Assembly trenches in and around Sanctuary Wood.

At about 1am the heavy rain of the previous evening cleared
and the weather became calm and still. Dawn broke at 5.30am and ten minutes
later the British assault, which was to become known as the Battle of the Menin
Road, was launched, with the infantry advancing close up behind the British
barrage which was advancing at the rate of 100 yards in six minutes. According
to plan, in the 23rd Division sector the initial assault was carried
out by 11West Yorks attacking through Inverness Copse. By 6.10am the first
objective, the Red Line, had been captured and consolidation was in progress.
The planned 45 minute delay was then applied, giving time for 9Yorks to move up
to their assembly positions ready to renew the attack. En route they had to
deal with small parties of Germans who had escaped the mopping-up parties of
the 11West Yorks and some stiff fighting ensued before they were able to reach
their assembly trenches. At 7.08am the
barrage lifted forward and the second phase opened, troops advancing behind a
barrage moving at a rate of 100 yards in eight minutes. Casualties for 8Yorks
were heavy but the second objective, the Blue Line, was secured. The assault on
the third objective, the Green Line, would fall to 10DWR.
The story of 10DWR’s involvement in the actions is best told
in the words of the Battalion War Diary:
“At about 3am the Companies began to move up to their
assembly positions in Jasper Avenue, Jasper Lane and Grid and New Cut trenches
(on the western edge of Inverness Copse). The Companies had been ordered to be
in position so as to be able to get straight into their respective trenches
immediately on these being vacated by the 9th Yorks and 11th
West Yorks at or as soon after Zero as possible and this was duly carried out
within about five minutes of Zero. However, owing to a party of 9th Yorks
without an officer remaining in Jasper Avenue, Maj. Borrow (Maj. Edward Borrow, see 29th August) who was temporarily commanding A
Company for the battle was unable to get into it for a considerable time and
the Company suffered severe casualties in consequence at this stage. A platoon
under Lt. Hulburd (Lt. George Stuart
Hulburd, see 15th August),
too was late in getting into position owing to its Commander and platoon
Sergeant both being badly wounded, and this platoon suffered considerable
casualties.
At 8.40am the Companies moved forward in columns of half
platoons in file with A Company followed by C Company on the right; B Company
followed by D Company in the centre, and D Company 8th Yorks on the
extreme left. The latter Coy moved up on the northern side of Inverness Copse
and got through to their jumping off point in front of and behind the Blue Line
(from Kantintje Cabaret to the crossroads
at J.15.c.4.7) in good order having the good fortune to get very little
barrage on them. The four Companies of this Battalion who had to go through
Inverness Copse had a pretty heavy barrage put on to them and suffered
considerable casualties, and arrived at the Blue Line about 9.10am. B Company,
having lost all its officers except 2Lt. Anderson (2Lt. Conrad Anderson, see 1st
July), who with his platoon had lost direction somewhat and gone to the
right of A Company, arrived in a somewhat disorganised state, but was pulled
together by Capt Payne (Capt. John
Edward Lennard Payne, see 3rd
September) and the whole line advanced punctually to time at about 9.53am.
About 9.43am I had arrived with my HQ party at the Tower in
Strong Point I and from this time the advance could be watched from the Tower up to the
time when our men disappeared over the ridge just behind the Green Line, though
the smoke and dust of the shells made it difficult to see details but it was
obvious all was going well.
Northampton Farm itself on the left proved no obstacle to
speak of, but just beyond it a line of over a dozen concrete dugouts and pill-boxes
were heavily manned and armed with machine guns which, together with the enemy
shells, caused a great many casualties to our B and D Companies. D Company 8th
Yorks were more fortunate, though it too at this stage appears to have had a
good many casualties in crossing from the same causes. These dugouts were eventually
cleared of the enemy by B and D Companies of this Battalion, whilst others
still further to the left were dealt with by the 8th Yorks., and these Coys
took up a line in the dugouts with posts 75 to 150 yards in front which were
well dug in within an hour. At the same time, Capt Payne, finding no one on his
right flank, formed a defensive flank with one platoon of B Company reinforced
by two Lewis Gun Sections.
Meanwhile A and B Companies on the right had had stiff
fighting for some of the concrete dugouts in the village of Veldhoek and a
strongly held hedge in front of it, but these were cleared by the fine
manoeuvring of Maj. Borrow, 2Lt. Sparling (Lt. Herbert Sparling, see 15th
August) and 2Lt. Anderson, whose platoon of B Company had rather lost direction,
but came on the scene just in time to outflank the dugouts at Strong Point N
and rendered valuable service to A and C Companies in the taking of these
strong dugouts. Meanwhile Lt. Wilson (Lt. Stanley
Reginald Wilson, see 2nd
August) who was with a platoon of C Company, seeing that there was no touch
with D and B Companies on the left, took his platoon most opportunely into the
gap and enabled Capt. Payne to send the men he had on his defensive flank
forward. As A and C Companies attacked the last line of concrete dugouts in the
Green Line CSM Parker (CSM Charles Edward Parker
MM, see 24th July),
observing that the dugout on the left front of the 13th DLI was
rather holding them up, promptly attacked it from the flank and rear and captured
it.
This completed the capture of all our objectives and everywhere
the troops dug in energetically, and by noon our new line was secure. Meanwhile
about 10.30am Capt Miller, B Coy 8Yorks reported his arrival at the dugouts
about 150 yards N.N.W. of Strong Point I with part of his Coy which had been
very heavily shelled on their way, bringing up wire and other materials. They had
suffered considerable casualties and were rather scattered but he started
reorganising and salving material which had been dropped.
