Saturday 30th June 1917

Support trenches, in the area of Hill 60 and the Caterpillar (A Company at Larch Wood; B Company at The Caterpillar; C Company at The Dump and D Company at Imperial Trench (about I.34.a.7.2).

There was heavy rain throughout the day which meant that, “the ground very slippery and work very difficult”; there was also considerable German shelling.

Pte. John Dennis Moss (see 11^th September 1915) was wounded, suffering injuries to the right side of his jaw; the details of his treatment are unknown.

Pte. Isaac Raisman (see 10^th June) was discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques and would re-join the Battalion.

Pte. Harold Peel (see 7^th June), who had been wounded on 7^th June, was discharged from 7^th Canadian General Hospital at Etaples and sent to 6^th Convalescent Depot at Etaples. 

Pte. Jabez Wintersgill (see 7^th June), who had been wounded on 7^th June, was discharged from 56^th General Hospital at Etaples and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to returning to active service.

Pte. Fred Kershaw (see 1^st May) was discharged from the convalescent hospital in Ashton-in-Makerfield; he would have a week’s leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Arthur Hall (see 6^th September 1916), who had been in England since having been wounded in August 1916, was formally transferred to the Labour Corps; he would serve with 520^th (Home Service) Employment Company. 

Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 29^th June) who had been away from the Battalion since being taken ill on 18^th May and had been on sick leave in England since 12^th June, wrote to the War Office from his temporary address in Clifton, Bristol, confirming that he was now fit to return to duty:

“I have the honour to report that the 21 days sick leave granted to me … expires on 3^rd July and that I am proceeding to re-join the British Expeditionary Force on that date, being fit for return”.

Pte. Harry Smith (see 28^th April), serving with 7^th Battalion, Labour Corps, was transferred to 377^th Home Service Labour Company.

Official casualty for the month were officially recorded as being:

Killed –                               2 officers and 35 other ranks

Accidentally killed           0

Died of wounds               0

Wounded                          6 officers and 159 other ranks

Accidentally wounded    0

Missing                            13

The official cumulative casualty figures for the Battalion since arriving in France were now:

Killed                                   209

Accidentally killed                4

Died of wounds                     9

Wounded                           974

Accidentally wounded       51

Missing                                129

Friday 29th June 1917

Chippewa Camp, south-east of Reninghelst

There was heavy rain in the evening and overnight.

Maj. Charles Bathurst (see 28^th June), who had been in temporary command of the Battalion since 18^th May in the absence of Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 12^th June) was posted back to England to attend a three-month senior officers’ course. His batman, Pte. James Albert Garbutt (see 22^nd December 1916) went with him. Command of the Battalion passed temporarily to Maj. Herbert Henry Hudson MC who was transferred from 11^th West Yorks. He was 36 years old and originally from Leeds. He had been awarded the Military Cross in June 1916, not for any specific action, but for his general meritorious service.

L.Cpl. Victor Race (see 15^th June) began to be paid according to his rank, which he had previously held unpaid.

Cpl. John Stewart (see 26^th May) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance suffering from ‘debility’; he would be treated for three days before being discharged to duty.

Pte. Harry Squire (see 29th December 1916) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance suffering from a mild case of ‘trench foot’.

Pte. Charles Hammond (see 19^th December 1916) was posted back to England. The reason for his departure, whether wounded, sick or otherwise, is currently unknown.

Overnight the Battalion moved into support trenches, relieving 9^th East Surreys, behind the area of Hill 60 and the Caterpillar. A Company was positioned at Larch Wood; B Company at The Caterpillar; C Company at The Dump and D Company at Imperial Trench (about I.34.a.7.2). Battalion HQ was at Larch Wood and the transport lines at Micmac Camp. The relief passed off quietly and without incident.

Pte. William Hissett (see 31^st May) was discharged from 20^th General Hospital at Camiers and posted to XVII Corps Depot; he would remain at the Depot for two weeks before re-joining 9DWR on 13^th July.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald carried a series of reports regarding local casualties in the recent actions.

