Thursday 1st November 1917

Billets in the Zudausques area.

A fine day. The Battalion continued its training and range practice.

The prepartions for the impending move to Italy and the journey itself are known in some considerable detail due to the survival of three independent, though related accounts. Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 22^nd October), who had been a journalist before enlisting, would write an extensive, often florid, and very detailed contemporary account of the journey, which he seems to have completed soon after arriving in Italy. A second account forms part of a ‘memoir’ of the whole war compiled by Maj. James Christopher Bull (see 29^th October), and Pte. Harold Charnock (see 22^nd September). The portion relating to the journey must have been the work of Charnock, as Bull was, at that time, still in England, having been wounded on 7^th June. The third version was written in 1926 for the Regimental magazine, The Iron Duke, by Capt. William Norman Town (see 31^st October). These three will form the basis of the narrative of the journey to Italy.

Sgt. George Richard Goodchild

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Goodchild echoed some of the anticipation of events to come which would also be noted, in rather more formal style, in the official Divisional History (see 31^st October). He began his account with a quotation from H. Rider Haggard:

OUR LONG “TREK”

By GRG

“Our life is granted, not to pleasures round

Or even love’s sweet dream, to lapse content

Duty and faith are words of solemn sound

And to their echoes must their soul be bent”

Italy!  Italy needs help!!  Not only in England but also amongst the troops in France and elsewhere the cry was heard and, knowing that Britain – unlike some of her so-called Allies and friends – would stand by those with whom she had made compacts under any circumstances and in good or evil fortune, the cry was not made in vain. At once the soldiery fell to asking themselves the question, “shall we be sent,” no doubt a vast number were disappointed at not being selected to make the journey south to Italy’s aid, but all could not go. Some must remain on the Western Front where, despite what anybody may say to the contrary, the ultimate issue of the war will be decided.  The Division my Battalion was in was fortunate in being selected to go to Italy and we were all delighted at the prospect of leaving Ypres and district where we had spent over a year after coming from the Somme.

I had been on leave from 17^th to 27^th October and did not know the news until my return to the Battalion, which was then in rest at Zudausques.  From the time the first definite news was received we were all busily engaged in preparation for this great move.  Everything had to be cleared up which could be possibly dealt with before we went away and everybody found plenty to do in their respective spheres of activity – we in the Orderly Room were busy night and day finishing off such work as we could, “dumping” and burning papers and records which would not be required in Italy, besides the ordinary matters of routine which had to be attended to as usual; the Quartermaster’s department were called upon to deal with enormous masses of clothing (renewals and winter issues) and to cut down their stores to establishment; the Transport had to be got into a good state of repair and made fit for the long journey; Officers had to cut down their kits, some of which had, in the course of time, assumed large proportions by the constant addition of articles of use; and even the men were busy collecting articles which they would require in Italy and which might not be obtainable there and seeing that their equipment and clothing were in a good state of repair.

At times such as this excitement becomes somewhat tense – very much the same as before an elaborately prepared attack – and one wonders whether all the arrangements so carefully planned and laboriously executed will work out in practice as well as they do in theory.  This feeling of worry is only dissipated when the plan has been worked out to its conclusion.  Thus it was on this occasion and the following will show whether or not the arrangements made were adequate and sufficient for the ‘Long Trek’.

Pte. Reginald Dayson (see 22^nd September), who had deserted on 19^th September and had been in custody for the previous six weeks, appeared before a Field General Court Martial. He was charged with desertion and was found guilty and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour. 

Pte. Alexander Wallace (see 7^th July) was appointed Corporal. Ptes. James Edward Hollingworth (see 16^th January) and Victor Munnery (see 10^th October) were appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

Pte. Herbert Crowther Kershaw (see 27^th September), who had suffered relatively minor shrapnel wounds a week previously, was posted from 6^th Convalescent Depot at Etaples to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service.

Pte. William Henry Gray (see 25^th September), who had been in England having been wounded on 20^th September, was discharged from Bath War Hospital and posted (after ten days’ leave) to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Duncan Roberts, brother of 2Lt. Norman Roberts MM (see 27^th July), was formally discharged from the Army on account of the wounds he had suffered in March while serving with 1^st/6^thDWR.

A payment of £2 14s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Fred Greenwood (12115) (see 7^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Beatrice.

Wednesday 31st October 1917

Zudausques

Training and range practice.

At 11.40am, near Leulingham, the Battalion, along with the rest of 69^th Brigade, was inspected by Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig. At the close of the inspection Haig addressed Babington and the senior officers of the Division and confirmed their impending departure for Italy, “He congratulated them and thanked them for the good work they had done in France and in the recent heavy fighting in front of Ypres. In bidding goodbye to the 23^rd Division he was parting with one of his best divisions. He was sure that no matter what lay before them in Italy, they would uphold the good name of their Division and the great traditions of the British Army”. According to the official Divisional History, “to the rank and file the announcement came as an inspiring revelation. Throughout the war there was an unreasoning, though natural, desire with all for a change of scene … Italy was new ground for British divisions; the name of the country and the nature of the venture alike made a strong appeal to all”.