At about 11am, having received a message from Capt. Payne
that he was in his objective but not in touch with anyone on his left and that
he was too weak to cover the gap himself, I ordered Capt. Miller to at once
send up two platoons of his Company to report to Capt. Payne and filled the gap,
obtaining touch with C Company on the right, and to hold himself and his other
two platoons in readiness to go up at a moments notice. I asked for one of the
Brigade Reserve Companies of the 8th Yorks to be sent up at once to take his
place and for the other to be sent up at dusk. Capt. Miller's first two platoons
arrived at their destination just before noon in small parties without much
loss and took up a positions in the front line between my B and C Companies,
considerably strengthening the line which was then rather thin. As soon as I
learnt the Brigade Reserve Company was coming up I sent up Capt. Miller with
the rest of his Company to take up as much small arms ammunition as he could
collect to Capt. Tilley and then report to Capt. Payne with a view to going
where he was most wanted and thus make sure as possible of the line.
At 12.45pm, being still uncertain of the exact dispositions
in the front line I sent 2Lt. Edwards (2Lt. Vincent Edwards, see 15th
June), my Intelligence Officer, to reconnoitre and report on it, a duty he
carried out most thoroughly with the utmost gallantry in the face of
considerable fire of every description. He was able to tell me on his return
the exact dispositions and the fact that the two Vickers Guns which I had ordered
to take up a position on the right flank did not appear to be there. I did not
in fact succeed in getting them taken there until the night of the 21st
notwithstanding my urgent orders.
At 2.45pm we observed from the Tower considerable bodies of
the enemy massing for counter-attack on a line J.16.central to J.16.c.95.05.
and in front of it. I at once let Brigade and Artillery know and sent out
urgent warnings to all concerned and deployed my reserve Company of the 8th
Yorks which had just arrived on a line right and left of Strong Point I. Our
artillery opened on the enemy at once and with evident effect for the attack
did not materialise and, when the dust and smoke of our barrage cleared, no one
was to be seen.
At dusk, I moved by BHQ from the Tower in Strong Point I to
a more commodious concrete dugout which had evidently been a German HQ about 50
yards south of the Tower, keeping the Tower as an Observation Post and Signal Station
connected with me by 'phone'.
The night was very quiet with the exception of some heavy shelling
of my HQ and the Tower about midnight and I was able to spend about three hours
in going round and examining the posts and dispositions behind in comparative
peace before the opening of our trial barrage, during which time I thoroughly
satisfied myself that our positions was secure everywhere”.
Despite the successful conduct of the attack, casualties in
the Battalion were very heavy and, although many of those killed were
apparently buried by their comrades, many of the graves would be lost in
subsequent fighting in the area.
Two officers had been killed; Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 4th September) and 2Lt. Donald Halliday Lyon (see 21st June). Both were
most likely buried in the aftermath of the attack but their graves lost in
subsequent fighting in the area. In April 1919 the remains of Capt. Pereira,
identified by means of his cigarette case, would be recovered from an unmarked
grave in the village of Veldhoek and re-buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery; 2Lt.
Lyon is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.
 |
Capt. Adrian O'Donnell Pereira |
 |
2Lt. Donald Halliday Lyon |
Casualties among the men were high; more than 80 men were
reported killed, died of wounds or missing in action and in excess of 240 men
were wounded. Among those killed were two of Tunstill’s original Company. Pte. John Wesley Amos (see 9th September 1915) had only recently re-joined the
Battalion, having spent some time on attachment to the Royal Engineers. Pte. Percival James (Percy) Pemberton (see 24th December 1916) had
been invalided back to England earlier in the year, suffering from pneumonia
and had spent some time in hospital, followed by a short period of leave at his
home in Menston, before returning to the Battalion. He was killed whilst acting
as a stretcher-bearer and was carrying a wounded man back through the trenches
when he was caught in a shell explosion. News of Pemberton’s death was reported
to his widow by her brother, Private A.
Clarke (unidentified), who had witnessed
what had happened. Both Amos and Pemberton are now commemorated on the Tyne Cot
Memorial to the Missing.
A number of other original members of the Battalion were
also killed, including Sgt. Ernest
Nussey (see 21st March
1916). The circumstances of his death were described in a letter to his
family from 2Lt. Vincent Edwards (see 15th June): “Sergt. Nussey was killed during the
great advance through Inverness Copse, which resulted in such a glorious
victory for our Army, and in which our battalion (the 10th) did so
magnificently. He was wounded in the leg by a bullet and five minutes
afterwards a shell exploded very near him and killed him instantly. He was
buried near where he fell. We are all deeply grieved that he will never return
to us, for he was a thoroughly good man right through – a good soldier and a
good comrade.”
 |
Sgt. Ernest Nussey |
The other original members of the Battalion killed were:
Sgt. Thomas Sheldon,
a 32 year-old married man from Bradford; he was originally buried close to
Inverness Copse, but his grave would be lost in subsequent fighting.
Cpl. Albert Harold Hanson (see 12th August).
Cpl. Joseph Rawnsley
(see 31st March).
L.Cpl. Joseph Bowles;
he was a 30 year-old textile worker from Halifax and married with one son.
Pte. Wilfred
Cornelius Allott was 30 years old; he had worked before as a labourer at
the gasworks in Huddersfield. He was originally buried south-east of
FitzClarence Farm, but his grave would be lost in subsequent fighting.
Pte. William Denby
was 21 years old and from Keighley and had been an original member of the Battalion.
 |
Pte. William Denby
Image by kind permission of Andy Parker
|
Pte. William Arthur
Greenwood Dolby (see 7th June).
Pte. Thomas William
Jones (see 29th July 1916).
Pte. Thomas Thompson
MM (see 1st June).