GISBURN - CORPORAL W. H. SCOTT DIES FROM WOUNDS

News has been received from the War Office by the wife of Corporal William Henry Scott (see 11^th June), Duke of Wellington's Regiment, and late of Gisburn, that he died from wounds on June 11th. We take the following extracts from a letter written by Second-Lieutenant W.G. Wade (see 15^th June):- "It is with the deepest sympathy and regret that I write to inform you of the sad death of your husband who died from the shock of his wound. Corporal H. Smith (unidentified) - a great friend of his - and myself were standing talking when a shell burst behind us. A part of the shell case struck your husband on the left cheekbone. He was unconscious, but we did not think the wound would be fatal when I wrote to your niece. It was after two or three days when we heard about his death, and owing to our frequent moving from place to place I had not the opportunity to write before. Believe me, the men of our transport deeply regret his death, and be assured that their sympathy is with you in your hour of trial, for your husband was one of the most cheerful companions and popular with his fellows. It is difficult yet to obtain news of his burial place, but I will endeavour to find out his last resting place, and should we be at any time in that district, you may be comforted to know that we will pay our deepest and fullest respects to his grave. You will be proud to know that he was always ready to volunteer to do his share of the great work."

Corporal Scott, who was 26 years of age, was at one time employed as a groom by Mr. Kerns, of Gisburn. He enlisted in September 1915, and married shortly before leaving for France.

EARBY - MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service for the two Earby soldiers (Pte. Tom Greenwood (see 24^th June) and Airman Frank Waddington), whose deaths were recorded last week, was held at the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday morning. The Rev. A. Bradfield (supt. Minister) gave an impressive and very appropriate address on 'The Christian's Hope.' The deceased had both been active members of the Wesleyan Guild before joining the colours.

ADDINGHAM - THE WAR'S TOLL

Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith have received the following official intimation of the death of their son, Pte. R. Smith (see 13^th June):-

Infantry Record Office, York.

"We regret to inform you of the death of your son, Pte. R. Smith, West Riding Regt., in the No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station, France on June 11th from shrapnel wounds in the left arm, left shoulder, and fractured humerus."

The following letter was received from the R.C. Chaplain by his mother:- "Dear Madam, - I am the R.C. Chaplain at No. 2 Canadian Clearing Station. Your son went to our hospital and I had the privilege to give him the last sacrament. I deeply regret to inform you that he died in our hospital. I buried him in our cemetery close to the hospital. His grave is Plot 14E27. The burial took place yesterday the 12th June. I beg you to accept in this trial for yourself and your family my most sincere condolences. I can assure you that he will have a part in my prayers more especially at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I remain, dear Madam, Yours truly, Edward Guay, R.C. Chaplain, No. 2 Can. Cas. Clearg. Station."

Pte. Smith had seen a good deal of active service, joining up in the early period of the war and experiencing some stiff fighting, having been wounded several times. His brother, Pte. J. Smith (see 10^th June), was one of the survivors of a torpedoed transport. There are still four brothers in the Army and one in the Navy, as well as a brother-in-law in the Army.

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following acknowledgment of parcels sent out:-

Pte. W. Townson writes from the Royal Berks. War Hospital, Reading:- "Thanks for yours of the 18th and P.O., which will come in handy later on, that is when I can get out a bit. I am pleased to say my wound is doing very nicely, and yesterday I was able to get up for a short time. Before long I am hoping to spend a few days at home. I am sorry to hear the news about Reuben; we have lost some good lads from the old village."

SKIPTON'S ROLL OF HONOUR - PRIVATE HARRY COWPER

We regret to say that news was received from the Territorial Records Office, York, on Wednesday, of the death in action on the Western Front of Private Harry Cowper (see 12^th June), West Riding Regiment, whose sisters live at 17, Brook Street, Skipton. No details are yet to hand beyond the fact that death took place on June 7th. Only 19 years of age, deceased was formerly an apprentice with the firm of Messrs. Alf Green and Co., Midland Saw Mills, Skipton. He joined up about 12 months ago and went to France in November last. His brother, Corporal Jack Cowper, is serving at the Front with the Royal Engineers.

