Friday 16th March 1917

Eperlecques

Another very mild day. The Battalion worked in the vicinity of their billets. Orders were received at Brigade to prepare for a move back towards the front line.

L.Cpl. William Foulds (see 6^th January) was promoted Corporal.

Only two days after being disciplined for talking on parade, Pte. Matthew Henry Jubb (see 14^th March) repeated his offence; he was again reported by Sgt. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 14^th March); this being his third offence in less than two weeks, his punishment was sanctioned by Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 4^th March), who authorised 14 days Field Punishment no.2.

CSM Albert Edgar Palmer (see 3rd March) completed a new form of will in his army paybook, leaving all his property and effects to his mother, Emma.

Pte. Tom Lister Ellison (see 4^th March) re-joined the Battalion after ten days’ treatment at 10^th Stationary Hospital at St. Omer; he had been suffering from inflammation of his right knee.

Pte. Ernest Mudd (see 27^th February) re-joined the Battalion from 70^th Field Ambulance; he had been suffering from inflammation to his right leg.

Pte. Arnold Robson (see 27^th February) re-joined the Battalion from 23^rd Division Rest Station, following treatment for a mild case of ‘trench foot’. 

Sgt. John Thomas Matthews (see 29^th January) was admitted to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques, suffering from dental caries; he would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after 12 days.

Pte. Thomas Bownass (see 27^th October 1916), who had joined 10DWR in July 1916, was posted back to England; he was suffering from paresis (weakness or partial paralysis) of the right hand.

After spending seven weeks under treatment for impetigo, Pte. Fred Riddiough (see 5^th March) re-joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Pte. Herbert Greenwood Audsley (see 6^th November) returned to England on ten days’ leave from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Capt. Edgar Stanton arrived in France en route to join 10DWR. It has not yet been possible to make a full identification of this officer, but something is known of his recent military history. He had been commissioned Lieutenant to serve with 10^th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment on 16^th October 1914 and had then been transferred, as temporary Captain, to 9DWR on 10^th July 1915 and had gone out to France with the Battalion five days later. He had relinquished his commission on grounds of ill health with effect from 19^th April 1916, but had been re-appointed Captain on 29^th July 1916, to serve with the Training Reserve. On 19^th February 1917 he had been transferred out of the Training Reserve and posted to 10DWR.

2Lt. John Redington (see 30^h November 1916), who had previously been instructed to relinquish his commission on grounds of continuing ill health, was now declared fit to keep his commission, though only to take up office work on behalf of the Army. He was the younger brother of Capt. Frank Redington MC (see 13^th March); both men had previously served as officers with 10DWR.

Acting L.Cpl. John Widdup, younger brother of 2Lt. Harry Widdup (see 14^th March), serving with 322^nd Quarrying Company, Royal Engineers, was confirmed in his rank on a permanent basis. He embarked for France the following day.

Walter Ralph was called up for military service under the terms of the Military Service Acts, 1916 and posted to the York and Lancaster Regiment Depot for training; he was the elder brother of Pte. Kit Ralph (see 3^rd November 1916) who had been killed at Le Sars. Walter was 29 years old and married with two children; he had worked as a farm labourer before being called up.

 

Pte. Kit Ralph

A pension award was made in respect of the late A/Sgt. Lewis Thomas King (see 8^th January), who had died of wounds in August 1916; his widow, Ada, was awarded £1 5s. 5d. per week for herself and their two children.

A/Sgt. Lewis Thomas King
Image by kind permission of Clair Almond