Capt. William Norman Town (see 28^th October), who had arrived in France three days previously, reported for duty with the Battalion. He would take over as 2IC from Maj. Charles Bathurst MC (see 29^th October). Lt. Thomas Beattie (see 28^th September), who had arrived in France a month previously, also reported for duty with the Battalion.

Pte. Bertie Thurling (see 20^th October) was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal. 

Pte. Charles Walton (see 7^th May) was reported by Sgt. Lionel Vickers (see 29^th October) for being “unshaven on early morning parade”; on the orders of Capt. Dick Bolton (see 22^nd October) he was to be confined to barracks for four days. Ptes. Daniel Mackenzie (see 29^th October) and Herbert John Wicks (see 29^th October) were also reported for the same offence; however, having been reported by Sgt. Ernest Craddock (see 24^th July), their sanctions were on the orders of Capt. Henry Kelly VC (see 28^th October). Pte. Mackenzie was ordered to be confined to barracks for seven days, while Pte. Wicks was subject only to a reprimand.

Pte. Fred Riddiough (see 30^th September), serving with the Brigade Light Trench Mortar Battery, was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

Sgt. John William Dickinson (see 17^th October), who had been wounded on 20^th September, was discharged from 3^rd Convalescent Depot at Le Treport and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Four former members of 10DWR were commissioned Second Lieutenant at the completion of their officer training. 2Lt. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 15^th August) would be posted to the Royal West Kent Regiment, while 2Lts. Christopher Longstaff (see 5^th July), Cpl. Fred Swale (see 5^th July) and Harry Waddington (see 24^th April) would all join battalions of the West Yorks.

2Lt. Charles Archibald Milford (see 27^th January), serving as an Assistant Anti-Gas Instructor based at Etaples, was promoted Lieutenant.

Pte. Francis John Bottomley (see 16^th August), serving with 2/4^th DWR, was deprived of seven days’ pay for ‘falling out on the line of march without a cause”.

Pte. Thomas Angus McAndrew (see 19^th October), formerly of 10DWR but now serving with 37^th Company, Labour Corps, was promoted Corporal and transferred to the Chinese Labour Corps.

2Lt. Leopold Henry Burrow (see 8^th September), serving at no.14 Convalescent Depot at Trouville, departed to England on ten days’ leave.

Ptes. George Bernard Hardy (see 22^nd September) and Herbert Ridley (see 23^rd September), both of whom had been in England since having been wounded on 20^th September, were discharged from hospital and posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

Pte. Milton Wood (see 7^th September), who had been in England since being taken ill in July, was posted from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR at North Shields.

A payment of £4 6s. 5d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Cpl. James Edward Kaye (see 9^th June), who had died of wounds on 9^th June; the payment would go to his mother, Eliza.


A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. William Ackroyd (see 12^th September), who had been killed in action in May while serving in France with 2DWR; his widow, Edith, was awarded £1 8s. 9d. per week for herself and her four children.

Casualties for the month were officially recorded as being:

Killed                                 27 other ranks

Accidentally killed           0

Died of wounds               4 other ranks 

Wounded                          1 officers and 48 other ranks

Accidentally wounded    0

Missing                              6 other ranks

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

Killed                                   275

Accidentally killed                5

Died of wounds                  20

Wounded                       1,280

Accidentally wounded       53

Missing                               178

Tuesday 30th October 1917

Zudausques
Training and range practice.

A wet day.

Pte. John Walton (see 7th June) was reported by Sgt. William Walker Rossall MM (see 11^th October), as having been, ‘unshaven on parade’; on the orders of Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne (see 29^th October) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

A number of men re-joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. Cpl. James Henry Howarth (see 24^th October) was re-joining after a short period in hospital; on returning he was promoted Sergeant. Ptes. Fred Morrell (see 27^th October) and John William Procter (see 27^th October) had returned to France three days previously having been in England since being wounded in action. Pte. Harry Beaumont (29306) (see 21^st August) was re-joining after spending four months in England. Other men were joining 10DWR for the first time; these were men who had previously served abroad before either being wounded or taken ill. Some of these men have been identified. Pte. James Cowie was 27 years old and from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He had been a member of the Territorial Army before the war and had been called up in February 1915 and had served in France with 1^st/5^th DWR between July and September 1916, when he had been wounded and evacuated to England. He had returned to France in February 1917 and had served two months with 2DWR before being wounded a second time, returning to England in April. Pte. William Dennison MM was a 35 year-old gas stoker from Bradford (working at the Corporation Gas Works); he was married with one daughter. He had enlisted in August 1914 having previously served in the territorial battalion. He had been posted to France to join 2DWR in January 1915 and had been promoted successively Lance Corporal, Corporal and Sergeant (January 1916). He had been awarded the Military Medal in November 1916 (circumstances unknown). He had been posted back to England (reason unknown) in December 1916 and had then served with 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead. On 17^th October 1917 he had been tried on a charge of “Failing to appear at the place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer and restricting an escort whose duty it was to have him in charge”; he had been found guilty and had been reduced to the rank of Private. On joining the Battalion he was re-appointed to the rank of Corporal. Pte. John Henderson was a 35 year-old warehouseman from Hebden Bridge; he was married with one son. He had served in France with 9DWR and latterly with 47^th Broad Gauge Railway operating Company between October 1916 and April 1917, before being invalided back to England, suffering from an “ischia rectal abcess”. Pte. George Lownsborough was a 36 year-old labourer from Hull; he was married with two children. He had served in France with 2DWR from October 1916 until being wounded in April 1917. Pte. Louis Charles Preen also joined the Battalion from Etaples. He was a 26 year-old married man with one daughter and had lived in Folkestone. He had enlisted in November 1915 and had been posted to 3DWR at North Shields. He had been reported as a deserter in May 1917 and had been absent for three months before being detained in August 1917. After serving a two months detention he had now been posted to 10DWR. A number of men joined the Battalion from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, having been posted out to France on 26^th October. Pte. Herbert Stanley Smith was a 33 year-old butcher from Linthwaite, near Huddersfield. He had served in France with 9DWR from January to April 1917 before being evacuated home suffering from ICT (inflammation of the connective tissue) in his right leg. Following treatment in England he had been posted to 3DWR in September.

