Friday 31st August 1917

Bivouacs and dugouts at Chateau Segard, near the hamlet of Kruistraathoek.

There was a slight improvement in the weather, but still with the threat of further storms.

Clarification was issued as to some concerns which had clearly been raised at the Brigade conference held the previous day to discuss the forthcoming offensive:

1. Canadian Tunnellers in Jam Trench Craters 

These are at present working on the tunnels along the Menin Road; they will be all withdrawn before Z Day.

2. Torr Top Tunnels

The Division has been asked to bring the matter before Corps HQ, with a view to the areas being occupied by 10^th Duke of Wellington’s being more exactly defined and the system being cleaned up.

3. Assembly trenches etc.

The Division is directing 7^th Brigade to accelerate the following work:

(a) Burying dead bodies in Jasper Lane and Jasper Avenue.

(b) Clearing bodies away from the dug-out at west end of Jasper Avenue.

(c) Deepening entrance to Jasper Avenue.

(d) Improving front trench at back edge of Inverness Copse and joining up with Jasper Avenue and Lane.

Pte. William Franklin (see 24^th July), who had previously been in trouble on a number of occasions, was reported as having been drunk while on sentry duty. He was reported by Cpl. Edward Woffindale (see 24^th March) and Pte. John James Goodship (see 5^th July) and, on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 24^th August), was sentenced to 28 days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Pte. Thomas Caton (see 28^th June), who had also been charged with a range of previous offences, was again reported for “falling out on the line of march without permission”; he was reported on the evidence of Sgt. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 22^nd August), Cpl. Rowland Hill and LCpl. S. Ralph (I am currently unable to make a positive identification of either Cpl. Hill or LCpl. Ralph, beyond the fact that Hill was an original member of the Battalion) and was sentenced, on the orders of Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 22^nd August), to be confined to barracks for seven days.

Ptes. Amos Oddy and Charles Sidney Skelton were both admitted to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques. Pte. Oddy was 25 years old and from Wibsey, Bradford and had originally served with 1^st/7^th DWR before being transferred (date and details unknown) to 10DWR; he was suffering from boils to his legs and would be discharged to duty on 6^th September. Pte. Skelton was a 24 year-old railway porter from Shipton, near York; he was suffering from scabies and would be discharged to duty on 6^th September.

Pte. Walter Oddy (see 30^th July), having spent a month at 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques, under treatment for ‘dental caries’, was transferred to 7^th Convalescent Depot at Bouogne; three days later he would be transferred again, to 13^th Convalescent Depot at Trouville.

Pte. Patrick Ferguson (see 16^th July), who had been in hospital since having reported sick whilst on home leave in July, was discharged from Keighley War Hospital; the details of his posting are unknown.Gnr. Frank Widdup (see 1^st May), elder brother of 2Lt. Harry Widdup (see 30^th May), appeared before an Army Medical Board. The Board found that he was suffering from “V.D.H.” (valvular disease of the heart) and from a hernia. He was declared permanently unfit for military service. Although it was deemed that neither condition was “result of or aggravated by service”, and therefore he was not eligible for a military pension, he was eligible for a gratuity of £15.

Casualties during month:

1 officer wounded; 2Lt. Charles George Edward White (see 23^rd August) accidentally wounded.

1 other rank drowned.

1 other rank wounded in action.

1 other rank accidentally wounded.

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

Killed                                   209

Accidentally killed                5

Died of wounds                    9

Wounded                           975

Accidentally wounded       53

Missing                                129

Articles in the weekly edition of the Craven Herald made reference to two former members of Tunstill’s Company:

COMMISSION FOR A GRASSINGTON SOLDIER

It will be noted with satisfaction that Sgt. Maj. Wm. Oldfield (see 30^th July) has been gazetted 2^nd Lieutenant in the West Riding Regiment. Since joining the Army as a private at the outbreak of war, he has had a splendid record, working his way up to the rank of Sergeant Major. He was in the October list for conspicuous gallantry on the field of battle, recommended to receive the Military Medal, and this was presented to him at Cambridge in July last by General Oldham. Since coming home for training he has spent four months at Trinity College, Cambridge, studying for his commission. He joins his regiment on Saturday next.

2Lt. Billy Oldfield MM

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

GALLANT THORNTON SOLDIERS - MILITARY CROSS FOR SECOND-LIEUTENANT J.B. HARTLEY

The people of Craven, and the residents of Thornton in Craven in particular, will be pleased to hear that two well known Craven soldiers have been recommended for military honours. Second Lieutenant J.B. Hartley, (see 4^th November 1915) son of Mr. and Mrs. Luke Hartley, The Bungalow, for the Military Cross, and Gunner Harry Davies, who lived with his uncle and aunt, Mrs. Johnson, Summit, for the Military Medal.