SKIPTON STRETCHER BEARER KILLED - PTE. CHARLES ARTHUR STOTT

We regret to record the death in action on June 10th of Private Charles Arthur Stott (see 10^th June), Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regt., whose wife and child live at 14, Bennett Street, Skipton. The sad news first came to hand in a letter written by Pte. John William Atkinson MM (see 10^th June), of Skipton, to his mother, and was confirmed by the following letter from Sec.-Lieut. J. R. Dickinson (see 21^st June):- "I am very sorry to have to inform you of the death of your husband, who was killed in action on June 10th after having done three days' magnificent work as a stretcher-bearer. He was killed instantaneously while carrying a stretcher away. I am very sorry to have lost him, as I have never had a more willing and conscientious worker, and although he was not over strong he did not let it stand in his way, but worked untiringly. Please accept the deepest sympathy from the N.C.O.s and men of his platoon, and also from his fellow stretcher-bearers."

The official intimation from the War Office was received on Friday last. Deceased, whose mother lives at Brookside, Skipton, was 33 years of age, and in civil life was a clerk and was connected with the Skipton Parish Church. He joined up in August 1916, and went out to the Front last January.

There was also a further report in the Clitheroe Times regarding Pte. Fred Brown (see 25^th June), which, unfortunately was published before confirmation of his death was received by his family.

GOOD NEWS AT WADDINGTON - PRIVATE BROWN NOW REPORTED WOUNDED

A fortnight ago we published the intimation, officially confirmed last week, that Private Fred Brown, Waddington, had been killed. The grief of the relatives, however, was changed to joy last Saturday morning when the Quartermaster-Sergeant of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regt. Wrote, saying he had made a great mistake; Private Brown being “alive and fairly well”. On Wednesday morning a communication was also received from the Regimental Records Office, asking for the return of the official notice that Private Brown was killed and saying he was now reported wounded on June 7^th. The members of the family are anxiously awaiting news from Pte. Brown himself.

Thursday 28th June 1917

Le Coq de Pailie, close to Berthen

There was heavy rain in the early morning, but bright sun later, although it remained thundery, and became very hot and stuffy.

After their two week stay at Le Coq de Pailie the Battalion began a move back towards the front line. They marched first to Chippewa Camp, via Godewareswelde and Reninghelst. One night would be spent here. Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 25^th June) noted that,  “10^th WR marching rather badly but remainder well”. Among the men who were reported as having fallen out on the march without permission was the recently-arrived L.Cpl. Gilbert Swift Greenwood (see 25^th June); he was deprived of his Lance Corporal’s rank and reduced to Private. Ptes. Stanley Broadbent (see 11^th February), Thomas Caton (see 6^th April), George Chamberlain (see 28^th May), Albert Edward Everitt (see 12^th June), Louis Hodgson (see 9^th February), Lewis Lunn (see 16^th January), Albert Moore (see 12^th May), Harry Simpson (see 11^th January), William Percy Smith (see 19^th December 1916), Leonard Beaconsfield Turner (see 19^th December 1916), Thomas Ward (see 9^th June) and Joseph Henry Woodcock (see 13^th May) were all reported as having fallen out by CQMS Hubert Charles Hoyle (see 14^th January), and, on the orders of Maj. Charles Bathurst (see 19^th June), were ordered to forfeit two days’ pay and undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.2. Ptes. Charles Frederick Riddial (see 6^th May) and Fred Slater (see 10^th May) of ‘C’ Company were both reported by Cpl. George Heeley (see 19^th April) for “drinking on the line of march”; on the orders of Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 27^th June) both would be confined to barracks for three days.

Acting Sergeant John Stephenson (see 18^th April) was now confirmed in his rank of Sergeant and Acting Cpl. George Heeley (see above) was confirmed in his rank of Corporal.

2Lt. John Keighley Snowden (see 26^th February), who had been wounded at Le Sars, appeared before a further Medical Board; the Board found that “This officer is fit for general service. He states that he has some tinnitus but the aural specialist at the no 1 GH Newcastle says that he can find very little wrong with his ears”. He was instructed to re-join his unit.

After spending eight days at Woodcote Convalescent Hospital, Epsom, Pte. Mark Beaumont (see 20^th June) was discharged and granted ten days’ leave before reporting to the Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

Wednesday 27th June 1917

Le Coq de Pailie, close to Berthen

A wet day.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 26^th June) again wrote home to his father.

