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.