Wednesday 14th February 1917

Brigade support positions at Zillebeke Bund and around Observatory Ridge

(One Company in Stafford Street, in Sanctuary Wood (I.24.b.3.5); two platoons at the Redan, just north of Rudkin House; two platoons at Maple Copse; and the remaining two Companies at the north-west edge of Zillebeke Bund (I.21.a.1.5).

Working parties were supplied for the front line. The day was bright and sunny and the recent slight thaw of the ground continued. Although there is no mention in the War Diary at the time, a subsequent entry reported that “Pte A. Foster was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during a bombardment with Gas shells at Ypres on the night of 14^th/15^th February”. Pte. Arthur Foster was an original member of the Battalion, though not of Tunstill’s Company. Aged 20, and a farm worker, he had enlisted in Bradford on 2^nd September 1914 and had been posted to join the newly-formed 10^th Battalion on 18^th September.

Pte. Ernest Heyhirst (see 11^th December 1916) was reported by Sgt. Joseph Bona (see 2nd February) as being “unshaved and having a dirty rifle on 12.30pm parade”; on the orders of Maj. Charles Bathurst (see 3rd January) he was to be confined to barracks for three days.

Pte. Richard Metcalfe (see 16^th January) was reported by Sgt. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 4^th October 1916) as being, “unshaven on rifle in section parade about 1.30pm”; on the orders of Maj. Charles Bathurst (see above) he was to be confined to barracks for three days.

Pte. Edwin Wood (see 6^th June 1916) was evacuated to England having, at some point (date and details unknown), been wounded; the details of his treatment in England are unknown.

Ex-Tunstill’s Man, Dvr. Arthur Overend (see 2^nd November), now serving with the ASC, embarked at Southampton en route for Le Havre; on arrival in France he would join 508 Company, ASC, attached to 57^th Division.

Pte. Jacob Sweeting (see 14^th November 1916), serving with 83^rd Training Reserve, based at Gateshead after having been wounded on the Somme in July 1916, was married, in Sunderland, to Edith Nesbitt.

John Widdup, younger brother of 2Lt. Harry Widdup (see 13^th February), who had attested for military service in December 1916, was called up and posted to 322^nd Quarrying Company, Royal Engineers.

2Lt. Harold Watthews arrived in France, en route to join 10DWR. Born 1^st January 1898, he was the third son of Dr. Herbert Watthews of Holmfirth. He had been educated at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, where he had been a keen rugby footballer, being a prominent member of the Champion XV. of 1914-15, and a N.C.O. in the O.T.C. On 8^th March 1915, he had applied for a commission and had been appointed Second Lieutenant, on probation, with 3DWR, on 24^th March 1915. He had been promoted Lieutenant on 12^th November 1915 whilst still only aged 17. He had then spent 15 months based at North Shields. Having turned 19 he was now eligible for active service.

2Lt. Harold Watthews

A payment of £22 19s. 3d. was authorized in respect of pay and allowances due to the late Pte. George Harold Toseland DCM (see 25th September 1916) who had been killed in September 1916; the payment would go to his father, George William.