The citation for the award of the Military Cross to 2Lt. Hartley described his actions, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a pack transport. In spite of very heavy shell fire and unfavourable weather conditions, he succeeded in getting his convoy through to his battalion with rations and ammunition, displaying splendid courage and determination”.  

2Lt. Joseph Barrett Hartley

Thursday 30th August 1917

Bivouacs and dugouts at Chateau Segard, near the hamlet of Kruistraathoek.

Another windy and stormy day.

Pte. Ernest Wilson (11751) (see 22^nd August) was discharged from 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques and posted to 7^th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne.

Pte. Herbert Kitley (see 14^th June), serving with 8DWR, departed for England on ten days leave.

Pte. Herbert Greenwood Audsley (see 10^th July) who had, seven weeks previously, been declared unfit for overseas service, was posted back to the Regimental Depot at Halifax.

Pte. Herbert Burgess (see 6^th August), serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead, was reported as absent off his final pass before returning to France. He would report five days later and would be ordered to forfeit five days’ pay and undergo five days Field Punishment no.2.

Ptes. Harry Exley (see 7^th August) Sydney Exley (see 22^nd June), and Herbert Farrand Hogley (see 12^th August), all of whom had been in England since being wounded, and were currently serving with 3DWR at North Shields, were reported as absent off their final pass before returning to France. All three would report five days later and would be ordered to forfeit five days’ pay and undergo five days Field Punishment no.2.

Pte. Thomas Legg (see 26^th May) was posted from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR at North Shields.

Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 24^th August), along with the CO’s of the other Battalions of 69^th Brigade and other senior officers of the Brigade, attended a Brigade conference at which they were given details of the Brigade’s involvement in a forthcoming attack against the German positions The meeting included a description of the German positions opposite Xth Corps front, as follows:

Description of the enemy area opposite X^th Corps front

The left flank of the Corps rests upon the Stirling Castle – Clapham Junction plateau, whence the line runs southwards along the eastern slope of the main Passchandaele Ridge. The plans for the proposed offensive include the capture of the upper Basseville Beek Valley and then the northern portion of the Veldhoek – Zandvoorde Ridge, a southern offshoot of the main Passchandaele Ridge.

It will be seen that the country which lies within the proposed objectives is commanded by the ridge already in our hands, but the Basseville Beek Valley which lies between our lines and the Veldhoek – Zandvoorde Ridge, naturally presents a considerable obstacle as its eastern slope is steep, the bottom of the valley itself is rendered difficult by a stream and much marshy (though not impassable) ground, and its northern end is blocked by high ground from which dangerous enfilade fire could be brought to bear against troops attacking across it. It is also important to note that the western face of the Veldhoek – Zandvoorde Ridge is clothed with trees and undergrowth which, though very much damaged by our bombardments, are still capable of providing effective cover for machine guns.

Tower Hamlets, or rather the small house about 200 yards north of it, is the highest point on the ridge, but the slopes are very convex and it is doubtful whether a clear field of fire down the valley between this place and Gheluvelt will be obtainable from any position much to the west of the German trench line which runs along the rear slope of the hill.

The Basseville Beek which takes its source from the pond of the Chateau at J.20.b.8.9 flows underneath the Menin Road, which runs at this point on an embankment about seven feet high. Then in a SW direction into the pond at J.20.d.0.8. Banks are steep, from four to five feet high on the western side, but only about two or three feet on the eastern side. Average width, five feet; depth of water not exceeding one foot; bottom marshy.

Along the eastern edge of the stream and more especially around J.20.b.5.7 there is a slight wooded depression about ten to fiteen yards wide which was once thought to be very marshy and impassable to infantry, thus forming an exceedingly nasty obstacle for troops advancing to the attack of the German line immediately east of it. Recent enquiries, however, have disproved this. The ground will probably be found to be wet and perhaps ankle deep in mud, but the sub-soil is said, by reliable refugees, to be hard and firm and there is no question about any portion of this stream or its neighbourhood being impassable to infantry in squares J.20 or J.26.

Dumbarton Lakes

These lakes, which are artificial, are now reported to be dry, with the exception of the small circular one about J.20.d.0.8. All the ground in this low-lying area is said to be quite dry and hard in dry weather, but it is probable that certain portions would become very soft and ‘heavy’ after rain. The average depth of the lakes is about five feet; that at J.20.d.0.8, which still contains water, being about ten feet.

