Monday 1st October 1917

In Reserve at Canal Bank Dugouts, on the Ypres-Comines canal, opposite Bedford House, but with D Company and one platoon of B Company, attached to 9Yorks in the front line just south of Polygon Wood. Another fine day.

At 4.30am the Germans opened an intense artillery bombardment of the British front line. An hour later a major German counter-attack was launched against 9Yorks and the attached Company of 10DWR. Further German attacks and fierce fighting continued for much of the day but Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne (see 20^th September) was able to establish and maintain a defensive line despite repeated attacks. Both Payne and 2Lt. Edward Kent Waite (see 25^th September), who had only joined the Battalion a week previously, were said to have “behaved with the utmost coolness and intrepidity, though cut off from each other by the heavy barrage, constantly going forward to obtain information, though it was impossible to get this through to Battalion HQ”. Both would subsequently be awarded the Military Cross for their actions and the citations expand on their conduct. For Capt. Payne his conduct was described as, “He was in support with his company, and was cut off- from the front line by an artillery barrage of exceptional intensity. The enemy endeavoured to turn his flank, but he rallied men of a neighbouring unit and secured his position in the most able manner. He showed magnificent courage and energy in most difficult circumstances”. For 2Lt. Waite the citation stated, “When the enemy had enveloped the flank of his company and the whole of the front line was in danger of being turned, he made a reconnaissance under heavy fire, and in the most able manner formed a defensive flank. By his constant encouragement and energy he maintained his line intact under exceptional difficulties”. (For Capt. Payne this would be a second award of the decoration in less than two weeks). By midnight the situation had been stabilised somewhat and, although the left flank of the line (held by 9Yorks) had been pushed back around 150 yards, it was possible for 9Yorks and 10DWR men to be relieved overnight.

In his subsequent report on the actions by Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 25^th September) made clear just how ferocious the fighting had been and how heroic the resistance offered by 10DWR and 9Yorks,

“Previously to entering the line on this occasion I had warned all ranks that no matter what they suffered there must be no retirement as this would make it almost impossible for me satisfactorily to deal with the situation. Never, I believe, have troops better understood or better carried out their orders. … The amount of ammunition used was 220 rounds per man, 30 magazines per Lewis Gun and 4 extra boxes of SAA. When finally relieved, practically not a round was left. … Throughout the day the German attacks were delivered with the greatest determination and were accompanied by artillery fire such as has never before been experienced by this Brigade. The attacks were defeated with the loss of some 150 square yards of ground of no great value and at the loss of perhaps a Company. I attribute this mainly to the spirit of heroic endurance displayed by the 9^th Yorkshire Regiment and the Company of 10^th Duke of Wellington’s who were chiefly engaged”.

Two men had been killed in action. They were Ptes. Willie Dracup (see 23^rd February) and William Beswick. Pte. Beswick was 24 years old and from Oldham. He had previously served with 1^st/7^th DWR; it is not known when he had joined 10DWR. Both men were most likely originally buried by their comrades but their graves were lost in subsequent fighting and they are now commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing. A third man, Pte. Fred Hargreaves (20214) (see 19^th August) was officially reported missing in action. In 1921 his remains would be recovered from the battlefield (identified by his identity disc) and would be re-interred at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Among the wounded was Pte. William John Williamson and the circumstances of his wounding would be explained in a letter to his family written by Pte. John William Atkinson MM (see 28^th July); “He got a wound about the size of half-a-crown just over the heart, but we hope he is in good old England now making a speedy recovery. He was a stretcher-bearer along with me, and I am very sorry to lose such a good pal. He was a good willing worker whose one thought on the battlefield was to get his wounded comrades away to a place of safety. He had got over the push safe and sound, but his Company was called into the line again, so he had to go with them.” Atkinson’s hopes of a recovery for his pal proved to be unfounded and Pte. Williamson died whilst under treatment close to the front line. He was buried north-west of the village of Veldhoek and, although the cross marking his grave would be lost in subsequent fighting, his remains were identified in April 1921 and were re-interred at New Irish Farm Cemetery, north of Ypres.

