Thursday 7th December 1916

Infantry Barracks in Ypres

The Battalion returned to the trenches. After meeting their guides at the Lille Gate in Ypres at 5pm, the Battalion relieved 11^th West Yorks in the same sector which they themselves had occupied on the previous tour, again taking up positions between I.18.a.5.7. to I.18.c.4.7. on the fringes of Zouave Wood, on the southern outskirts of Hooge

As instructed by the War Office, Capt. George Reginald Charles Heale MC (see 28^th November), formally relinquished his commission on grounds of ill-health.

Lt. Cecil Edward Merryweather (see 15^th November), currently on home service with the RFA, wrote to the War Office to apply for a wound gratuity, stating his circumstances:

“I received a gunshot wound in the right thigh whilst in action in France on the 5^th July last. I was, at the time, serving with 10^th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment and was absent from duty until 5^th of September last, when I reported for light duty to the 11^th Training Reserve Battalion at Brocton Camp, Staffs., and was there until October 27^th when I was transferred to the Royal Field Artillery. I was on ‘light duty’ until about three weeks ago, when I was put on ‘Home Service’ by a Medical Board sitting at Ripon Hospital.

Hoping my application will meet with your approval.”

2Lt. George Henry Roberts (see 3^rd November), who had been in hospital in Southampton for the previous six weeks being treated for “trench fever and slight debility”, appeared before a further Medical Board. The Board found him fit for home service and he accordingly reported for duty with 3DWR at North Shields next day.

Messrs. Martineau & Reid, solicitors, acting for the Harris family, secured letters of administration for the estate of Lt. Harry Harris (see 4^th December) who had been killed at Le Sars. Harris’ estate, valued at £1,788 6s. 7d., would be administered by his father, Samuel Harris. 

Lt. Harry Harris

A payment of £11 11s. 3d. was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the family of the late Pte. Tom Emmott (see 20^th October), who had died of wounds on 19^th September; the payment would go to his father, William.

In a letter to his wife, Brigadier General T.S. Lambert (see passim), commanding 69^th Brigade, expressed his thoughts about the recent news of peace overtures by Germany.

“I hope people at home will realise what it would mean to talk of peace now. No one would like it more than ourselves but we out here cannot see that it would be to the advantage of anyone but the Boches”.

(I am greatly indebted to Juliet Lambert for her generosity in allowing me to reproduce extracts from the letters here).