Tuesday 13th February 1917

Trenches near Observatory Ridge

Conditions were again quiet. The day was bright and with no frost, but there were some snow showers. In the evening the Battalion was relieved by 11^th West Yorks and went into Brigade Reserve. One Company went to Stafford Street, in Sanctuary Wood (I.24.b.3.5); two platoons to the Redan, just north of Rudkin House; two platoons to Maple Copse; and the remaining two Companies to the north-west edge of Zillebeke Bund (I.21.a.1.5). The relief was complete by 8.30pm.

Pte. Patrick Sweeney (see 9^th February), who had been admitted to no.10 Casualty Clearing Station four days previously, for treatment for gonorrhoea, was transferred to no.51 General Hospital at Etaples.

2Lt. Fred Baume (see 5^th December 1916), currently on light duty with 3DWR at North Shields, having been wounded during the actions at Le Sars, wrote to the War Office to request consideration for a wound gratuity. Writing from his address at 32 Percy Gardens, Tynemouth, he detailed his case:

“Whilst at Le Sars on 3^rd October 1916, I was hit by the disc from a shell weighing 8ozs. After passing through four thicknesses of clothing, this inflicted a wound about two inches long and one inch deep midway between the knee and the thigh, and severely injuring the muscles. The condition of the wound was further aggravated by the fact that I was compelled to hobble and be dragged for six miles to Bazentin le Petit.
After being at Somerville College, Oxford, I rejoined here for light duty on December 5^th, and two later boards have again given me light duty without marching. I am, at the present time, undergoing massage treatment at the VAD here, and am forbidden to walk above two to three miles. The muscles are still very weak and my walking is thus affected”.

Pte. Keith Sagar Bain (see 2^nd February), who had remained at the Infantry Base Depots at Le Havre since arriving in France two months earlier, was transferred to England to begin his officer training course; he would later serve with 10DWR.

2Lt. Harry Widdup (see 31^st January), currently on sick leave in England, appeared before an Army Medical Board. The Board found that, “he still complains of pains in his knees, ankles and hands which varies with the weather. He is still under dental treatment. His general health has improved and he has gained 14 lbs in weight since the commencement of his leave”. He was declared unfit for duty, with his case to be re-examined in a months’ time. Widdup gave his current address as ‘Ferndale’, St Johns Road, Morecambe.

A ‘benefit concert’ was hosted at the Brighouse Wheelers’ Club to raise money in support of Pte. William Noble (20175) (see 10^th November 1916), who had suffered severe wounds in October 1916 resulting in the amputation of his right leg.

A payment of £3 14s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Frederick Douglas Wood (see 29^th July 1916) who had been killed in action in Juily 1916; the payment would go to his father, Fred.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Mark Whitelock (see 24^th November 1916), who had died of wounds in August 1916; his widow, Sarah Ann, was awarded 15s. per week.