sandgate, Kent.

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles (see 20^th January), who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company before being commissioned, wrote home to his family. He was now serving with 9^th Battalion West Ridings, in front line trenches near Houplines.

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles

Pte. Fred Richmond (see 10^th March), who had been seriously wounded while serving with Tunstill’s Company in November 1915, and had subsequently been serving with 11^th (Reserve) Battalion West Ridings at Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffs, was transferred back to the Regimental Depot at Halifax.

Pte. William Hissett (see 10^th February), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs., was reported as ‘absent off pass from 12.05am’; he would report back at 8.30pm on 27^th and would be deprived of three days’ pay.

Aidan Nicholson was rejected from his officer training course with no.4 Cadet Battalion, Oxford, on the grounds of insufficient physical development; it was noted that he was, “A charming little boy. Looks much younger than his years. Good manners and smart. Only 5ft 3inches high”. He would, however, subsequently be appointed to a commission and serve with 10DWR.

Aidan Nicholson was born 11^th May 1897, the youngest of six children of Ralph and Mary Nicholson; Ralph Nicholson owned a draper’s business in Carlisle. Aidan had been a student at Durham University and a member of the OTC there since July 1915 and on 19^th January 1916 had applied for a commission in either ASC or ACC; he had joined no.4 Officer Cadet Battalion on 3^rd March.

Monday 24th April 1916

Beaumetz-les-Aires

The weather remained fine and the Battalion training programme continued; on this occasion the whole Battalion trained together.

John Hitchin of Long Preston, the father of John Henry Hitchin (see 22^nd April) travelled to London and visited his son at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Millbank, London. Hitchin snr. secured a promise from his son, who had been absent without leave since 29^th December 1915, that he would write to the authorities and inform them of his whereabouts and give a full account of events.

L.Cpl Fred Helliwell Baume (see 23^rd March), who had previously served with 18^th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, reported to begin his officer training with no.1 Officer Cadet Battalion at Denham, following one months’ leave; he would later join 10DWR.

Back home in England, Alice Holmes, wife of L.Cpl. Harry Holmes (see 14^th January) gave birth to the couple’s second child; the boy would be named George.

Sunday 23rd April 1916

Beaumetz-les-Aires

The weather remained fine and the Battalion training programme continued, with the emphasis again at Company and Platoon level.

Having received a request as to whether it would be appropriate to transfer 2Lt. William Neville Dawson to the A.S.C., Dawson having been found to be unfit to continue as a platoon commander with 10DWR (see 16^th April), Lt. Col. Northen, commanding the Divisional Train, replied in no uncertain terms: “I have interviewed 2Lt. Dawson and find that his only experience of transport work has been four months as a driver in the 2^nd London Divisional Train (T.F.) during which time he had charge of a four of horses for about two months; he has no qualifications necessary for a transport officer, is unable to ride and knows nothing of horse management. Neither is he in any way qualified to be a supply officer. I do not therefore recommend this officer transfer to the A.S.C.”.

Pte. Harry Smith (see 5^th April) was transferred from no.7 Casualty Clearing Station to 18^th General Hospital at Camiers; he was now diagnosed as suffering from boils.

Saturday 22nd April 1916

Beaumetz-les-Aires

The weather remained fine and the Battalion training programme continued, with the focus on Company and Platoon level training.

Lt. Dick Bolton (see 4^th April) was admitted to 70th Field Ambulance, suffering from influenza.

John Hitchin of Long Preston, the father of John Henry Hitchin (see 14^th March) received news that his son was being treated, following an operation for acute appendicitis, at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Millbank, London. Hitchin had been the first man to volunteer following Gilbert Tunstill’s appeal. However, having been commissioned he had found himself in financial difficulties and had been absent without leave since 29^th December 1915 and had been stripped of his commission in February.

Friday 21st April 1916

Beaumetz-les-Aires

The weather remained fine and the Battalion began a training programme which was to occupy the next five days. This comprised of, “general training, having good route marches and having physical exercises; Platoon, Company and Battalion drill, also receiving instruction on the value of care of Arms, handling of Arms and general interior economy”. This first day was spent in Brigade level training.

Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 6^th March), one of the original officers of ‘D’ Company, who had been taken ill in October 1915, and, following his recovery had been serving with 11^th Battalion in England, re-joined 10DWR. It seems that on re-joining he may have served with ‘C’ Company as he was pictured along with the other officers of that Company at some point in the next two weeks.

Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira

 

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported that Pte. James Mason was home on leave, following a period in hospital at Stoke-on-Trent; he had spent more than three months in hospital, having been wounded in December (see 14^th January). There is no indication that he ever returned to 10^th Battalion and he seems to have remained in England, possibly serving with 25^th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, which was a works battalion formed in May 1916, and based in Skipton from August 1916.

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

Private James Mason of Bolton-by-Bowland, who joined the 10^th Duke of Wellington’s is now home on leave, after being in hospital for several months at Stoke-on-Trent. Private Mason was the first Boltonian to be wounded and this happened very soon after he went to the Front.

 

Thursday 20th April 1916

Beaumetz-les-Aires

There was an improvement in the weather, with the day remaining fine. In the morning the men were left at the disposal of Company commanders, before, in the afternoon, Lt. Col. Hayne supervised Battalion drill.

Pte. Lawrence Matthews was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal. He was a 21 year-old sheet metal worker from Hull.

2Lt. Henry Herbert Owen Stafford arrived in France, en route to join 10DWR. Stafford was the youngest (born, 11^th July 1895) of seven children of William and Mary Stafford; the family had lived for many years in Hognaston, Derbyshire, where William ran a tailoring and outfitting business. On the outbreak of war Henry had been a student at University College, Nottingham, where he was also a member of the OTC; he had applied for a temporary commission on 14^th July 1915, shortly after turning nineteen, and had been formally appointed to 11^th Battalion West Ridings with effect from 7^th August.

Wednesday 19th April 1916

Billets at Ourton

The day was miserably wet, with a steady drizzle falling throughout.  At 7.45 am the Battalion was formed up and, after taking breakfast at 8am, began a 16 mile march to Beaumetz-les-Aires, via Pernes, Sains and Fiefs. Dinner, comprising of bread and bully beef rations, was taken en route at 12 noon and, despite the constant rain, the march was completed by 2.30 pm. It was reported that, “the men marched well. There were 12 cases of men who were unable to keep the pace with the Btn. and were consequently allowed to place their packs on the 1^st Line Transport. These cases were investigated by the Medical Officer in charge and were found to be genuine”.

Cpl. Arthur Edward Hunt (see 10^th April), suffering from ‘dental caries’ was transferred from 22^nd Casualty Clearing Station to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques.

Pte. George Albert Wright (see 20^th March) was discharged from 4^th General Hospital at Camiers and posted to 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Pte. James Pickering (see 22^nd July 1915) was posted back to England, suffering from haemmerhoids; on arrival in England he would be admitted to the V.A.D. Hospital in Cheltenham.

Pte. Edwin Everingham Ison arrived in France en route to join 1^st Battalion West Yorkshires; he would later be commissioned and serve with Tunstill’s Company. Ison was the eldest of seven children of William and Lucy Ison; the couple were natives of Leeds and William had worked for many years as a travelling salesman in the leather trade. Edwin had enlisted on 28^th June 1915, declaring himself to be aged 19 years and 4 months; in actual fact he had been born on 28^th February 1898, and thus had added two years to his age in order to be accepted for service. A month later he joined 19^th West Yorkshires, with whom he had remained in training until being posted to 1^st Battalion for overseas service.

Edwin Everingham Ison, pictured as a commissioned officer with 10DWR
(Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton)

Sgt. Herbert Henry Hoddinott (see 7^th September 1915), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs., appeared before an Army Medical Board. The Board would recommend that he should be discharged as no longer physically fit for service due to ‘traumatic osteo arthritis’. The Board found that: “Sustained injury Dec. 1915 at Brocton Camp. Slipped in a hole and twisted his knee; knee subsequently swelling. There is some swelling of the right knee joint; the synovial membrane being thickened. Considerable grating felt on moving the joint. Walks at times with a slight limp. Result of ordinary military service; slipped and fell while doing duty as Battalion Orderly Sergeant. Duration 6 months; prevents one quarter”. A Military Court of Inquiry held a week later would find that, “Sergeant on duty and in no way to blame. The whole of the hospital stoppages remitted”.

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Tuesday 18th April 1916

Billets at Ourton

The day, which was wet, was spent, as per Lt. Col. Hayne’s orders, in “general cleaning up and interior economy”. Orders were issued in preparation for a further move next day.

L.Cpl. William Munday (see 3^rd January) was promoted (Acting) Corporal.

Pte. Ernest Carter (see 2^nd April), attached to 69^th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, was discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques and returned to duty, following treatment for dental caries.