My Dear Dad

Thanks for the parcel of yesterday and letter of today.  The parcel was a very compact little collection of lots of things urgently needed and all, except the plaster and Oxo for which I am pleased to say there was no immediate need, were immediately taken into use. I shall selfishly keep all the plaster to myself.  The spurs are A1 in chiding the horse, much admired and make an awful difference not so much by their use as by the fact that of their being there. Jessie (my horse)   knows. Do you know I guessed the Dr Reskas were an extra from you?! On the strength of the nice EP needles I treated myself to 5 new records. I rode over to a town about six miles away for them and was able to carry them all the way back in my spare hand. 

I am glad you liked my despatch.  I had dinner with the C.O. last night and he told me that this brigade was to have the most medals given it of any this push!  We have only two Military Medals up to date but crowds are expected any day now.  Also this and our other battalion earned most praise from the Brigade!! To show how easy the victory was – our division had most casualties of any in the Push!  That was because of our flank of course. Other people drove the guns that might fire on them back in front of them.  The people on our left did not advance nor did the Bosche guns there go back.  One of those honourable but nasty positions the division has earned for itself.

The post was very early today so I am able to catch today’s outward mail which we generally miss by an hour or two.  I caught it yesterday because I happened to be up at H.Q where they sort them at the right moment, picked my own parcel out and rode off.

My Company is playing cricket this afternoon and is very anxious for me to play, but I think I shall content myself with watching.

Love to you and Mother 

Bob

P.S. We move up tomorrow and are for trenches the next night.  RCP 

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to allow me to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

 

Capt. Bob Perks DSO

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

Pte. Albert Sunderland (see 7^th June), who had been severely wounded on 7^th June, died at 26^th General Hospital at Etaples; he would be buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.

2Lt. Fred Baume (see 5^th April), currently on light duty with 3DWR at North Shields, having been wounded during the actions at Le Sars in October 1916, wrote to the War Office to enquire about the progress of his request for a wound gratuity:

“I have the honour to request that my claim for gratuity for wounds received in action may receive further consideration. I was wounded at Le Sars on October 3^rd 1916 and am at the present time, on Home Service. I have a wound about two inches long, three quarters of an inch wide and one inch and a quarter deep across the rectus femoris muscle. I am unable to take part in any strenuous sport and thus am interfered with in my civil occupation as a Sports Master. Up to this month I have been on light duty and at the present time am excused all marching”.

A gratuity payment (amount unknown), in lieu of a pension, was authorised in respect of late Pte. John Greenwood (see 23^rd April) who had died of wounds following German shelling of Ypres in January. The payment would go to his sister, Sarah.

A payment of £90 was authorised to the widow of 2Lt. Benjamin Owen Hunt (see 23^rd May), who had died of wounds a month previously. Hunt’s remaining effects were also returned to his widowed mother, Gertrude Marion Hunt; they were listed as “1 compass in case; 1 identity disc and chain; 1 ring; 1 pair of scissors; 2 studs; 1 Book of Psalms; 1 note case; 1 pipe; 1 penknife; letters; 1 photo; 1 fountain pen; 1 whistle and lanyard; 2 pencils; 1 cigarette case; 1 cheque book; 1 handkerchief; 1 note book; 2 cloth stars; 1 tobacco pouch; 1 purse; 1 Bible; 1 writing case”.

2Lt. Benjamin Owen Hunt

Tuesday 26th June 1917

Le Coq de Pailie, close to Berthen

Pte. Alfred Whittaker (see 13^th June) was again ordered to be confined to barracks for five days by Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 24^th June); the nature of his offence on this occasion is unknown.

2Lt. Sydney Charles Ernest Farrance (see 17^th January) arrived in France en route to join 10DWR.

Pte. Tom Darwin (see 22^nd June), who had been wounded on 7^th June, was evacuated to England from 3^rd General Hospital at Le Treport.

Sgt. Frederick Griggs MM (see 10^th March), who had been one of Tunstill’s original Company, having completed his course of officer training at no.7 Officer Cadet Battalion, based at Moore Park, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, was commissioned Second Lieutenant; he would be posted to 2DWR.

Pte. Robert Ellis Clayton (see 11^th February), who had, four months previously, deserted while serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Gateshead, was returned to his Battalion ‘in the custody of the civil power’; he would be immediately placed in detention to await trial by District Court Martial. 

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Robert Emson (see 2^nd February), who had been killed in action in October 1916; his father, William, was awarded 4s. per week.