Chateau Herenthage (J.20.b.1.8)

Outside Cellar

Along the wall which encloses the vegetable garden on the side parallel to the Ypres – Menin road on the outside of the garden, ie at J.20.b.5.9, at the north-west corner of the wall is a vegetable store cellar. The size of this cellar is about four metres by ten metres. The long side of the cellar is at right angles to the road. The vault has one single span having a brick thickness of 23cm and then covered with 50 cm of earth and grass. The height of the vault of this cellar above the level of the surrounding ground is about one metre. No view is obtainable toward the north as the road at this point is one and a half metres above the level of the ground.

Chateau

The Chateau, situated at J.20.b.1.8, is fairly strongly built. The walls are two brick thick. Three floors with cellars beneath the whole building. The basement has a total height of two metres, ie one metre below and one metre above the level of the ground. The cellars etc. are all roofed with planks only – no vaulting at all. The windows of the cellars give a field of view on all four sides of the Chateau. The lawns, the ponds and the border of the wood are commanded from the cellar. From the third floor a very wide view in a south-easterly direction toward the valley of the Lys is obtained. The view from the other floors of the Chateau is masked by the woods.

Buildings

At J.20.b.3.8 a shed exists. This has two wings at right angles to one another. Two floors, used as sheds, stable and dwelling house for servants. Walls one and a half bricks thick. Strongly built and in good condition. No cellar and no vaulted roofing.

At J.20.b.1.2 Farm Vandenweohe. In bad condition.

Appendix I

The following information, which was obtained from refugees and other sources about a year ago, may still be of some value.

Commune of Gheluvelt – Square J.15

Veldhoek is composed of a number of small laboures’ cottages. The greater part of these cottages have mud walls strengthened with wood, and thatched roofs. There are a few rare exceptions consisting of houses with brick walls and tile roofs. All houses have ground floor only and none have cellars. There are no buildings which present any strength and none of any importance. Worthy of note are only a strongly-built farm at J.15.d.5.5 and a manure pit at J.21.b.4.5. There are some recently-built houses with brick walls and tiled roofs along the Ypres-Menin road in J.21.a and towards the ‘Kantenientje’.

Country

The soil is light, sandy and dry. The country is flat and the undulations are never irregular, ie there are neither cuttings nor embankments and no steep descents.

Ground

The country is very open. There are very pastures and, owing to this, very few hedges, little barbed wire or enclosures of any sort. Bushes are completely absent and there are very few trees. Owing to the flat and open nature of the coutry here a uniform view is obtained in all directions.

Woods

The wood situated at J.15.c.NE has been cleared absolutely.

Veldhoek crossroads at J.21.a.0.7

1-2. Two buildings of considerable strength on south side of Ypres-Menin road and some 165 yards north of bifurcation of road.

3. An estaminet on west side of road leading to Zandvoorde. Strongly constructed and strong cellar.

4. Further south but on same side of road, manure pit; strongly vaulted masonrycovered with earth giving mound about three to four feet high. If used as a machine gun emplacement would have a good field of fire. There are similar manure pits at J.22.b.1.9, J.21.b.4.5, J.23.b.5.1 and J.28.a.5.5. The first two were used as ammunition pits by the Belgian Army in 1914.

Wednesday 29th August 1917

Bivouacs and dugouts at Chateau Segard, near the hamlet of Kruistraathoek.

The stormy weather of the previous twenty-four hours continued during the day.

Maj. Edward Borrow (see 22^nd August), reflected on the appalling conditions created by the constant rain in a letter home to his wife (I am very grateful to Dr. Bendor Grosvenor for lowing me access to Maj. Borrow's letters),

“… we’ve had marches and counter marches through pouring, drenching rain and this is August! The ground is appalling. I walked about eight miles yesterday and felt done when I got back, and the last mile of it I rode too – on a light railway which happened to be laid in the right direction for me. We use them for bringing up heavy artillery ammunition and stores of all kinds. I had been reconnoitring through country where we lived in trenches last winter. They were trenches then but now they are only shell holes and ditches. Deep dugouts that last year, last February, last March even, held whole Companies of men, were now full of water. The tide of battle had moved on and nobody had had time to keep these places pumped out and in repair. And then I saw tanks lying derelict – come to grief in a marshy bit of ground. Some hit by a shell perhaps and all that I saw were behind our old front line, telling their own stories of failure to get into action. Each of them telling too their own stories of the poignant grief and disgust of their individual crew at their own failure. I thought once of joining the tanks and had dreams of leading battalions of infantry with my rolling ship ploughing through Bosch wire, crushing enemy dugouts, pursuing flying, shrieking Bosch. But, as everyone else at that time had the same desire, I thought it was up to me to stay with the battalion – with what result you know! … The weather is the main trouble – it’s impossible for war – and yet we must keep pushing the Bosch back”.