Pte. John William Pontefract, serving with 1^st Battalion Honourable Artillery Company, was promoted Lance Corporal; he would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR. Pontefract was the younger of two surviving children (two other children had died) of Sam and Jane Pontefract. His father had been manager of a woollen mill in Huddersfield and John been apprenticed in the same industry before enlisting, aged 20, on 27^th January 1915. He was exceptionally tall by contemporary standards at 6 feet 2 ¼ inches, although his physical development was described as only ‘fair’ in his initial medical examination. He had arrived in France on 1^st July 1915 and been slightly wounded in the hand on 21^st September, being treated in hospital at Rouen for before re-joining his unit.

John William Pontefract (middle of front row, with ball at his feet) pictured with 69th Brigade football team in 1917.
(Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton)

Monday 17th April 1916

Billets at Hersin

Following their one-night stay, the Battalion continued their move into reserve. Lt. Lavarack (see 16th April) and the billeting party, departed at 8.45am, followed, at 12 noon by the rest of the Battalion, including ‘D’ Company which, by now had re-joined (see 16^th April). The eleven mile march, via Barlin, Maisnil, Roudain, Divion and Houdain, to Ourton, was completed by 5 pm. On arrival at Ourton, orders were received that the Battalion would move again, on 19^th, to Beaumetz-les-Aires.

En route to Ourton, the men had been fed from the Company cookers, as organised by Sgt. George Edward Smitham. Writing many years later, J.B. Priestley recalled, “Sgt. G.E. Smithams (sic.) of Keighley, famous for his rissoles and the manner in which he always contrived to have a hot meal ready for the men when they came out of the line … and usually managed to get hot food to them when actually in the trenches”.

George Edward Smitham was 43 years old when he re-joined the army in September 1914; he was one of the Keighley contingent of volunteers who were added to Tunstill’s original recruits to make ‘A’ Company up to strength. At the time he was living at 14 Eldon Place, Keighley with his wife, Ann (Gillett), their three children and two children from Ann’s first marriage. George was then employed as a warehouseman but had previously worked as a cab driver when the family were living in Farnborough, Hants, close to where George had been born. As a young man in the 1890’s he had served in the Army.

 

Following his recent letter regarding his fitness for service, Major Lewis Ernest Buchanan (see 6^th April) appeared before a Medical Board which declared him unfit for service for a further three months.

 

The War Office replied to the request which had recently been received (see 15^th April) from the mother of 2Lt. Samuel Lawrence Glover, who had been posted as missing in action on 13^th January. They confirmed to Mrs. Glover that, “no further report has been received … His name, with the names of other missing officers, has been included in the list sent to the American Ambassador for circulation in Germany”.

 

Sunday 16th April 1916

Billets at Coron d’Aix

As ordered on the previous day the Battalion vacated billets at Coron d’Aix (which were to be taken over by 2^nd Ox. And Bucks. Light Infantry) and was withdrawn to Hersin, where again they were to stay for just one night. A billeting party, led by Lt. Lavarack (see 10^th April) moved off at 7.30am to take over billets in Hersin, with ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies to begin their march at 10.30 am; ‘D’ Company were yet to be relieved from the support positions (see 15^th April) and it was noted that the officer commanding ‘D’ “will receive special instructions”. Given the fact of another daytime relief, additional precautions were taken against the threat of German shelling. The Battalion was to withdraw from Coron d’Aix in sections only, with 200 yards between, before rendezvousing as half companies by Quarter Master stores near the Fosse 10 pit-head. Whilst there, “men are on no account to be allowed to wander about the road, but must be kept well to the side under the Fosse 10 walls. All ranks are to be informed that the whole Brigade is carrying out a daylight relief and as little movement as possible is to be shown”. From Fosse 10 the half-companies would then complete the two mile march to Hersin, where they would take over billets from 17^th Royal Fusiliers. The precautions were well-founded as, “About 11.30 am the enemy began to shell the reserve billets at Coron d’Aix. He sent some very heavy shells but, beyond demolishing a few already badly damaged houses, there was no damage or casualties reported”.  The move was duly completed and the men were settled in their new billets by late afternoon.