A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Harold Schofield Hanson (see 6^th March 1917) who had died of “shrapnel wound to the right arm and pleurisy” in December 1916; his father, Joe, was awarded 12s. 6d. per week.

Monday 25th June 1917

Le Coq de Pailie, close to Berthen

There was further rain through the evening and overnight. 

The confusion as to the fate of Pte. Fred Brown (see 11^th June) was now definitively resolved. Brown had originally been reported killed in action on 7^th June, but this report had then been rescinded and it was reported instead that Brown had been wounded. It was now officially confirmed that Brown had indeed been killed on 7^th June and had been buried at Woods Cemetery.

Pte. Arthur Milner (see 8^th February) was promoted Lance Corporal. Ptes. Herbert Newton (see 5^th April), Thomas Riding (see 8^th May) and Wilfred Clarkson (see 22^nd July 1916) were promoted (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

Ptes. George Bernard Hardy (see 5^th May) and James Hotchkiss (see 7^th June) re-joined the Battalion from no.34 Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

L.Cpl. Gilbert Swift Greenwood joined the Battalion, having spent the previous eight weeks at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples following his posting to France on 3^rd May; the reason for his extended stay at Etaples is unclear. He was 30 years old and from Halifax, where he had worked as an assistant to a woll merchant; he had been promoted Lance Corporal whilst in training with 3DWR. Pte. Henry Richardson Oddy (see 28^th May) also joined the Battalion; he had spent the previous month at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, since arriving with a draft of more than forty men, most of whom had immediately joined 10DWR.

Pte. Victor Alexander Wildman (see 28^th May) again found himself on a charge; on this occasion for “irregular conduct, ie not having full kit on CO’s parade”. He was reported by Sgt. Arthur Kilburn Robinson (see 5^th April) and sentenced to three days’ confined to barracks by Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 15^th June).

Pte. Ernest Ashness (see 10^th May) reported sick, suffering from boils; he was admitted first to 69^th Field Ambulance and then transferred to 23^rd Division Rest Station. 

Pte. Herbert Willoughby (see 14^th June) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from myalgia.

L.Cpl. Stephen Grady (see 9^th April) and Ptes. Alfred Taylor (see 7^th March) and Edwin Waterworth (see 16^th January) were formally transferred to 69^th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, with whom they had been serving on attachment.

Pte. Thomas Fielden (see 7^th June), who had suffered a relatively minor wound to his left forearm on 7^th June, was discharged from 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. 

A Divisional horse show was held and subsequently described by Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 19^th June),  as “somewhat tedious, but an excellent show”. 

A payment was authorised of outstanding pay and allowances due to the late 2Lt. Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards (see 4^th May), who had been officially reported ‘missing in action’ following the action at Munster Alley in July 1916; the amount concerned was £46 2s. 6d.

 

2Lt. Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards

Sunday 24th June 1917

Le Coq de Pailie, close to Berthen

L.Cpl. Israel Burnley (see 27^th November 1916) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from myalgia; he would be discharged and return to duty after ten days.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 22^nd June), now in command of ‘C’ Company, wrote home to his father.

My dear Dad

Thanks very much for an extra long Monday letter.  I am glad you appreciated the letter of a young Company Commander busy preparing for the first successful battle of the war.  What?!  (I may add too quietly that all his preparations were successful - very quiet that thought.)  

I am awfully sorry to cause you alarm but I thought I should be able to get a letter off before they telegraphed.  Two things spoilt it – first and chiefly they kept us in the line extra days and second our HQ passed it on very quickly.  I nearly did not report myself (I had to report myself as OC Company) but I remembered promising Mother to go to the doctor as soon as anything was the matter, and it might have gone wrong – I had not stopped to examine it thoroughly by then.  Yes I was commanding A Coy when I got the hits and the command was no small part of the strain. (Perks had suffered a minor wound in action on 7^th June and an official War Office telegram had been sent to his parents)  I don’t think I can say much more of the Push than in the letters you must have read now.

I am getting awfully keen on riding (or rather learning to) in my spare time now.  Yesterday I went for a ride with two other Coy Commanders from about quarter to six til eight in the evening.  And this morning I actually got up for an hours ride before breakfast.  It was ripping once you were up.  