All of these men, with the exception of Sgt. Sheldon and
Pte. Allott are now commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.
The other men killed in action, most of whom are now
commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, were:
Sgt. Luke Dawson
(see 27th February).
A/Sgt. James Collings (see 19th November 1916).
L.Cpl. George
William Foster (see 28th July);
he was buried just south of Stirling Castle, but his grave would be lost in
subsequent fighting.
L.Cpl. Herbert
Horatio Millican (see 15th
September).
L.Cpl. Thomas
Mullaney; he was a 31 year-old coal carter from Mossley and had originally served with 1st/7thDWR. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR.
Pte. Nicholson
Braddock (see 12th
September).
Pte. Harry Bradshaw
(see 5th July).
Pte. Stanley
Broadbent (see 28th June);
he
was buried just south of Stirling Castle, but his grave would be lost in
subsequent fighting.
Pte. John Robert Camm
(see 5th July); he was originally
reported wounded and missing, but then confirmed as having been killed in
action.
Pte. Edwin Charles
Church (see 8th September)
had been with the Battalion for only 12 days; he also was originally reported
wounded and missing, but then confirmed as having been killed in action .
Pte. Henry Cox
was a 20 year-old colliery worker from Ecclesfield, near Sheffield.
Pte. Clifford Gough
(see 17th August).
Pte. Edward
Greenhalgh (see 6th March).
Pte. Harry Hancock (see 28th May).
Pte. George Hartell
(see 5th July).
Pte. John William
Hebb (see 8th September).
Pte. Fred Heppinstall
(see 14th September) had
only re-joined the Battalion six days previously, having been away for two
months following admission to hospital suffering from boils.
Pte. George Edward
Hickson was 19 years old and from Wragby, Lincolnshire.
Pte. Stanley Roebuck
Hutton (see 4th September).
Pte. William Walker
Jackson (see 23rd February).
 |
Pte. William Walker Jackson |
Pte. Archibald Kean
(see 8th September); he was
buried just south of Stirling Castle, but his grave would be lost in subsequent
fighting.
Pte. William Kendall
Lamb (see 8th September).
Pte. Stanley Arthur
Lucas (see 8th September).
Pte. Thomas Manuell
(see 11th September).
Pte. Henry Richardson
Oddy (see 25th June); he was
buried just south of Stirling Castle, but his grave would be lost in subsequent
fighting. News of his death would be conveyed to friends at Thornhill
Briggs Working Men’s Club by Joseph Dent (see 17th August)
who, like Pte. Oddy, had been a member of the Club; “As a member of your Club I
think it my duty to inform you of the death of Pte. Harry Oddy who was also a
member of the Club. He was killed in action on September 20th and he
had a decent grave along with a few more of our Battalion. We had several good
nights together before we went into the trenches so you will realise I have
lost a chum”.
 |
Image from The Halifax Courier, 12th October 1917 |
Pte. Amos Oddy (see 31st August); he was buried near Inverness Copse, but his
grave would be lost in subsequent fighting.
Pte. Harold Oliver
was 19 years old and from Wilberfoss, Yorks. His brother, Pte. Robert Arthur
Oliver, had been killed in action in April 1916 while serving with the Scots
Guards.
Pte. Clifford Orchard
(see 8th September).
Pte. Stanley Peace,
a 25 year-old labourer from Huddersfield; he had previously served with 2DWR,
having first gone out to France in July 1915.
Pte. Harold Peel
(see 4th September).
Pte. Willie Priestley
(see 3rd September).
Pte. Harold Shaw
(12758); he was a 26 year-old spinner from Oldham.
Pte. Harry Stillwell
(see 8th September).
Pte. George Stinson
(see 5th July).
Pte. Frank Suckling
(see 8th September).
Pte. Elijah Sudworth (see 28th May).
Pte. Michael Taylor
(see 28th August).
Pte. Arthur Thornton
(see 5th July); he was
originally buried, but his grave would be lost in subsequent fighting. His widow
would receive news of his death from 2Lt. Andrew Aaron Jackson (see 29th
May 1917); “It is my painful duty to tell you of the death of your husband on the day
after the big advance in which he took part. By friends who were with him I am
told that he suffered absoloutely no pain. I have his pocket-book and cigarette
case in my possession and shall send them to you at the earliest possible
opportunity. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great trial. Although I
had not known long, I liked him and we both had the same longing for home. His
friends in the platoon ask me to send their heartfelt sympathy. We have lost a
comrade, but you – I dare not think what you have lost. Again, please accept my
deepest sympathy”. There would also be a letter from CQMS Maurice Harcourt Denham (see 23rd August); “It is with
the deepest regret that I learnt of the death of your husband and I am writing
to express my sympathy. He had not been with us very long but was well liked by
all the Brighouse fellows and we feel we have lost a great pal. He was killed
in an attack on the morning of the 20th and was laid to rest in a
soldier’s grave not far from the line. His grave, I assure you, will receive
every attention. No words can express our loss, while yours is infinitely
greater. May God comfort you in your terrible loss”.
 |
Image from The Halifax Courier, 12th October 1917 |
Pte. James
Tunnicliffe; he was 26 years old, originally from Glossop but had been
living in Stalybridge, and had served with 1st/7th DWR
(first being posted to France in April 1915) before joining 10DWR (date and
details unknown).
Pte. John Joseph
Walker (see 8th September).
Pte. Ernest Frederick
Warner (see 8th September).
Pte. Walter Kenyon
Whitehead was a 31 year-old warehouseman from Halifax.
Pte. Thomas Wilcock
was a 33 year-old warp twister from Bradford; he was married with two children.
He
was buried just south of Stirling Castle, but his grave would be lost in
subsequent fighting.