Pte. Joseph Livesey (see 12^th August) was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques; he was suffering from a severe case of trench foot.

Pte. William Henry Luke (see 29^th October) who had only joined the Battalion the previous day, was taken ill with diarrohea; he would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 10^th Stationary Hospital at St. Omer.

Pte. Abraham Sunderland (see 18^th September), who had suffered shrapnel wounds to his right hand and knee six weeks previously, was discharged from hospital and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Cpl. Dennis Waller (see 22^nd August), who had deserted from 3DWR two months previously, re-joined his Battalion at North Shields and was detained in the guard room pending court martial.

A payment of £1 1s. 2d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Ernest Arthur Carter (see 13^th June) who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his widow, Eva.

Monday 29th October 1917

Zudausques

Training and range practice.

Having received orders to be prepared for a forthcoming move, the War Diary of 69^th Field Ambulance noted that, “training of personnel for long marches to be commenced” and “to ensure forthwith that each man has complete issue of winter clothing”.

Although the transfer of 23^rd Division to Italy had not yet been formally confirmed, two officers of the Divisional Staff, along with the staff captains of each Brigade, departed for Paris, en route to Italy.

The whole of 69^th Brigade was inspected, near Boisdinghem, by Maj. Genl. Sir J. M. Babington KCMG, commanding 23^rd Division.

2IC Maj. Charles Bathurst MC (see 25^th October) left the Battalion to return to England having been taken ill (details unknown). On this occasion his batman, Pte. James Albert Garbutt (see 30^th September), did not go with him but remained with the Battalion and would, in due course, become batman to Maj. James Christopher Bull (see 22^nd September),

L.Cpl. Frank Revell (see 22^nd July) was reported by CSM Charles Edward Parker DCM, MM (see 25^th October) and Cpl. William Henry Dobson (see 25^th October) for ‘neglect of duty whilst in billet’; on the authority of Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 5^th October) he was ordered to attend two extra parades.

Sgt. Lionel Vickers (see 23^rd October), who had been away from the Battalion since having been wounded on 20^th September, now re-joined from 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Pte. James Frederick Coldwell (see 16^th January) was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques suffering from inflammation of his right hand.

Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 26^th October) wrote to Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 29^th September) thanking him for a congratulatory letter which he had received,

“Many thanks for your kind congrats – of course I owe the honour entirely to the magnificent behaviour of the DW Battalion who right through these last operations have acted right up to the best traditions of the Regiment. I was awfully sorry to hear you were so badly knocked out and do hope you won’t be permanently injured. Let’s hear how you get on. Have you heard that Borrow (Maj. Edward Borrow, see 22^nd October) has the DSO, while Payne (Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne, see 21^st October) has not only the MC but a bar to it as well! He did magnificently, both on the 20^th and afterwards. Sparling (Capt. Herbert Sparling, see 18^th October) also has the MC but all deserved something or other and I only wish I could have got it for you all. We’re just off to entirely new battlefields in a hurry so you must excuse a short note. Wishing you the best of luck and a speedy recovery”.

Two large drafts joined the Battalion. One group of men were transferred from the Labour Corps and another from the Army Veterinary Corps.

The majority of the men transferred from Labour Corps had been serving with units in France, having originally been declared fit only for garrison service, but had no been re-categorised as fit for active service. They were as follows:

Pte. James Austin was a 32 year-old cowman from Banbury. Pte. Francis James Barnes was a 38 year-old basket maker from Tewkesbury. Pte. Thomas Bates was a 36 year-old brass dresser from Birmingham; he was a widower with four children. Pte. Charles Edward Berry was a 39 year-old carter from Cheltenham; he was married with six children. Pte. Frederick Betts was a 37 year-old labourer from Oxfordshire. Pte. Walter James Biddle was a 41 year-old postman from Alveston; he was married with five children. Pte. William Henry Bray was a 34 year-old gardener from Paignton. Pte. Percy Burrows was a 35 year-old market gardener from Kenton, near Exeter. Pte. William Carver was 36 years old and from Frome. Pte. Edward Henry Chant was a 33 year-old labourer from Malvern; he was married but had no children. Pte. John Charles Clarke was 33 years old and from Hampshire; he was married with one son. Pte. Charles Clear was a 20 year-old labourer from Portsmouth. Pte. William George Clements was a 29 year-old labourer from Lydney. Pte. Edwin John Collard was a 27 year-old wood carver from Bridgwater; he was married but had no children. Pte. Bertie Cox was a 32 year-old groom from Chesham; he was married with one son. Pte. Thomas Henry Cox (25806) was 30 years old and from Birmingham; he was married with two children. Pte. George Dunkin was a 35 year-old bricklayer from Long Crendon; he was married with one son. Pte. Frank Dunn was a 38 year-old farm labourer from Wellington, Somerset. Pte. Bertram Edwin Earney was a 29 year-old horse dresser from Salisbury; he was married but had no children. Pte. Alfred Fishlock was a 34 year-old carter from Wiltshire; he was married with two children. Pte. Arthur Flowers was a 20 year-old labourer from Cosham. Pte. Walter William Ford was a 32 year-old corset presser from Bristol; he was married but had no children. Pte. Ernest William Gilbert was a 25 year-old hairdresser from Birmingham; he was married with one daughter. Pte. Robert William Gough was a 33 year-old market gardener from Callington; he was married with one daughter. Pte. Joseph Hadley was a 28 year-old brickyard labourer from Dudley; he was married with three children. Pte. Percival William Hall was 20 years old and from Kidlington. Pte. Martin Luther Harding was a 22 year-old collier from Bristol. Pte. James Harper; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man. Pte. Albert Edward Victor Harris was a 20 year-old hairdresser from Gloucester. Pte. William Hill was a 27 year-old mason from Gloucester. Pte. John George Inshaw was a 34 year-old travelling jewellery salesman from Birmingham; he was married with one son. Pte. Robert Jackson was a 34 year-old carman from Tooting; he was married but had no children. Pte. John Walter Jennings was a 25 year-old warehouseman from Birmingham; he was married with one son. Pte. George King (25833) was a 34 year-old farmer from Stoney Stoke. Pte. Louis Frank Lewis was a 30 year-old brewer from Calne; he was married with three children. Pte. William Ley was a 27 year-old baker from Combe Martin; he was married with children. Pte. William Henry Luke was a 23 year-old window cleaner from Nottingham. Pte. Lewis Martin; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man. Pte. Edward Mawle was a 21 year-old shepherd from Banbury. Pte. Sidney Guy Mealing was a 29 year-old coal loader from Bristol. Pte. Robert Clive Melhuish; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man. Pte. Bruce Ernest Nash was a 36 year-old labourer from London. Pte. John Richard Newell was a 28 year-old carter from Headington; he was married with four children. Pte. Maurice Paignton was a 37 year-old labourer from Wiltshire. Pte. Frederick Thomas Peart was a 35 year-old drayman from Cheltenham; he was married with three children. Pte. James Pidgeley was a 27 year-old labourer from Hindon, Wilts.; he was married with two children. Pte. Ernest Portman was a 22 year-old motor driller from Redditch. Pte. Ernest Potter was a 29 year-old metal stamper from Birmingham; he was married with three children (a fourth child, Elsie, had died aged four months in August 1916). Pte. Samuel Richards was a 37 year-old farm labourer from Langfoot; he was married with two children. Pte. Charles Henry Russell was 34 years old and from Birmingham; he was a married man.  Pte. Walter William Scott was a 32 year-old labourer from Bristol; he was married with four children. Pte. Albert Scrase; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man. Pte. William Smart was a 28 year-old labourer from Stroud; he was married with three children. Pte. Ernest Locker Smith was a 22 year-old farm hand from Burton-on-Trent. Pte. Albert Stanley was a 30 year-old labourer from King’s Norton; he was married with three children. Pte. Frederick Thorn was a 26 year-old gardener from Newbury; he was married with one daughter. Pte. Thomas Tibble was a 29 year-old farm labourer from Micheldever. Pte. George William Tombs was a 30 year-old carpenter’s labourer from Preston Bisset, Bucks. Pte. Frank Tucker was a 26 year-old farm labourer from Bridgwater. Pte. Frederick George Westlake was 25 years old and from Martock, Somerset. Pte. Arthur J. Webb (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man) Pte. Herbert Williams was a 26 year-old coach painter from Balsall Heath; he was married with three children. Pte. Thomas Young (25815) (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man).

