Tuesday 1st August 1916

Reserve trenches near Scots Redoubt

There was further shelling by the German artillery through the day, though “without anything of a more exciting nature”. At 5pm the Battalion was relieved by 8th Yorkshires and marched off to take up billets in Rue Bapaume, Albert. German shells were still periodically falling in the town, but the Battalion suffered no casualties and little material damage was done.

Pte. Harold Normington (see 29^th July), who had been wounded three days previously, died of his wounds at one of the Casualty Clearing Stations based at Gezaincourt, near Doullens; he would be buried at the adjacent Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension. He was 24 years old and from Keighley. Rev. W.C. Stanley would write, on 3^rd August, to Pte. Normington’s brother, “I think you have already had the sad news of your brother’s death from wounds in the clearing station. He was brought here on 30^th July suffering from wounds which left no hope of recovery and he passed away quite peacefully on 1^st August. He was attended by a skilful surgeon and nursed with the tenderest attention, and you can rest assured that everything was done to aid his recovery and relieve his pain. I was with him several times and he was able to join with me in saying the Lord’s Prayer and to follow the other prayers with great reverence. Just before he died I commended his soul to God and blessed him with the sign of the cross. He sent his dear love to all at home and I am sure he died at peace with God. I buried him yesterday at 2pm at the beautiful cemetery at Gezaincourt with full military honours and his grave will be marked by two crosses … Perhaps after a while it will comfort you to remember that he died bravely facing the future as a good soldier of his God and country”.

Image and additional information by kind permission of @MenofWorth

Pte. Charles Marsden (see 29th July) was promoted Corporal.

A/Cpl. John Thomas Matthews (see 3^rd March) was promoted Lance Sergeant.

Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison, 2Lt. Ernest Cyril Coke and 2Lt. Charles Crowther Hart (see 29^th July), who had all been wounded in the fighting around Munster Alley, left no.8 hospital at Rouen and were evacuated to England for further treatment. They travelled onboard the SS Asturias from Le Havre to Southampton. 2Lt. Bob Perks (see 29^th July) was also evacuated to England and his family received a telegram from the War Office confirming that he had been wounded in the actions near Munster Alley;

“Regret to inform you that 2^nd Lt. R C Perks West Riding Regiment admitted 1 Red Cross Hospital Le Touquet July 29 slight shrapnel wound left hand and face.  Any further news will be reported.  Please supply name address relationship next of Kin.
Secretary War Office”.

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

2Lt. Robert Clement Perks

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

In a letter home to his wife Brig. Genl. T.S. Lambert, commanding 69^th Brigade, commented on recent events (I am greatly indebted to Juliet Lambert for her generosity in allowing me to reproduce the letters here).

“I think we are going to take a couple of days or so out today … Our last little biff was not quite so full of results but it kept the men’s tails up all right. I think I shall be able to see and talk to them today. I hope to …Things are comparatively quiet this morning so far”

Brig. Genl. Thomas Stanton Lambert

Image by kind permission of Juliet Lambert

Pte. Frank William Rabjohn (see 5^th July), on attachment with 176^th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, was discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques and would re-join 10DWR; he had been suffering from “P.U.O” (pyrexia, or high temperature, of unknown origin).

Pte. William Leach (see 10^th July) was transferred back to 3^rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth from hospital in Weybridge (details unknown).

Pte. William Leach

Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenOfWorth

Monday 31st July 1916

Reserve trenches near Scots Redoubt

The Germans use of gas shells continued and the War Diary noted “without causing casualties he (the Germans) created some discomfort”.

Pte. Arthur Cliffe (see 29^th July), who had been wounded two days’ previously, died at 44^th Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers; he would buried at the adjacent Puchevillers British Cemetery. A chaplain, Rev. C.F. Knyvet, would write to Pte. Cliffe’s parents: “I am very sorry to send you the sad information that your son has died of wounds received in the recent severe fighting. He was brought into this Casualty Clearing Station on July 30^th, very severely wounded in the abdomen and thigh, and passed away the following day. The nurses and doctor who attended him did all they could to make him as comfortable as possible. He is buried in the little cemetery near this camp, where I laid him to rest. A cross of wood stands at his head, with his name and regiment inscribed. The French have promised that the cemeteries shall never be disturbed and they are kept in order by the soldiers who work under the Graves Registration Commission. I wish I could tell you the name of this whole village. The cemetery is all amongst the cornfields, and the children of the village come with their schoolmistress twice a week and put flowers on the graves. Besides these, grass seeds have been sown and dwarf begonias have been planted”.

Pte. Charles Smith (12380) (see 11^th July), who was under treatment at 6^th General Hospital in Rouen having been wounded in early July, was evacuated to England; on arrival he would be admitted to Oakbank War Hospital in Glasgow.

Pte. John Onion (see 5^th July), who had been in England since having been wounded on 5^th July, was discharged from hospital in Birmingham; he would have ten days’ furlough before reporting to the Regimental Depot in Halifax. 

A payment of £8 12s. 7d. was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Edward Tetlow (see 8^th June), who had been killed in June whilst attached to 181^st Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers; the payment would go to his mother, Eliza.

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

Killed                                     24 officers and 132 other ranks

Accidentally killed               0

Died of wounds                   4 officers and 12 other ranks

Wounded                            57 officers and 1,288 other ranks

Accidentally wounded       0

Missing                                 2 officers and 212 other ranks

10DWR’s casualties were recorded as:

Killed                                       7 officers and 55 other ranks

Accidentally killed                0

Died of wounds                     1 officer

Wounded                              13 officers and 295 other ranks

Accidentally wounded         0

Missing                                   1 officer and 64 other ranks

If we assume a maximum Battalion strength of perhaps 800 men at the start of July, though even this is likely to be an over-estimate, then these figures indicate a casualty rate of more than 50% and a mortality rate of 16%.

The official record of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission detail 102 men from 10DWR killed in July 1916; the difference between this and the Brigade War Diary total of 119 killed or missing can presumably be reconciled by taking account of missing men subsequently returning to duty and those found to have been taken prisoner.

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

Killed                                       92

Accidentally killed                  4

Died of wounds                       4

Wounded                             469

Accidentally wounded         43

Missing                                    68

Sunday 30th July 1916

Front line trenches east of Pozieres

About 3am Tunstill’s Company moved forward to reinforce the men holding sections of Munster Alley.

The day became hot and fine and remained largely quiet.  At 6pm the Battalion was relieved by 9^th Yorkshires and moved back to trenches near Scots Redoubt.

From 11.30pm the front lines and Brigade HQ at Contalmaison were heavily shelled with tear- and poison-gas shells; this continued through the night until 6am, “necessitating the continuous use of gas helmets at Brigade HQ and by troops in Contalmaison for over 6 hours. Practically no sleep was obtainable”. Brig. Genl. Lambert described conditions in a letter to his wife (I am indebted to Juliet Lambert for her kind permission to quote from the letter);

“the Bosches had started sending those beastly gas shells at us. It was then about 12 midnight. They went on doing it steadily. It was my turn to go to sleep at about 1am but by this time we had all got our gas helmets on and in considerable discomfort! We had to bottle up all entrances and exits to our dugouts and even then the stuff kept creeping through. They sent over a mixed lot of shells. Sime big fellows full of lachrymatory or tear gas which makes your eyes water but mixed up with these were any number of little chaps which hold poison gas. We have had to sit for six hours with smoke helmets on, bubbling away in great discomfort and all looking like a lot of Italian Inquisitors. It was infernally hot and stuffy down in our dugout of course but they were shelling such a lot outside that it was no more pleasant and the whole air was full of their beastly stuff! It was practically all wasted as it did no harm but it was very uncomfortable and knocked out a few of course. Personally I fared better than most. I cannot breathe in a helmet for long owing to the lack of the best part of my old lung I suppose but Fraser and the others looked after me and shut me up with wet hankies etc. far down in one part of our little bolt-hole with Kerridge who was feeling rather bad. He and Elliott had to go sick afterwards but I hope they will be all right”. 