William John Williamson was 29 years old and originally from London, though he had been living in Earby, having moved north with his widowed mother, Mary Elizabeth, and his three brothers and two sisters. He had enlisted in December 1914 while working as a warehouseman at the Earby Co-Operative Society, along with his younger brother, James Stanley Williamson; both had originally served with 1^st/6^th DWR. Exactly when and under what circumstances William John had transferred to 10DWR is unknown, but it is likely that he had been wounded at some point (note the wound stripe in the photograph) and had subsequently been transferred. A third brother, Sydney George Williamson, had enlisted in December 1915, having turned 18, and had been posted to 9^th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He had been officially missing in action since 9^th April 1917 and is now commemorated on the Arras Memorial. On 17^th March 1918 Pte. James Stanley Williamson would die of wounds suffered while serving with 1^st/6^th DWR; he would be buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Mary Elizabeth Williamson had lost three of her four sons in the war and would be awarded a pension of 15s. per week for life. Her fourth son, Frank Robert Williamson, would die in 1924 aged just 24. Mary Elizabeth would continue to live in Earby, along with one of her daughters, and would die in 1944, aged 84.

Pte. William John Williamson

(note the wound stripe on his lower left sleeve)

Pte. James Stanley Williamson

(clearly taken on the same occasion as his brother's photograph)

Pte. Sydney George Williamson

The number of other men wounded is unknown. 

2Lt. George Clifford Sugden (see 26^th September), who had arrived in France five days previously, joined the Battalion.

Pte. Joseph Honeyble (see 20^th September), who had suffered a gunshot wound to the head on 20^th September, died of his wounds at 11^th Stationary Hospital at Rouen; he would be buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen.

Pte. Ernest Frederick Authers (see 20^th September), who had suffered wounds to his right knee and foot on 20^th September, was posted back to England.

2Lt. Billy Oldfield MM (see 31^st August) was posted to France to join 1^st/4^th DWR.

2Lt. Billy Oldfield MM

A payment of 17s. 6d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. George William Cook (see 7^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his father, John.

A payment of £2 10s. 3d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Walter Horne (see 12^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his father, Joseph. A parcel of his effects, comprising of “wallet, photos, testament, disc, postcards, cards” would also be sent to his father.

A payment of £2 19s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Albert Sunderland (see 27^th June), who had died on 27^th June, having been severely wounded on 7^th June; the payment would go to his father, Samuel. A parcel containing his personal effects (details unknown) would also be sent home.

Sunday 30th September 1917

In Reserve at Canal Bank Dugouts, on the Ypres-Comines canal, opposite Bedford House.

A frosty morning, followed by a warm, sunny day. Overnight, 30^th September/1^st October, D Company, together with one platoon of B Company, were attached to 9Yorks and took over a section of the front line from A Company 8Yorks; the sector ran from J.16.a.10.15. to J.16.a.5.5, just south of Polygon Wood.

Maj. Charles Bathurst MC (see 25^th August), who had been in England since June, attending a senior officers’ course, re-joined the Battalion. He was accompanied by his batman, Pte. James Albert Garbutt (see 29^th June), who had been with him in England. 

Pte. Joseph Henry Woodcock (see 20^th September), who had suffered abdominal wounds ten day’s previously, died at 9^th General Hospital at Rouen; he would be buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen.

Cpl. William Walker Rossall MM (see 20^th September), who had been wounded ten days previously, was transferred from 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport to 3^rd Convalescent Depot, also at Le Treport.

Pte. Edwin Dawson (see 20^th September), who had suffered severe wounds to his chest, left wrist and left foot on 20^th September; was evacuated to England from 1^st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Corninck.

Pte. Fred Riddiough (see 7^th August), who had recently been transferred to the Brigade Light Trench Mortar Battery, was wounded at duty (details unknown).

Casualties for the month were officially recorded as being:

Killed                                 5 officers and 34 other ranks

Accidentally killed           0

Died of wounds               7 other ranks

Wounded                          8 officers and 258 other ranks

Accidentally wounded    0

Missing                            43 other ranks

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

Killed                                   248

Accidentally killed                5

Died of wounds                  16

Wounded                       1,231

Accidentally wounded      53

Missing                              172

Saturday 29th September 1917

In Reserve at Canal Bank Dugouts, on the Ypres-Comines canal, opposite Bedford House.

Another bright and sunny day. Overnight, 29^th/30^th, a number of men from the Battalion, along with men from 9Yorks, were employed in supporting 23^rd Divisional Royal Engineers in digging a new communication trench from Clapham Junction out to the front line trenches.

2Lt. Arthur Neill (see 8^th May), who had left the Battalion almost five months previously having reported sick (details unknown), now re-joined.

Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 20^th September), who had suffered severe wounds to his right, arm and hand on 20^th September, was evacuated to England, travelling from Boulogne to Dover; on arrival in England he would be admitted to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot.

Lt. George Stuart Hulburd

Image by kind permission of Paddy Ireland

L.Cpl. Ernest Wilson (28985) (see 20^th September) was evacuated to England; on arrival he would be admitted to Keighley War Hospital.