Many of the men transferred from the AVC had served in France with the AVC, but for others this was their first posting overseas; they were as follows. A/Cpl. William Atkinson (25980) was 37 years old and from Knutsford. A/Cpl. Alfred Bradbury was a 30 year-old horsekeeper from Derby. A/Cpl. Thomas H.C. Bevan (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man). A/Cpl. John Thomas Damant was a 40 year-old horsekeeper from Ipswich; he was married with four children. A/Cpl. Bertie Gooch was a 28 year-old horseman from Colchester.  A/Cpl. George Goodman (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man). Cpl. Percival John Munn was a 34 year-old horsekeeper from Dorset; he was married with one son. Cpl. John William Pennells was a 33 year-old groom from Bolney, Sussex; he was married with four children. Cpl. Ernest Reeve (25923) was a 26 year-old horsekeeper from Stockwell; he was a married man with one daughter. A/Cpl. Albert Reynolds was a 31 year-old horsekeeper from Pimlico; he was married with two children. Cpl. Abel Roberts was a 27 year-old groom from Crowborough; he was married with two children. Cpl. John Starling was a 29 year-old horsekeeper from Bow, London. L.Cpl. Percy Harry Bentley was a 30 year-old Poor Law relieving officer from Stoke-on-Trent.  L.Cpl. Stanley Arthur Bones was a 22 year-old horsekeeper from Colchester. L.Cpl. Stanley Vyvyan Golledge was a 21 year-old veterinary student from Trowbridge. L.Cpl. Roderick Harmer was a 23 year-old groom from Renfrew. L.Cpl. William Arthur Hutchinson was a 32 year-old cartman from Alnwick; he was married with three children. L.Cpl. Frederick James Lynch was a 23 year-old horsekeeper from London. L.Cpl. Jesse Merritt was a 34 year-old groom from Findon; he was married with three children. L.Cpl. Reginald James Nosworthy was a 23 year-old horsekeeper from Devon; he had been married on 18^th July, shortly before leaving for France. L.Cpl. John Lamb Watt was a 23 year-old farmer from Aberdeen. Pte. Herbert Archer was a 29 year-old farm bailiff from Tamworth; he was married with two sons. Pte. Robert Henry Arnold was a 21 year-old groom from Cashel, County Tipperary. Pte. George William Ball was a 30 year-old head cowman from Little Blunsden, Wilts.; he was married with three children. Pte. Thomas Henry Barnaby (in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man). Pte. James Barker (25964) was a 37 year-old confectioner from Falkirk. Pte. Francis Barrett was a 26 year-old waggoner from Rugeley. Pte. George Bell was a 31 year-old groom from Linlithgow. Pte. John Bundy was a 28 year-old woodcutting machinist from Birmingham. Pte. Michael Church was a 26 year-old market gardener from Scarisbrick; he was married with one son. Pte. Arthur Clark (25966) was 28 years old and from Dalston, London. Pte. Robert Clarke was a 22 year-old groom from Colchester. Pte. William Henry Cleaver was a 36 year-old groom from Hove; he was married with three children. Pte. Jesse Richard Cooper was a 24 year-old gardener and horsekeeper from Fairford. Pte. John Cronin was 33 years old and from Camberwell; he had worked in a veterinary hospital before enlisting in 1914. Pte. Joseph Dagger was a 33 year-old motor driver from Bath; he was married with two children. Pte. Andrew Davidson was a 23 year-old groom from Galashiels; he was married with two children. Pte. Noah Davis was a 30 year-old fish and fruit salesman from Chippenham; he was married with one son. He had originally applied for exemption from military service on the grounds that he was a ‘one-man business’, but his appeal had been denied with the Chairman of the panel telling him that “he should think Davis’ neighbours would be glad to renew their custom after he had served his country”. Pte. Harold Richard Denny was a 29 year-old horsekeeper from East Ham; he was married with three children. Pte. Walter Dey was a 26 year-old labourer from Openshaw; he was married but had no children. Pte. Alfred Charles Dolphin was a 21 year-old merchant navy sailor from Wallingford. Pte. Walter Eary was a 27 year-old labourer from Leeds; he was married with one daughter. Pte. William Thomas Foley was a 25 year-old carman from Dalston, London; he was married but had no children. Pte. Ernest Franklin (25969) was a 26 year-old horsekeeper from Findon. Pte. John Gayton was a 35 year-old carter from Wellingborough; he was married with five children. Pte. Charles William Groves was a 26 year-old greengrocer from Middlesex; he was married with one child from marriage and two adopted children. Pte. James Grubb was a 25 year-old carter from Kirkcaldy; he was married with two children (one of whom was adopted). Pte. Jack Edgar Hall was a 27 year-old butcher from Marlow. Pte. William Harper (25972) was a 33 year-old carman from High Wycombe. Pte. Richard Henry Harris was a 23 year-old hauler from Birmingham; he was married with one son. Pte. William Havery was a 38 year-old pig breeder from Gateshead; he was married with three children. Pte. Thomas James Hogben was a 28 year-old farmer’s son from Staplehurst; he was married but had no children. Pte. Matthew Howard was a 24 year-old stableman from Chester. Pte. William John Thomas Hurst was a 26 year-old carman from Shoreham. Pte. James Henry Innes was a 26 year-old assistant druggist from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Pte. Lancelot Johnson was a 28 year-old shepherd and stockman from Malton; he was married with two children. Pte. William Gordon Johnston was a 28 year-old horsekeeper from Balham. Pte. James Isaac King was 24 years old; he had been born in Canada, but had been living in London when he had joined the AVC, and had stated his occupation as ‘cowboy’. Pte. Albert Leeson; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man. Pte. William Little was a 36 year-old farm servant from Canonbie, Dumfries. Pte. Daniel Mackenzie was a 33 year-old window cleaner from Liverpool. Pte. Arthur James Miles was a 27 year-old compositor from London. Pte. Arthur Newton was a 22 year-old horsekeeper from Sheffield. Pte. Joe Noons was a 29 year-old horsekeeper from Dartford. Pte. William James Nunn was a 34 year-old gardener from Wood Green; he was married with two children. Pte. Harry Orchard was a 30 year-old firewood dealer from Wolverhampton. Pte. James Percival was a 30 year-old horsekeeper from Walthamstow. Pte. Sidney John Rainbow was a 29 year-old carter from Oxford; he was married with two children. Pte. Robert Russell was a 37 year-old carman from Twickenham. Pte. Thomas Edward Sear was a 27 year-old labourer from Brackley, Hants. Pte. Harry Seward was a 29 year-old driver from West Croydon. Pte. Thomas Alfred Simpson was a 38 year-old groom from Wolstanton; he was married with three children. Pte. Albert Smith (25953) was a 33 year-old groom from Gosport; he was married with two children. Pte. George Smith (25950) was 25 years old and from Jedburgh. Pte. Samuel Smith (25952) (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man). Pte. John Malcolm Starbuck was a 37 year-old ‘traffic controller’ from Long Eaton; he was a widower with two children. Pte. Francis Titcombe was 31 years old and from Wootton Bassett. Pte. Horace Trinder was a 26 year-old carter from Berkshire. Pte. Fred Melton Vasey was a 32 year-old horsekeeper from Doncaster; he was married with six children. Pte. Edward Percy Webb was a 22 year-old labourer from Thornton Heath. Pte. Herbert John Wicks was a 29 year-old grocer and horsekeeper from Colnbrook. Pte. Percival Albert Wiggins was a 27 year-old labourer from Oxford; he was married with two children. Pte. Robert Wilson was a 31 year-old groom from Riccarton.