Lt. William Andrew Leo Kerridge (see 27^th August 1915) was one of the original officers of 10DWR. He was from Walsham-le-Willows, Suffolk, where his father had worked as a solicitor’s clerk. William was one of eight children and had been born in 1886. Before enlisting he had been a school teacher in Cambridge. He had been commissioned (Temporary) Second Lieutenant on 22^nd January 1915 and promoted Lieutenant on 22^nd June 1915. He had recently, while on leave, been married to Ada Read. 

Lt. McCulloch, 15^th Battalion, 5^th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, sent a congratulatory message to 10DWR, following the events around Munster Alley:

“I beg to congratulate you on the excellent work done by your Signal Section during the 28^th, 29^th and 30^th July. The way they have maintained telephone communication under heavy shell fire is grand, repeatedly going out on the lines while the wires were being cut, and in this connection I must mention two names, that of Cpl. Dean and L.Cpl. Walker. It is no exaggeration on my part to say your lines were broken on an average of once an hour and immediately the operator reported any one of your Companies out of ‘call’ the above two men went out and repaired the break. Altogether these two men have laid over three miles of wire, the whole of it under shell fire. On the 29^th the front of your signal dugout was blown in, wrecking all wires and smashing two telephones. One of your section was killed and the cool way your Signal Sergeant and and his men set to work to clear the debris and restore the wires excited my admiration and their subsequent work has been a revelation to me.

I am in a position to criticise the work done by your work because I have been standing by your telephones for the past three days keeping up communication with our Brigade through yours and I trust you will excuse me in taking this opportunity of congratulating you on such a fine section.

With regard to Cpl. Dean and L.Cpl Walker, these two men must have taken enormous risks in maintaining your wires and I feel it my duty to specially mention their names.

L.Cpl. James Walker (see 4^th May) was one of the Earby recruits who had been added to Tunstill’s Company in September 1914. The other man commended, Acting Cpl. Angus Dean, was not one of Tunstill's recruits.

A/Cpl. Harry Holmes (see 29^th July), having been wounded the previous day, lost his acting rank and reverted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

Following the recent losses in actions there were a series of promotions. Sgt. Billy Oldfield (see 30^th December 1915) was promoted Company Sergeant Major; Cpl. Arthur Bearpark (see 29^th July) was promoted Sergeant, leaving his post with the Company administrative staff. CQMS Frank Stephenson (see 11^th July), later remembered that “I spoke to him about staying as my clerk, when he would not have to go over the top, but, like all good and true Englishmen, he wanted to get on”. L.Cpl. Michael Kenefick (see 10^th July) was promoted Sergeant. Cpl. Albert Herd (see 18^th September 1914) was promoted Acting Sgt.; L.Cpl. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 27th October 1915) was promoted Corporal and immediately appointed Acting Sergeant. A/Sgt. William Proctor (see 11^th July) was promoted Lance Sergeant (paid). L.Cpls. John William Dickinson (see 29^th July) and Edwin Merrall (see below) were promoted Corporal and Ptes. James Barker (12288) (see 22^nd July), James Moran (see 17^th June 1915), John Stewart (see below) and Willie Waggitt (see 9^th January) were appointed Lance Corporal. 

CSM Billy Oldfield

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

CQMS Frank Stephenson

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Acting Sgt. Albert Herd

L.Cpl. Willie Waggitt

Edwin Merrall had been one of the Keighley recruits posted to Tunstill’s Company in September 1914; he had been working alongside his father, Fred, who was a bootmaker and had joined up underage, being only 17 when he enlisted.

John Stewart had not originally been a member of Tunstill’s Company and it may be that this appointment marked his move into the Company. He was a Scotsman, born in Govan, but on 27^th August 1914, aged 29, he had enlisted in Wallsend, having been working as a shunter on the railways. He was soon (18^th September 1914) promoted Corporal and was promoted Sergeant on 21^st April 1915. However, he had been reported drunk on 15^th July while the Battalion was resting at Molliens-au-Bois and had been tried by Field General Court Martial on 20^th July. He had been found guilty and reduced to the ranks and awarded 56 days Field Punishment Number One. The sentence was then immediately commuted to forfeiture of 28 days’ pay in place of FP no.1. 

The six new subalterns (2Lts. Costello, Currington, Evans, Hodgkinson, Millward and Snowden, see 25^th July) who had arrived in France four days earlier reported for duty with the Battalion.

2Lt. William Neville Dawson (see 20^th July), after the extended proceedings regarding his post as a commissioned officer, finally and formally relinquished his commission.

Pte. Edward Smitham, the eldest son of Sgt. George Edward Smitham (see 27^th July), who had attested for service (though underage), three days earlier, was attached from 3DWR to 6^th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.

Saturday 29th July 1916

Front line trenches, east of Pozieres

At about 12.45am two platoons from ‘D’ Company, under the command of Lt. Frederick Hird (see 28^th July) commenced a bombing attack up Munster Alley. They began their assault from around 20 yards in rear of point 41, close to the junction of Munster Alley and O.G.2, with orders to construct a barrier as far up as possible; they were supported by fire from the two Lewis Guns under the charge of 2Lt. Bob Perks (see 28^th July). Hird led the advance personally with a bombing party of eight men. They were followed, at a distance of 20 yards, by the remainder of no.13 platoon, with no.14 platoon following. Little opposition was met for about 60 yards, but then “the enemy vigorously counter-attacked with bombs with men concealed in shell holes on either side of the trench and a party in the trench”. Hird was killed and six of the bombing party wounded, and the platoons were forced back to their original barricade behind point 41.

The Germans then maintained a concerted bombing assault on the barricade for the next half hour. Hird having been killed, CSM Albert Edgar Palmer (see 28^th July) “immediately took command of no.13 platoon and, having re-organised it, remained throwing bombs for several hours, being under heavy bomb fire throughout”. He was ably assisted by Sgt. William Jones (see 28^th July) who “personally built up the greater part of the barricade and, although several men near him were killed and wounded, continued to work with greatest bravery and coolness until his work had been completed”. There was assistance also from the party from ‘B’ Company who had been sent, the previous night, up towards point 41. They were led by 2Lt. Perks who, according the official account “was wounded in the face about 1am and was for a time insensible, but on recovering continued to throw bombs until wounded seriously in the hand, foot and face again. He throughout the operation showed the greatest gallantry and by his magnificent example was largely responsible for our being able to hold and consolidate the point gained in Munster Alley”.

Perks himself gave a vivid account of events ((I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to quote from Bob Perks’ report),

“I was called away by the Company Commander on my left (Lt. Hird, commanding ‘D’ Company) who had orders to push up Munster Alley.  This movement was meant to coincide with the Australian attack (see 28^th July) but the message was late and it was only carried out when the Bosche was relieved of the fear of any Australians and could devote his time to us.  Perhaps that was why we had such a warm time.    I was to hold my position as a protection to the rear and flanks of the party from D Coy carrying out the third British attempt to push up Munster Alley.  Like the other two it failed.  Various explanations are possible but all I know is after proceeding very successfully at first the party suddenly returned minus their officer and leading bombers – and returned with some haste with Bosche in hot pursuit.    We tried to keep up a barrage of bombs and rifle grenades behind and on the flanks of this party in spite of the flashes and flying bits which showed the bombs were reaching us by now.  The great danger was however from Munster Alley and eventually the triumphant Bosches chasing down to what they thought was an easy victory were stopped by two of my men who, although already wounded, met them face to face at our original barrier and drove them back.  Of these two men one had to stop through sheer inability to use his arm but as soon as a bit of bandage was put on started again.   I believe it was in this first period that my leg was hurt, but I have never been very clear when that happened – I hardly noticed until it stiffened later – but I do know that I was wounded twice in the next ten minutes of an awful nightmare of flying bits and flashes (near enough to be warm!) with the terribly obvious fact continually before one that one’s life was at stake – worse all their lives were at stake  –  the rapidly dwindling garrison must be kept at it and kept at it properly and steadily until the Bosche gave way.  This he did eventually and I found that although I was only touched on the lip and finger, my power of talking (to direct operations) was spoilt by the gory nature of my lip wound and my ability to manipulate bombs was rapidly getting less owing to my stiffening finger.  I therefore asked for an officer to be sent with the reinforcing men I expected.  These had hardly arrived when we indulged in more fireworks, the Boche having returned and I got another touch on the lip.  The display was not a very long one this time and when all was quiet again, I handed over to two other officers and limped thankfully away.  I afterwards heard that only a sergeant and three men of our party of 19* came back whole.” (*19 has been altered to 26 on a contemporary transcript done by Robert’s father, Thomas Perks).

