The Battalion was ordered to be ready to move off at short
notice. This need for a possible move at short notice was in case they were required to support renewed British operations in what became known as the Battle of Pozieres Ridge, which marked a renewed phase in British operations on the Somme. As part of the attacks, the village of Pozieres itself was attacked and occupied by Australian troops.
A memorial service to remember local men killed in the war
was held in Dent Parish Church during which special mention was made
of Pte. John Bruce Davidson (see 14th July), who had died
of wounds sustained during the advance on Contalmaison. There was a very large
congregation in attendance and the service was described as “impressive” The
sermon was preached by Rev. E.S. Curwen, vicar, who remembered Davidson as, “a
member of the church choir both as a boy and as adult, and highly respected for
his willing and obliging manners”. The hymns chosen for the occasion were
'Lead, Kindly Light,' 'Now the Labourers task is o'er,' and 'On the
Resurrection Morn.' Special sermons were also preached in the Wesleyan Chapel,
Dent, by Mr. Stephen Harris, of Over Kellet.
 |
| Pte. John Bruce Davidson |
Similar memorial services, remembering Pte. Fred Benson (see 11th July) were held at the United Methodist Church,
Cowling; the Parish Church; and at the Ickornshaw Wesleyan Church. Benson had
been a member of the Sunday School at the Methodist Church, where the service
was taken by the Rev. C.E. Penrose.
 |
| Pte. Fred Benson |
Pte. Edwin Everingham
Ison (see 29th June),
who had re-joined his unit, 1st Battalion, West Yorkshires, less
than a month earlier was again taken ill. He was admitted to 17th
Field Ambulance, suffering from “pyrexia, NYD”, ie pyrexia, or raised
temperature, ‘not yet diagnosed’.
 |
Edward Everingham Ison, pictured after being commissioned with 10DWR
(Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton)
|
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