Another man who should have joined with the draft from the AVC was Pte. John O’Gara, a 32 year-old groom from Sligo, married with three children. However, on 18^th October, whilst awaiting posting, he had been admitted to 11^th Casualty Clearing Station at Godewaersvelde, east of Poperinghe, suffering from an ‘alveolar abscess’ and had been transferred, next day, onboard no.24 Ambulance Train, to hospital at Camiers (details unknown). He had then been transferred, on 28^th October, to 3^rd Convalescent Depot at Le Treport and would, on 2^nd November, be posted to one of the Base Depots from where (date and details unknown) he would finally join 10DWR.

Also joining with this draft were a number of men from 3DWR. Cpl. George Alma Cook was 23 years old, from London, and had worked as an ‘outdoor porter’ before joining the regular army in February 1912. He had served with 2DWR, with whom he had served in France between August 1914 and January 1915 before returning to England due to an infected hand. He had served at the Regimental Depot and then with 3DWR from September 1916 until being posted back to France. Cpl. Thomas Henry Cox (9328) was 27 years old and recently married; he had served with the Dukes since 1908, most recently with 3DWR. Pte. Joseph Binns (19614) was a 29 year-old woollen warper from Mirfield; he had been called up in March 1916 since when he had served with 3DWR. He had been promoted Corporal, but had recently reverted to Private at his own request. Pte. Henry Pike was a 36 year-old body builder’s machinist from Nottingham; he was a married man with two children and had originally served with the ASC before being transferred to 3DWR. Pte. Tom Wade was a 37 year-old moulder from Leeds; he was married with one son. He had enlisted in March 1915 and had served in France with 2DWR from August 1915 until having been wounded in August 1916.

2Lt. Eric Dixon (see 26^th September), serving with the Royal Flying Corps, appeared before an RFC Medical Board which found him hit only for light duties, with no flying, and recommended him for three weeks leave. The cause of his incapacity is unknown.

2Lt. Eric Dixon

Image by kind permission of the Trustees of the DWR Museum

2Lt. Wilfred Frederick John Thomson (see 25^th September), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was admitted to Brighton Grove Military Hospital, Newcastle-on-Tyne, suffering from gonorrhoea. He would later serve with 10DWR.

A payment of £2 9s. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harold Pape (see 9^th June), who had died of wounds on 9^th June; the payment would go to his mother, Ellen. A package of his personal effects would also be despatched to his mother, comprising of, “disc, letters, photos, leather purse, leather wallet, note book, cap badge, testament, metal mirror, small photos, pocket knife, numeral”.

Mrs. Angelina Pereira, mother of the late Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 16^th October), wrote again, this time to the War Office, regarding the burial of her late son:

“Has the War Office received his identity disc, attached was a medal (religious) which I have not received, but should like to have? None of his personal belongings which he would have been wearing when hit have been returned except one wrist watch with a little leather case with a rosary inside it and these things must have been on his body, such as a signet ring, worn on left hand, his prismatic compass, silver cigarette case, flask, field glasses, pocket book and so on”.

Sunday 28th October 1917

Zudausques

A fine day.

Training and range practice.

Orders were issued to 23^rd Division to prepare at short notice; “The Division complete will be in readiness to move by rail forthwith; destination unknown”. These preparations were ordered in response to a crisis on the Italian Front which had seen two Italian armies routed by a large-scale Austrian attack.

Pte. Leonard Briggs (see 23^rd October), who had only re-joined the Battalion five days earlier following ten days’ treatment for conjunctivitis, again reported sick. He was admitted first to 70^th Field Ambulance and then transferred to 10^th Stationary Hospital at St. Omer, suffering from influenza.

Pte. Tom Midgley (see 22^nd March) was reported by L.Sgt. Jonathan Richardson Sunderland (3^rd October) as having been “dirty on 3.30pm parade”; on the orders of Capt. Henry Kelly VC (see 15^th October) he was to be confined to barracks for three days.


