Friday 1st September 1916

Front line trenches east of Ploegsteert Wood

At 1.30am further gas attacks were carried out by 36^th Division on the left of the Battalion. The German response was noted in the War Diary; “the first warning signals issued by the enemy were two whistle blasts and came from the direction of Barricade Avenue at 1.45am. Immediately afterwards bells and gongs were sounded and lasted about 30 seconds, it is generally thought that these alarms were sounded from some distance behind their front line system. There was the usual amount of machine gun fire during the night from the enemy who also threw about 20 trench mortar shells at our lines without doing damage”.

The rest of the day was dull, but remained dry. There was rather more trench mortar activity than usual from the Germans and also British artillery activity, though it was noted that this appeared largely to be directed against the German reserve positions. Orders were received for the Battalion to be relieved next day by 11^th West Yorks, and to retire to reserve trenches at Lewisham Lodge in Ploegsteert Wood. 

At least one man was wounded; Pte. George Henry Collinson would be evacuated to 2^nd Casualty Clearing Station near Bailleul. He was a 35 year-old carter from Huddersfield; he had enlisted on the outbreak of war and had originally served with 2DWR, going out to France in December 1914. He had been wounded in April 1915, but the details of his treatment, and the date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR are unknown.

Pte. Sydney Charles Nicholls left the Battalion and was admitted to a General Hospital in Boulogne, suffering from inflammation of the tissue in his forearm. He had been one of the men from other local villages who had been added to Tunstill’s original volunteers in September 1916. His family originated from Norfolk, where his father, Charles, had been a gamekeeper. Sydney, who was born in 1879, however, had moved to Yorkshire and had married Eleanor Kirkbright on 11^th March 1900 at Pateley Bridge. The couple set up home in Peel Place, Burley-in-Wharfedale. By the time Sydney enlisted, in Burley, on 17^th September 1914, the couple had seven children and Sydney was working as a stonemason’s labourer.

Pte. Fred Riddiough (see 17^th June) was admitted to 109^th Field Ambulance at Remy Sidings, Lijssenthoek, suffering from rheumatism.

Ptes. Harry Hinchliffe (see 24^th June) and Stanley Basil Studd (see 22^nd July), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp in Staffordshire, were posted back to France. However, they would not re-join 10DWR, but would instead be posted to 9DWR, joining their new Battalion on 28^th September.

RSM John Kearns (see 5^th January) and Col.Sgt. George Edmond Fricker (see 16^th April 1915), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, were transferred to 15^th Training Reserve Battalion, also based at Brocton. 

Sgt. Arthur Manks (see 27^th November 1915), Cpl. George Wallace Fricker (see 23^rd May), L.Cpl. Harry Clark (see 18^th August) and Pte. Thomas Bulcock (see 20^th July), serving with11DWR, at Brocton Camp in Staffordshire, were posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Having recovered from shrapnel wounds suffered in July, Pte. Clifford Midwood (see 23^rd August) was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Bertie Legg (see 22^nd May), who had been in England since having been wounded in April, was discharged from 1^st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge on furlough.

Ex-Tunstill’s Man, Dvr. Arthur Overend (see 19^th February), now serving with the ASC at Cirencester, was transferred from territorial service to the regular ASC.

Pte. Fred Richmond (see 15^th July), who had been seriously wounded while serving with Tunstill’s Company in November 1915, was transferred, from 11^th (Reserve) Battalion West Ridings at Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffs., to the newly-formed 12^th Training Reserve Battalion

Pte. Septimus Chapman (see 25^th April), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, was transferred to the newly-formed 12^th Battalion, Training Reserve..

Pte. Harry Smith (see 9^th July) was transferred from 11DWR to the newly-formed 13^th Battalion, Training Reserve.

Another man who had previously served with Tunstill’s Company, Pte. Joseph Simpson (see 11^th March), was transferred from 11DWR to 14^th Training Reserve Battalion. He had been wounded almost a year earlier.

