Sunday 15th July 1917

Support trenches in the left sector of the Divisional front near Observatory Ridge. Battalion HQ and one Company were positioned in Hedge Street Tunells about I.24.d.5.1; one Company in Canada dugouts about I.30.a.9.4; one Company at Rudkin House Tunnels about I.24.a.0.1; and one Company in Metropolitan Left about I.29.a.8.2.

A reminder was issued to all Brigade commanders in 23^rd Division on grounds that “The Divisional Trench Standing Orders do not appear to be sufficiently enforced in some units.” Brigadiers were particularly directed to two points:

“With special reference to dress and the wearing of equipment etc. Men have been noticed partially undressed in the support trenches and rifles and equipment of the 25% of men who take off their equipment by day do not appear to be placed ready for immediate use on any fixed system. Equipment must be hung up ready to be put on with a minimum of delay, and rifles must be kept in close proximity to the man.

The sanitation of the trenches requires a great deal of improvement. All refuse, empty tins etc. must be buried. Latrines should be put in off shoots from trenches and not in the trenches themselves. Fly proof lids for latrine buckets must be provided”. 

2Lt. Leopold Henry Burrow (see 15^th June) who had been away on a course for the previous month, re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. Milton Wood (see 5^th July), who had been taken ill ten days’ previously, was evacuated to England from 4^th General Hospital at Camiers onboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis. 

Pte. John Cork (see 27^th May), who had been wounded while serving with 10DWR in January, but, having been treated in England, had been posted to 2DWR, was promoted Lance Corporal.

Pte. Herbert Burgess (see 11^th June), who had been posted back to England a month previously after serving in France with 2DWR at North Shields, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

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