Ptes. Will Lee (see 18^th October) and Leonard Wilby (see 17^th October), who had been in hospital since having been wounded earlier in the month, were discharged from hospital and posted to 3^rd Convalescent Depot at Le Treport, en route to re-joining 10DWR (date and details unknown).
Pte. Alfred Henry Dobby (see 20^th September), who had been wounded on 20^th September, was discharged from 3^rd Convalescent Depot at Le Treport and posted to one of the Infantry Base Depots (details unknown); he would subsequently (date and details unknown) be transferred to the Labour Corps.
Capt. William Norman Town (see 16^th April) arrived in France en route to joining 10DWR.

Ptes. Thomas Grady (see 18^th May 1916) and John William Smith (11986) (see 18^th May 1916), serving on Permanent Base Duties with 8^th Division, were transferred to the Labour Corps.

Saturday 27th October 1917

Zudausques

Training and range practice.

Pte. Walter Smith (18428) (see 18^th October) was promoted Corporal.

Pte. Robert Hitchen (see 13^th November 1916) was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

Sgt. Edward Robert Butler (see 5^th September) was admitted to 1^st Australian General Hospital at Rouen, suffering from myalgia; in the absence of a surviving service record the detauls of his illness and treatment are unknown but he would at some point re-join 10DWR.

Pte. Richard Butler (see 20^th September), who had been wounded on 20^th September, was posted back to England.

L.Cpl. Herbert Newton (see 20^th September), who had been wounded on 20^th September, was evacuated to England from 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Carisbroke Castle. On arrival he would be transferred to 3^rd Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow.

Ptes. Fred Morrell (see 17^th October) and John William Procter (see 17^th October), both arrived at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, having sailed from Folkestone overnight 26^th/27^th. They were returning to France having been in England since being wounded.

Pte. George Smith (20340) (see 12^th September), who had been in England since reporting sick five months’ previously, was posted back to France from 3DWR at North Shields; he would re-join 10DWR following his arrival at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Pte. Mark Beaumont (see 14^th September), who had been in England since being wounded in January, being no longer fit for active service, was transferred from 3DWR to 7^th Battalion, Royal Defence Corps.

Pte. Louis Heren (see 25^th September) appeared before an Army Medical Board at 2^nd London General Hospital, Chelsea. The Board found him permanently unfit for further service, having lost both eyes when wounded on 20^th September. He was to be transferred to St. Dunstan’s Hospital for further treatment.

At home in Grindleton, John Crossley died aged 53; he was the father of Pte. Joshua Crossley, (see 17^th October), who, despite being only 16, had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits but had died of measles while the Battalion was in training in November 1914.

Pte. Joshua Crossley

The weekly edition of the Keighley News reported on the death of Pte. Thomas Thompson MM (see 20^th September);

BRITISH AND FRENCH MILITARY MEDALLIST KILLED

Private Thomas Thompson, West Riding Regiment, of 83 King Street, Keighley, has been officially reported killed in action near Ypres. A fortnight ago Mrs. Thompson had a letter from a comrade of her husband’s stating he had been killed. A month before he was home for leave and had brought with him many trophies from battlefields in France and Belgium. Private Thompson was awarded the Military Medal for gallant conduct in October 1916 and early this year was presented with the French Military Medal by the General of his Division. He wrote a pathetic letter to his wife in which he said that if anything happened to him his medals were to be given to his son David, aged ten years old.

The official record of the brave deed for which Private Thompson was awarded the Military Medal was as follows: “On the 4^th of October 1916 in front of Le Sars, he found and dashed through a gap in the enemy’s wire, called out its position to his comrades and urged them to follow. Getting to the enemy’s parapet he picked up enemy bombs which were lying there and threw them into the enemy trench and then stood on the enemy parapet calling out for more bombs”.

Corporal Jennings (Cpl. James Jennings (11270), see 20^th September) who was charging the enemy’s wire on the morning of September 20^th describes the battle thus in a letter to his widow, “How I got through this terrible battle God only knows. The biggest shells were used by the Germans and it was hell upon earth. I am sorry that I have to be the bearer of the sad news of Private Thompson’s death. It was at 5.30 on September 20^th that my Company went over the top to attack the German trenches. I was going on and Tommy was by my side. We captured the first German trenches and a lot of prisoners and then we captured the second German line trenches. While we were charging a shell fell in my Company. A part of it hit Tommy and knocked him over. I told one of our men to dress his wounds as I could not stay with him myself, as we were going on to capture the next trench. When I got back I was sorry to hear that poor Tommy had died. So I hope you will give Mrs. Thompson my deepest sympathy and that of every man in the Company. Tell her that he did his duty like a brave, manly soldier”. Corporal Jennings’ home is also in King Street, Keighley. Private Thompson enlisted soon after the outbreak of war and fought in many of the great battles in France and Belgium for over two years.

(I am most obliged to Edward Wild for the information on Thomas Thompson).

A payment of £6 was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Christopher Tinker Sykes (see 7^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; the payment would go to his father, Antony.

Friday 26th October 1917

Zudausques

Training and range practice.

Pte. Samuel Lawton Birtles (see 5^th October) was admitted to 70^th Field Ambulance, suffering from diarrhoea; he would be discharged to duty two days.

