Thursday 13th July 1916

Franvillers

Starting at 2.25pm there was a further eight miles march west, via Behencourt and Montigny, to Molliens-au-Bois, where the Battalion would remain for nine days. Whilst here they were rested but also received further training and instruction in preparation for their return to action; it was noted in the War Diary that here the Battalion was, “generally organising for another effort”. 

Lt. Cecil Edward Merryweather (see 5^th July) who had been wounded on 5^th July, having been treated locally in the first instance, was invalided back via Calais to England for further treatment to his wounds and also for the effects of ‘neurasthenia’ (shell-shock). 

Pte. Norman Greenwood (see 5^th July), who had suffered shrapnel wounds to his right thigh on 5^th July, was evacuated to England from 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport. On arrival in England he would be admitted to Edmonton War Hospital in London.

Cpl. Michael Loughlin (see 11^th July), who had been wounded two days previously, was evacuated to England; on arrival he would be admitted to the Springburn and Woodside Central Hospital, Glasgow.

L.Cpl. Arthur Fawbert (see 10^th July) and Ptes. Herbert Burgess (see 10^th July) and Tom Darwin (see 10^th July), under treatment for shell-shock in hospital in Rouen, were evacuated to England. Fawbert would be admitted to 1^st London General Hospital in Camberwell; Burgess to 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester and Darwin to hospital in Bradford for further treatment.

Cpl. George Peacock (see 23^rd March; it is not known when he had been promoted Corporal) was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 30^th Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to both legs. He would be treated there for six days before being further transferred to 1^st New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Amiens; how long he remained there is unknown.

Cpl. George Peacock

Image by kind permission of 'Menofworth'

Temporary) Major Christopher Galbraith Buckle (see 5^th July) left the Battalion to re-join and take command of 2^nd Northants. The role of second in command now reverted to Capt. Robert Harwar Gill (see 15^th May) who was again promoted Temporary Major.

Maj. Robert Harwar Gill

Pte. Cecil Stanley Pitblado (see 4^th May), who had been wounded in March, was transferred from Sandon Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital in Stafford to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Alnwick.

A payment of £5 5s. 7d. was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. John Smith (13487) (see 21^st May), who had died of wounds in May; the payment would go to his mother, Priscilla.