Official notice was published in the London Gazette of the award of the Military Medal to Sgts. Thomas Henry Edmondson (see 29^th July) and Michael Kenefick (see 30^th July) for their actions at Contalmaison. Sgt. Edmondson had subsequently been seriously wounded and evacuated to England.

2Lt. John Edward Lennard (sic.) Payne (see 25^th August) who was en route to join 10DWR, was promoted Lieutenant. 

Pte. Andrew Aaron Jackson, (see 4^th August) who would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR, was transferred from 27^th Battalion Royal Fusiliers at Portobello, near Edinburgh, to 103^rd Training Reserve Battalion.

The doctor who had recently treated Lt. Paul James Sainsbury, (see 3^rd August) who would later serve with 10DWR, reported on his current condition, “I operated on the right maxillary antrum (sinus) on August 3^rd, letting out much pus. The patient is now able to pass a tube and wash out the antrum by himself. Since August 18^th the washing has been clean or have contained a little mucus.” Sainsbury was due to appear before a Medical Board to consider the extent of his recovery from the symptoms of shellshock which had arisen following 1^st July.

Lt. Paul James Sainsbury

Cpl. Vincent Edwards (see 16^th June) serving with 28^th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Fusiliers, was transferred to 104^th Training Reserve Battalion; he would later be commissioned and join 10DWR.

Albert Hoggarth (see 25^th August), who had originally attested under the Derby Scheme in November 1915, was mobilized for active service and posted to the West Riding Regimental Depot at Halifax; he would later be posted to 10DWR and serve with ‘A’ Company.

Pte. Patrick Larvin (see 6^th June), who had been severely wounded in May, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of his wounds; he was assessed as having 100% disability and was awarded an Army pension (amount unknown).

Thursday 31st August 1916

Front line trenches east of Ploegsteert Wood

With the change in the wind direction, the gas attack and trench raids which had originally been planned for 24 hours earlier were now to be carried out. All ranks in the front line had their gas helmets checked and adjusted before 1.30am. The Battalion was under strict orders that the bays in which the gas cylinders were placed were to be vacated once the release began and all men were to wear their gas helmets until ordered to remove them by a suitably-trained officer or NCO (at which point they were still to be kept in the ‘alert position’). The actual raids were to be undertaken by men from 9^th Yorkshires who were brought up from the reserve trenches near Creslow Farm. Starting at 1.30 am, gas, interspersed with smoke, was released from cylinders placed in bays along the British lines. After twenty minutes the release of gas was stopped and the raiding parties went out towards the German lines, their movements covered by 10DWR, supported by Stokes mortars firing against positions near Factory Farm and by a continuation of the artillery bombardment which had accompanied the gas attack.

The gas attack did not achieve its desired results. The raiding parties failed to obtain any useful information “owing to gas hanging about and enemy machine gun fire” and also because “the enemy’s wire, which is exceptionally strong, had apparently remained undamaged by our artillery fire”. The response of the Germans was noted; “A noticeable feature of the gas attack was the entire absence of any noise or commotion in the enemy line. No Strombus Horns, bugles or bells of any kind were heard. On the other hand a number of red Very lights were sent up by the enemy”. The red Very lights were the signals from the Germans for a supportive bombardment from their artillery. However, “His (ie. the Germans) artillery fire in retaliation to ours was almost ineffective. He succeeded only in doing damage to the actual front line trenches, the repairing of which has been carried out today. His machine gun and rifle fire was spasmodic. It is thought that a certain number of his guns on our right became temporarily jammed from the effects of our gas”. 