2Lt. Robert Clement Perks

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

About 2am a second attempt was made to advance the position along Munster Alley. 2Lt. Henry Herbert Owen Stafford (see 25^th April) led a second bombing attack and gained about 30 yards before encountering more stiff resistance from the Germans. However, Stafford’s party were able to construct a new barricade at this point. It was reported that Stafford, “was at the head of all our bombing parties at the barricade. His bravery and exceedingly cheerful spirit was of the greatest value in cheering on the bomb throwers when under exceedingly heavy bomb fire”. He was slightly wounded, but remained at duty. The construction of this new barricade “compelled the enemy to abandon his original barricade and put up another one some yards further back from which position he opposed our further advances vigorously for about an hour”. The position then stabilised.

Col. Hayne recognised the significance of these events, “There is little doubt he (the Germans) wished to drive us out of Munster Alley as his bombers came into the broken ground in front of his barricade and continued until it was quite light to throw bombs with great determination. Fortunately, supplies of bombs, S.A.A. (small arms’ ammunition) and filled sandbags were sent up with great regularity and in this we received great assistance from 17^th Battalion Australian contingent, who prolonged our chain of supplies and did us great service in this respect”. Hayne also commended the efforts of a number of other individuals involved in the action. He reported that stretcher-bearer Pte, Enoch Wilson Rhodes, who had shown great fortitude on the way into the line (see 28^th July), “Has in every engagement shown the most wonderful devotion to duty … he attended to at least 50 wounded men, always under intense artillery fire”. Two men, Ptes. John William Beaver (see below) and Tom Feather (see below) “carried many messages with speed and regularity, regardless of shell fire. Pte. Beaver was afterwards admitted into hospital suffering from shell shock”.

Ptes. John William Beaver and Tom Feather were both original members of the Battalion; Feather was 23 years old and from Keighley, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, I am unable to make a positive identification of Pte. Beaver.

The day became fine and hot and the Battalion remained in their front line positions, troubled only by what was described as ‘moderately active’ German artillery.

In the late evening a third attempt was to be made to occupy Munster Alley, but on this occasion the attack would be made over ground, rather than by bombing up the trench itself. It would also be combined with an attempt to advance the British position along another old German communication trench further south-east, known as Gloster Alley.

About 10pm the Battalion again attacked Munster Alley, this time along a line from point X.5.b.4.1 in O.G.2 (point 41, where they had been held up in the early hours) to X.6.a.4.6. One platoon from ‘C’ Company, supported by a second platoon, was drawn up in O.G.2 between points 41 and 78 and wheeled to its left, pivoting on point 41. At the same time, ‘B’ Company, in the section of trenches known as ‘The Loop’ (apparently somewhere between Lancs Trench and Munster Alley), led by 2Lt Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards (see 27^th May) and 2Lt. Charles Crowther Hart (see 27^th May), attacked point 24 with three platoons in six waves, one platoon remaining in The Loop in support. Tunstill’s Company remained in close support in O.G.2. Both attacks were supported by machine gun fire and Stokes mortars. Munster Alley and the German Switch line were heavily shelled by artillery before and during the progress of the attack. A barrage was also kept on the railway and the Windmill Road. The main objective on the left was the junction of Munster Alley with a new German trench at X.5.b.7.3, the new trench, afterwards called Torr Trench had just been discovered by Captain Lawrence, 69^th Brigade.

Both attacks had been made at 10pm and by about 11.30pm reports were received that all objectives had been reached. During the advance from The Loop, however, ‘B’ Company had suffered severe casualties; all the Officers, the Company Sergeant Major and a large number of NCO’s being hit. ‘A’ Company advanced in the early hours of 30^th July to help consolidate the new positions gained by ‘B’ Company.

However, the Germans subsequently counter-attacked up Torr Trench from the north-west and drove ‘C’ Company back to the left. A barricade was formed and held in Munster Alley slightly in advance of the point which had been barricaded in the early hours of the morning.

Meanwhile the advance along Gloster Alley, conducted by ‘D’ Company (with one company, 11^th West Yorkshires, in reserve in Gloster Alley and part of Lancashire Trench) had partially achieved its objectives. The plan had been to move from S.1.d.1.6 (point 06) to secure points 38 and 29 in the German Switch Line and thus achieve a position overlooking not only the Switch Line itself but also ground to the north and east towards High Wood and Martinpuich. In fact a point was consolidated about 25 yards short of point 38, but still commanding it, and overlooking, Switch Trench and Martinpuich. Consolidation of the new position was then carried out “under heavy fire of all kinds”.

The support of Australian troops in the operations had been crucial: “Throughout the operations the 12^th Australian Brigade gave great assistance by bringing up bombs, carrying in wounded and other useful work. A deputation of Australian officers kindly came across to congratulate the 10^th West Ridings on their efforts. A party of the enemy who left Munster Alley to move northwards was effectively dealt with by Australian machine guns”.

Casualties suffered during this action were considerable. Two officers were reported killed, along with 31 other ranks; another officer was reported missing in action as were 44 other ranks; five officers and 124 men had been wounded and a further 13 men were reported as suffering from shellshock.

The officers confirmed as having been killed were Lt. Frederick Hird (see above), who was killed in the initial bombing raid up Munster Alley, and 2Lt. Geoffrey Raymond Palmer (see 5th July), who had been with the Battalion for less than a month. Palmer had been with ‘C’ Company as they advanced in the evening attack; his family received letters from both Capt. John Atkinson (see 10^th July) and Lt. George Reginald Charles Heale MC (see 6^th July).

2Lt. Geoffrey Raymond Palmer

Capt. Atkinson and Lt. Heale, pictured with other officers in Spring of 1916, annotated by Lt. Dick Bolton

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

The officer officially reported missing was 2Lt Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards (see above). He had led the attack of ‘B’ Company across ground from ‘The Loop’, which had met with fierce German resistance. In the confusion of the fighting there was no doubt among witnesses as to his fate, but considerable differences as to the precise circumstances. It was variously reported that he jumped down into the trench and “was fighting hand to hand with the enemy” when killed; that “on top of the German parapet he was shot by machine gun fire”; that he had been, “killed by a bomb or a piece of shell while he was going across … waving his revolver and calling for the men to come on when he was struck. Part of his head was blown away”; the most reliable account, given later by an eye-witness from his own platoon, would suggest that “He was killed outright by a bomb. His body was badly smashed. This occurred out near the German parapet”. There was also doubt as to whether Brinsley-Richards’ body had been recovered. One man stated that “His body was buried at first in our trenches and I do not know if it was ever recovered. The grave was marked”. However, another reported that, “Our stretcher bearers went out to try and find and bring him in the following night, but the fire was too heavy for them to reach him”. A third account conceded, “though I never heard myself of his body being brought in, I think he must have been buried by our own men”.

2Lt. Roland Wyndham Brinsley-Richards

The men confirmed as having been killed were:

CSM George Lister Mayman (see 5^th April).

Sgt. Wilfred Blackburn (see 26th June), who had only recently been promoted. News of his death would be conveyed to the family by 2Lt. Frederick Lowther Dawson Barker (see 24^th May); he wrote to Blackburn’s cousin, Elizabeth (Blackburn had been living with his uncle and family before enlisting): “Perhaps you have already heard of the death of your cousin, but as his Platoon Officer I would like to tell you how much we all sympathise with you in your loss. He was a very efficient Sergeant and was very popular among the men. Capt. Tunstill, his Company Commander, tells me he has mentioned his name amongst those who did brilliant work in the recent fighting in which the Battalion played so successful a part. Personally I shall miss him very much, as he was a great help to me and could always be relied on. Again let me assure you of our deep sympathy with you in your sorrow”. There was news of Wifred Blackburn’s death, and confirmation of the high regard in which he had been held, in another letter, from an (unnamed) Addingham comrade, who wrote of how, "I am sorry to say poor Wilfred Blackburn has been knocked out. He was laid dead close to where I stood as we halted after the work we were on with was finished. I could not help but think about him, he was a good sergeant."

