Tuesday 12th June 1917

Zillebeke Bund

The Battalion moved off and marched five miles further back to Halifax Camp (between Vlamertinghe and Ouderdom).

2Lt. Bob Perks DSO (see 10^th June) wrote home to his mother, explaining the significance of recent events for him personally, “We moved this morning further back to a camp which used to be shelled but is not now, owing to the advance.  To-morrow we expect to move right back, receive drafts, and start getting ship-shape again.  I am now definitely put in command of another Company (C Company) so if I stick 30 days I shall get an acting captaincy, whether I get a proper one or not (a horse also!).  I have a job on with this Company as it has lost all its officers except one who, being senior to me, has been transferred to another Company to make way for me to command.  I have had two other subs sent to me, but none of us know the Company, the men, their possibilities, and who amongst the non-commissioned officers to promote to the many vacancies.  Many of the old senior N.C.Os too are gone, and up to date, I have not even obtained a roll of the Company, so that I do not know where they all are yet.  Another busy time I see coming … My leg now I honestly forget.  I have walked and ridden my horse as usual to-day, and it only reminds me at times of a certain stiffness in itself like many a knock at football used to. We have got my gramophone going very strong again now.  One of the best trophies we took from the Bosche was a sound box made by the same Company as my gramophone and it is now very successfully in use on mine.  It is a much better one than mine was even before it got a little spoilt.”

He went on to give an extended account of attack on Hill 60 and the Caterpillar (see 7^th June).

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

 

Acting Sgt. Ronald Jeckell (see 7^th June) was now confirmed in his rank.

Cpl. Harry Raistrick (see 8^th June) was promoted Sergeant.

Acting Cpl. William Walker Rossall (see 7^th June) was also confirmed in his rank.

Pte. Arthur Heeley (see 7^th June), who had suffered severe head wounds on 7^th June, died at 83^rd General Hospital at Boulogne; he would be buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

Pte. John William Clark (20782) (see 7^th June), who had had his left leg amputated, having been wounded five days previously, died whilst onboard the hospital ship Aberdonian en route for England. He would be buried at Bilston Cemetery. 

Sgt. John Thomas Matthews (see 7^th June), who had been wounded on 7^th June, was evacuated to England from 13^th General Hospital at Boulogne, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. Patrick. Pte. Herbert Butterworth (see 7^th June), who had been wounded five days previously, returned to England from 16^th General Hospital at Le Treport; he would be treated in hospital in Stockport. Pte. John Edward Scott (see 7^th June), also wounded on 7^th June, was transferred from 18^th General Hospital at Camiers to England, onboard the hospital ship Princess Elizabeth. Pte. Sam Appleyard (see 7^th June) who had suffered a fractured left shoulder and other wounds, also returned to England; on arrival he would be admitted to hospital in Chatham. Pte. Harold Walker Bray (see 7^th June) was also evacuated to England, although the details of his injuries and treatment are unknown.

Pte. Thomas Henry Fearn (see 7^th June), who had suffered a relatively minor wound to his right arm on 7^th June was transferred from 16^th General Hospital at Le Treport to 3^rd Convalescent Depot, also at Le Treport.

Pte. Albert Edward Everitt (see 2^nd June) re-joined the Battalion following ten days treatment at 50^th Casualty Clearing Station for scabies.

Pte. Clement Wilson (see 9^th June) re-joined the Battalion; he had been in England for the previous two months having been taken ill whilst on leave. 

As conditions began to settle burial parties began to recover and identify the remains of some of those who had been reported missing on 7^th June. Ptes. John William Hardcastle (see 7^th June), Walter Horne (see 7^th June) and Charles Smith (29004) (see 7^th June) were all now confirmed as having been killed in action. It seems likely, although an exact date cannot be confirmed, that the remains of a number of other men who had been reported missing were recovered at around the same time, as in a number of cases surviving personal effects would be sent home to their families. These included Ptes. Harry Cowper (see 7^th June); Francis Seed (see 7^th June) and Henry Marshall (see 7^th June). Although it would appear that their remains were initially identified, the graves of these men were subsequently lost and they are now commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. 

Pte. Patrick Sweeney (see 8^th June), who had been absent without leave for the previous four days was apprehended by the Military Police and returned to the Battalion. He would be sentenced, on the orders of Maj. Charles Bathurst (see 9^th June), to 28 days Field Punishment no.1.

Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 3^rd June), who had been in hospital since reporting sick on 18^th May, appeared before a Medical Board assembled at Boulogne; the Board found that Raymer “is suffering from debility, the result of dyspepsia. The Board recommend that he be granted three weeks sick leave to England (Jersey, Channel Islands). Raymer would duly leave Boulogne the following day, onboard one of the regular leave boats, bound, in the first instance, for Folkestone.

Two months after returning to England suffering from myalgia, Pte. George Edward Milner (see 14^th April) was sufficiently recovered to be posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

After spending five months being treated for wounds suffered at Ypres in January, Pte. Sydney Exley (see 15^th January) was released from hospital in Bristol, with ten days’ leave.

After spending ten months being treated for the severe injuries he had suffered at Contalmaison in July 916, Cpl. Billy Rawlinson (see 4^th August 1916) was discharged from Southern General Hospital in Bristol and declared permanently unfit for any further military service.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Frederick George Carlton (see 24^th October 1916), who had been killed in action in October 1916; his mother, Judith, was awarded 4s. 6d. per week.

Pte. Frederick George Carlton

A grant of probate was confirmed in the case of Sgt. Harry Lyddington Mason (see 15^th March), who had been killed in October 1916; his estate, valued at £201 1s 1d. would be administered by his father, John.