Maj. Edward Borrow

Tuesday 28th August 1917

Bivouacs and dugouts at Chateau Segard, near the hamlet of Kruistraathoek.

The weather was dreadful, with gales and heavy rain all day and overnight.

Cpl. Lionel Vickers (see 24^th May) and Ptes. George Ingle (see 10th June), Samuel Stansfield (see 7^th August) William Stokes (see 2^nd May) and Michael Taylor (see 29th July 1916) departed for England on ten days leave. 

Sgt. Harry Waller MM (see 16^th February), who was in England in training to for a commission, was presented with his Military Medal in a ceremony held at Todmorden Town Hall. He was one of four recipients, among whom was his brother, Cpl. Fred Waller of the Manchester Regiment, who was also in training for a commission. Sgt. Waller, when called upon to speak to the assembled gathering said, “Although it is not altogether unexpected, it is a decidedly doubtful pleasure to have to stand up and speak to such an audience. Being a mena who has not very much to say at any time, making speeches is decidedly out of my line. I think the best that I can do is merely to say that I am very grateful to you for the honour you have done me tonight. I should like to thank you very much, and sit down”. He was greeted with laughter and cheers.

Sgt. Harry Waller MM

Pte. James Leonard Bloomer (see 12^th January), serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead, was transferred to 297^th Reserve Labour Company, Labour Corps; his transfer documents were signed off by Lt. Thomas Beattie (see 14^th June).

Monday 27th August 1917

‘New Dickebusch Camp’, just south-west of the village of Dickebusch.

A very wet day.

The Battalion marched three miles east to Chateau Segard, near the hamlet of Kruistraathoek, where they were accommodated in bivouacs, dugouts and Armstrong huts.

Pte. Arnold Robson (see 19^th August) was re-admitted to hospital (details unknown); he would be discharged to duty after ten days.

L.Sgt. Albert Bradley (see 12^th August) was late returning from his ten days’ leave to England; he was reprimanded and forfeited three days’ pay.

Pte. John Thomas Elford (see 19^th December 1916) was transferred back to England, where he was to resume his civil occupation as a coal miner. He would be formally transferred to Army Reserve Class W and go to work at the Burradon and Coxlodge Coal Company, at Hazelrigg Colliery, near Dudley, Northumberland.

Pte. Ellis Sutcliffe (see 13^th August), who was at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service, was deprived of three days’ pay as a result of “showing kit with another man’s greatcoat”.

Pte. Thomas Walter Mellin (see 18^th July 1916), who had served briefly with 10DWR in June/July 1916 before being transferred to 9DWR, returned to England on ten days’ leave.

As recommended by an Army Medical Board three weeks previously, Pte. Fred Addy (see 6^th August), who had been posted back to England, suffering from TB, in May, was formally discharged as unfit for further service. He was awarded the Silver War Badge and granted a pension of 13s. 9d. per week, to be reviewed in one year.

The surviving effects of the late Pte. Harry Cowper (see 29^th June), who had been killed on 7^th June were returned to his family; they consisted of, “pocket wallet, photos, postcards”.

A payment of £2 18s. 0d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Charles Arthur Stott (see 29^th June), who had been killed in action on 10^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Marcella. A similar payment, of £4 10s. 8d., was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Samuel Woodhead (see 15^th June) who had died of wounds on 9^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Selina. A series of similar payments were also authorised in repect of the Pte. Michael Gallagher (see 22^nd May), who had been killed in action on 22^nd May. In his case, the payment was divided between his mother, Mary (£2 14s. 5d.) and siblings James, Thomas, Maria and Margaret (10s. 10d. each); a further share was allocated to another brother, Anthony, but this would not actually be paid out until much later.


A pension award was made in the case of the late Acting CQMS Thomas Doyne (see 2^nd July) who had been accidentally killed in February. His widow, Bridget, was awarded £1 10s. per week for herself and their children. However, Bridget was currently an inmate at Richmond Asylum, Dublin, and the pension was therefore to be payable to Mrs. Mary Doyne, who was guardian to the couple's three youngest children.

Sunday 26th August 1917

‘New Dickebusch Camp’, just south-west of the village of Dickebusch.

Officers and men were to be prepared for their part in forthcoming operations in the vicinity of Inverness Copse, with officers visiting the front line, despite heavy German shelling. The afternoon and evening became very wet.

L.Cpl. Louis Feather (see 10^th August) began to be paid according to his rank, having previously held the post unpaid.