Sgt. Wilfred Blackburn

Sgt. Alfred Chitty; he was a 44 year-old ex-regular soldier. He had served 12 years with 2DWR from 1895 to 1907, rising to the rank of Corporal, and had latterly served in the territorial reserve. Since leaving the regular army he had worked as a clerk. He was married with one step-daughter and had been living in Tottenham. He had been posted to France with 8DWR in July 1915; the date and circumstances of his transfer to 10DWR are unknown. 

Sgt. William Digby Stockdale (see 5^th September 1915); he had been with the Machine Gun Section. Sgt. Tom Pickles (see 11^th July) would write to Sgt. Stockdale’s family, telling them, “He was killed instantly by a rifle bullet as he climbed the parapet. He suffered no pain whatever and died with his usual smile on his face. The whole section expresses its deepest sympathy with you. Digby was liked by men and officers alike. He only came to the section a few weeks ago, but became a favourite at once." 2Lt. Maurice Tribe (see 11^th July) also wrote, "It is not for me to try and estimate your loss, but knowing what ours has been I can imagine something of what yours must be. I have known him since the beginning of March 1915, when we were in the same platoon and again out here in the Machine Gun Section. He was one of those who cannot be replaced and who are missed by everyone. He was handling a difficult situation with his usual ability and calmness when he was hit. We shall not forget who he was nor how he died, and we shall always feel honestly sorry that he had to leave us." There was also a letter from L.Cpl. Wright Firth (see 5^th September 1915), who had enlisted with Stockdale in September 1914: “The day before he was killed we were in a trench together all day, and we passed the time on champion. He was in action at the time and doing his duty nobly. When I heard, we were so busy that it took us all our time to look after ourselves; but when the rush was over and I realised that Digby was dead, it broke me down. I don't know how to write to you. Digby was a thorough gentleman, always the same, laughing and cheerful, and he remained so until the end. I saw Walter Robinson (14753) (see 12^th December 1915; Robinson had been wounded in December 1915 and was now serving with another Dukes’ Battalion; the details of his transfer are unknown) the other day, and when he knew he was very much upset."

Sgt. William Digby Stockdale

A/Sgt. William Henry Sheehan (see 5^th September 1915).

A/Cpl. William Munday (see 18^th April).

L.Cpl. Trevor Roseberry Haigh; he was a 22 year-old piecer from Sowerby Bridge. He had joined 10DWR in France at some point in 1916 (details unknown).

L.Cpl. Peter Thompson; he was a 29 year-old bricklayer from Chadwick End, Warwickshire and was married with a young daughter. He had been an original member of the Battalion. 

L.Cpl. Harry Thornton (see 14^th January), who had been serving with the Machine Gun Section, was shot by a German sniper. Harry Thornton’s parents received letters from 2Lt. Maurice Tribe (see above) and from Sgt. Tom Pickles (see above). Tribe told Thornton’s family, “Your son died instantaneously, killed by a bullet. He did not know death was coming, nor was there a moment’s pain. He was in a difficult place and behaving as he had done in many other difficult places; one particularly I remember when by his coolness and clever handling of his gun he saved the life of a particular friend of mine, and largely helped by that in taking of a German trench. For that he had been recommended for a D.C.M., but higher honours than this army could give have come to him. I often feel that those whom we call dead may be able to do so much more for us than ever they could before. We all miss him very much and I am sure we shall not forget him.” Sgt. Pickles said: “Your son Harry made the great sacrifice whilst doing his duty like the brave lad he was. He was caught by a sniper’s bullet … We all feel very keenly for you. Harry was well liked in the section and I found him a good man. He was shortly in for promotion but God willed otherwise.”

L.Cpl. Harry Thornton

Pte. William Peter Allen (see 26^th June).

Pte. Arthur William Bailey (see 21^st September 1914) was serving with the Machine Gun Section and was reportedly killed by German shellfire.

Pte. Arthur William Bailey

Pte. Herbert Baldwin (see 22^nd July); he had joined the Battalion just a week previously.

Pte. James Thomas Coughlin; he was a 23 year-old married man with one child from Manningham, Bradford. He was an original member of the Battalion and had worked at the goods yard of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in Bradford prior to enlisting. CSM Albert Edgar Palmer (see above) would write to Pte. Coughlin’s widow; “It is with a sad heart that I write you these few words as I have only just come out of action. Kindly accept, on behalf of the platoon, our deepest sympathy in your sad loss. We miss him very much but trust you will try and bear the heavy burden as bravely as you can. We buried him before we left the trench”. However, the site of Pte. Coughlin’s grave would be lost in subsequent fighting and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

Pte. John William Hawkridge DCM (see 9^th March).

Pte. Charles Holgate (see 7^th January). His parents would receive letters from Sgt. William Eley (see 4^th May) and L.Cpl. Josias Bailey (see 30^th April). Sgt. Eley would tell them, “It is a most painful duty I have to perform in notifying you of your beloved son’s death. Still I feel you will bear your sorrow as bravely as possible. He was a splendid lad and met his death as only a true soldier does meet it. I sincerely assure you that he suffered not the slightest pain, his death being instantaneous. He was most reverently interred by his own comrades of the signallers in the newly captured trenches. What a glorious thing for you to be proud of. We miss his presence, as he was the life and soul of the signallers. He has been under me ever since he took to signalling and no one ever gave me greater pleasure. He was an ideal pupil. Kindly accept the assurance of our deep sympathy with you in your great loss of such a noble son”. L.Cpl. Bailey would tell them, “I write to convey to you my heartfelt sorrow and regret at the news I have to tell you. Your son lost his life last night. He was standing in the trench, near a dug-out, when a shell came over in that part of the trench and, unfortunately, he and others were caught with it and your son was killed. I may say death was instantaneous. All who knew him thought highly of him. He was a good and conscientious soldier and we shall all miss his kindly ways. I am sure, in expressing my deepest sympathy, I can couple the sympathy of all your son’s comrades. May God give you strength in this time of sorrow”. Despite having been buried by his comrades, the site of Pte. Holgate’s grave would be lost in subsequent fighting and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

Pte. Arthur Edward Holmes (see 6^th June). His father would receive a letter from 2Lt. Frank Redington (see 10^th July), “On the 29^th of July our Battalion was detailed to bomb down a German communication trench. Your son was one of the first men to go down the trench with the first bombing party. Unfortunately he was hit through the shoulder with a bullet and he died almost immediately. Your son had only been with us a few weeks but on all occasions he proved himself a very promising soldier. He was always the foremost in all our recent operations for which the Battalion has made such a splendid name for itself. You have my sincere sympathy in your sad loss”.

Pte. Cyril Clarkson Hoyle (see 6^th June).

Pte. Wilfred Palfreeman; he was a 21 year-old textile worker from Stainland, near Halifax, and had been an original member of the Battalion.

Pte. Cornelius Thomas William Rigby (see 7^th October 1915).

Pte. Thomas Robinson (13988); he was a 22 year-old textile worker. Originally from Caton, he and his family had been living in Morton, near Keighley. He had first been posted to France with 9DWR in July 1915; the date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR are unknown.

Pte. Roy Sayles (see 28^th June).

Pte. Samuel Smeeton was shot by a German sniper. He had been an original member of the Battalion. He was 38 years old, married with five children and had been working as a hairdresser in Farnworth, near Bolton, though he was originally from Huddersfield.

Pte. Herbert Smith (11899); he was a 31 year-old labourer from Sowerby Bridge and had been an original Member of the Battalion.

Pte. Sykes Walker; he was a 40 year-old woollen spinner from Huddersfield. He was married, with four children, and had been an original member of the Battalion. He was buried at Peake Wood Cemetery.