There were a number of casualties, including ‘self-inflicted’ casualties from the gas, which had drifted over the Battalion’s own positions. Pte. John Thompson (see 6^th June) was killed in action and would be buried at Berks Cemetery Extension, west of Ploegsteert Wood. A/Sgt. Lewis Thomas King died of gas posioning before he could be evacuated for further treatment and would also be buried at Berks Cemetery Extension. He was a 31 year-old ironstone miner from Loftus; he was married with two children and had been an original member of the Battalion. According to a report from the Dover Express, news of his death was passed to his widow by a comrade (unnamed), “From the letter of a comrade to the widow it appears that he gave his life for the men in his charge. It became necessary for them to put on their gas helmets and he, noticing that some of the fellows were having a bit of trouble in putting them on, instead of putting hs own on properly, simply threw it over his head, and then assisted the rest of the men to get ready and while he was doing this the gas came over and, some finding its way under his helmet, began to choke him. Going to the dressing station everything possible was done for him and the doctor expected him to recover, but, having been suffering from his throat recently, that made matters worse and he died very peacefully. The men of his Platoon sent a message to the widow expressing their deep regret and saying they realised what a good friend had been taken from them. The writer of the letter said his Paltoon idolised Sergeant King and thought him the finest Sergeant in the Regiment. He was a staunch and true friend and one of the best fellows that the writer had met”. Pte. Frederick Blackwell (see 17^th July) was wounded and evacuated to 1^st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, at Bailleul, where he would die later in the day; he would be buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

The eleven men wounded were as follows: Pte. John Beckwith (see 22^nd July); he suffered facial wounds and would be evacuated to 1^st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, at Bailleul. On 3^rd September he would be evacuated by no.31 Ambulance Train to hospital in Boulogne (details unknown). He would subsequently (date and details unknown) re-join the Battalion. Pte. Spencer Buckley (see 17^th July); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would be evacuated to England on 8^th September. Pte Edward Burnside (see 10^th July); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred to 12^th West Yorks. Pte. James Bentley Crosland (see 17^th July); he was suffering from the effects of gas and would be admitted via 1^st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station to 14^th General Hospital at Wimereux. Pte. John William Dean (see 17^th July) was also suffering from gas poisoning and was also admitted to 1^st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station but he was then transferred to 25^th General Hospital at Hardelot. Pte. John Edward Griffiths; he was gassed and would be evacuated to England. The full details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but whilst in England he would spend some time in the care of Sussex 54 Voluntary Aid Detachment at ‘Beechlands’, Chailey, Sussex. Having recovered, he would be transferred to the Durham Light Infantry. He was a 31 year-old labourer from Bradford and was married with two children; he had joined the Battalion at some point in 1916 (date and details unknown). Pte. Whittaker Hird; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would soon re-join the Battalion. He was a 34 year-old wool warehouseman from Wilsden, Bradford and was married with two children; he had been an original member of the Battalion. Pte. Edmund Jones; he suffered severe wounds to his face and neck, which also resulted in paralysis of the muscles in his left shoulder. He would be evacuated to 13^th Stationary Hospital in Boulogne, from where a telegram would be sent to his wife, reporting him dangerously ill. He was a 23 year-old dyers’ labourer (for Messrs. Ackroyd and Grandage), originally from Hulme but had been living in Bradford. He was married but had no children and had been an original member of the Battalion. Pte. Herbert Kitley (see 17^th June); he suffered damage to his eyes; he was admitted to 2^nd Casualty Clearing Station and would then be transferred to 13^th Stationary Hospital at Etaples. Pte. Jacob Osborne; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred via 8DWR to 2^nd/4^thDWR. He was a 22 year-old farm labourer, originally from Norfolk but had enlisted in Skipton; he had joined the Battalion at some point in 1916 (date and details unknown). Pte. Eastwood Wilkinson (see 25^th May); he suffered wounds to his right hand and would be admitted to 2^nd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau before being evacuated to England on 4^th September. On arrival in England he would be admitted to East Leeds War Hospital.

A/Sgt. Lewis Thomas King

Images by kind permission of Clair Almond

The remainder of the day, which remained fine and dry, passed off without incident.

A written statement was given by a Major (name unknown) in the RAMC regarding Lt. Cecil Edward Merryweather (see 17^th July) who had been wounded on 5^th July, and subsequently treated in England and had been on leave for the previous month. It was now stated that Merryweather, “has been attending at this hospital (name not stated) under me since July 1916. He is suffering from neurasthenia and weakness in right thigh. He is improving, but says he does not sleep well”.