Allow me to congratulate you Sir on being the first to accede to my repeated requests for information of the pig.  Now I know her name and abode, I am still curious as to her attendants.  I suppose she more or less looks after herself until Jack can attend to her.  Is her sty another of your triumphs?

Congratulations on the toothache, but I hope further congrats will be unnecessary.  Didn’t know the Hills were out;  20 Lincs. Terriers I suppose?  We had the thunderstorm too and now it is a little cooler.  

My best love

Bob

P.S.  Just as I finished I was fetched out (11.10 pm) to see Bosche aeroplanes dropping bombs quite near our anti-craft guns and search lights.  Quite a show.     RCP .

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to allow me to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

 

Capt. Bob Perks DSO

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

Pte. Arthur Sutcliffe (see 30^th January), who had been in England since leaving 10DWR five months previously, was deemed fit enough to be posted to 3DWR prior to returning to active service.

Pte. Robert Wilson Irving (see 6^th July 1916), who had been in England for the previous 14 months after suffering shellshock, was transferred to the 360^th Labour Company, Labour Corps. 

He was one of a number of original members of the Battalion who are known to have been transferred to the Labour Corps at around the same time, although, for most, the exact date is unknown. Among these were Ptes. George Frederick Ford (see 1^st March), who joined the non-combatant Labour Corps, and Archibald Louis Norris (see 1^st March), who, like Irving, joined 360^th Labour Company.

For the others who were transferred to the Labour Corps, in the absence of their surviving records, it has not been possible to determine when they had left 10DWR or whether their departure was due to wounds, illness or other causes. They included Sgt. Thomas Flaxington (see 21^st January); Cpl. Richard Alexander Oliver (see 15^th April 1916); and Ptes. Charles Harwood (see 6^th April 1916), William Hartley (see 24th December 1915), Percy Houldsworth (see 5^th July 1916) and Anthony Mullaney. Pte. Mullaney was a married man, and had been an original member of the Battalion, enlisting in 1914 aged 36; he was originally from Ireland but had been living in Bradford where he had worked as a gas stoker. The others known to have been transferred were Ptes. Frederick Fuller, Thomas Hart, Edward Hogan, Frederick Marston, John Nunn, Harry Rowe, George Smith (12330), George Liversley Smith (12340), Fred Wainman (see 24^th May 1916), Harry Frederick Walton (In the absence of their service records I am currently unable to make a positive identification of these men).

Pte. Walter White (see 3^rd February), who had served briefly with 10DWR in 1915, was also transferred to the Labour Corps at around this time, but again the details are unknown.

A memorial service was held at the Wesleyan Chapel in Earby in memory of Pte. Tom Greenwood (see 22^nd June) and another local casualty, Airman Frank Waddington. The Rev. A. Bradfield gave what was regarded as, “an impressive and very appropriate address” on 'The Christian's Hope.' Both men had been active members of the Wesleyan Guild.  

Pte. Tom Greenwood

Saturday 23rd June 1917

Le Coq de Pailie, close to Berthen

Capt. Leo Frederick Reincke (see 13^th June) and 2Lt. Eric Dixon (see 13^th June), both of whom had transferred to the Royal Flying Corps to be trained as observers, began a one month training course for their new roles, based at Reading.

Pte. Thomas Hemingway (see 7^th June), who had suffered relatively minor wounds to his left arm and face on 7^th June, was discharged from hospital at Le Treport and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. 


Pte. Thomas Manuell (see 14^th June), who had been under treatment for ‘trench foot’, was one of 101 men transferred from 7^th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne on the opening of the new 12^th Convalescent Depot at Aubengue, north of Wimereux. The new depot consisted of just 30 bell tents but would be developed and extended such that by mid-July it would accommodate almost 500 men.

Pte. William Baxter (see 22^nd January), serving with 17^th Prisoner of War Company, was reported for “breaking out of camp and returning drunk”; he would be fined 10s. and deprived of seven days’ pay.

Pte. Fred Richmond (see 28^th April) was transferred from 7^th Battalion, Labour Corps to the newly-formed 488^th (Home Service) Employment Company of the Corps. 


A payment of £4 14s. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Thomas Berry (see 10^th July 1916), who had been officially missing in action since July 1916; the payment would go to his father, Robinson.

