Monday 29th January 1917

Front line trenches in Sanctuary Wood (I.24.b.2½.8½ to I.24.b.8½.3½)

The recent freezing weather continued. It was reported that, “The enemy was rather more active than they were during the previous tour in this sector”, but the Battalion suffered no casualties.

L.Sgt. John Thomas Matthews (see 15^th November 1917) was promoted Sergeant.

LCpl. Ronald Jeckell (see 14^th November 1916) was promoted Corporal.

Pte. James Robert Ingleson (see 12^th November 1916) was reported by Cpl. Robinson (unidentified) for “neglect of duty; ie dumping rations (water)”; on the orders of 2Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 14^th January) he would be confined to barracks for five days.

Pte. Jacob Carradice Green (see 12^th January) who had returned to duty less than three weeks previously following a stay in hospital, was re-admitted.

Pte. Jacob Carradice Green

The War Office confirmed that Capt. George Reginald Charles Heale MC (see 25^th January) had been re-commissioned and instructed to join 3DWR at North Shields as soon as possible.

 

Capt. George Reginald Charles Heale MC

A medical report on Carl Parrington Branthwaite (see 4^th December 1916), who had been permanently discharged from the Army on account of illness contracted in service and had undergone a major operation seven weeks earlier to address the symptoms of TB, found that he “looks wasted and ill”, but that “no TB found in sputum”. He was declared to be totally incapacitated for at least three months.

Following his claim three months earlier for a war pension Fred Tate (see 17^th October 1916), who had been an original member of ‘A’ Company but had been discharged on grounds of ill health whilst the Company was in training, was examined by a Medical Board at East Leeds War Hospital. Tate was found to be suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and he reported the circumstances as, “16 (sic. recte 26) months ago commenced to have a cough and pain in right hand side and became short of breath. Was then in training at Frensham Camp, Surrey. Reported sick but was not taken to hospital, but discharged 12^th November 1914 by Regimental MO. Then, six months later admitted to Otley Union Infirmary. Was there 12 months. Latterly working at dye works”. When Tate was examined it was reported that, “Tubercular bacilli found in sputum in very large numbers. Now complains of shortness of breath and pains in the chest. Never spits blood now; last did so two months ago. Says has lost weight. Appears dull mentally and any history is extremely difficult to extract.” The Board had evidence from “Lt. Col i/c 10^th West Ridings who states that at present there is no officer serving with this Battalion who can give information as to exposure, rations etc objected to by this man” and they concluded that the TB was not caused by Tate’s military service, thus rendering him ineligible for any pension. However, he was awarded a gratuity of £52.


A further payment, of £2 19s. 5d was authorised, being the balance outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Anthony Hudson (see 15^th March 1916), who had been killed in action in December 1915; the payment would go to his married sister, Mrs. Fanny Hall. It is unclear why there had been such a prolonged delay in the release of this final amount.