Following the findings of an Army Medical Board, Pte. Carl Parrington Branthwaite (see 14^th August), was permanently discharged from the Army on account of illness. He had enlisted almost two years earlier but had been taken ill within three months and had spent much of the intervening period in hospital.

James Bell enlisted (aged 40 years and 8 months) in the Royal Engineers; he was the elder brother of Pte. Robert William Bell (see 15th June) who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits. James had previously served in both 3^rd and 6^th Battalions DWR, rising to the rank of Colour Sergeant.

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

Killed                                     1 officer and 31 other ranks

Accidentally killed               0

Died of wounds                   1 officer and 5 other ranks

Wounded                            12 officers and 208 other ranks

Accidentally wounded       6 other ranks

Missing                                15 other ranks

10DWR’s casualties were recorded as:

Killed                                     5 other ranks

Accidentally killed              0

Died of wounds                  2 other ranks

Wounded                           23 other ranks

Accidentally wounded      2 other ranks

Missing                                6 other ranks

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

Killed                                       97

Accidentally killed                  4

Died of wounds                       6

Wounded                             492

Accidentally wounded         45

Missing                                   74

Wednesday 30th August 1916

Front line trenches east of Ploegsteert Wood

In preparation for the planned gas attack, officers of the Battalion conducted a gas helmet inspection in the morning. There was heavy and persistent rain throughout the day but the with the wind veering round to the west, conditions became more favourable for the proposed gas attack and trench raids and, after a final check on conditions at 10 pm, orders were confirmed for the release of gas in the early hours of 31^st August.

Tuesday 29th August 1916

Front line trenches east of Ploegsteert Wood

The weather took a marked turn for the worse, with heavy rain for much of the day. It was reported that, “Trenches became bad as a result and collapsed in places”. Faced with similar problems, the Germans had been “according to report … working particularly hard improving his trenches, he has also become most persistent in rifle and machine gun fire during late night and early morning”. It had been intended to launch a gas attack against the German lines at 1.30am on the morning of the 30^th, to coincide with raiding parties attacking the German lines, but these operations were postponed owing to a change in the wind direction.

Cpl. Charles Marsden (see 1^st August) was promoted Acting Pioneer Sergeant.

Pte. John Edward Smith was appointed Acting Corporal; he had been an original member of the Battalion and had enlisted in Bradford in September 1914. He had enlisted aged 31 and working as a labourer; he was married but had no children.

After seven weeks in hospital L.Sgt. John Bargh (see 7^th July) (he had lost his acting rank of sergeant being no longer on active service), was discharged from Edinburgh War Hospital. He would have a period of furlough before reporting to the Regimental Depot..

Enquries continued regarding 2Lt Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards (see 23^rd August) who was officially reported ‘missing in action’ following the attack on Munster Alley. A statement was taken, at 5^th General Hospital, Rouen, from Pte. George Slater (see 29^th July), who had been a member of ‘B’ Company, but not in Brinsley-Richards’ platoon. Slater said simply, “Mr. Richards belonged to B Company, 8 Platoon. I believe he was killed but cannot give any details. I was told that he was killed by Pte. Bell of No.6 Platoon”. 

2Lt. Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards

Pte. Tom Darwin (see 24^th August), having been absent without leave from the Regimental Depot at Halifax for the previous five days, now returned to duty. On the same day, Darwin’s brother, Trooper Claude Darwin (see 27^th August), serving with 11^th Australian Light Horse in Egypt, who had been taken ill two days earlier was transferred from 53^rd Welsh Field Ambulance to 24^th Stationary Hospital. 

The family of Pte. James Edward Haley (see 17^th July), who had been taken prisoner on 29^th July, received a letter from their son, confirming that he was being held at a prison camp in Germany.

Monday 28th August 1916

Front line trenches east of Ploegsteert Wood

The events of the day are clearly described in the War Diary, “Very dull day. There has been no hostile shelling on the front-line, but about six howitzer shells fell in the neighbourhood of BHQ during the late afternoon. Enemy aircraft has been unusually active during the day. The usual machine gun and rifle fire was indulged in by the enemy during the night. Much progress has been made in wiring the new trench, valuable assistance has been given by the 9^th South Staffs.”