Three men are known to have died the same day from wounds
suffered in action:
Pte. Joe Anderson
died of wounds at 13th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings and
would be buried at the adjacent Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. From
Huddersfield, where had worked in the textile mills, he was a married man with
one son and had originally served with 1st/7th West
Ridings before being transferred to 10DWR.
Pte. David Lindsay
(see 8th September) died
of wounds before reaching medical help; it seems likely that he was buried in
the field by his comrades, but the site of his burial was lost in subsequent
fighting and he is now commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.
Pte. John (Jack)
Williams (see 3rd September)
suffered wounds to his right arm and hand; he was evacuated to 11th
Casualty Clearing Station at Godewaersvelde,
east of Poperinghe, but died of his wounds; he would be buried at Godewaersvelde British Cemetery.
A substantial number of men were reported missing in action.
Among them, some were quickly identified as having been killed, allowing swift
settlement of their affairs with their families, and, in a number of cases, the
return of some of their personal effects. These included:
Pte. Albert Edward
Everitt (see 28th June).
Pte. Herbert Hirst
(see 5th July).
Pte. Leonard Le
Lacheur (see 5th July).
Pte. John Myles Raw
(see 16th January).
 |
Pte. John Myles Raw |
Pte. Ernest Smith
(25187) (see 5th July).
Pte. Herbert Smith
(31449) (see 8th September).
Pte. Joseph William
Sutcliffe (see 28th May).
Pte. Thomas Henry Swift (see 7th August).
Pte. Arthur Tempest
(see 5th July).
Pte. Clement Wilson
(see 12th June).
Also initially reported missing but then confirmed as killed in
action was Pte. Edwin Waterworth (see 25th June) who had been
attached to 69th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery.
Other men initially reported missing were not identified
among the bodies recovered in the following days and their families would have
a protracted period before official presumption of death would be confirmed.
These men were:
L.Sgt. Fred Light
Pashley (see 4th September); his comrades (unnamed) would write to his mother, telling her “his
place will be difficult to fill as he was a good chum and he died doing his
duty”.
Cpl.
Edward
Woffindale (
see 31st
August).
L.Cpl. Arthur Milner
(see 25th June).
Pte.
John Buckley;
he was 21 years old and from Delph, near Oldham; he had previously served with
1
st/7
th West Ridings before being transferred to 10DWR.
Pte. Peter Herity
(see 20th August).
Pte. Alfred Hirst
(see 5th July).
Pte. Henry Harry Jolly
(see 8th September).
Pte. Walter Mallory
(see 16th January).
Pte. Arthur Mitchell (see 28th June).
Pte. Ernest Needham
(see 16th June).
Pte. Alfred Spencer (see 5th September).
Pte. Albert Victor Wilcock
(see 16th January).
Pte. Harry Willey (see 28th May).
Pte. Jabez
Wintersgill (see 21st July).
Pte.
Thomas Henry
Wood (
see 26th August).
Also reported wounded and missing was Pte. Frank William Rabjohn (see 23rd August), but
subsequent events would establish that he had not been killed.
At least nine officers are known to have been wounded. Maj. Edward Borrow (see 22nd August) suffered a bullet wound through his
right hand; he would be evacuated to England for further treatment. Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 14th September) suffered a bullet wound to his left
thigh, the bullet passed through his thigh without striking the femur and
leaving what Perks himself would describe as “a clean flesh wound only”; he
would be evacuated to England and admitted to 2nd Western General
Hospital in Manchester. Lt. George
Stuart Hulburd (see 15th
August) suffered severe wounds to his right, arm and hand; he would be
evacuated to hospital (details unknown) in France. 2Lts. John Robert Cass and George
Thomas Lotherington (see 17th
September), like 2Lts. William
Taylor and John Henry Walker (see above), who had been killed in
action, had only been with the Battalion for three days, on attachment from the
East Yorkshire Regiment. Both men were wounded and evacuated to England, but the
nature and extent of their injuries are unknown.
 |
Maj. Edward Borrow |
 |
Capt. Robert Clement Perks DSO
Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson
|
 |
Lt. George Stuart Hulburd
Image by kind permission of Paddy Ireland
|
Lts. Arthur Poynder Garratt
(see 15th August) and Herbert Sparling (see 15th August) were also reported wounded, but their
injuries were relatively minor and both remained with the Battalion.
The total number of men wounded on the day is unclear, but
appears to have been well in excess of 200; around 80 of these men have been
identified.
CSM
Bob Harrison
(
see 24th August) was
wounded (details unknown) and admitted to hospital in France.
1. Sgt. Walter Appleby (see 9th
July) suffered penetrating shrapnel wounds to his chest; his wounds were
severe and he would be evacuated to hospital in Rouen (details unknown).
 |
Sgt. Walter Appleby
Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenOfWorth
|
Sgt.
John William Dickinson (
see 8th June); the nature of
his wounds are unknown, but he would be evacuated to one of the hospital in
Etaples.
Sgt.
Harry Raistrick (
see 17th
August) suffered shrapnel wounds to his buttocks; he was admitted via 6
th
Australian Field Ambulance to the St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital at
Etaples. (image) Sgt.
William Allen
Sayer (
see 20th August)
suffered wounds to his right knee; he was admitted to hospital in France
(details unknown). L.Sgt.
Albert Earnshaw
(
see 21st July) suffered
severe wounds to both legs; he was admitted via 6
th Australian Field
Ambulance and 3
rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings
to 26
th General Hospital at Etaples. Cpl.
Edwin Lightfoot (
see 22nd
June) suffered shrapnel wounds to his chest and abdomen; he was admitted to
hospital in France (details unknown). Cpl.