Pte. Robert Whitteron; he was an original member of the Battalion. He was 32 years old, married and from Huddersfield and, before enlisting, had worked in the grocery department of the Hillhouse Co-operative Society.

Pte. Clarence Widdowson; he was 32 years old and from Denby Dale, Huddersfield. He had worked at Messrs. Stringer and Jagger's colliery at Emley Moor before enlisting and had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 (date and details unknown).

Pte. Frederick Douglas Wood was struck by shrapnel whilst carrying a bag of bombs to the front line. He was a 25 year-old weaver from Huddersfield and had been an original member of the Battalion. His parents would receive letters of condolence from his pals Ptes. Arthur Hall (see below), George Ingle (see 17^th July), Charles Marsden (see 20^th April 1915), Walter Milnes (see 28^th May) and George Smith (14547) (see below).

Arthur Hall was from Leeds and had been an original member of the Battalion, having enlisted aged 31 and married with one child; he had worked as a compositor. George Smith was from Huddersfield and had been an original member of the Battalion. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.

Four other men were reported to have died from wounds suffered in action:

Pte. Arthur Bell; he had suffered a fractured right femur and had been evacuated to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. He would die there on 31^st July and would be buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension. He was a 38 year-old wire cleaner from Liversedge and was married, with seven children. He had been an original member of 10DWR.

Pte. William James Jakeway (see 28th July); he was buried at Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery.

Image and additional information by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenofWorth

Pte. Fred Mouatt; he was evacuated to 1^st/2^nd South Midland Field Ambulance but would die of his wounds on 31^st July and would be buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension. He was 19 years old and from Shipley and had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 (date and circumstances unknown). In a recent letter he had told his parents, “We have been in the great advance and have had a right smash up this time. The Germans are a lot of cowards. When we went for them they turned and fled like a lot of kids”.

Pte. Robert Sugden had been an original member of the Battalion; he was 23 years old and from Haworth. He was buried at Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery.

A further 31 men were reported missing in action. Of these 21 would subsequently be presumed to have been killed on or around 29^th July; they were:

L.Cpl. Thomas Hodson; he had been an original member of the Battalion. He was a 25 year-old warehouseman from Shipley.

L.Cpl. Fred Lockwood (see 7^th October 1915).

L.Cpl. John Sanders; he was from Bradford and had been an original member of the Battalion.

Pte. Hugh Atkinson (see 22^nd July).

Pte. Irvin Barraclough had been an original member of the Battalion; he was a 22 year-old millhand from Holmfirth. Just two days previously he had written to his mother, telling her, "You must keep smiling Mother, better days are in store."  In November 1916, she would receive a letter and her son’s soldier’s small book from a pal of her son, Pte. Ernest Arthur Crookes (see 11^th September 1915) who wrote: "You will no doubt be a bit surprised to have a letter from me but I thought I would write and let you know all I know of Irvin's death.  I dare not write before as I was not sure what had happened to him.  I made many enquiries in his Company about him and from what I can make out he was one of the many lads who went over the top one night when we were in that terrible fighting and failed to return.  But the strange part of it is that I had made enquiries about him the night after we came out and they told me he was wounded.  Then we were ordered back into the line again in a bit of a hurry and I happened to be walking in a trench which I had never been in before and what should I pick up but his small book which I enclose.  I was dumbstruck when I saw the name and it seems a man in another regiment which we relieved had found his body somewhere in the line and had taken his letters etc. to forward on to you.  That was what one of our fellows told me who had seen the letters in the man's possession and I think he must have dropped the book whilst he was showing these letters to this fellow.  It seemed very strange that the book should be there for me to find and after that I made sure Irvin was killed.  It was a blow to me and I hope you will accept my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.  He was the only friend I had who came from up our way and when we saw one another we always used to ask each other if we had anything fresh from home and talk over old times.  I have thought since what lucky beggars we were who came through those few weeks we were there as it was too terrible for words.  The sights we saw were awful and I don't think words can describe them.  I suppose it was God's will that he should go under.  I must apologise for not writing sooner but I was in some doubt about him."

Pte. Charles Barrett (see 22^nd July).

Pte. Peter Burns (see 17^th July).

Pte. Dyson Denison (see 17^th July).

Pte. James French; he was 23 years old and from Huddersfield, where he had worked for Bentley’s Brewery. He had first been posted to France to join 2DWR in May 1915, but had suffered a bullet wound to the chest on 11^th June 1915 and had been evacuated to England. In the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR.

Pte. Jessiah Darricott Hey (see 17^th July).

Pte. Arthur Julian (see 17^th July). 

Pte. Arthur Julian

Pte. William Munro (see 9^th April); his younger brother, Pte. Archie Munro (see 9^th April) was among the men reported as suffering from shellshock (see below).

Pte. Ackroyd Riley; he was a 20 year-old textile worker from Bradford. He had been posted to France at some point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances. 

Pte. Ackroyd Riley

Pte. Harold Senior; he was 21 years old and from Bradford. He had been posted to France at some point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances.

Pte. Fred Shackleton; he was a 20 year-old textile worker from Saddleworth and had been an original member of the Battalion.

Pte. Bertram Stanley Temperton (see 17^th July); news of his fate would be delivered to his wife by L.Cpl. Thomas Edmund Troop (see 17^th July), who would tell her, “It is with deep regret that I write to inform you that your husband has been missing since July 29^th. We were engaged in a bombing attack on that day. I have since done all I could to find out how he fared and all I can get to know is that he was badly wounded in the head and face by a German bomb. When we received orders to go over the top Bert never flinched, but went over as bravely as anyone could do. He undoubtedly met a hero’s death, with his face turned to the enemy. I have only known Bert since we met at the Base but we have been good chums in the days which have elapsed since and I can hardly realise that he is gone. For myself and the ret of the lades that have come through alright so far I would ask you to accept our deep and sincere sympathy.” 

Pte. Bertram Stanley Temperton

Pte. Willie Tordoff (see 17^th July).

Pte. Fred Townend; he was a married man from Bradford. He had been posted to France at some point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances. 

Pte. Fred Townend

Pte. John William Walkden; he was a married man from Todmorden. He had been posted to France at some point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances.

Pte. Harold Walker; he was a 22 year-old textile worker from Ashton-under-Lyne. He had been posted to France at some point in 1916, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, it has not been possible to establish the date and circumstances.

Pte. Charles Wood; he had been an original member of the Battalion and was from Bradford. However, in the absence of a surviving service record I am, as yet, unable to make a positive identification of this man.

The majority of those reported killed or missing (46 of the 51, including the three officers) have no known grave and are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. The remains of CSM George Lister Mayman, L.Cpl. John Sanders and Pte. Fred Townend would all be recovered from the area around Munster Alley and identified in the Summer of 1919 and all would be re-interred at Pozieres British Cemetery. The remains of Pte. Thomas Robinson (identified by “paper in bottle”) would be recovered in June 1920 and re-interred at Ovillers Military Cemetery. The remains of A/Cpl. William Munday, identified by his ID disc, would be discovered, near the site of the junction of Munster Alley and O.G.2, as late as October 1927 and he would be re-interred at Serre Road Cemetery no.2.

A further five of the missing were subsequently confirmed to have been taken prisoner by the Germans, they were:

Pte. Herbert Gunningham; he was 19 years old and from Bradford and had been an original member of the Battalion. Ptes. Arthur Baxter (see 17^th July), Frank Brooks (see 17^th July), George Clegg (see 17^th July) and James Edward Haley (see 17^th July) had only joined the Battalion less than two weeks previously. The five men would initially be held at prison camps at Le Cateau (Baxter, Brooks and Clegg) and Cambrai (Gunningham and Haley).

It would appear that the other five men initially reported missing were subsequently accounted for, as they appear in neither the lists of casualties nor of prisoners.

Five officers and 124 men were reported wounded and a further 13 men were reported as suffering from shellshock; the majority of these have been identified.