Pte. Henry Edgar Grass (see 6^th June) suffered an accidental bayonet wound to his left leg; he would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance and 1^st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station to 13^th General Hospital in Boulogne.

Pte. Frank Woodall was reported as ‘accidentally wounded’ (details unknown). He was 22 years old and originally from Goole, but had been living in Cornholme, near Todmorden, where he had been working at the local gasworks; he had joined the Battalion in the Spring or early Summer of 1916 (date and details unknown). He would be evacuated to 8^th Stationary Hospital in Boulogne.

Sgt. Edgar Shuttleworth (see 23^rd August) was transferred from 69^th Field Ambulance via 70^th to 23^rd Divisional Rest Station, following treatment to his injured right knee.

Pte. Charles Davey (see 25^th June), who had been in England since having been wounded in June, was discharged from the Royal Infirmary in Sunderland and posted to 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead.

Ptes. Herbert Burgess (see 2^nd August), Walter Charlesworth (see 15^th August), Patrick Conley (see 20^th August) and Tom Nixon (11904) (see 22^nd July) were posted from 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase to 3DWR at North Shields.

A Medical Board meeting at Osborne Hospital on the Isle of Wight considered the condition of 2Lt. Ernest Cyril Coke (see 2^nd August), who had been wounded in the actions around Munster Alley, losing the tip of the middle finger of his left hand; the Board found that, “The wound has now almost healed and there is a good stump”. Coke was discharged from hospital, but declared unfit for any duty for a further month.

Lt. Frank Hird, brother of Lt. Frederick Hird (see 14^th August) who had been killed at Munster Alley, wrote to the War Office regarding his brother’s effects; “My brother, Lieut. Frederick Hird, 10^th DWR and attached to Trench Mortar Battery A69, was killed on 29^th July. I should be deeply obliged if you could let know whether my brother left any directions with the War Office as to the disposal of his effects and any money that may be standing to his credit at Cox’s”. Frank Hird was himself engaged as a “Church Army Commissioner”, attached to VIth Corps Headquarters, BEF.

Sgt. John Davis, serving with 7^th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment was posted back to England to begin his officer training; once commissioned, he would serve with 10DWR. John Davis (born January 1895) was the eldest of seven children of John Henry and Selina Davis and had been born and brought up in West Bromwich where his father worked as a whitesmith for a typewriter manufacturer. John junior had himself worked as an assistant cashier for J. Brockhouse & Co. and then for the City of Birmingham gas department. He was also a territorial soldier, having joined 7^th Worcesters on 18^th April 1912, aged 17. He was called up for service on 5^th August 1914 and appointed Lance Corporal, being promoted Acting Corporal on 4^th December. He embarked for France with his Battalion on 31^st March 1915 and was formally promoted Corporal on 24^th April; by 7^th January 1916 he had been promoted three times more, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Patrick Sweeney signed his enlistment papers at the West Riding Regimental Depot in Halifax and was posted to 3^rd Battalion at North Shields; he would later serve with 10DWR. Patrick Sweeney was 32 years old and had been living in Ormskirk, Lancs. and working as a marine fireman. He had a long and chequered military career behind him. Sweeney had first joined the Army in September 1904, aged 20; he had served for over seven years with 1DWR, including more than six years spent in India. However, he had a series of brushes with military discipline, notably spending ten days in detention in 1910 for “using obscene language and attempting to strike an NCO” and a further 28 days detention in 1911 for being asleep whilst on sentry. He had been transferred to the Reserve in March 1912 and had, within two months, been convicted on two charges of assault and served time in prison. It was following this that he had taken up his job as a marine fireman and had been granted ‘sea leave’ from the Army Reserve for two years from November 1912. However, on the outbreak of war he had been called up from the Reserve and posted to the Regimental Depot at Halifax on 5^th August 1914. He was then transferred to 3DWR on 6^th November and was, briefly, promoted Lance Corporal, before reverting to the ranks after just a month on account of misconduct. He was posted to France on 27^th January 1915 to join 2DWR. Within ten days he had been wounded while the Battalion was occupying trenches near Dranoutre, south of Ypres and was evacuated to England on 8^th February. He was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit on 8^th July 1915. Despite this, he now re-joined and was declared fit for service.