Pte. James Kayley (see 27^th March 1916) was admitted via 10^th Stationary Hospital at St. Omer to 51^st General Hospital in Etaples; he was suffering from syphilis.


Pte. Thomas George Coates (see 15^th October), who had suffered wounds to his left shoulder on 20^th September, was transferred from the military hospital in Eastleigh to 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester.

Pte. Harold Parsons (see 23^rd September), who had been in England for the previous month, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

The London Gazette published official notice of the award of the DSO to Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 23^rd September). There was also notice of a similar award to Maj. Herbert Henry Hudson MC (see 16^th July), 11^th West Yorks, who had been temporary CO 10DWR in June and July. He had also gained the award during the actions of 20^th September.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the death of Pte. William Walker Jackson (see 25^th September), who had been killed in action on 20^th September.

HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE - SIGNALLER JACKSON KILLED IN ACTION 

Still another name is added to the Roll of Honour by the death in action in France of Signaller William Walker Jackson, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jackson, of Dub Cote. The first intimation of something amiss was contained in a letter of September 25th to Mrs. Jackson from a comrade, who states:- "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 20th. 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."

Subsequent communications from the deceased's company officer gave but little hope of his being alive, and the fateful news was received on Friday morning with intense regret and a sense of profound sympathy with the bereaved parents and family that Signaller W. W. Jackson had been killed in action in France on September 20th. Such loss would indeed be very depressing were it not redeemed by the knowledge that these brave men do their duty so fearlessly and well for the great cause of human liberty and the defence of our Empire.

The deceased, born May 31st, 1895, was educated at Horton School, of which his mother was an esteemed member of the staff some years ago, and proved an intelligent scholar. After leaving school, he assisted his father on a farm, and his patriotism being aroused he joined up on November 16th 1915, and was attached to the West Riding Regiment. The greater part of his training took place at North Shields, where he passed for service as a first-class signaller. He was home on final leave in August 1916, and proceeded to the Western Front last February. His letters home were always cheerful, despite the execrable climatic conditions often pertaining, and the continuous shrieking and whistling of shells. The family desire to express their appreciation of the many messages of sympathy accorded them.

Pte. William Walker Jackson

There was also news of Pte. Albert Christopher Benson (see 1^st June 1915):

HONOUR FOR COWLING SIGNALLER

Signaller Albert Benson, Duke of Wellington's, has won the Military Medal for bravery. The event, which gained him this distinction, is described as follows:- "Several of his pals were badly wounded and buried by a bursting shell, while engaged at an advanced post. With great coolness and courage whilst under shellfire, Signaller Benson dug them out and got the stretcher bearers up to them." His Officer afterwards recommended him for the distinction, which has now been given him. Private Benson enlisted on September 21st 1914, and went out to France on August 24th 1915. At the time he enlisted he was employed as a weaver by Messrs. John Binns and Sons Ltd., Croft Mills, Cowling.

I am, as yet, unable to confirm the award of the Military Medal to Pte. Benson as no record has been found in the official records and some subsequent correspondence casts doubt as to whether the award was ever formally made. 

 

Pte. Albert Christopher Benson

Thursday 25th October 1917

Zudausques

Training and range practice.

A series of medal presentations were held for those men who had been awarded decorations for their actions on 20^th September, although official notice of the awards would not be published in the London Gazette for some weeks. Among the men receiving their medal ribbons was CSM Charles Edward Parker MM (see 20^th September), who had been awarded the DCM. The circumstances were described in a subsequent newspaper report: “The whole Battalion turned out, the band played and the sergeants of the company carried him shoulder high while the ‘boys’ raised the heartiest of cheers and sang ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’. There were further jollifications in the evening when the general of the division shook hands cordially with the popular medallist and wished him the best of luck in the future”.

CSM Charles Edward Parker, MM, standing centre

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. Patrick Sweeney (see 22^nd September), who had deserted on 19^th September and had been apprehended and placed in confinement on 22^nd September, appeared before a Field General Court Martial. Maj. Charles Bathurst MC (see 24^th October) sat as President of the Court and evidence was heard or statements reviewed from Capt. James Watson Paterson (see 14^th July), L.Sgt. George Heeley (see 5^th October), Cpl. William Henry Dobson (see 20^th September), and Ptes. Charles Simpson (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man) and Samuel Walker (see 21st October). Sweeney was found guilty and, as prescribed by Army regulations, sentenced to death. He was returned to confinement awaiting confirmation or communtation of sentence from Field Marshal Haig.

It was around this date (although the exact date is unknown), that the former Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Wilfred Leveson Henderson MC (see 2^nd October), who had been severely wounded in the attack on the Messines Ridge on 7^th June, was transferred from Miss McCaul’s Hospital, Welbeck Street, London (a former private nursing home) to Larkhill War Hospital, Glasgow.

Pte. Ernest Morrison (see 20^th January), who had been been wounded in January, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer fit for service. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. for four weeks, reducing to 13s 9d. thereafter; his case was to be reviewed in one years’ time.


A payment of £1 6s. 4d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harry Read (see 8^th June) who had died of wounds in June; the payment would go to his mother, Mary. She would also receive a parcel of her late son’s personal effects, comprising of, “Disc, correspondence, photos, knife, wallet, tin with cigarettes”.