The condition of the five wounded officers varied considerably. Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison (see 13^th September 1915) had been shot in the middle of the left thigh; the bullet had passed through the muscle, missing the femur, and had exited through the back of his leg. 2Lt. Ernest Cyril Coke (see 28^th May) had suffered a shrapnel wound to his left hand which had shattered the tip of the middle finger, while 2Lt. Charles Crowther Hart (see above) had suffered a gunshot wound to the right leg. All three men were treated first at 69^th Field Ambulance, before being sent on, via Albert, to hospital at Corbie and then to no.8 General Hospital at Rouen. 2Lt. Bob Perks (see above) had been wounded in the face, foot and hand; he was evacuated to no.1 Red Cross Hospital Le Touquet. 2Lt. Henry Herbert Owen Stafford (see above) had suffered only a minor injury and was able to remain at duty.

2Lt. Bob Perks

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudosn

The men who have been positively identified as having been among the wounded are:

A/CSM Herbert Lawton (see 11^th July) suffered wounds to his right shoulder; the details of his immediate treatment are unknown, but he would be evacuated to England on 2^nd August and then admitted to Merry Flats War Hospital, Govan, Glasgow. 

Sgt. Percy Cole (see 23^rd June) suffered a bullet wound to the right arm, resulting in a compound fracture; he would be evacuated to hospital in Rouen. 

Sgt. James Davis; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would soon re-join the Battalion. He had been an original member of the Battalion. He was originally from Chatham but had enlisted in Bradford. He had married Charlotte Housley in 1914 and they had two daughters. 

Sgt. James Davis

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Sgt. Thomas Henry Edmondson (see 10^th July), who had been awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Contalmaison, was seriously wounded in both legs and evacuated to England, where he would be admitted to the County of Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury, St. Albans.

Sgt. Albert Simpson DCM (see 3^rd June); he suffered severe wounds to his right arm. The details of his treatment in France are unknown. 

Cpl. Arthur Bearpark (see 12^th June 1915); his wounds were relatively minor and he would remain with the Battalion.

A/Cpl. Arnold Freeman (see 9^th February); he suffered severe wounds to his left arm, shoulder and chest which would result in the amputation of his arm. The details of his treatment in France are unknown, but he would be evacuated to England on 6^th August and admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.

A/Cpl. Harry Holmes (see 21^st May); he suffered a minor wound to his lip and would be admitted to 2^nd Convalescent Depot at Rouen before re-joining the Battalion.

L.Cpl. George Frederick Barkham (see 24th December 1915); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would appear to have been treated in France and would re-join 10DWR once recovered.

L.Cpl. John William Dickinson (see 9^th July); he suffered a minor wound to his left leg. He would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station; he would be discharged and return to duty after two days.

L.Cpl. William Duffy (see 25^th July); he suffered severe wounds to his left knee. The details of his treatment in France are unknown but he would, on 2^nd August, be evacuated to England and admitted to the County of London War Hospital in Epsom.

L.Cpl. John Henry Eastwood (see 29^th March 1915) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right foot; he would be admitted via 2^nd Australian Field Ambulance and 44^th Casualty Clearing Station to 1^st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, and after four days would be further transferred to 6^th Convalescent Depot, also at Etaples. 

L.Cpl. Peter Guinan; he suffered severe wounds which would result in the amputation of his right leg, but the details of his treatment are unknown. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man. However, it is known that he had originally served with 2DWR, being posted to France on 15^th April 1915, but had been evacuated to England having been gassed on 5^th May. The date and circumstances of his posting to 10DWR are unknown.

L.Cpl. Harry Hey (15995) (see 11th September 1915); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion.

L.Cpl. George Oversby (see 7^th July) was severely wounded in the left thigh; he was treated first at 3^rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen before being sent back to England onboard the hospital ship Asturias. 

L.Cpl. Walter Maynard Willis (see 2^nd June) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right leg and shoulder; he would be evacuated to 1^st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples. 

1.     Pte. William Ackroyd (see 21^st November 1915); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. 

Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenOfWorth

Pte. Alfred Ambler; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred, via 8DWR, to 1^st/6^th DWR. In the absence of a surviving service record the details of his service are unknown. He was 19 years old and from Bradford, where he had worked as a ‘doffer’. He had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 but, in the absence of a surviving service record, the exact date and circumstances are unknown.

Pte. George Appleyard; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently re-join the Battalion. In the absence of a surviving service record the ful details of his service are unknown. He had been an original member of 10DWR and was only 19 years old (he had enlisted under age; born 13th June 1897) and from Keighley, where he worked in the textile mills. 

Pte. George Applyard

Pte. John James Arrowsmith; he suffered a bayonet wound to the right hand. The details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred to the Labour Corps. In the absence of a surviving service record the details of his service are unknown. He had been an original member of 10DWR and was 22 years old and originally from Liverpool but had been working as a coal miner in Cleckheaton.

Pte. Albert Ashworth; he suffered wounds to his head and right shoulder and would be admitted to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, on 2^nd August, by no.16 Ambulance Train to hospital in Rouen. The details of his treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred to the RAF. He had been an original member of 10DWR but, in the absence of a surviving service record, I am unable to make a positive identification of this man and the further details of his service are unknown. 

Pte. John Bailey; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred to 8DWR and finally to 2^nd/7^thDWR. In the absence of a surviving service record the details of his service are unknown. He had been an original member of 10DWR and was a 24 year-old warehouseman from Baildon.

Pte. Harold Best (see 6^th June); he suffered only minor wounds and would return to duty on 3^rd August, having been treated locally. 

Pte. George Binns (see 29^th November 1915); he would be evacuated to England, though to which hospital is not known.

Pte. George Binns

Pte. Stanley Bostock (see 18^th December 1915); he suffered relatively minor wounds to his chest and stomach. He would be treated locally in the first instance before, on 6^th August, being transferred to 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers and from there to Boulogne.

Pte. Harry Bradley (see 6^th June) suffered relatively minor shrapnel wounds to his back and, following treatment locally, would return to duty on 4^th August.

Pte. Daniel Brennan (see 17^th July); his wounds were relatively minor and he would quickly return to duty.

1.      Pte. Fred Brook (see 22^nd June); his wounds were relatively minor and he would soon re-join the Battalion.

Pte. William Brooke (see 22^nd July); he suffered wounds to his head and arm and would be admitted to 5^th General Hospital at Rouen before being evacuated to England on 2^nd August. He would then be transferred to 4^th Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow. Once recovered he would be posted successively to 9DWR and 1^st/5^thDWR.

Pte. Albert Buckley (see 11^th February 1915); he suffered wounds to his left hand and would be admitted to 1^st Stationary Hospital at Rouen before being evacuated to England on 2^nd August. He was then admitted to Wellington Road Auxiliary Military Hospital in Liverpool.

Pte. Charles Burn; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred successively to 9DWR. He was 20 years old and from Bradford and had been an original member of 10DWR. 

Pte. Richard Butler (see 25^th June); he was wounded in the left arm and would be admitted to 3^rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen, before then being evacuated to England, from where he was transferred to Bargrave War Hospital, West Lothian. 

Pte. Lodge Calvert; he suffered wounds to his left thigh and would be admitted to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance Train to hospital in Rouen. He was 19 years old, from Buckden, near Skipton, and had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 (date and circumstances unknown).

Pte. Joseph Chandler (see 11^th September 1915) was wounded; the details of his wounds, which appear to have been relatively minor, and immediate treatment are unknown, but he would be admitted to 1^st Convalescent Depot at Rouen on 3^rd August, before then re-joining 10DWR. 

Pte. Irvine Clark (see 31^st March); he was wounded in the right thigh and would be sent home to be treated at the Southern General Hospital in Bristol.

Pte. Arthur Clarke (see 6^th June) suffered wounds to his leg and thigh; he would be admitted to 6^th General Hospital at Rouen and then evacuated to England on the Hospital Ship Asturias. On arriving in England he would be admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital in Warrington. 

Pte. Walter Clarkson 

Pte. Edmund Wilkinson Clay (Huddersfield)

Pte. John Clegg (see 22^nd July); he suffered shrapnel wounds to his right thigh and buttock. He would be evacuated to 2^nd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau and from there, on 1^st August, to England, where he would be admitted to 2^nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol.