Pte. John William Baird (see 5^th July) was promoted Lance Corporal.

Pte. Thomas Henry Wood (see 23^rd August) returned to duty from 70^th Field Ambulance, where he had spent three days being treated for influenza.

Pte. Arthur Cerenza King (see 5^th August), who had been wounded on 14^th July, was transferred from 5^th Convalescent Depot at Wimereux to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

.

Saturday 25th August 1917

Patricia Camp

A sunny but very windy and dusty day.

A short notice change of plan saw the Battalion moved at 4.30pm by lorries six miles west to what was known as ‘New Dickebusch Camp’, just south-west of the village. This move was part of the British response to German counter-attacks over the previous twenty-four hours in the area around Inverness Copse.

Pte. Thomas Hemingway (see 4^th July) was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

Ptes. Charles Hammond (see 29^th June), who had been posted back to England two months previously, and Michael Bedley (see 11^th February), who had been sent back to England suffering from chronic bronchitis in February, were posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Ernest William Evans (see 13^th June), who had been evacuated to England after being wounded on 8^th June, was discharged from hospital and granted ten days’ leave before reporting to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

The Supplement to the London Gazette published citations for the awards of the Military Cross to officers of 10DWR during the actions of 7^th - 9^th June. Maj. Charles Bathurst MC (see 5^th August) in recognition of his, “coolness and exceptional judgement in action … he was able, in spite of heavy casualties and severe fighting, to take over the frontage of another battalion at a time of difficulty and anxiety. His skilful leadership and power of control were most marked throughout the operation”. Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison MC (see 3^rd August): “although wounded in the knee, continued to command and direct his company until all his objectives were obtained. By his devotion to duty he helped his battalion to secure its objectives and set a magnificent example to his men.” Rev. Wilfred Leveson Henderson MC (see 14^th June): “Closely following up an attack, he worked without ceasing under very heavy shell fire for many hours, bandaging and succouring the wounded. Whilst carrying a wounded man back to the dressing station he was blown up by a shell and severely wounded in both thighs and back. His courage was exceptional and his example did much to ease the sufferings of the wounded.” Lt. Arthur Halstead MC (see 11^th August) who had subsequently been killed in a bombing accident: “personally lead an attack with great gallantry and promptitude against a hostile machine gun, capturing the gun and its team”. The same edition also included the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to CSM David Frederick McKrill DCM, MM (see 7^th June): “although wounded early in the attack, he remained with his Company, greatly assisting his commander in rallying his men under machine gun fire, until he was wounded for the second time. His fine example and pluck did much to encourage his men”. 


A payment of £12 3s. 3d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. William Munro (see 29^th July 1916), who had been killed in action in July 1916; the payment would go to his father, Daniel.

A payment of £9 9s. 9d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. John Smith (13382) (see 22^nd May); the payment was due to be divided equally (£1 11s. 7d. each) among his one brother and five sisters. However, although the payments to the sisters were issued, the share due to his brother, Thomas, was retained.

Friday 24th August 1917

Billets near Moulle.

Starting at 9.45am the Battalion marched three miles north-east to Watten, where they were due to board a train at 11am to travel the 23 miles east to Abele, south-west of Poperinghe. In fact the train did not leave until 2pm and the rail journey then took two and a half hours. From Abele they marched the short distance to Patricia Camp, on the road between Abele and Poperinghe.

Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 18^th August) left to return to England, on leave in the first instance, though in fact he would never re-join the Battalion. He had been replaced as CO by Maj. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 18^th August), who would be promoted Acting Lieutenant Colonel.

Lt. Col. Robert Raymer

L.Cpls. Arthur Lee MM (see 16^th August) and William Edward Varley (see 3^rd August) both began to be paid according to their rank, having previously held the post unpaid.

Pte. Richard Harrison (see 19^th June) was reported by CSM Bob Harrison (see 8^th June) for ‘irregular conduct – stealing fruit from an orchard’; on the orders of Capt. Dick Bolton (see 22^nd August) he was to be confined to barracks for seven days.

Pte. Samuel Cordingley (see 12^th August) was reported by Sgt. Willie Nichols (see 15^th August) and Pte. Ben Pedder (see 12^th August) as having overstayed his leave; he would return two days later and would forfeit two days’ pay on the orders of Lt.Col. Lethbridge. 

Pte. Philip Pankhurst (see 5^th July) was admitted to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques, suffering from scabies; after five days he would be discharged and posted to 7^th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne.

Pte. John Perrin (see 5^th July) was admitted via 70th Field Ambulance and 3^rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital at Camiers; he was suffering from ‘trench foot’.

