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. 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.