Pte. Arthur Cliffe (see 6^th June); he suffered shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and left leg, including a fractured tibia and was evacuated via 2^nd and 57^th Field Ambulances to 44^th Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers.

Pte. John Arthur Cole; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would subsequently be transferred to 2^nd/6^th DWR. He was a 24 year-old foundry labourer from Keighley. He had served two years (1912 to 1914) with 3DWR and had then enlisted with 8DWR, being posted to Gallipoli in July 1915. The date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR are unknown. 

Pte. Michael Conley; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred successively to 2DWR and 9DWR. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man, other than the fact that he was originally from Milltown, County Galway, but was living in Sheffield (and married) when he enlisted. He had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 (date and circumstances unknown). 

Pte. Bertie Constantine (Shipley)

Pte. Hubert Crabtree (see 17^th July); he suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh. The details of his treatment in France are unknown but, on 11^th August, he would be evacuated to England and admitted to hospital in Edmonton.

Pte. John Dalby (Bradford)

Pte. George H. Day; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred successively to the Labour Corps, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and, latterly, the Royal Engineers. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man, other than the fact that he had been an original member of 10DWR. 

Pte. Albert Donald (Morecambe)

Pte. Norman England (see 17^th July) suffered severe wounds to his right leg; he would be evacuated to 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Outreau before being evacuated to England and admitted to 2^nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol, where his right leg would be amputated at the thigh.

Pte. Joseph Fitzgerald (unknown)

Pte. Herbert Fogg (see 6^th March); he suffered wounds to his back, chest and right forearm. He was admitted via 104^th Field Ambulance to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance Train to 5^th General Hospital in Rouen.

1.     Pte. John William Ford; he suffered a fracture to his right leg. He would be evacuated to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance Train to 5^th General Hospital in Rouen. From there (details unknown) he would be evacuated to England. He was a 19 year-old textile worker from Wyke.  

Pte. Arthur Forster; he suffered wounds to his left arm. He was evacuated to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, later that day, by no.28 Ambulance Train to one of the Base Hospitals in France (details unknown). He would subsequently (details unknown) be evacuated to England. He was 40 years old and from Sheffield; he had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 (date and circumstances unknown).

Pte. Robert Foulger; he suffered wounds to the right side of his chest and would be evacuated to 5^th General Hospital at Rouen and from there, on 1^st August, evacuated to England and admitted to the Queen Mary Military Hospital, Whalley. He was a 19 year-old warehouseman from Bradford and had been posted to 10DWR at some point in 1916 (date and circumstances unknown).

L.Cpl. Arthur Gill (Skipton)

Pte. James Ginley; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would subsequently be transferred to 8DWR. He was a 22 year-old textile worker from Keighley and had been an original member of 10DWR.

Pte. William Gleeson (Barnsley)

1.      Pte. George Frederick Glover; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. He was a 22 year-old iron planer from Otley. He had originally served with 9DWR, being first posted to France in July 1915 and had been wounded in March 1916 spending some time in England before returning to France and joining 10DWR (date and details unknown). 

Pte. Ralph Godfrey (Earby)

1.       Pte. Rowland Greenwood; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he appears to have soon re-joined the Battalion. He was a 22 year-old textile worker from Sowerby Bridge and had four children. He had originally served with 8DWR, being posted to Gallipoli in September 1915. He had been wounded within weeks of arriving and had been evacuated to England. He had been posted back to France in February (exact details unknown) and had joined 10DWR.

1.     Pte. Frank Gunson; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. He had been an original member of the Battalion and was a 29 year-old collier from Clayton West, near Huddersfield.

Pte. Frank Hargrave (Addingham)

Pte. Clarence Hayworth

Pte. Joseph Hird; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join 10DWR. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.

Pte. Arthur Purcell Hollows (Barnoldswick)

Pte. Michael Hopkins (Bradford)

Pte. John Hudson; he suffered wounds to his right arm and would be evacuated to hospital in Rouen. In a letter home to his parents he told them, “You will be glad to hear that I am out of the big push for a little while again, although I don't think I shall get to 'Blighty' with it. I was slightly wounded in the right arm early on Sunday morning in a little bomb strafe near Contalmaison which village our brigade took and held about three weeks ago. You can rest assured that I am safe from all further harm for some considerable time”. In the event it would be around eight weeks before he re-joined 10DWR. Hudson had been one of a group of five young men from Bradley who had enlisted soon after the outbreak of war. He had been posted to France in September 1915 with 9DWR and had been wounded on 19^th December 1915, near Ypres. Once recovered he had then been posted to 10DWR. 

Pte. John Hudson

L.Cpl. William Hutchinson (Castleford)

1.      Pte. Clifford Import (see 17^th July); he suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck, throat and right arm. The details of his treatment in France are unknown, but he would be admitted to hospital in Rouen and from there evacuated to England on 7^th August and admitted to 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester.

Pte. Norman Jagger; he suffered severe wounds to his right hand and would be evacuated to England, but the details of his treatment are unknown. He was 19 years old and from Bradford.

Pte. Ernest Jellicoe (see 17^th July); he suffered wounds to his neck and ear. He would be evacuated to 13^th General Hospital at Boulogne and from there, on 5^th August, to England, where he would be admitted to Northampton War Hospital.

Pte. Thomas William Jones; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but it would appear that he would soon be able to re-join the Battalion. He was 19 years old and had enlisted under age in September 1914, along with his cousin Pte. Joseph Jones (see below); both were from Castleford and had been working in the local coal mines.

Pte. Joseph Jones; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but it would appear that he was treated in France and, once recovered, would be posted to 2DWR. Like his cousin, Pte. Thomas William Jones (see above), he was only 19 years old and had enlisted under age.

Pte. Job Kayley (see 27^th March); his wounds were apparently minor and he soon re-joined the Battalion.

L.Cpl. William Knox (see 7^th October 1915); he was wounded and partially buried by a shell explosion and was evacuated to a local Field Ambulance unit, with wounds to his arm and leg. On being carried away he was ‘remarkably cheerful on the way, observing to his platoon Sergeant as he was being carried off, “Well, Jim, lad, I have beat you to Wharncliffe after all” (referring to Wharncliffe Military Hospital in Sheffield). However, he would die in the early hours of the following morning. Letters were written home by both his platoon Sergeant (identity unknown) who told his widow, “He was a good, honest, straightforward and clean soldier; never shirking in his duties, and often volunteering for jobs which most people would not very well relish the idea of undertaking”; and by Sgt. John Hartley (see 11^th July), who wrote to Knox’s sister, telling her, “I am sorry to have to convey you the sad news that your brother W. Knox, has been killed or rather died of wounds received a few hours earlier. He was wounded on the night of Saturday in the leg and arm and died at the field ambulance the next morning. He was extremely cheerful; everyone remarked on it who saw him though he had been partly buried for some little time by the explosion of a shell, as well as wounded. All the platoon were very sorry indeed to lose him.” The circumstances of his original burial are unclear but L.Cpl. Knox’s remains would subsequently be exhumed and re-interred at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery near Mametz.

Pte. Thomas Lloyd (see 13^th February) suffered a bullet wound to his left arm; he would be admitted to 26^th General Hospital at Etaples. 

Sgt. Brian McAvan (Bradford)

1.     Pte. Thomas McDonald (see 17^th July); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would be evacuated to England on 3^rd August.

L.Sgt. William McGill 

L.Cpl. Lawrence Matthews (Hull)

Pte. Thomas Metcalfe 12153 

Pte. Clifford Midwood (see 17^th June) suffered shrapnel wounds to his left side and would be evacuated to England on 2^nd August and admitted to Northern General Hospital in Manchester.

L.Cpl. Leonard Stanley Mitchell (Huddersfield)

Pte. John Osmond O’Donnell (Dewsbury)

Pte. Patrick O’Neill 

Pte. Ernest Perry; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown and, in the absence of a surviving service record, the details of his subsequent service are unclear. He was a 36 year-old draper from Elland and had been an original member of the Battalion. 

Pte. Herbert Willis Pickles (see 11^th June 1915) suffered wounds to his left arm and neck; he was admtited via 104^th Field Ambulance to 3^rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen before being evacuated to England two days later on the Hospital Ship Asturias. On arrival in England he would be transferred to Edinburgh War Hospital. 