Pte. Henry Wood Thrippleton (see 17^th September), serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead, was reported as ‘absent from tattoo’; he would return three days later and be deprived of three days’ pay and be confined to barracks for ten days.

Pte. Sam Appleyard (see 12^th June) who had been in hospital in Chatham having suffered a fractured left shoulder and other wounds on 7^th June, appeared before an Army Medical Board at Chatham. The Board recommended that he be discharged as no longer fit for service.

A payment of £5 2s. 4d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. George Brook (see 7^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Maud.

Friday 28th September 1917

In Reserve at Canal Bank Dugouts, on the Ypres-Comines canal, opposite Bedford House.

A hot and sunny day, after a light overnight frost.

There was heavy German shelling of British reserve and support positions. It seems to have been as a result of this shelling that Pte. Thomas Saunders was killed in action. He was 23 years old and from Ampthill, Beds; he had previously served with 8DWR, with whom he had gone out to Gallipoli in September 1915. Lt. Stephen Moss Mather (see 25^th September), who had only joined the Battalion three days previously, was also wounded; the details of his injuries are unknown but were sufficient to see him leave the Battalion. 

Cpl. Edwin Lightfoot (see 22^nd June), who had been wounded eight days previously, was evacuated to England (details unknown). Pte. Frederick McKell (see 20^th September), who had suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs, hands and face eight days previously, was evacuated to England from 2^nd Australian General Hospital at Wimereux, travelling onboard the Hospital ship St. Denis. On arrival in England he would be admitted to hospital in Cambridge. Pte. Edward Somers (see 20^th September), who had suffered a severe wound to his neck eight days previously, was also evacuated to England; on arrival in England he would be admitted to hospital in Cambridge (details unknown). Ptes. Charles Oldham (see 20^th September), Herbert Wood (see 20^th September) and Alfred Edward Wybrow MM (see 20^th September), all of whom had been wounded eight days previously, were evacuated to England from hospitals at Le Treport, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew. On arrival in England Oldham and Wybrow were transferred to 3^rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield; the details of Wood’s treatment are unknown.

Lt. Thomas Beattie (see 28^th August), who had been serving with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead, was posted to France, en route to joining 10DWR.

L.Cpl. Norman Moorhouse (see 11^th June), who had been in England having been wounded on 7^th June, was sufficiently recovered to be posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

2Lt. George Henry Roberts (see 5^th June), formerly of 10^th Battalion, but currently on sick leave from 3DWR following compound fractures of his left tibia and fibula while playing football, formally relinquished his commission on grounds of his disability.

Thursday 27th September 1917

Bivouacs at Wood Camp, south of Reninghelst.

Another fine day.

The strength of the Battalion at this point was stated to be 17 officers and 394 other ranks. Over the previous week the Battalion had suffered 53% casualties against its original fighting strength from 20^th September.

At 2pm the Battalion was moved by bus to Canal Bank Dugouts, on the Ypres-Comines canal, opposite Bedford House, where they comprised Brigade Reserve.

L.Cpl. Albert Hoggarth (see 15^th June) was promoted Corporal.

Pte. Michael Hannigan (see 17^th October 1916) departed for England on ten days’ leave.

Pte. Herbert Crowther Kershaw (see 20^th September), who had suffered relatively minor shrapnel wounds a week previously, was transferred from 22^nd General Hospital at Camiers to 6^th Convalescent Depot at Etaples.

CSM Edward George John Cooke (see 20^th September), who had suffered wounds to his right buttock a week previously, was evacuated to England from 6^th Australian General Hospital at Rouen; on arrival in England he would be admitted to 1^st Northern General Hospital in Newcastle.


Ptes. Michael Hopkins (see 20^th September) and Robert Phillips (see 20^th September), both of whom had been severely wounded a week previously, were also evacuated to England (details unknown).

Pte. William Noel Simpson (see 19^th July), who had spent two months in hospital having been wounded in July, was discharged from convalescent hospital in Rouen and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service.

Pte. Richard Marsden (see 9^th July), who had been in England since having been wounded in July, was now sufficiently recovered to be posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Cpl. Edwin Merrall (see 27^th October 1916) was commissioned Second Lieutenant and would be posted to a battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. The date and circumstances under which he had left 10DWR have not been established.

2Lt. Edwin Merrall

Pte. Benjamin Beaumont (known as Ben) (see 16^th October 1914), who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits but had been discharged as medically unfit in October 1914 after only a few weeks in training, was reported missing and presumed killed in action while serving with 2^nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment. The date and circumstances under which he had re-joined the Army are unknown.

Pte. Ben Beaumont

A payment of £7 19s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Sgt. George Peacock (see 7^th June), who had died of wounds on 7^th June; the payment would go to his father, George.