Cpl. Arthur Edward Hunt (see 1^st July), serving at VI Corps HQ, departed for England on ten days’ leave; whilst on leave he would be formally transferred to the Labour Corps and on his return to France would join 266^th Area Employment Company.

Sgt. Wilfred Fletcher (see 21^st July), who had been in England since having been wounded in July, was discharged from Quarry Hill VAD Hospital in Tonbridge. He would have two weeks leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields on 4^th September.

Pte. John James Cowling (see 3^rd August), who had been wounded in January, was formally discharged from the Army, with the award of the Silver War Badge and a pension of 27s. 6d per week, to be reviewed after six months.

A grant of probate was issued in respect of the estate of the late Pte. Harold Precious (see 4^th July) who had died at the East Leeds War Hospital on 4^th July, a month after being wounded; his estate was valued at the substantial sum of £2,144 13s. 5d. and was to be administered by his widow, Ann.

The surviving effects of the late L Cpl. Leonard Green (see 20^th August) were sent to his father, Arthur; they comprised simply of “letters, photos, card”. Having received so little his father would write to the War Office, asking for “the other things that he had because the few things that we have received were taken from his pocket wallet, in which he had the other things which we should like such as a silver ring which he wore”. The response of the War Office is not known, but, as in other cases, is likely simply to have informed the family of the difficulties associated with recovering any effects.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald carried a report regarding John Henry Hitchin (see 25^th May 1916). He had been one of Tunstill’s original volunteers, before being granted a commission. However, he had subsequently been stripped of his commission having been absent without leave. He had subsequently re-enlisted, joining the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. It should be noted that, in contrast to what is reported in the article, there is no evidence among official records of the award to Military Medal to Hitchin.

MILITARY MEDAL FOR A LONG PRESTON SOLDIER

During the fighting near Arras last May, whilst acting as messenger for a superior officer, Lance Corporal Hitchin (youngest son of Mr. John Hitchin, of Long Preston) of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was severely wounded, but managed to run back with his return message although buried almost to the head with earth, a shell bursting near. He was recommended for the Military Medal and has received the ribbon; the medal is to follow later. The recipient is now on a fair way to recovery and is in a convalescent camp at Ballykinlar, near Newcastle, Co. Down.

L.Cpl. John Henry Hitchin

There was also news of the death in action of the brother of late Pte. Percy Hodgson (see 24^th February), who had died of wounds following the actions at Le Sars in October 1916.

TOSSIDE - ANOTHER SUPREME SACRIFICE

Official news was received last week of the death of Private Tom Hodgson, Grenadier Guards, B.E.F., France, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson, of Stephen Moor Lodge, Tosside. Private Hodgson was called up in September 1916, went out to France on March 5th 1917, and was killed in action on July 31st in his 20th year. Much sympathy is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson and family in their sad bereavement. This is Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson's second bereavement.

Pte. J. Baggott, B.E.F., France, writes to Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson:- "I am sorry to have to write to you on such a sad occasion, but I thought it would be a great consolation for you to know that Tom was buried properly - the chaplain being present at his burial. Tom and I met in the train to join the Army. Since then we have always been the best of friends. I have never met a better fellow, doing all in his power to make everyone happy. His death came as a great shock to all of us who knew him. I was not with him at the time he was killed, being in another company, but I saw him buried. He was hit by a piece of shell just above the right hip. Tom seemed to have passed away very peacefully, the expression on his face being very peaceful. In your sad loss, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson, I offer you and your family my deepest sympathy, praying and trusting that God will give you strength to bear you up in your great grief."

Private Joshua Hodgson, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson, has been wounded in his left arm, but is improving nicely. Private Hodgson is now in a convalescent home at Ipswich.

A memorial service will be held at Mount Zion Chapel, Tosside, on Sunday, August 26^th

 

Pte. Percy Hodgson

Pte. Tom Hodgson

Thursday 23rd August 1917

Billets near Moulle.

There was a heavy storm in the morning, but otherwise another largely fine day.

Pte. John Bayliss (see 11^th August) once again found himself in trouble. On this occasion he was reported by CQMS Maurice Harcourt Denham (see 7^th June) for “not complying with an order; ie not wearing his eyeglasses”.

Pte. Frank William Rabjohn (see 29^th July) was ordered to undergo 28 days’ Field Punishment no.1; the nature of his offence is unknown.

2Lt. Charles George Edward White (see 12^th August) was evacuated to England having been “accidentally wounded”; the details of the accident and his injuries are, as yet, unknown.

Pte. Ernest Townsend (see 18^th August) was discharged to duty from 70^th Field Ambulance, following five days’ treatment for a mild case of ‘trench foot’.

