Friday 9th June 1916

Bouvigny Huts

On a dry, but dull morning, the Battalion returned to the front line, as per the orders received the previous day. In advance of the main deployment, the Lewis Gun detachment and the Signallers moved off first, departing from 1pm and meeting their guides at 3.15pm at the junction of Ration Trench and Headquarters Trench. However, whilst taking up their positions, the Lewis Gun party was struck by a trench mortar shell; three men were injured and Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw, DCM (see 7^th April), was killed outright. 

There can be no doubt that Earnshaw was highly-regarded by officers and fellow soldiers alike. The Battalion War Diary referred to him as, “a very capable man of a reserved disposition; very popular with the Lewis Gun Detachment and other ranks who knew him. He joined the Battalion on its formation and worked hard for the success of the Battalion”. 

The three men wounded alongside Earnshaw were Ptes. Charles Davey (see 10^th March), John Edward Dolan (see 7^th October 1915) and Joseph Alfred Formby (see 19^th December 1915). Pte. Davey suffered injuries to his left eye and would be admitted to 22^nd General Hospital at Camiers. Pte. Dolan was treated at 2^nd General Hospital, Le Havre; the extent of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but at some point he would be transferred to the Army Ordnance Corps. Pte. Formby suffered wounds to his left thigh; he was also admitted to 2^nd General Hospital in Le Havre, where an operation was carried out to remove the shrapnel.

The remainder of the relief was carried out without further incident and was completed by 11pm.

Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw, DCM

(Image by kind permission of Sue Lugton)

Pte. Tom Darwin (see 16^th April), who had, earlier in the year, spent more than a month being treated for ‘debility’ and ‘myalgia’ was reported ‘absent without leave’. It is unclear exactly when Darwin went absent. It may have been that the prospect of yet another tour in the front line proved to be too much to bear; or it may have been that he was involved in the action in which Earnshaw was killed; or it may have been following the loss of Earnshaw; or indeed for another, unconnected reason.  

L.Cpl. James Gordge (see 31^st May) was discharged from 2^nd Convalescent Depot at Rouen and posted back to 10DWR.

Pte. James Linfoot (see 11^th September 1914) was posted back to England; in the absence of a more detailed surviving service record I am unable to establish the reason for  -, or details of -, his posting.

Pte. John William Addison (see 6^th May) was transferred from 18^th Casualty Clearing Station to 10^th General Hospital at Rouen. 

Pte. Stanley Basil Studd (see 9^th May) was evacuated to England from 11^th Stationary Hospital in Rouen, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew; on arrival in England he would be admitted to New Court VAD Hospital in Cheltenham. He was now diagnosed as suffering from influenza.

On the very day that Kayley Earnshaw was killed the weekly editions of both the Craven Herald and the West Yorkshire Pioneer carried news of the death of his nephew, Seaman George Earnshaw (see 31^st May).

CARLETON SAILOR'S SACRIFICE

Another Carleton sailor is feared to have gone down with the 'Defence' viz. Seaman George Earnshaw, son of Mr. Thos. Earnshaw, of Church Street. Seaman Earnshaw, who was 18 years of age, joined the Navy about four years ago, and after spending some time in a training school at Liscard received further instruction on H.M.S. 'Powerful,' subsequently serving on the 'Defiance' and the 'Defence'. He was a very promising young fellow on the threshold of a fine career, in which Lieut. S.H. Slingsby and other members of the family were interesting themselves. In his work he was connected with the telephone service and had specialised in electricity. He made splendid progress and was 18 months ahead in his examinations. Referring to his duty in a letter, Seaman Earnshaw said: "My work is a responsible job. I am in the transmitting station down in the submerged flats and have to transmit messages to the gunners." About three weeks ago, he was home on short leave. Seaman Earnshaw was one of three brothers serving their King and Country, one of the others having seen service with General Botha in German East Africa, and the third having been eight months at the Front with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. The deceased sailor was a former chorister at Carleton Parish Church, and a member of the local troop of Boy Scouts.

FEARED DEATH OF CARLETON SAILOR

It is feared that another Carleton sailor, Seaman George Earnshaw, son of Mr. Thos. Earnshaw, of Church Street, has met his death on H.M.S. 'Defence', which was sunk in the naval engagement that took place in the North Sea last week. Seaman Earnshaw, who was 18 years of age, joined the Navy when 14. The late Lieut. Stephen Slingsby had taken a great interest in the lad's career, as indeed have other members of the Slingsby family, with the result that Earnshaw was 18 months ahead of his examinations. He was only home on leave three weeks ago, at the same time as Lieut. Slingsby, and Earnshaw and two other naval men were entertained to tea at Carla Beck by Lieut. Slingsby. He was spoken of as an exceptionally fine young man. He was two years training in the Naval School at Liscard. Mr. Earnshaw has also two other sons serving in the army, one having been with General Botha in German East Africa, and the other has been at the Front eight months with the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment. Mr. Earnshaw is brother to the Earnshaw, D.C.M., of Airton. Seaman Earnshaw was a chorister at Carleton Parish Church, and also a member of the local troop of Boy Scouts.