Wednesday 5th September 1917

Billets in the Lederzeele area.

The Battalion was engaged in training for a forthcoming attack.

Pte. Thomas Caton (see 31^st August), who had previously been charged with a range of previous offences, was again reported for “irregular conduct: ie having a dirty rifle and having a comrade’s rifle”; he was reported by Sgts. Joseph Bona (see 9^th August) and William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 4^th September) and, on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 4^th September), was sentenced to 14 days’ Field Punishment no.1.

Acting L.Cpl. Alfred Spencer (see 15^th August), who had been on attachment at the permanent base of IV Corps at Albert, having suffered from shellshock two months previously, re-joined the Battalion; he reverted to the rank of Private.

Pte. John Thomas Mason (see 7^th June) left the Battalion and was transferred to 878^th Area Employment Company of the Labour Corps.

Lt. Sydney Charles Ernest Farrance (see 4^th August), who had left 10 DWR a month previously to join 8DWR, completed an application for a permanent commission in the Indian Army.

Pte. Ernest William Evans (see 25^th August), who had been evacuated to England after being wounded on 8^th June, reported for duty at Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

A payment of £2 1s.10d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Henry Downs (see 8^th June) who had died of wounds on 8^th June; the payment would go to his father, Thomas. A package of his personal effects was also despatched to the family; this comprised of, “disc, photos, letters, pocket book, cross, red book, nail clippers, metal spoon, pencil case, metal pen holder, cap badge, clip, wallet, purse”.

A payment of £7 7s. 8d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Reuben Smith (see 13^th June), who had died of wounds on 11^th June; the payment would go to his mother, Emily.

Pte. Reuben Smith

A payment of 7s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Jacob Sweeting (see 7^th June) who had originally been reported wounded, but later confirmed killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Edith.