William
Walker Rossall MM (
see 16th
August) suffered shrapnel wounds to his back and right wrist; he was
admitted via 6
th Australian Field Ambulance and 2
nd
Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 2
nd Canadian
General Hospital at Le Treport. Cpl.
Thomas
Anthony Swale (
see 17th
August) suffered shrapnel wounds to his left foot; he would be admitted to
57
th General Hospital at Boulogne. Cpl.
Lionel Vickers (
see 28th
August) was wounded in the right knee; he was admitted via 6
th
Australian Field Ambulance to 2
nd Canadian General Hospital at Le
Treport (image). L.Cpl.
Clarence
Best (see 8th June)
was severely wounded (details unknown) and admitted to hospital in France. L.Cpl.
Herbert Newton (
see 25th June) was shot through the left leg; he was
admitted via 6
th Australian Field Ambulance and 10
th
Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 2
nd Canadian General
Hospital at Le Treport. L.Cpl.
Fred Davis was admitted to one of the Casualty Clearing Stations at Remy
Sidings;
he
was a 23 year-old textile worker from Oldham and had originally served with 1st/7th
DWR (the date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR are unknown). L.Cpl.
Ernest Gee (
see 3rd August) suffered
wounds to his left forearm; he was evacuated via 6
th Australian
Field Hospital to 10
th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings.
L.Cpl. Thomas Hemingway (
see 25th August) suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck;
he was admitted via 6
th Australian Field Ambulance and 3
rd
Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 7
th Canadian
General Hospital at Etaples. L.Cpl.
Frank
Mallinson MM (
see 22nd
August) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right shoulder; he was admitted via
6
th Australian Field Ambulance and 10
th Casualty Clearing
Station at Remy Sidings to 2
nd Canadian General Hospital at Le
Treport. L.Cpl.
Thomas Riding (
see 10th September) suffered
a minor shrapnel wound; he was treated at 71
st Field Ambulance and
would be discharged to duty three days later.
L.Cpl.
William
Stowell (
see 27th July)
suffered a fractured skull; he would be evacuated to hospital (details unknown).
L.Cpl.
Ernest Wilson (28985) (see 20th September) was
severely wounded, suffering wounds to his left leg, including a compound
fracture of the lower leg; he was admitted to hospital in France (details
unknown). Pte.
Edward Anderson
(
see 16th June) suffered
shrapnel wounds to his left hand; he was admitted via 6
th Australian
Field Ambulance and 17
th Casualty Clearing Station to 2
nd
Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport.
Pte.
Ernest
Frederick Authers (
see 8th
September) suffered wounds to his right knee and foot; the details of his
treatment are unknown. Pte.
William
Axton (
see 5th July)
was reported severely wounded (details unknown); he was admitted to hospital in
France. Pte.
Fred Benn (
see 17th October 1916)
suffered a severe facial wound; he was admitted to hospital in France (details
unknown). Pte.
John Beresford (see 5th July) suffered severe wounds to his left shoulder; he would be evacuated to England. In the absence of a surviving service record the full details of his treatment are unknown, but, by early october, he was being treated at Edmonton Military Hospital in London.
Pte.
Joseph Binns MM (24162) (
see 16th
August) was admitted to 17
th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy
Sidings. Pte.
Frank Blakeborough (
see 5th July) suffered a wound
to his right hand and was admitted to hospital in France (details unknown). Pte.
Meggison Bonass was admitted to 10
th
Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings; he was 22 years old and from
Saltaire. He had originally served with 9DWR before being transferred to 10DWR.
Pte.
Richard Butler (
see 6th December 1916)
suffered a head wound which would leave him blind in his left eye; he would be
admitted to hospital in France (details unknown). Pte.
George Carter (
see 7th
September) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right leg; he was admitted via 6
th
Australian Field Ambulance to 3
rd General Hospital at Rouen. Pte.
Thomas Caton (
see 5th September) was shot in the left leg; he was
admitted via 6
th Australian Field Ambulance to 22
nd
General Hospital at Camiers . Pte.
Harry
Clarke (15251) suffered gunshot wounds to his right thigh; he would be
admitted to 139
th Field Ambulance and from there transferred to one
of the local Casualty Clearing Stations. He was 37 years old and originally from Sheffield, but had been living in Huddersfield when he had enlisted as an original member of the Battalion. Pte.
Harold
Dale (
see 8th June)
suffered a shrapnel wound to his right knee; he was admitted via 6
th
Australian Field Ambulance and 2
nd Canadian Casualty Clearing
Station at Remy Sidings to 2
nd Canadian General Hospital at Le
Treport. Pte.
Edwin Dawson (
see 7th April) suffered
severe wounds to his chest, left wrist and left foot; he was evacuated via 6
th
Australian Field Hospital and 10
th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy
Sidings, to 1
st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples. Cpl.
Horace Dewis suffered wounds to his right
leg; he was an original member of the Battalion, 28 years old and a had worked
as a fitter in Haworth. Pte.
Harold
Drury (
see 15th September)
suffered severe wounds to his left thigh; he was admitted via 133
rd
Field Ambulance to 11
th Casualty Clearing Station at
Godewaersvelde, east of Poperinghe and then
transferred the same day to hospital in Camiers and subsequently evacuated to
England (details unknown). Pte.
John
Henry Evison (
see 5th July)
suffered shrapnel wounds to his left thigh; he was admitted via 6
th
Australian Field Ambulance and 2
nd Canadian Casualty Clearing
Station at Remy Sidings to 2
nd Canadian General Hospital at Le
Treport. Pte.
Frederick Fielden (
see 5th July) was severely
wounded, suffering compound fractures of his right arm and left leg; he was
evacuated via 6
th Australian Field Ambulance and 10
th
Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 2
nd Australian General
Hospital at Wimereux. Pte.