L.Cpl. Alfred Taylor (see 28^th July), serving with 69^th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, was promoted Acting Corporal.

Pte. Harry Barraclough MM (see 10^th August), serving with 69^th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps, departed for England on ten days’ leave (he had only re-joined his unit the previous day from a ten-day course).
A payment of £1 12s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harry Cowper (see 29^th June), who had been killed on 7^th June; the payment would go to his father, James.

Wednesday 22nd August 1917

Billets near Moulle.

The recent fine and sunny weather continued.

L.Cpl. Thomas Ward (see 28^th July) was drowned whilst the Battalion was bathing in the river near Moulle. The circumstances were described in detail in submissions to the Court of Enquiry which would be held the following day. The Enquiry would be chaired by second-in-command, Maj. Edward Borrow (see 5^th August), sitting with Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 11^th August) and 2Lt. Charles George Edward White (see 12^th August). The three witnesses called before the Enquiry were Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 9^th August), Sgt. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 25^th April) and Capt. Stanhope Bayne Jones (see 21st August), who had been attached to the Battalion as Medical Officer the previous day in the absence on leave of Capt. Cecil Berry (see 21^st August).

Capt. Pereira reported that, “At 2pm 22/8/17 I marched my “B” Company to the river at Moulle, guided by a L/Cpl. who knew the recognised bathing place. I divided the Company into two parties – swimmers and non-swimmers. I was uncertain of the depth of the pool for non-swimmers and gave orders to Sgt. Gaunt that no one unable to swim should get into the water until the depth had been tested. I was going across to fetch three good swimmers to test the depth of the non-swimmers pool when I heard a shout and, on returning, saw L/Cpl. T. Ward in the water swimming towards the bank and shouting for help. A man who was already in the water swam to L/Cpl. Ward to help him but L/Cpl. Ward sank and did not reappear. Within half a minute four men were in the water searching for L/Cpl. Ward; his body was found about three quarters of an hour later”.

Sgt. Gaunt told the Enquiry that, “At about 2.45pm on 22/8/17 I was with “B” Company at the bathing place at Moulle. On arrival there Capt. Pereira issued the order for all men who could not swim to fall out; and pointed out a pool where they might bathe and issued an order that no one was to enter the water until the depth had been tested. No.17389 L/Cpl. T. Ward came to me; I asked him if he could swim, warning him that he must not enter the water unless he could swim. He then told me he could swim and entered the water, walking out till the water was up to his chest; then he swam about six strokes, turned round and started to swim back to the bank. He had only taken about six strokes when he shouted for help; another man was swimming near him and and swam within a foot of L/Cpl. Ward but L/Cpl. Ward sank without struggling and did not reappear. Within half a minute Capt. Bolton (see 20^th August), OC “A” Company, and about four other men had plunged into the water to search for L/Cpl. Ward”.

Capt. Bayne-Jones stated, “At about 3pm 22/8/17 I was in attendance at the bathing place at Moulle to examine Companies of 10^th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment for scabies. On my arrival I heard a man had been drowned; his body was found about 3.30pm. I saw him as soon as he was brought ashore and under my direction artificial respiration was continued for two hours, when oxygen was obtained from St. Omer and applied without avail. At about 6pm I had the body removed to the mortuary at No.10 Stationary Hospital at St. Omer. I formed the opinion during the time that artificial respiration was being applied that death was due to primary heart failure, possibly consequent on the man entering the water in a heated condition after a big meal”.

The Enquiry found that “the death of L/Cpl. T. Ward was due to drowning from heart failure; that it was purely accidental; that all due precautions had been taken; that no one is to blame; and that it occurred whilst in the performance of his duty”. The findings were endorsed by both Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 18^th August) and Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 18^th August).

Thomas Ward’s older brother, Robert, serving with the Seaforth Highlanders, had been killed in action just three weeks previously.

L.Cpl. Frank Mallinson MM (see 16^th August) and Ptes. Samuel Garside Hardy (see 5^th August) and William Kershaw (18282) (see 11^th November 1916) departed to England on ten days’ leave. 

L.Cpl. Ernest Wilson (11751) (see 27th January) was admitted to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques suffering from scabies.

Pte. James Thomas Sagar (see 13^th August), who had been in England since suffering fractured ribs in an accident in October 1916, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields, en route to a return to active service.

Cpl. Dennis Waller (see 11^th June), who had been wounded on 7^th June and had been treated in England, was also posted to join 3DWR. However, he was reported as having deserted.