Sunday 27th August 1916

Front line trenches east of Ploegsteert Wood

A similar, large working party was again provided as had been the case the previous day. The War Diary noted, “The enemy fired this morning about 20 70mm shells at a working party of the 9th South Staffords doing a certain amount of damage, particulars as to the extent are not to hand. Our 60 lb trench mortars registered this morning. The enemy retaliated with a few trench mortars all along the line we were holding. There was also considerable enemy rifle and machine gun fire last night and early this morning. The day has been showery”.

Pte. Edwin Kenyon (see 17^th August) was discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion; he had been suffering from influenza.

Acting L.Cpl. Fred Dyson (see 26^th July), attached from 2DWR to 23^rd Northumberland Fusiliers (4^th Tyneside Scottish) was confirmed, and paid, in his rank. He would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR.

Trooper Claude Darwin (see 8^th April), serving with 11^th Australian Light Horse in Egypt was taken ill, suffering from diarrhoea; he was admitted first to 1^st/2^nd East Anglian Field Ambulance and then transferred to 53^rd Welsh Field Ambulance. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin (see 24^th August).

Saturday 26th August 1916

Front line trenches east of Ploegsteert Wood

On what was a very showery day, the German artillery was very quiet other than when sending over some trench mortar shells, causing damage to a dugout but no casualties. The Battalion provided a working party of three officers and 120 men for the Royal Engineers working on improving the British positions.

Pte. George Barber (see 11^th August), who had spent the previous two weeks in hospital at Etaples after being taken ill, was evacuated to England.

Cpl. Christopher John Kelly (see 14^th July) was discharged from 2^nd Scottish General Hospital, Edinburgh where he had been under treatment having been wounded three months earlier.

Pte. Reginald Jerry Northin (see 10^th July), who had been in England since having been wounded on 10^th July, was posted to 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs..

Pte. William Sutcliffe Wood (see 30^th May), who had spent three months in hospital in Manchester being treated for dysentery, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Friday 25th August 1916

Huts along the Rue du Sac, near Pont d’Achelles

The men were up early. Tea was provided at 2 am and the Battalion marched off at 3 am, via Romarin to rendezvous with their guides at Hyde Park Corner, west of Ploegsteert Wood. From there they were led to the front line positions which they were to occupy. These ran from just south of Factory Farm north-west to Prowse Point, including the new section of trench which they had themselves dug just a few days earlier. Company Commanders, along with the Lewis Gun and Bombing Officers, each accompanied by an NCO were in position by 2pm to take over trench stores and inspect the line. By 6 am all four Companies were in position in the front line. The weather remained fine and British artillery fired intermittently throughout the day. During the day the Germans were very quiet, but “as darkness came along he was somewhat busy with machine-gun and rifle fire, all of which passed harmlessly overhead”.

Pte. Frank Brooks (see 29^th July), who had been officially missing in action since 29^th July, was now confirmed as having been taken prisoner by the Germans; he had been wounded in action and had had his left foot amputated.