Wednesday 26th September 1917

Bivouacs at Wood Camp, south of Reninghelst.

The recent fine weather continued.

Orders were received for the Brigade to return to the line next day. The urgency of the situation is made clear in the words of the Brigade War Diary, “On the night of 26^th September, although the Brigade had only come out of the line on the previous day after eight days severe fighting, orders were received that it would embus at 9am on the 27^th and again take over the front line. It appeared probable that the Division then holding the line would not be in a condition to hand over in the normal way, severe fighting having taken place and the exact front line being at the time doubtful”. 10DWR would not return to the line, but would be in Brigade Reserve.

L.Sgt. Christopher Clapham (see 12th August) was promoted Sergeant.

L.Cpl. Frank Mallinson MM (see 20^th September) and Pte. John Stenson (see 17^th July 1916) were  evacuated to England from 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis. Pte. Stenson would be admitted to 5^th Northern General Hospital in Leicester. Pte. George Carter (see 7^th September) was evacuated to England from 3^rd General Hospital at Rouen, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Panama; on arrival in England he would be admitted to hospital in Eastleigh. Cpl. Horace Dewis (see 20^th September), L.Cpl. Clarence Best (see 20^th September) and Ptes. Frank Blakeborough (see 20^th September), Lewis Greenwood (see 20^th September), Trayton George Harper (see 20^th September), Joseph Leonard Holmes (see 20^th September), Frederick Ernest Jones (see 20^th September) and Herbert Rushworth (see 20^th September) all of whom had been wounded six days’ previously, were evacuated to England for further medical treatment. Cpl. Dewis was admitted to the King George Military Hospital, Stamford Street, London; Pte. Blakeborough was admitted to 5^th Northern General Hospital in Leicester; and Pte. Jones to the facial injury hospital at Sidcup, but for the others the details of their hospital treatment are unknown.

Pte. Augustus Edgar Stone (see 10^th September) was also evacuated to England from 7^th Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth. On arrival in England he would be admitted to Evington Military Hospital, Leicester.

Pte. Victor Munnery (see 20^th September), who had suffered a relatively minor shrapnel wound to his chest on 20^th September, was posted from 54^th General Hospital to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Pte. Walter Robinson (15117) (see 11^th June), serving with 8DWR, was also evacuated to England. He had suffered severe wounds to his left leg (the exact date on which he had been wounded is unknown) which would result in the amputation of the limb. On arrival in England he would be admitted to 2^nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds.

2Lt. George Clifford Sugden (see 30^th July) arrived in France en route to joining 10DWR.

Pte. Albert William Knight (see 16^th August), serving with 2/6^th DWR, was admitted to hospital (cause unknown).

Sgt. Edward Isger (see 30^th May), who had been in England since April, was transferred from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR at North Shields.

The London Gazette reported the award of the Military Cross to 2Lt. Joseph Barrett Hartley (see 4^th November 1915), who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits but had been discharged to a commission with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in October 1915. The date of the action for which Hartley received his award is unknown, but the citation detailed his conduct, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a pack transport. In spite of very heavy shell fire and un- favourable 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 MC

2Lt. Thomas Arnold Woodcock (see 19^th July), who had served with the Battalion for only three weeks before reporting sick in April, and was currently on attachment to a unit (unidentified) from 3DWR, appeared before a further Medical Board assembled at Chelmsford. The Board found that, “he still complains of inability to eat meat and diets himself on fish, fruit and vegetables. His general health is good; his heart is normal; his tongue is covered with a fur. He complains of great frequency of micturation”. He was ordered to return to his current duty, with further observation by his unit’s Medical Officer. He was to be re-examined in a further three months.

Cpl. Frank Christelow (see 31^st March), who had left the Battalion in March to begin his officer training, was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant.

On completing his officer training Pte. Alfred Ernest Pass (known as ‘Alf’) (see 31^st March) was commissioned Second Lieutenant; he would later serve with 10DWR.


A payment of £7 6s. 6d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harry Braithwaite (see 28^th May 1917) who had been killed in action in October 1916; the payment would go to his widow, Eliza.

Tuesday 25th September 1917

Bivouacs at Wood Camp, south of Reninghelst.

The Battalion was inspected and thanked for its work in the recent attack by Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 23^rd September), commanding 69^th Brigade, and by Maj. Genl. Sir J. M. Babington KCMG, commanding 23^rd Division.

The four officers, Lt. Stephen Moss Mather (see 19^th September) and 2Lts. Cyril Edward Agar (see 19^th September), William Johnson Simpson (see 19^th September) and Edward Kent Waite (see 19^th September), who had arrived in France six days previously reported for duty with the Battalion.

