Friday 6th October 1916

Support trenches north-west of Martinpuich.

The weather was much improved and on a bright, warm, sunny day the men were rested as much as possible, although some carrying parties had still to be found to supply the front line with water, rations and other trench stores. The current difficulty in delivering vital supplies to the front line was noted by the Divisional Trench Mortar Battery: “Strenuous attempts made to collect parties to carry ammunition to guns, but without avail”. Rain came on in the evening and orders were received that the Battalion would, next day, again move forward to provide support to 11^th West Yorks. in a further attack they were to launch against the German lines near Le Sars.

Pte. Harold Beighton (see 4^th October), who had been wounded two days’ previously, died of his wounds at South Midland Casualty Clearing Station and would be buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. 

There was a need for a round of promotions following the recent losses in action. 2Lt. Frank Redington (see 4^th October) was given temporary command of ‘C’ Company, though, for the time being, retaining his current rank. Sgt. William Jones, MM, (see 21^st September) was promoted Company Sergeant Major, initially in an acting capacity, but with his appointment confirmed a few days later; he went with Redington to ‘C’ Company. (Acting). L.Sgt. John William Dickinson (see 20^th September) was confirmed in his post. Cpl. John Stewart (see 27^th September) was promoted Acting Sergeant and Cpl. Thomas Walsh (see 21^st June) (unpaid) Lance Sergeant. Cpl. Fred Swale (see 3^rd September) began to be paid for his rank (his promotion had previously been unpaid), while LCpl. George Mitchell (see 19^th September) was promoted Corporal. Pte. Christopher Longstaff (see 6^th May) regained the rank of Lance Corporal which he had lost following a breach of discipline five months earlier.

L.Sgt. William Proctor (see 4^th September) was discharged from 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and re-joined the Battalion; he was also promoted Sergeant.

Cpl. Thomas Walsh (seated), pictured with other NCO's of 'A' Company

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Cpl. Fred Swale

Image by kind permission of Joan Rigg

L.Cpl. Christopher Longstaff

It seems likely also to have been on this day that men began to write letters home to the families of their pals who had been killed over the last few days. Cpl. Leslie Seymour Perks (see 5^th October) wrote to the wife of Pte. Herbert Rooke (see 5^th October), telling her, “It is with much regret that I write to inform you of your husband’s death. He was killed on the night of October 4, during an advance on the German trenches. Death was instantaneous. He was buried on the following day by his comrades, who put a cross to mark the spot. Please accept my sincerest sympathies.”

Pte. Herbert Rooke

Pte. William Henry Thornton (see 29^th July), who had been in England since having been wounded in July, was discharged from hospital and posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

2Lt. Charles Crowther Hart (see 8^th September) who had been suffered gunshot wounds to the right leg in the fighting around Munster Alley, appeared before another Medical Board. He was now declared fit for home service and instructed to join 3DWR at North Shields.