Six new subalterns posted to join the Battalion arrived in France. 2Lt. Robert Main Graham was 23 years old; he was the youngest son of Daniel and Isabella Graham. He had been born and brought up in Glasgow and had attended the University, where he was a member of the OTC. He had been commissioned in August 1915. 2Lt. Arthur Halstead (see 6^th July) had been commissioned from the A.S.C.; he was 22 years old. 2Lt. Benjamin Owen Hunt was 21 years old; he was from Brighton, the second of nine children of Benjamin and Gertrude Hunt. His father, Benjamin, had built up a successful business but had died on 11^th October 1910. On 15^th September 1914 Hunt had volunteered to serve with 1^st Home Counties (Territorial) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, with whom he served in England firstly as a gunner, and latterly as a driver, until he was commissioned on 31^st May 1915. 2Lt. Godfrey Samuel Isaacs was 20 years old; he was the son of Samuel and Emma Isaacs and had been born and brought up in Brixton. He had enlisted as a trooper in the Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary’s Regiment) on 1^st October 1914 and served in England until being commissioned on 18^th May 1915. 2Lt. John Edward Lennard (sic.) Payne was 32 years old, the son of Rev. Charles Lennard Payne, Little Brunswick Rectory, Billericay, Essex. He had enlisted in 16^th (Public Schools) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment on 5^th September 1914, at which point he gave his occupation as ‘artist’ and declared that he had previously lived for some time in Brunswick, Germany. He had been commissioned on 7^th May 1915. A week after being commissioned he had married Florence Julia Rensham. George Henry Roberts was three days short of his 26^th birthday; he was one of seven children of Edward and Mary Roberts. His father owned a clothier’s business in Huddersfield, while George had worked for a local grocer before the war. He had enlisted with West Ridings in August 1914 and had remained with 11^th (Reserve) Battalion for the next year, rising to the rank of Acting Sergeant, before being commissioned on 15^th September 1915.

2Lt. Benjamin Owen Hunt
Image by kind permission of Neville Hunt

Acting Corporal Stephen Brown Airey, serving with 4^th Cameron Highlanders, was confirmed Lance Corporal and posted to France; he would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR. He was one of eight children of Francis and Isabella Airey and had been born, on 23rd October 1890, in Grassington, though the family had subsequently moved to Skipton. He initially worked as a factory hand but had then taken up a post as a policeman with West Riding Constabulary. On 13^th August 1915, in Leeds, he had enlisted in 3^rd (Territorial) Cameron Highlanders and six weeks later had been appointed Acting Corporal. He had been transferred to 3^rd Battalion on 12^th July.

Pte. Clifford Gough (see 22^nd July), who had only been with the Battalion for a month, was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from myalgia; he would spend a week there before returning to duty on 1^st September.

Pte. James Loxam (see 1^st August), who had been in England since having been accidentally wounded in July, was discharged from 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester; he would have ten days’ furlough before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields on 4^th September.

In Sedbergh, North Yorkshire, Mr. T.P. Shaw, proprietor of Shaws Grocers and Confectioners, wrote a character reference for Albert Hoggarth, who was shortly to be called up to join the Army; Albert would later be posted to 10DWR and serve with ‘A’ Company. Mr. Shaw stated that, “Albert Hoggarth has been in my employ since May 1913. During these three years he has had sole charge of the bakery and has done all the baking and cooking in the most satisfactory manner. He is very energetic and can be strongly recommended to any post.” Albert Hoggarth was 25 years old and had been born in Kendal, the only son (with three sisters) of Joseph and Elizabeth Hoggarth. His mother had died when Albert was only a child and his father had re-married in 1899 and he and his second wife, Mary Eleanor, had two further children before Jospeh had died in 1907. Albert had attested under the Derby Scheme on 20^th November 1915.

Thursday 24th August 1916

Huts along the Rue du Sac, near Pont d’Achelles

All the men had the opportunity of taking a bath and “some physical training has also been indulged in”. Orders were received for the Battalion to be made ready to relieve 8^th KOYLI in the trenches next day.

Pte. Fred Teal (see 25^th April) was briefly admitted to hospital (details unknown); he would re-join the Battalion after two days.

Pte. Thomas Delaney (see 10^th July), who had been in hospital since having been wounded in July, was discharged from Paddington VAD Hospital on one month’s furlough.

Pte. George Edward Western (see 1^st June), who had been in England since having been wounded in May, was discharged from the Lord Derby Hospital in Warrington; he would have two weeks’ leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Tom Darwin (see 22^nd July), who had been in England receiving treatment for wounds and shell-shock suffered in the actions at Contalmaison, was now reported absent without leave from the Regimental Depot at Halifax.