Pte. William Stanley Davies (see 21^st September), who had suffered shrapnel wounds to his head four days previously, died at 17^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Ptes. Fred Benn (see 20^th September), Ben Hutchinson (see 20^th September) William Franklin (see 20^th September) and Arthur Wood (29040) (see 20^th September), all of whom had been wounded five days previously, were evacuated to England. On arrival in England, Pte. Wood would be admitted to Southern General War Hospital in Bristol. Pte. William Henry Gray (see 20^th September) was also evacuated to England; in his case from 1^st Australian General Hospital at Rouen, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Essequibo. On arrival in England he would be admitted to Bath War Hospital. Pte. Louis Heren (see 20^th September) also travelled onboard the Esscuibo, being transferred from 5^th General Hospital at Rouen. On arrival in England he would be admitted to 2^nd London General Hospital, Chelsea.

Pte. Henry Jarratt (see 20^th September), who had suffered relatively minor shrapnel wounds to his face was transferred from 26^th General Hospital at Etaples to 6^th Convalescent Depot, also at Etaples.

Given the opportunity to reflect on recent events, a comrade (unnamed) of Pte. William Walker Jackson (see 20^th September), who had been killed in action five days previously, wrote to Jackson’s family, “I am writing to let you know that Willie was rather badly wounded when we were in another roughish corner, and although I have made enquiries I cannot get any definite information respecting him. So far he is reported wounded and missing, as they have not got any word as to his passing through any of the dressing stations. It happened on the morning of the 20^th. Although we had a rough time of it we had quite a victory. The night before we went up I had a talk with Willie, who was quite up with it. We realised that some would be sorted out and would not come back. The Colonel made a touching speech yesterday when we got back and congratulated us on the splendid manner in which we did the task allotted to us. Tears of pride came into our eyes as we stood listening to him, mingled with tears of sorrow as we thought of those who had paid the price. It is only in moments such as these that you would think we have any feeling at all. Our Commanding Officer is a rare sort, and I don’t think there is a man who would not give his life for him.”

Pte. William Walker Jackson

Pte. John Foster (see 20^th August), who was in England having suffered an accidental injury to his knee, was discharged from Guildford War Hospital; after ten days leave he was to join 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. John William Midgley (see 20^th May), who had been wounded on 20^th May, was transferred from hospital in Dundee to 1^st Scottish General Hospital in Aberdeen.

Pte. Wilfred Frederick John Thomson (see 7^th June), having completed his officer training at no.20 Officer Cadet Battalion based at Fleet, Hampshire, was commissioned Second Lieutenant with 3DWR based at North Shields; he would later serve with 10DWR.

Monday 24th September 1917

In reserve at Railway Dugouts.

The Battalion marched seven miles south-west to bivouacs at Wood Camp, south of Reninghelst.

Cpl. Ellis Rigby (see 23^rd July) was promoted Sergeant; he was the younger brother of Pte. Thomas Rigby (see 3^rd August 1916), who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits and had died of wounds following the actions on the Somme in the Summer of 1916.

Pte. Charley Culley (see 23^rd September), who had spent two weeks being treated for “pyrexia NYD” (high temperature, not yet diagnosed) and whose first son had been born the previous day, was discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. Albert Edward Pope (see 20^th September), who had suffered severe chest wounds and a fractured shoulder four days’ previously, died at 10^th Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.
Pte. James Scott (235412) died of wounds and would be buried at Bedford House Cemetery; he was 25 years old and from Glasgow.

Pte. Claude Wilfred Norman (see 20^th September), who had suffered a minor wound four days previously, was discharged from 71^st Field Ambulance and returned to duty.

CSM Bob Harrison (see 20^th September), who had been wounded four days previously, was evacuated to England (details unknown). Sgt. Michael Kenefick MM (see 21^st September), who had been wounded three days previously, was evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew; he would be admitted to hospital in Leeds. Sgt. Harry Raistrick (see 20^th September), who had been wounded four days previously, was evacuated to England from St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital at Etaples, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege. L.Sgt. Albert Earnshaw (see 20^th September) was evacuated to England from 26^th General Hospital at Etaples, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven; on arrival in England he would be transferred to hospital in Liverpool. Pte. James Arthur Markinson MM (see 20^th September) was evacuated to England from 13^th General hospital at Boulogne, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew.

Pte. Harry Crawshaw (see 19^th December 1916) was posted back to England. He had spent some time (details unknown) at 3^rd Australian General Hospital at Abbeville, being treated for ‘trench foot’ and was now evacuated onboard the Hospital Ship Carsibroke Castle. On arrival in England he would be admitted to the Military Hospital in Exeter.