Pte. John William Procter (see 17^th July) had only been with the Battalion for twelve days; he suffered severe wounds to his left arm and would be admitted via 104^th Field Ambulance and 34^th Casualty Clearing Station to 5^th General Hospital at Rouen. From there, on 1^st August, he would be evacuated to England, travelling on the Hospital Ship Asturias. Once in England he would be admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital in Warrington.

L.Cpl. William Rawnsley (Bradford)

Pte. James Robinson 12323 (Bradford)

Pte. Walter Robinson 15117 (Huddersfield)

Pte. Thomas Robson (Penrith)

Pte. Harry Salmons (Halifax)

A/Cpl. Frank Shackleton 12297 (Bradford)

Pte. George Slater (17^th October 1915); he suffered wounds to his head and to his left knee and ankle and would be evacuated to 5^th General Hospital in Rouen, where he would be treated for some weeks (details unknown) before being evacuated to England.

A/Sgt. Harry Smith 13781

A/Sgt. Douglas Smith 17862 (Earby)

Pte. Albert Edgar Smith 13789

Pte. Tom Swales (see 7^th January) was treated for some time at 11^th Stationary Hospital, Rouen, before being evacuated to England.  

Pte. Jacob Sweeting (see 9^th May) suffered wounds to his left arm and would be evacuated to England onboard the hospital ship St George on 2^nd August.

Pte. Michael Taylor 18527 (Barnoldswick)

1.      Pte. William Henry Thornton (see 17^th July); he suffered wounds to his left thigh and was admitted via 104^th Field Ambulance to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance Train to 1^st Stationary Hospital in Rouen. He would be evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship St. Patrick on 7^th August. The details of his treatment in England are unknown. 

1.      Pte. Henry Wood Thrippleton (see 14th April) suffered wounds to his back and was admitted to 34^th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont, east of Amiens. From there he would be taken, next day, by no.16 Ambulance Train to 5^th General Hospital at Rouen, but would shortly re-join the Battalion.

L.Cpl. William M. Tingle 

Pte. William Turner (Bradford)

Pte. Albert Tyerman 

Pte. John William Varnham (Halifax)

Cpl. Herbert Veal (Halifax)

Pte. Herbert Walker 12315 (Bradford)

A.Cpl. William Walsh 12004 

Pte. Joseph Walton 13061 (Bradford)

Pte. Frank Willey

Pte. Charlie Wilman (Bradford)

L.Cpl. Ben Yeadon (Yeadon)

The men reported as ‘shellshocked’ were:

L.Cpl. G. Holmes

Pte. John William Beaver

Pte. Joe Feather; he had been an original member of the Battalion, having enlisted aged 27 and had been working as a coal miner. Three of his brothers also enlisted; their father, Robert, was well known as an auctioneer in their home town of Keighley. Joe Feather would re-join 10DWR. 

Pte. Richard Harper (see 12^th September 1914)

Pte. Charles Hoyle

Pte. Amos Ibbotson (Brierfield)

Pte. George Jellett (see 31^st January) was listed as suffering from shellshock; he appears to have re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. Henry Vanderstein Joyce (London)

Pte. Anthony Lofthouse (see 15^th September 1914).

Pte. Jack Massheder; he had joined the army aged 20, having been an apprentice brush-maker before joining up; he was originally from Bradford.

Pte. Archie Munro (see above).

Pte. Owen Shaw (Staffs.).

Pte. John Smith 13382 (Keighley)

Cpl. Billy Rawlinson (see 11^th July)) who had been severely wounded at Contalmaison was evacuated to England and admitted to Southern General Hospital in Bristol.  Billy’s injuries, 47 in total, were severe, including losing the sight in his left eye and breaks to his left leg and right foot. Remarkably, he was able, within days of his injury to write to Mr. George Charnley, for whom he had worked as chauffeur and gardener before the war, to tell him how well he was being treated in hospital and to assure him that he was ‘going on well’.

The weekly edition of the Keighley News carried extended reports on the deaths of two local men who had been serving with Tunstill’s Company, along with more brief mention of others:

MEN WHO HAVE MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE

Private Francis Herbert Maltby (22) (see 11^th July), West Riding Regiment, the son of Mrs. Maltby of 41 Redcliffe Street, Keighley, has been killed by the bursting of a shell. A letter has been received from Second-Lieutenant Maurice Tribe, who said: “I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son has died, but he felt no pain. It is more than sad to know that it is only by deaths such as his, and fights such as that in which he played his part so well that England can come through this war to something better. I know it cannot lessen your personal grief but it does greatly add to his personal glory. Without such men no one can say where England would be now … Personally I am very sorry for he was invaluable to the section.” Sergeant Tom Pickles, writing to Mrs. Maltby, said: “Your son was not in the section a long time, and personally I did not know him, but the other boys liked him well. From what I have seen he was a fine lad and did his duty well and nobly. The whole section desire me to convey to you their deepest sympathy”. Private Maltby enlisted in the early stages of the war, and went abroad about twelve months ago. Formerly he was apprenticed to Mr. Arthur Tillotson, painter and decorator, Keighley. He was associated with the Devonshire Street, Congregational Church, being a member of the Young Men’s Class.

 

Pte. Bert Maltby

COWLING

TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN COMRADE

Mrs. William Benson, of 129 Crag View, Cowling, has received a private letter from Quartermaster Sergeant Frank Stephenson, informing her that her only son, Private Fred Benson (see 23^rd July), of the West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on July 11^th in France. Another Cowling man, Corporal John Hartley, writing to Mrs. Benson says, “On Monday afternoon, part of our Brigade attacked and carried a village for which there had previously been heavy fighting by other Brigades. We were in support, and as dusk fell we moved up through a heavy barrage fire to reinforce and to consolidate the position. That night and next day passed quietly. During the evening Fred and another lad went on listening post duty a little in front of the trench where we had dug ourselves in. A little later they gave the alarm and turned round to get back into the trench, but before they had gone a yard they were both hit by the Germans. A small enemy patrol had crept up within a short distance unobserved till quite close. Both staggered back somehow into the trench. A minute or two later when the alarm was over I and two others got him out and did what we could but it was of no avail and he passed quietly and gently away. He was hit just above the left hip bone and the bullet passed through and out at the right groin. I was supporting his head when he died. We were relieved in a few minutes. All the boys in the platoon with me convey to you their sincere sympathy in your loss, which is also in a less degree ours, for he was a cheerful, willing comrade. We shall all miss him very much. He was in great spirits, as we all are because of the successes of the past few days. We were all much affected by his and the other chap’s death”. Private Benson enlisted in Kitchener’s Army along with seventeen other Cowling young men in August 1914, and after training went to France in September 1915. Before enlisting he was employed as a weaver at Messrs J. Binns & Sons Ltd, Carr Mills.

A memorial service was held, conducted at the United Methodist Church, on Sunday morning last by the Rev. C.E. Penrose. Private Benson had passed through the Sunday School as a scholar. The choir rendered an anthem and Miss Whitaker played Beethoven’s ‘Funeral March’ and ‘O rest in the Lord’. A memorial service was also held at the Parish Church, conducted by the vicar, and a similar service was held at the Ickornshaw Wesleyan Church.

Pte. Fred Benson

CQMS Frank Stephenson

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Wounded

Lance Corporal Herbert Thornton (see 5^th July), West Riding Regiment, the son of Mr. T. Bailey Thornton of 75 East Avenue, Keighley, is in hospital suffering from severe wounds in the chest and leg. He is now in the hospital of St. John at Etaples.

An extended list of the names of wounded men also included Pte. Herbert Rooke (see 5^th July).

L.Cpl. Herbert Thornton

Pte. Herbert Rooke

Pte. Andrew Aaron Jackson, who would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR (see 25^th July), serving with 27^th Battalion Royal Fusiliers at Portobello, near Edinburgh, was released from 2^nd Scottish General Hospital, Craigleath, following treatment to a puncture wound to the armpit, suffered as the result of an accident.