William
Franklin (
see 31st August)
suffered shrapnel wounds to his left shoulder; he was admitted to hospital in
France (details unknown). Pte.
William
Henry Gray (
see 5th July)
was wounded in the right leg, suffering a flesh wound to his calf; he was
admitted via 6
th Australian Field Hospital and 10
th
Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings, to 1
st Australian General
Hospital at Rouen. Pte.
Lewis Greenwood
(
see 11th January) was
wounded (details unknown) and treated in France in the first instance. Pte.
George Bernard Hardy (
see 25th June) suffered
shrapnel wounds to his right arm; he was admitted to hospital in France
(details unknown) (image). Pte.
Trayton
George Harper (
see 2nd
June) suffered severe wounds to his left side; he was admitted to hospital
in France (details unknown).
Pte. Watson Halliday (see 7th
July 1916); the details and treatment of his wounds are unknown but he
would be evacuated to England. Pte. James
Arthur Heap (see 18th May),
who was attached to 69th Trench Mortar Battery, suffered shrapnel
wounds to his face and right knee; he was admitted via 6th
Australian Field Hospital and 10th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy
Sidings, to 47th General Hospital at Le Treport. Pte. Louis Heren (see 8th September) suffered severe facial wounds which
would result in the loss of both eyes; he would be evacuated to 5th
General Hospital at Rouen. Pte. Harry
Hey (25170) (see 5th July)
suffered wounds to the neck; he would be evacuated to 47th General
Hospital at Le Treport. Pte. Joseph Leonard Holmes (see 21st
August 1916) was wounded (details unknown). Pte. Joseph Honeyble (see 5th
July) suffered a gunshot wound to the head; he was evacuated via 6th
Australian Field Hospital and 10th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy
Sidings, to 11th Stationary Hospital at Rouen. Pte. Michael Hopkins (see 19th December 1916) suffered severe wounds to his
ankle. Pte. Ben Hutchinson (see 11th January) suffered
severe wounds to his abdomen and right hand; the details of his immediate treatment
are unknown. Pte. Henry Jarratt (see 15th August) suffered
relatively minor shrapnel wounds to his face; he was admitted via 71st
Field Ambulance and 53rd Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul to 26th
General Hospital at Etaples. Pte. Frederick
Ernest Jones (see 17th
October 1916) suffered severe facial wounds, including a fractured lower
jaw; he was admitted to hospital in France (details unknown). Pte. Herbert Crowther Kershaw (see 4th September) suffered
relatively minor shrapnel wounds to his face; he was admitted via 41st
Casualty Clearing Station at Godewaersvelde
to 22nd General Hospital at Camiers. Pte.
Henry Thomas Lackey (see 8th September) was
evacuated to one of the Casualty Clearing Stations at Remy Sidings. Pte. George Herbert Lant (see 24th July) was wounded
and admitted to hospital in France (details unknown). Pte. Lewis Larkins (see 15th
September) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right hand, left arm and face;
he was admitted via 6th Australian Field Ambulance and 2nd
Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 3rd General
Hospital at Le Treport. Pte. William
Llewellyn (I am unable to make a
positive identification of this man) was wounded and evacuated to one of
the Casualty Clearing Stations at Remy Sidings. Pte. John Longmire (see 11th
January) suffered severe wounds to his right thigh; he was admitted to
hospital in France (details unknown). Pte. Lewis
Lunn (see 28th June)
suffered shrapnel wounds to his back and was evacuated via 6th
Australian Field Hospital to 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station
at Remy Sidings. Pte. James Arthur
Markinson MM (see 16th
August) suffered shrapnel wounds to his hip; he was admitted via 6th
Australian Field Ambualnce to 13th General hospital at Boulogne.
Pte. Joseph McDermott (see 4th September) suffered a
minor shrapnel wound to his scalp; he was treated at 71st Field
Ambulance and would be discharged to duty next day. Pte. Frederick
McKell (see 22nd March)
suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs, hands and face; he was admitted via 2nd
Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 2nd Australian
General Hospital at Wimereux. Pte. Victor
Munnery (see 24th July)
suffered a relatively minor shrapnel wound to his chest; he was admitted via 6th
Australian Field Ambulance and 17th Casualty Clearing Station to 54th
General Hospital. Pte. Charley Norman
(see 5th July) suffered severe
wounds, including a compound fracture of his left forearm and injuries to his
shoulder; he was evacuated via 6th Australian Field Ambulance and 10th
Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 9th British
Red Cross Hospital at Calais. Pte. Claude
Wilfred Norman (see 5th
July) suffered a minor wound and was admitted to 71st Field
Ambulance. Pte. Charles Oldham (see 16th January) suffered
shrapnel wounds to his left thigh and neck; he was admitted via 6th
Australian Field Ambulance and 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing
Station at Remy Sidings to 2nd Canadian General Hospital at Le
Treport. Pte. Robert Phillips (see 24th July) was severely
wounded, suffering multiple wounds; he was admitted to hospital (details
unknown). Pte. Albert Edward Pope (see 24th July) suffered
severe chest wounds and a fractured shoulder; he was evacuated via 6th
Australian Field Ambulance to 10th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy
Sidings. Pte. Alec Radcliffe (see 14th August) suffered
severe facial wounds; was evacuated via 6th Australian Field
Ambulance and 10th Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings to 8th
Stationary Hospital at Wimereux. Pte. Herbert
Ridley (see 28th May)
suffered shrapnel wounds to his right arm and shoulder; he was evacuated via 6th
Australian Field Hospital to 3rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen. Pte. Herbert Rushworth (see 11th January) suffered severe wounds to his left
arm; he was admitted to hospital in France (details unknown). Pte. Robert Smith (235360) (see 8th September) suffered severe wounds which would result in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. Pte. Edward Somers (see 30th March) suffered a severe wound to his neck. Pte.