Sunday 23rd September 1917

In reserve at Railway Dugouts.

Another quiet day.

Pte. Harry Hey (25170) (see 20^th September), who had been wounded three days previously, died at 47^th General Hospital at Le Treport; he would be buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery. Pte. Lewis Lunn (see 20^th September), who had been wounded three days previously, died at 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Pte. James Hotchkiss (see 25^th June) was appointed Lance Corporal; he would be promoted Corporal three days later.

L.Cpl. Martin Reddington (see 18^th September), who had suffered minor shrapnel wounds to his back and right knee five days previously, re-joined the Battalion from 71^st Field Ambulance.

Maj. Edward Borrow (see 20^th September), who had suffered a bullet wound through his right hand three days previously, was evacuated from Rouen to Southampton for further treatment.

Maj. Edward Borrow

L.Cpl. Ernest Gee (see 20^th September) was evacuated to England from 10^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis. Pte. Thomas Caton (see 20^th September) was evacuated to England from 22^nd General Hospital at Camiers, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege; on arrival in England he would be transferred to Evington War Hospital, Leicester. Ptes. George Herbert Lant (see 20^th September) and John Longmire (see 20^th September) were evacuated to England; Pte. Longmire would be admitted to hospital in Liverpool but the details of Pte. Lant’s treatment are unknown. Pte. Herbert Ridley (see 20^th September), who had been wounded three days previously, was evacuated to England from 3^rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. George. Pte. Ellis Sutcliffe (see 18^th September), who had been admitted to hospital five days previously suffering from inflammation of his right knee, was evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Corninck. 

Pte. Harold Parsons (see 5^th July) was posted back to England; the reason for his departure from the Battalion is unclear, but it is likely that he had been among those wounded on 20^th September.

L.Cpl. John Jackson (19555) (see 28^th July) and Ptes. William Naylor (see 25^th July), Frederick Patrick (see 19^th December 1916) and Fred Sutcliffe (see 1^st June) departed for England on ten days’ leave.

It seems likely that it was around this time, in calmer conditions, that officers and men would have begun to write to the relatives of those who had been killed on 20^th September. Letters were certainly written to the mother of Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 4^th September). Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 17^th September)  told her that, “He had long done splendid work with his Battalion, and set a great example of coolness and courage to all. It may be some consolation to you to know how well and gallantly he died in the hour of victory, leading the men he had trained and to whom he had given so much care. His loss to us all is great, but he did his duty to the last like the gallant soldier he was”. Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 20^th September) told her, “Your boy was killed whilst gallantly leading his Company, and has died the glorious death that he, being the good soldier he was, doubtless would have wished. I have lost a very valuable officer, who was much loved by all ranks in the Battalion, in the course of gaining one of the most brilliant victories of the war”. Maj. Edward Borrow (see above), also wrote to Mrs. Pereira, “I very soon learnt to appreciate his excellent qualities, especially as a Company Commander”. The Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Hugh Wilfrid Todd (see 15^th June), told Mrs. Pereira, “I have known your son since 1915, and, knowing him, one must of necessity admire and love him. He was always most faithful in the discharge of his religious duties, and was ever a model of good example to those under him. He received the Sacraments before going into attack. Your son was wounded early in the battle but refused to go the dressing post”.

Capt. Adrain O'Donnell Pereira

CQMS Edgar Shuttleworth (see 7th June) wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Nussey, parents of Sgt. Ernest Nussey (see 20^th September), who had been killed in action on 20^th September: “It is with deepest sorrow I write to inform you of the death of your son, Ernest, which occurred on the 21^st (sic.). On that date the battalion went over the top and poor Ernest was shot by an enemy sniper when we had gained our objective. From information gathered his conduct throughout was splendid. He was at the time of his death giving great encouragement to the men of his platoon, of which he was in command, as the officer had previously become a casualty. His loss has certainly cast a gloom over all in the Company, in which he was a great favourite. His coolness in action was remarkable and the success of his Company on that day was largely due to his leadership. All the men of the Company join me in conveying our deepest sympathy in the loss of such a noble son.”

Sgt. Ernest Nussey

Shuttleworth also wrote to the widow of Sgt. Thomas Sheldon (see 20^th September), telling her that her husband had been, “well liked by the officers and other ranks of his Company, and his loss is keenly felt. He was an excellent soldier”.

At home in Horncastle, Florence May Culley, wife of Pte. Charley Culley (see 11^th September), who was currently being treated for “pyrexia NYD” (high temperature, not yet diagnosed), gave birth to the couple’s first child; the baby boy would be named Charles Geoffrey.