J.B. Priestley again wrote to his family with an update on his medical condition; his condition and treatment seem to be similar to those associated with a number of Tunstill’s original recruits, notably Pte. Tom Darwin (see 4^th April): “I wrote to you a fortnight last Thursday (see 29^th March) from No.3 Convalescent Depot, to send me, at once, some money & an old pipe. Well, if you have written or sent anything, I haven’t received it, & in the meanwhile I have changed my address & am now at the Base (this being the Infantry Base Depot at Etaples). I have been in front of a Medical Board & am passed fit for the line. I shall be going up there with the next draft, which may be a week or two. I have waited impatiently for the mail every day, hoping to hear something from you, & putting off writing until I did. We don’t get any pay apart from our Battalion, & it is miserable to be without money for weeks & weeks, & there are plenty of YMCA’s etc here. If you have sent it I can’t make out what has become of the letter because, though I have changed my address, the people at Con. (Convalescent) Camp send letters on here. Better make some enquiries. If you didn’t receive my letter, please send off a 10s. or £1 note & an old pipe (not a new one) … I am hundreds of francs in credit & yet I have had no money for weeks – very ironical. This place is one enormous camp – huts & bell tents, for it is the Infantry Base for most of the Divisions out here”.

The case of 2Lt. William Neville Dawson (see 14^th April) continued to be pursued with an enquiry from 23^rd Division as to whether Dawson, who had been regarded as unfit to continue as a platoon officer, might be transferred to the A.S.C. 

L.Cpl. John William Cooper (see 3^rd October 1915; it is unknown when he had been promoted), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs., after having been wounded in October 1915, was reported for having been “In Stafford without a pass, contrary to garrison orders”; he was ordered to be deprived of his Lance Corporal’s rank.

 

Friday 14th April 1916

Front line trenches west of Angres

The weather remained wet and conditions in the line generally quiet, although it was noted that there was heavy German shelling of the pithead at Fosse 10. Orders were received that 69^th Brigade was to be relieved by 5^th Brigade and that next day, prior to the relief, a redistribution of the front line was to be conducted, which would see the front line, at the request of 5^th Brigade, to be held by just two Battalions rather than three, with one additional Company in close support. British trench mortars fired “to put a stop to Fritz’s 12lb mortar … and to silence rifle grenades”.

Brigadier General Thomas Stanton Lambert, commanding 69^th Brigade (see 8^th March), added his comments and forwarded on to 23^rd Division for further action, the report submitted by Lt. Col. Bartholomew regarding the conduct of 2Lt. William Neville Dawson (see 28^th March). Having himself interviewed Dawson, Lambert concurred with Bartholomew’s opinion that Dawson was unfit for command, but might be transferred to the A.S.C.

The Brighouse Echo reported the receipt of a letter from Pte. Henry Wood Thrippleton (see 19^th October 1915) who, ‘writes to thank the Brighouse Christmas Parcels Fund Committee for the parcel he received which he describes as a beauty. He adds, “I can assure you the contents were enjoyed to the full extent by myself and a few Brighouse boys who are out here, and it came in handy as we had just come out of the trenches”.

The family of Pte. John Robinson placed an In Memoriam notice in the weekly edition of the Craven Herald, in remembrance of him; he had died of heart failure on 9^th April 1915 while the Battalion was in training in Folkestone (see 29^th October 1915):

ROBINSON - In loving memory of Private John Robinson, who died April 9th, 1915.

The shock was great, the blow severe,

We little thought that death was near.

Only those who have lost are able to tell

The pain that is felt in not saying farewell.

Poultry House, Gisburn.

 

Pte. John Robinson

 

 

 

Thursday 13th April 1916

Front line trenches west of Angres

The recent wet weather continued and it was noted that, “the weather is bad for observation and aeroplanes”. There was heavy German shelling directed against Bully Grenay but conditions in the front line remained quiet.

Wednesday 12th April 1916

Front line trenches west of Angres

On another wet day conditions were similar to the previous day; quiet in the morning but the Germans use of rifle grenades increased during the afternoon, without causing any further casualties.

Pte. Sargent Ellis (14509) died in the care of 69^th Field Ambulance and was buried at Hersin Commual Cemetery Extension. He had most likely been one of the men wounded the previous day in the premature explosion of a British rifle grenade.

L.Cpl. Harry Clark (see 3^rd April) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from influenza; he would be discharged to duty after six days.

Pte. Rennie Hirst (see 18th February) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 11^th Stationary Hospital in Rouen; he was suffering from boils on his back.

Tuesday 11th April 1916

Front line trenches west of Angres

The weather turned wet. Conditions remained largely quiet with little activity, although Tunstill’s Company did come under fire, as it was reported that the Germans “sent a number of rifle grenades and trench mortar shells into the left Company lines without meeting with success”. However, “in the afternoon we had four men wounded by the premature bursting of one of our rifle grenades”. Details of the men wounded have not been established.