John Stenson (see 17th July 1916) suffered shrapnel wounds to his left
leg; he was admitted via 6th Australian Field Hospital and 17th
Casualty Clearing Station to 2nd Canadian General Hospital at Le
Treport. Pte. Ernest Thorn (see 15th September) was wounded
(details unknown) and evacuated via 6th Australian Field Ambulance.
Pte. Arthur Wood (29040) (see 11th January) suffered
wounds to his head, right forearm and both legs. Pte.
Frank Wood (3/11631) (see 28th February 1915); the
details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would remain in France. Pte. Herbert Wood (see 16th
January) suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck and left hand; he was
admitted via 6th Australian Field Ambulance to 3rd
General Hospital at Le Treport. Pte. Thomas Irvin Wood (see 17th
July 1916) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right hand which would result in
the amputation of three fingers; he was admitted to hospital in France (details
unknown). Pte. Joseph Henry Woodcock
(see 28th June) suffered
abdominal wounds and was evacuated via 6th Australian Field Ambulance
to 9th General Hospital at Rouen. Pte. Alfred Edward Wybrow MM (see 27th
December 1916) suffered relatively minor wounds to his neck; he was
admitted via 6th Australian Field Ambulance and 2nd
Canadian Casualty Clearing Station to 2nd Canadian General Hospital
at Le Treport.
Pte. John Anderson Mitchell
(see 18th August), serving with 69th Machine Gun
Company, Machine Gun Corps, suffered relatively minor wounds to his back; he
would be admitted via 10th Casualty Clearing Station, to 7th Canadian General Hospital at Etaples.
L.Cpl.
John William
Mallinson (
see 27th July)
was ordered to be placed in confinement on a charge of desertion.
Cpl. George Heeley
(see 17th August) was
promoted Lance Sergeant.
L.Cpls. John William
Baird (see 26th August),
Joseph Edward Robinson (see 15th June) and William Edward Varley (see 24th August) and
Ptes. Thomas
Butler (see 28th July) Harry Clark (see 30th
July) and Harry Wood (see 27th November 1916)
were all promoted Corporal.
A substantial number of gallantry awards would subsequently
be made to officers and men of the Battalion. Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see
4th September) would be awarded the DSO; “He was
successful in leading his battalion through heavy fire to attack, capture and
hold the furthest objective. By his prescence in the front line,
both during the attack and subsequent counter attacks, the position was
maintained and consolidated. His fine example imbued all ranks with
enthusiasm." Maj. Edward Borrow
(see above) would also be awarded the
DSO; “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. When the
leading troops were suffering severe casualties, he kept the men together by
his splendid leadership. Though twice wounded, he led his men to the final
objective, and stuck to his post until he collapsed from the effects of his
wounds. His courage and example were an inspiration to all ranks”.
Two officers would be awarded the Military Cross. Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne (see above); “For conspicuous gallantry
and devotion to duty. He led his company in an attack with great courage and
determination under heavy fire, and showed marked qualities of leadership and
coolness at critical moments. During subsequent counter-attacks he held his
line intact for two days and nights and also took command of a company that had
lost all its' officers”. Lt. Herbert Sparling
(see above), “For conspicuous
gallantry and devotion to duty. He took command of his company during an attack
and led it with great coolness and determination. He remained in command though
wounded, and during an enemy counter-attack displayed remarkable coolness and resource”.
Two men would be awarded the Distingished Conduct Medal. CSM Charles Edward Parker MM (see above) “For conspicuous
gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. When all his officers were
casualties he led his company with great success in the attack under heavy
fire. Later, when the enemy were preparing a counter attack, he went along the
line under the enemy barrage to warn other companies. His magnificent coolness
and courage were an inspiring example to all”. Pte. John Kelly (18983) (I am unable
to make a positive identification of this man) “For conspicuous gallantry
and devotion to duty. On being informed that the enemy were massing for a
counter-attack behind a ridge about fifty yards in front of his Company, he at
once went forward with a Lewis Gun and opened fire on the enemy, causing them
to disperse. He showed great courage and initiative”
Thirty-five other ranks serving with the Battalion would
also be awarded the Military Medal for their conduct in action. Two of them
were original members of Tunstill’s Company. For L.Cpl. William (Billy) Hoyle MM (see
16th August) this was a second award, having already been
recognised for his conduct on 7th June, he was now to be awarded a
Bar to his Military Medal, “On the day of the first attack this NCO, as company
runner, displayed great daring during a heavy bombardment. When the enemy
counter-attacked he organised a party and brought up ammunition at a very
critical stage under heavy shell and machine gunfire. Throughout the engagement
he showed great bravery and devotion to duty”. Pte. Richard Butler (see above)
had been wounded in action and was recognised for, “his courage shown in
rescuing a wounded comrade under fire”.
The other men
who would be awarded the Military Medal were:
Sgt. Harry Holmes (see 8th June).
Sgt. James Scott
(14445) was an original member of the Battalion; he was a 28 year-old married
man from Great Preston, near Leeds, and had worked as a miner before enlisting.
Sgt. John William
Wardman (see 8th June).
The citation for Wardman would subsequently be published in the Keighley News (3rd November 1917), “In the attack on the enemy lines
when the attacking company was held up by a machine gun emplacement, he showed
much courage and ability in creeping round the flank under heavy shellfire. He
killed the machine gun crew and captured the gun. When two officers and the
Company Sergeant Major were wounded he rendered valuable assistance as Acting
Company Sergeant Major”.
 |
Sgt. John William Wardman
Image by kind permission of Paul Bishop
|
A/Sgt. George William Keeling
(see 10th September).