Also at home, in Gosberton, near Spalding, Elsie Alice Prestwood, wife of Pte. Arthur Prestwood (see 22^nd September), who had died of wounds the previous day, gave birth to a daughter, Edith Hilda; she was the couple’s first child, although Edith had a son by a previous relationship.

Saturday 22nd September 1917

A and C Companies in trenches on the Blue Line; B and D Companies in Brigade Reserve.

A fine, largely quiet day.

Overnight 22^nd/23^rd the Battalion was withdrawn to reserve at Railway Dugouts.

Pte. Arthur Prestwood (see 5^th July) was severely wounded in action, suffering a fractured left thigh; he was evacuated to one of the casualty clearing stations based near Godewaersvelde, east of Poperinghe, but died of his wounds; he would be buried at Godewaersvelde British Cemetery. 

Pte. Edward Westle (see 5^th July) was also severely wounded, suffering a fractured skull. He was evacuated to 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station but died there and would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Pte. Westle’s brother, George, had been killed in action in July 1916 while serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers and their widowed mother, Elizabeth, would be awarded an Army pension of 12s. 6d. per week for life.

L.Cpl. Fred Davis (see 20^th September) died at one of the Casualty Clearing Stations at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Pte. Joseph Binns MM (24162) (see 20^th September) died of wounds at 17^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Pte. Arthur Hird (see 21st  September), who had suffered severe wounds to his back and abdomen, died at 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Sgt. William Allen Sayer (see 20^th September), who had been wounded two days previously, was evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship St. David; on arriving in England he would be admitted to Bannow Red Cross Hospital, St. Leonards on Sea. Pte. William Axton (see 20^th September), who had been severely wounded two days previously, was evacuated to England (details unknown). Pte. George Bernard Hardy (see 25^th June), who had been wounded two days previously, was evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship St. David; on arriving in England he would be admitted to Kingswood Park Hospital in Tonbridge Wells.

Ptes. Patrick Sweeney (see 19^th September) and Reginald Dayson (see 19^th September), who had been reported as deserters three days previously, were apprehended and placed in confinement awaiting trial.

Among the ‘trophies’ taken by the Battalion in the action around Veldhoek had been an Alsatian dog; according to a memoir apparently compiled by Maj. James Christopher Bull (see 11^th September), and Pte. Harold Charnock (see 8th January 1916), “‘Fritz’, a particularly fine specimen of the Alsatian Sheep Dog, which had been trained as a messenger dog by the Germans.  He was found in a German dug-out and became the Battalion mascot.  He was captured with a message in the tube attached to it’s collar”. 

Image by kind permission of the Trustees of the DWR Museum

The same memoir also refers to the subsequent presentation to the Battalion of “a silver bugle presented by Madame Curier, the Lady of the Manor of Veldhoek.  This was inscribed with the Regimental crest and badges and battle honours of the Battalion”. The present whereabouts of the ‘Veldhoek Bugle’ are unknown.

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. Charles Smith (12380) (see 30^th April), serving in England with 36^th Northumberland Fusiliers, was transferred to 301^st Reserve Labour Company.

A payment of £2 15s. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Tom Close Naylor (see 14^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Harriet. A parcel of his personal effects (contents unknown) was also sent to his widow.

A payment of £2 10s. 3d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Fred Brown (see 29^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his mother, Alice Ann.

A payment of £2 19s. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Charlie Long (see 8^th June) who had been killed in action on 8^th June; the payment would go to his father, Joseph.

Friday 21st September 1917

Front line trenches on the ‘Green Line’, east of Veldhoek.

The day was described as being “fairly quiet” and the events concerning 10DWR are again best reported in the words of the Battalion War Diary:

“Early on the morning of 21^st September A Coy 8^th Yorks relieved my B and D Companies in the centre of the left of the line; C Company 8^th Yorks having been sent up to support my right on the previous afternoon (B and D Companies had suffered especially heavy casualties on the previous day and were withdrawn into Brigade Reserve). 

The day of the 21^st September was fairly quiet with the exception of some shelling of my HQ and the Tower about 1pm and again during our trial barrage - when the various dugouts in the Green Line were also shelled. A faint-hearted attempt to form up for a small local attack on our front was made at about 1pm which was nipped in the bud by our rifle and machine gun fire, in which we used a Bosche Gun with great effect in the neighbourhood of the Chateau. 