Wednesday 23rd August 1916

Huts along the Rue du Sac, near Pont d’Achelles

As the recent fine weather continued, it was reported that, “The Battalion is being practised in musketry, handling of arms, inspections of arms, equipment, gas helmets and iron rations”. All of this was in preparation for an early return to the front line.

The death of Acting Sgt. Albert Herd (see 22^nd August) necessitated a review of some of the NCO’s in Tunstill’s Company and Lt. Dick Bolton (see 22^nd August) recorded in his notebook that Herd was to be replaced as platoon sergeant by Lance Sgt. William Walsh (see 29th July), who in turn would be replaced by the promotion of Cpl. Charles Edward Parker (see 23rd February); Parker’s replacement would be Lce. Cpl. John Stewart (see 30^th July) and to complete the changes Pte. Maurice Bannister (see below) would be promoted L. Cpl. In place of Stewart.

Sgt. Albert Herd

Lt. Dick Bolton

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

L.Sgt. Charles Edward Parker (standing centre)

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Maurice Bannister had been one of the Keighley volunteers added to Tunstill’s original recruits in September 1914. He had enlisted, aged 31, having been working as an iron turner and living with his widowed mother, Adelaide, in Hainworth Wood Road, Keighley.

L.Cpl. Maurice Bannister

Over the next two days the men were able to take baths and were occupied with some light physical exercise, training and inspection of kit in preparation for a return to the line. 

Sgt. Edgar Shuttleworth (see 21^st August) was admitted first to no.8 Casualty Clearing Station and then transferred to 69^th Field Ambulance; he was suffering from ‘synovitis’ (inflammation) of his right knee.

Pte. Amos Ibbotson (see 29^th July), who had left the Battalion three weeks previously, suffering from shellshock, was evacuated to England.

After spending three weeks under treatment at Northern General Hospital in Manchester for shrapnel wounds suffered in the actions near Pozieres, Pte. Clifford Midwood (see 29^th July) was discharged to a convalescent hospital. 

2Lt. John Redington (see 27^th July), who had left the Battalion six weeks earlier and had since been evacuated to England, appeared before a Medical Board, which found that, “This officer has been suffering from extreme weakness for the past six months in France. He was unable to march without pain, which was chiefly located in the left inguinal region. The pain is attributed to adhesions in the appendicular region.” He was granted one months’ leave before being re-examined.

Enquiries continued regarding 2Lt Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards (see 16^th August) who was officially reported ‘missing in action’ following the attack on Munster Alley. A statement was taken from Pte. Archibald Louis Norris (see 4th November 1915), who was then at the Lewis Gun School at Le Touquet. Norris had been in Brinsley-Richards’ platoon and reported that, “He was killed at what is now Munster Alley, Contalmaison at the end of August (sic.). He got through the Friday all right, but got “knocked” on the Saturday. He was killed outright by a bomb. His body was badly smashed I saw him go down. This occurred near the German parapet. I don’t know if his body was brought in. The 8^th Yorks., Durhams and Northumberland Fusiliers relieved us at this point and buried our dead. We were driven back from the ground where Mr. Richards fell, but it was recaptured soon afterwards.”

Aside from the obvious error in the month, Norris’ account, given that he was an eye-witness, seems perhaps the most reliable version of what happened to Brinsley-Richards. It is considerably different from several of the other accounts. Norris had enlisted in November 1914 and been posted to 10DWR. He would be wounded in December 1916 and, having recovered, was transferred to the Labour Corps until discharged in February 1918.

2Lt. Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards

Lt. Thomas Beattie, (see 8^th August) who had been wounded in the left shoulder by shrapnel three weeks earlier while serving with 9DWR underwent a third operation at no.2 Western General Hospital in Manchester. Beattie himself later reported that, “This operation was successful as all the shrapnel was extracted”.

2Lt. Eric John Lassen (see 25^th June), who had briefly served with the Battalion in June, was formally posted to join the Army Signals Service, a branch of the Royal Engineers.