Pte. Robert Emson (see 2^nd April) was discharged to duty from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques, following treatment for dental caries.

Pte. Willie Parkin (see 21^st March), who had been wounded three weeks previously, was evacuated to England; on arrival he would be admitted to Springburn and Woodside Central Hospital, Glasgow.

Pte. James Barker (12288) (see 7^th March), who had been in England since having been wounded in February, was discharged from 3^rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and posted to 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs.

The original commander of Tunstill’s Company, Maj. Harry Robert Hildyard, (see 19^th February) appeared before a further Medical Board, convened at Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffs., where he was serving with 11DWR. The Board found that he was, “suffering from nervous exhaustion … there are fine tremors of fingers when hands are extended, there is still aphonia and he suffers from insomnia. He is unable to concentrate his thoughts. He is nervous and restless. He has been medically treated during the last five weeks for aphonia and neurasthenia’. He was declared permanently unfit for general service but fit for home service.

At home in Bradford, Emmie Jowett, wife of Pte. Frank Jowett, gave birth to the couple’s second child, a son, who would be named John Russel Townend Jowett. Frank Jowett had been an original member of the Battalion; he was from Great Horton, Bradford, and had enlisted in Halifax in September 1914, aged 21 and working as a porter at the Midland Hotel, Bradford.

Monday 10th April 1916

Billets at Sains-en-Gohelle (Coron Fosse 10)

On a beautiful clear morning preparations began for the return to the front line trenches, with one officer and one NCO from each Company going in advance to take over trench stores. On this occasion the Battalion was to occupy the centre section of the Angres sector, with Tunstill’s Company this time stationed on the left of the Battalion front, with ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies to their right (south) and ‘D’ in close support. However, a detachment of twenty bombers from ’D’ Company, under the command of Lt. Lavarack (see 30^th January, and below), the Battalion Bombing Officer, were to be stationed in Forest Alley trench, with twenty boxes of bombs and twenty sandbags. It had originally been ordered that gumboots (totalling 350 pairs in all) were to be collected en route, but this order was now rescinded, presumably on account of the recent improvement in the weather. The men were to carry sufficient rations for the following day and it was also stated that, “Officers will ensure that all water bottles are full. No water will be available in the trenches till 6am on the morning of the 11^th” and that “All vessels for drinking water will be distributed evenly between Coys. They will be marked with the letter of the Coy & numbered consecutively. No Coy will draw another Coys vessel and no Coy will draw more full vessels than it has returned empty ones”. The particular difficulties of supplying water in this sector had been noted on previous tours (see 19^th March).

The Battalion duly marched off from 6.45pm, with twenty-minute intervals between Companies and the relief was competed, without incident, by 10pm. Conditions remained quiet overnight. Immediately on arrival it was ordered that, “all steel helmets are to have the outside dipped in mud, which will be allowed to dry on. This will be repeated when necessary”.

One cook from each Company was left behind to clean and paint the Company cookers.

Cpl. Arthur Edward Hunt (see 12^th February) was admitted to 22^nd Casualty Clearing Station suffering from ‘dental caries’.

Prior to departure to relieve 9^th Yorkshires Battalion C.O. Lt. Col. Hugh John Bartholomew (see 28th March) had left the Battalion to return to England having been taken ill (details unknown). He would not re-join the Battalion, but would serve out the war and beyond in a variety of other posts. After recovery he was sent to Boulogne as A.A.Q.M.G. (Assistant Adjutant Quartermaster General) to General Sir Herbert Wilberforce, where he remained till he took command of 3^rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in April 1919. He was the awarded C.M.G. for services in France and was four times mentioned in Despatches. He relinquished command of 3^rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on 14th February 1920 and transferred to the reserve officers list on half pay. From 1920 to 1924 he was Officer Commanding Exeter District and Infantry Records. Colonel Bartholomew finally retired from the army on 9th December 1926.

Colonel Hugh John Bartholomew, C.M.G., D.S.O. died at Leominster; Hertfordshire, in April 1938 at the age of 66. He was buried with Military honours at Leamington, a bearer party of eight N.C.O.'s and a bugler from the Depot attending the funeral.