At 6.30pm I noticed from the Observation Post a fairly heavy mixed shrapnel and H.E. enemy barrage in the neighbourhood of our front lines and at 6.40pm I received a message from Maj. Grellet that the enemy could be seen massing for attack at J.16.a.7.6. I also noticed at this time the enemy barrage beginning to advance. I at once let Brigade and Artillery and my Companies in front know, and at 6.47pm our barrage came down, actually three minutes before our S.O.S. went up from the front line where about 150 of the enemy appeared in front of my A and C Companies and were promptly wiped out by rifle and Lewis Gun fire. There is little doubt this was meant to be a strong counter-attack and the enemy must have lost very heavily in our barrage. Large numbers of enemy wounded and dead were seen being still taken away early next morning under cover of the red flag.

The remainder of our time in the line was perfectly quiet with the exception of bursts of shelling on all dugouts and intermittent searching shell fire. Snipers from the direction of Tower Hamlets or thereabouts and also from the Chateau in front and from the Red House to the left front of it were always more or less active. A machine gun was located in the latter and movement in the open daylight in front of my HQ was always a risky proceeding. 

Our relief by the 11^th Sherwood Foresters and 9^th Yorks were carried out with the utmost smoothness and practically without casualties”. (On relief by the Sherwood Foresters A and C Companies were withdrawn only as far as the Blue Line, where they were in support of 9Yorks.)

Whilst holding the line the two Vickers guns on my left were very well handled by the officer in charge of them and did several executions on several occasions. During the operations we captured three Trench Howitzers, four machine guns and a very large amount of trench materials of every description including many Flammenwerfers, many thousands of rounds of M.G. ammunition etc. We captured about 190 prisoners, of whom the first 47 were sent back in one batch under an escort, but the rest could not be escorted owing to the thinness of our line, and went back to rear units by themselves covered by a Lewis Gun until they were seen to be taken over. We buried 146 Germans, including several officers, and sent back about 70 badly wounded Germans. A necessarily very rough estimate of casualties inflicted by our Machine Guns, Lewis Guns and rifles on the enemy in front of the line places the number of his casualties at about 450 for the 36 hours we were in the line. In addition to this our artillery barrage must have accounted for large numbers of the enemy during the attack and each of his counter attacks.

Our own casualties during the course of the fight were 3 officers, 40 other ranks killed; 6 officers, 244 other ranks wounded; and 50 missing, of whom a majority will I fear be found to be killed or wounded and certainly none are prisoners”.

Four men were killed in action. They were: Cpl. George Herbert Moody (see 8^th September); Pte. Ernest Hardcastle (see 13^th September), who had only re-joined the Battalion eight days previously after receiving treatment for accidental, minor, burns to his hands; Pte. James Jackson (see 5^th July) and Pte. Harold Jefferson; he was 19 years old and from York, where he had worked as a pattern maker for the North Eastern Railway Company. All four have no known grave and are commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

A number of other men were wounded. Sgt. Michael Kenefick MM (see 13^th August) suffered shrapnel wounds to his back and shoulder; he would be admitted to 1^st Australian Field Ambulance. Pte. William Stanley Davies DoW (see 5^th July) suffered shrapnel wounds to his head; he was admitted to 17^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings. Pte. Arthur Hird (see 17^th October 1916) suffered severe wounds to his back and abdomen; he was evacuated to 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings. Pte. James Moran (see 7th June) was wounded, suffering shrapnel wounds to his head and back. The details of his treatment are unknown, but, his wounds being relatively minor, he would be treated in hospital in Boulogne before being transferred to a Convalescent Hospital at Ecault; he would not be evacuated to England.Pte. William George Ruddock (see 15^th September) also suffered shrapnel wounds to his head; he was evacuated to 1^st South African General Hospital at Abbeville.

Pte. Meggison Bonass (see 20^th September) died of wounds at 10^th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Pte. Henry Thomas Lackey (see 20^th September) died of wounds at one of the Casualty Clearing Stations at Remy Sidings; he would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Pte. William Llewellyn (see 20^th September) died of wounds at one of the Casualty Clearing Stations at Remy Sidings.

Ptes. Ernest Thorn (see 20^th September) and Thomas Irvin Wood (see 17^th July 1916) who had been wounded the previous day were evacuated to England.

Pte. Sidney Powdrill (see 10^th September July), who had been taken ill with influenza eleven days later, re-joined the Battalion from 23^rd Division Rest Station.

Lt. Henry Kelly VC (see 7^th July) who had been in England since being taken ill on Christmas Day 1916, was promoted Captain.

Pte. James Dobson MM (see 12^th March), who had been in hospital in England having been wounded in the German shelling of Ypres in January, died in hospital at Epsom; he would be buried at Undercliffe Cemetery in Bradford.