The weekly edition of the Keighley News reported the death of Sgt. John Thomas Hall MM (see 23^rd May) and also of wounds suffered by Pte. Leonard Pickles (see below)

MILITARY MEDAL WINNER’S DEATH

Sergeant John Thomas Hall, West Riding Regiment, a Military Medal winner, of 8 Park Terrace, Dalton Lane, Keighley, has been killed in action. A single young man aged 26, he joined the Army in September 1914, and had been at the front two years. He formerly followed his trade as a moulder with Messrs. Clapham Bros., Keighley. He was the popular captain of the Keighley Celtic football team, and was very well known and highly esteemed. Second Lieutenant A.A. Jackson, his platoon officer, writing to his mother, extends his deepest sympathy, and adds; “When he, along with six of his comrades were killed, I was in another part of the front, and received quite a shock when I heard of the great misfortune which had overtaken my platoon. By the death of your son I lose one of the smartest and most cheery sergeants in my platoon.”

Private Leonard Pickles, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Pickles, of 7 Eagle Street, Keighley, is reported missing. He enlisted in the West Riding Regiment in September 1914, and was wounded by shrapnel in December 1915, and again in July 1916. He returned to the front last March.

Leonard Pickles had been an original member of 10DWR, having enlisted at the age of 18, in Keighley. In the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish details of the wounds recorded here and it is unclear whether, by 1917, he was still serving with 10DWR or had already been transferred to 2DWR with whom he is known to have served.

Friday 22nd June 1917

Le Coq de Pailie, close to Berthen

It began to rain around 7am and continued until about 4pm.

As he had anticipated in his recent letters home, 2Lt. Bob Perks DSO (see 16^th June), now in command of ‘C’ Company, was promoted Captain. 2Lt. Joseph Crocker (see 26^th October 1916) was promoted Lieutenant.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

Cpl. Edwin Lightfoot (see 3^rd June) was confirmed in his rank and began to be paid, having previously held the rank unpaid.

Pte. Cuthbert Dyer (see 31^st December) left on ten days’ leave to England.

Pte. Harry Beaumont (29306) (see 9^th June) was was evacuated to England from 1^st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Stan Antwerpen; the details of his treatment in England are unknown.

Pte. Basil Middleton (see 7^th June), who had been wounded two weeks previously, was evacuated to England (details unknown).

Pte. Sydney Exley (see 12^th June), on completion of the ten days’ leave he had been granted following his discharge from hospital, joined 3DWR at Tynemouth.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald carried reports concerning three original members of Tunstill’s Company:

GRASSINGTON LAD RECOMMENDED FOR A COMMISSION

After nearly three years in the Army, and two on the Western Front, Lance-Corporal Christopher Longstaff (see 3^rd May), younger son of Mr. J. Longstaff of Grassington, has been recommended for a commission as Second-Lieutenant. He enlisted on the outbreak of war, and, after a year’s training, proceeded to France with the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. Since then he has seen much hard fighting, taking part in the Battle of the Somme, but has luckily so far escaped without injury. He is at present at home in Grassington and is awaiting orders to begin his training.

WOUNDED

Mrs. Thos. Darwin has received news that her husband, Pte. Thos. Darwin (see 9^th June), Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, is in hospital in France suffering from shrapnel wounds to his left shoulder. He is, however, improving nicely. Pte. Darwin only returned to France five weeks ago, after having been invalided to England last June (sic.) suffering from effects of gas and shell shock. His brother, Trooper Claude Darwin, of the Anzac Mounted Division, has been suffering from blood-poisoning in both hands, but has happily recovered. He is at present in Egypt.

L.Cpl. Christopher Longstaff (inset) and Pte. Tom Darwin (back row, third from right)

EARBY - KILLED IN ACTION

Private Tom Greenwood (see 7^th June), son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Greenwood, Cherrydene, Rostle Top Road, Earby, was killed in action on June 7th. He was 24 years of age, and had been in France nearly two years, having enlisted soon after the outbreak of war. An Earby comrade, who is home on leave, states that Pte. Greenwood was struck on the head by a piece of shrapnel and died instantly. He was formerly employed by the Earby Manufacturing Co. as a weaver, and was one of the leading spirits in the Wesleyan Guild.

 

Pte. Tom Greenwood