Cpl. Albert Jackson
(I am unable to make a positive
identification of this man).
Cpl. William Henry
Dobson (see 7th March 1916; it is not known when he had been promoted).
Cpl. Horace Dewis
(see above).
Cpl. James Jennings
(11270); I am unable to make a positive identification of this man, other than
for the fact that he had previously served with 8DWR and had gone with his
Battalion to Gallipoli in July 1915.
Cpl. Joseph Maddison
was a 35 year-old miner from Rotherham; he was married with five children. He
had originally volunteered with the Dukes in August 1914 but, in November, had
been discharged as unfit due to an old leg fracture which made him “unable to
drill”. Within a month he had re-enlisted, this time with the York and
Lancaster Regiment. In March 1915 he had been transferred to 2DWR and had been
posted to France in April 1915. The circumstances under which he had been
transferred to 10DWR are unknown.
Cpl. Thomas Mann (see 6th June 1916) (it is not known when he had been promoted); “When No.1 of the Lewis Gun team had become a casualty he took over the gun and rallied the team under heavy fire. On reaching the final objective he stripped and cleaned the gun regardless of all danger, and when the counter-attack was launched by the enemy, by his complete control of the team, did much to relieve the situation. All through the action he displayed great courage and boldness”.
Cpl. Joseph Smith
(12748); he was from Ilkley and had originally served with 9DWR, going to
France with his Battalion in July 1915. He had been wounded by shrapnel in
November 1915 and had been in hospital and had remained in England for a year.
He had returned to France and joined 10DWR around November 1916 (I am most obliged to Edward Wild for the
information on Joseph Smith).
L.Cpl. Arthur Dyson (see 28th July); for “taking
command of his platoon and reorganising it during heavy shellfire”.
L.Cpl. Louis Feather
(see 26th August); “in the
attack on the enemy lines when in charge of an advanced post he caused many
casualties among the enemy parties advancing and brought about the surrender of
a party hidden in shell holes in front of his position”.
L.Cpl. Fred Greenwood
(24522) (see 15th June).
L.Cpl. Ernest Pearson
(see 18th June).
L.Cpl. Frank Wood
(see 28th July).
Pte. Jesse Barker
(see 7th December 1916); “On the first day of the advance this man rendered valuable
assistance as a Yukon pack carrier in getting material to the forward area.
Danger and fatigue were nothing to him, and his fine example to the team was
responsible for ample supplies of ammunition etc. at critical times”.
Pte. Sydney Drake
had originally served with 8DWR and been posted to Gallipoli in September 1915
before being evacuated to England after suffering from dysentry; the
circumstances under which he had been transferred to 10DWR are unknown.
Pte. Frederick Harris
was an original member of the Battalion; he was a 35 year-old married man from
Middlesbrough.
Pte. Michael Hopkins had been wounded (see above).
Pte. H Kenworthy (268541)
(I am unable to make a positive
identification of this man).
Pte. James William
Kershaw was a 24 year-old labourer from Halifax who had originally served
with 2DWR and had first gone out to France in August 1915. He had suffered
frostbitten feet whilst in training in the winter of 1914-15, gas poisoning in
1915 and a minor gunshot wound to the right leg in 1916. The circumstances under which
he had been transferred to 10DWR are unknown.
Pte. Albert Matchett
(see above); “On the first day of the
advance, although wounded in five places, this man insisted on remaining with
his platoon giving very valuable assistance in forming a strong point, leaving
the Company only when the work was done. His example under heavy shell fire was
of the greatest value to his side”.
Pte. Ned Metcalfe
(see 30th December 1914).
Pte. Harry Nason had
originally served with 9DWR and had first gone out to France in July 1915; he
had been transferred to 10DWR after being wounded in August 1916, suffering
shrapnel wounds to his left hand.
Pte. Tom Platts (I am unable to make a positive
identification of this man).
Pte. Arthur Samuel
Potter was a 24 year-old labourer from Middlesbrough; his brother, Pte.
Frederick Albert Potter, had been officially ‘missing in action’ since December
1914, having been serving with 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment.
Pte. Cain Rothera
(see 15th August).
Pte. Ernest Reeve
(13014) had originally served with 9DWR and had first gone out to France in July 1915;
the circumstances under which he had been transferred to 10DWR are unknown.
Pte. Robert William
Searby was a 20 year-old textile worker from Halifax. He had originally
served with 8DWR and been posted to Gallipoli in September 1915; the
circumstances under which he had been transferred to 10DWR are unknown.
Pte. William Settle
(I am unable to make a positive
identification of this man).
Pte. George Thompson
had originally served with 9DWR and had first gone out to France in July 1915; he
had been transferred to 10DWR at some point after having shrapnel wounds to the
face in March 1916.
Pte. Thomas Irvin
Wood had been wounded (see above).
Pte. Patrick Conley (see 2nd September), now serving with 298th
Reserve Labour Company, Labour Corps, was posted back to France
Pte. James Bentley
Crosland (see 3rd August),
who had been in England for more than a year after being gassed in August 1916
and had been deemed unfit to return to service overseas, was posted from
Northern Command Depot at Ripon to the Dukes’ Regimental Depot at Halifax.
Pte. Frank Waterhouse (see 4th
September), who had only recently been transferred to the Royal Flying
Corps, was married whilst on leave at home; he married Mary Spencer in Keighley.
A payment of £6 5s. 8d. was authorised, being the amount due
in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Pte. William Greenwood (see 5th
July 1916), who had been killed in action in May while serving with 2DWR;
the payment would go to his mother, Sarah Anne.
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