Col. Hugh John Bartholomew

Lt. Adolph Keith Lavarack was the fifth of six surviving sons of Hamlet Smith Lavarack and his wife, Fanny Louise (Owers) (another son had died in infancy in 1881). Adolph was born in 1893 and had attended University College School, Hampstead, as had his father. He also followed his father in working at the London Stock Exchange. Shortly after the outbreak of war he volunteered to serve as a Private with 10^th Royal Fusiliers. He remained with them for five months, during which period his father died (on 24^th December 1914), before being granted a commission with 10^th West Ridings on 20^th January 1915. One of his fellow officers, Lt. Harry Harris, one of the officers of ‘A’ Company (see 20^th November 1915), had been a contemporary of Lavarack’s at school. All five of Lavarack’s brothers also served as commissioned officers in the army.

Lt. Adolph Keith Lavarack

 

L.Cpl. Albert Simpson (see 21^st March), who had been wounded three weeks previously, was transferred from 4^th General Hospital at Camiers to 6^th Convalescent Depot at Etaples, en route to re-joining the Battalion.

Saturday 15th April 1916

Front line trenches west of Angres

In order to complete the redistribution of the line ahead of the occupation by 5^th Brigade troops (see 14^th April), 10DWR was to be withdrawn from the front line and replaced by Companies from 8^th Yorkshires and 11^th West Yorkshires as these two Battalions were extended to cover the section hitherto occupied by three Battalions. The three Companies in the front line (including Tunstill’s) were to withdraw to billets at Coron d’Aix but ‘D’ Company, in close support in Mechanics Trench, and the bombing party from that Company, were to remain in position and would not be relieved until the following day. This relief was to be carried out in daylight, starting at 9.30 am, and the Battalion War Diary noted that this was clearly observed by the Germans; “Beautiful morning. The enemy shelled the Bully communication trenches. The shots were well directed”. However, despite the shelling, the Battalion suffered no casualties and the reliefs were complete by noon. On arrival at Coron’d’Aix further orders were received that the Battalion would move again next day. Late in the evening there was considerable activity from German aeroplanes, one of which dropped a number of bombs close to the Battalion billets, but without causing any casualties or damage. 

At Coron d’Aix, command of the Battalion was taken up by Lt. Col. Sidney Spencer Hayne, formerly of 2^nd Northants. Regiment. Lt. Col. Hayne would become “affectionately known to his men as ‘Slasher’ because he invariably had a riding whip coiled round his neck, which he not infrequently slashed and cracked”. As it happened, Lt Col. Hayne would have more than a month to familiarise himself with his new Battalion before they were again posted to the front line and he immediately showed himself to be, “particularly keen on the men’s personal appearance”. The standards expected of his men by Hayne were made evident in his first Battalion orders, issued on the day of his arrival. Although the Battalion would have less than twenty-four hours at Coron d’Aix it was ordered that, “All this afternoon and tomorrow will, subject to marching out parade, be devoted to cleaning. All dry mud to be rubbed off and all boots well dubbed. All mud will be washed from steel helmets. All men must be shaved, and as clean as possible, before marching off.”

This was perhaps not surprising considering Hayne’s background. Not only was he a regular officer with more than fifteen years’ service but, since 1912, he had been a Superintendent, and latterly an Inspector, of Physical Training for the Army. Hayne had been first commissioned in 1899 and had served in India where he had become Superintendent of Gymnasia in Poona. He then became the Army’s Superintendent of Physical Training in May 1912 and was promoted to Inspector of Physical Training in March 1913. He was promoted Major, with 2^nd Northants, in September 1915.

Lt. Col. Sidney Spencer Hayne

Pte. Michael Henry Rourke (see 9^th October 1915) was reported by Cpl. Henry Markham (see 13^th February), and Sgt. Richard Alexander Oliver (see below) for “using abusive or threatening language towards an NCO”; on the orders of Capt. John Atkinson (see 24th December 1915) he was to be confined to barracks for five days.

Richard Alexander Oliver was an original member of the Battalion; he had been promoted Corporal while the Battalion was training in England and had been further promoted (details unknown) in France. He was 36 years old and before the war had been ‘Labour Master’ at the Bradford Workhouse.

The mother of 2Lt. Samuel Lawrence Glover, who had been officially reported as missing since 13^th January (see 17^th January), wrote to the War Office to tell them that she had heard from Cpl. Herbert Waddington’s (see 22nd January) parents that they had received confirmation from the German government, via the US authorities, of their son’s death. They, in turn, requested that further investigations be carried out, especially as they hoped that, “he (Glover) may be badly wounded and in some hospital”. In a postscript she also requested an address to which she might return a goat-skin jacket which had mistakenly been sent to her along with her son’s effects.