Mrs. Geraldine Tunstill (see 17^th May), who had organised and managed a ‘Comforts Fund’ in support of the Company raised by her husband, Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (see 10^th August), and had subsequently established a ‘Soldier’s Rest Camp’ at Usworth while her husband was serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Brighton Road Schools, Gateshead, organised a fund-raising concert at the Alexandra Theatre, New Washington. This may also have been the occasion of the visit of a senior officer (unidentified) who is pictured in a series of images from the photograph album kept by the Tunstills themselves (images by kind permission of Henry Bolton).

Geraldine Tunstill seated centre with the dog on her lap

CSM Alfred Lodge MC (see 27^th July) was formally discharged from the Army on account of his wounds. He was awarded the Silver War Badge and a pension of 15s. per week, to be reviewed in six months.

CSM Alfred Lodge MC

A payment of £2 11s. 6d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harold Illingworth Cawthra (see 23^rd May); the payment would go to his father, Joseph.

Tuesday 21st August 1917

Billets near Moulle.

Another fine, hot day

Training intensified further with rehearsal of a Brigade attack, “particular stress being laid on the independent attack by platoons on strong points met with during an advance”.

Battalion Medical Officer Capt. Cecil Berry (see 19^th June) departed for England on ten days’ leave; Capt. Stanhope Bayne Jones was temporarily attached from 69^th Field Ambulance to replace him. Bayne Jones was a 28 year-old American volunteer doctor who had arrived in France in June.

2Lt. Harold Sykes Holroyd (see 7^th March), who had spent four months with 10DWR in the winter of 1916-17 before returning to England to join the Royal Naval Air Service as a probationary Flying Officer, was killed in a flying accident in Lincolnshire. He would buried at Outlane (Bethel) United Methodist Chapel.

Pte. Harry Beaumont (29306) (see 22^nd June), who had been in England for the previous two months, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields. 

Pte. James Hildred Bray appeared before an Army Medical Board in Colchester, which recommended his discharge from the Army as being unfit due to nephritis. Bray had previously served with 10DWR but the details of his active service are unclear due to the incomplete nature of his surviving service record. What is known is that he had attested in August 1916, aged 21, at which time he was living in Meltham, near Huddersfield, and working as a fireman. He had served in France with 10DWR but when he had been posted overseas and when he had returned to England are both unknown.

Pte. Arthur Lumb (see 6^th May), who had had his right leg amputated following an accidental gunshot wound suffered in April, appeared before an Army Medical Board at Roehampton, which recommended that he be discharged from the Army.

Trooper Claude Darwin (see 14^th August), serving in Egypt with 1^st Field Squadron, Engineers, Anzac Mounted Division, was discharged from 14^th Australian General Hospital at Abassia and posted to a training unit at Moascar. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin (see 14^th August), who was back in England having been wounded on 7^th June.

Monday 20th August 1917

Billets near Moulle.

On another fine, hot day, training continued with the Battalion carrying out “a demonstration, on the X Corps School grenade ground at Inglinghem, of a platoon in the attack, bringing into use the co-operation of all weapons available and including the co-operation from Stokes Mortars”.

Pte. Peter Herity (see 6^th July) was reported by Sgt. William Allen Sayer (see 7^th August) as being “deficient of iron rations (tea and sugar); on the orders of Capt. Dick Bolton (see 19^th June) he was to be confined to barracks for three days.

Enquiries were made regarding the injury sustained by Pte. John Foster (see 27^th July), who had injured his knee whilst on a carrying party a month previously and had subsequently been evacuated to England. Statements were taken from Sgt. George Manning of 69^th Machine Gun Company and Pte. Arthur Greenbank (see 16^th January 1917) who, like Foster himself, was on attachment to the carrying party. Manning reported that “On Saturday 14^th July I was in charge of a carrying party with ammunition for the front line. No.29648 Pte. Foster, J., was with my party. On Sunday morning, 15^th July, he reported to me that he had sprained his knee. I told him to report sick”. Greenbank confirmed what Manning had said and added that, “Pte. Foster told me he had fallen on a railway track”.

2Lt. Leopold Henry Burrow (see 24^th July), who had been in hospital for the previous five weeks after reporting sick with an injury to his right leg,  was discharged from 83^rd General Hospital in Boulogne and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Pte. Farrand Kayley (see 27^th March 1916), brother of Tunstill’s recruits James (see 27^th March 1916) and Job Kayley (see 29^th July 1916), who was serving in France with 1^st/6^th Battalion West Ridings as a transport driver, returned to England on ten days’ leave.

A payment of £1 17s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late LCpl. Leonard Green (see 7^th June); the payment would go to his father, Arthur.