Friday 27th July 1917

Billets between Zudausques and Boisdinghem.

Another very hot day.

The Battalion was occupied in training, with a particular focus on musketry. Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 24^th July) had expressed his hope that “we may be able to put the men through a certain amount of proper musketry training. It is what they most want but ranges are not very east to find as a rule. We were near this place and did some musketry here during the winter but now it might do them more good”.

L.Cpl. John William Mallinson (see 15^th June) was reported for “insolence to an NCO”; on the orders of Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 23^rd July) he was reduced to the rank of Private.

L.Cpl. William Stowell joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, having originally been posted to France on 6^th July to join 2DWR. He was a 29 year-old foundry labourer from Halifax; he had been called up in July 1916 and had trained with 3DWR at North Shields.

L.Cpl. Arthur Lund (see 22^nd July), who had been wounded five days’ previously, was evacuated to England for further treatment.

Pte. John Foster (see 14^th July), who had injured his knee whilst on a carrying party two weeks previously, was evacuated to England from 47^th General Hospital at Le Treport onboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis. On arrival in England he would be admitted to Guildford War Hospital.

Pte. Alec Radcliffe (see 7^th June), who had suffered relatively minor wounds to his right leg on 7^th June, was discharged from 16^th General Hospital at Le Treport and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

(Acting) Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Galbraith Buckle MC (see 12^th March), who had spent two months with 10DWR in the Summer of 1916, and was now commanding 2^nd Northants, was wounded for a second time; this time “by an 8" shell scoring a direct hit on battalion HQ at Hooge during an officer briefing”. However, he remained at duty, as he had done when wounded on a previous occasion.

(Acting) Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Galbraith Buckle MC

CSM Alfred Lodge MC (see 27^th December 1916), who had been in England since July 1916, having been severely wounded in the actions around Horseshoe Trench, appeared before an Army Medical Board which recommended that he be discharged from the Army on account of his wounds.

CSM Alfred Lodge MC

Carl Parrington Branthwaite (see 27^th March), who had been permanently discharged from the Army on account of illness contracted in service and was presently at Ida Convalescent Hospital, Leeds, appeared before another Army Medical Board. The Board concluded that his disability was permanent and that he should remain in the Convalescent Hospital.

Gnr. Harry Beaumont (see 28^th April), serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery was posted to France; he was the elder brother of Pte. Mark Beaumont (see 7^th July), who was stationed at Northern Command Depot at Ripon, having been in England since being wounded in January.

A report in the Craven Herald provided news of Pte. Sam Shepherd (see 2^nd January 1916), who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits but had been transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps.

AUSTWICK

Invalided Home – Mr. and Mrs. J.W Shepherd, Main Street, have received a letter from their only son, Cyclist Sam Shepherd, stating that he has been invalided home from France and is at present in Toxteth Park Military Hospital, Liverpool. Previous to coming to England he was in a base hospital, suffering from severe trench fever. He is now making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Cyclist S. Shepherd enlisted on September 13^th 1914 in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. He later transferred to the Cyclist Section, and went out to France in January 1916, where he has been up to the present time.

The same edition also carried a list of the names of local men who had been awarded decorations for bravery.

FOR GALLANTRY - LIST OF WAR HONOURS WON BY MEN OF CRAVEN - A TOTAL OF SEVENTY-FOUR

In view of the presentation at Skipton tomorrow (Saturday) of the Military Medals won by Sergt. J. Webster and Pte. J.W. Atkinson (see below),both of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, - the first ceremony of this kind in the district – we have compiled from the files of the Craven Herald a list of the various honours which have been won by the men of Craven for bravery and distinguished conduct on the battlefield. The list is quite up to date, and is, we believe, a full record of the coveted decorations which have been bestowed on soldiers from this district. Altogether, seventy-four honours have so far been won by seventy-two Craven men – a notable and distinctly gratifying record; and one that will undoubtedly be added to so long as the war continues.

The list of men who had received awards included nine men who had won their awards whilst serving with 10DWR:

Distinguished Conduct Medal: Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw DCM (see 15th December 1916), who had been killed on 9^th June 1916.

Military Medal: Pte. John William Atkinson MM (see 13^th July), who was still serving with the Battalion; Sgt. Thomas Henry Edmondson MM (see 7^th October 1916), who had been seriously wounded in July 1916 and had been under medical care in England ever since; L.Cpl. Christopher Leigh MM (see 22^nd August 1916), who had been wounded in July 1916 and had subsequently been transferred to the Military Foot Police; Sgt. Thomas Moyle MM (see 10th July), who had been killed in January; CSM Billy Oldfield MM (see 7^th April), who was in training for a commission at to no.5 Officer Cadet Battalion in Cambridge; 2Lt. Norman Roberts MM (see 8^th June), who had since been commissioned and was serving with the Machine Gun Corps; and L.Cpl. James Walker (see 2nd May), who was still with 10DWR.

Meritorious Service Medal: Sgt. William Edward Gibson MSM (see 13^th July).