Monday 22nd October 1917

Micmac Camp, between Dickebusch and Ouderdom.

A very wet morning.

The Battalion boarded buses at H.30.d.4.2 and was transported via Vierstraat, Kemmel, Locre, Bailleul, Hazebrouck and St. Omer to Zudausques. Here they were again placed under the direction of 69^th Brigade.

Capt. Dick Bolton (see 12^th October) re-joined the Battalion following ten days’ leave.

 

Capt. Dick Bolton

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 17^th October), on leave in England, married Effie Smith, at Horton Lane Congregational Church, Bradford. He would re-join the Battalion five days later.

Sgt. Richard Goodchild and Effie Smith on their wedding day

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

With his period of leave about to expire, Maj. Edward Borrow (see 2^nd October), who was in England having been wounded on 20^th September, was examined by Dr. John Waugh at his surgery in London. Dr. Waugh reported that Borrow had suffered “a bullet wound transversely through his right hand. Healing has just taken place, but there is still much swelling; extension and flexion are very imperfect. It is improbable that he will be able efficiently to use the hand for at least 2 or 3 weeks”. In accordance with this report he would be granted a further extension of leave to 12^th November.

Maj. Edward Borrow

Pte. Alec Radcliffe (see 2^nd October), who had suffered facial wounds on 20^th September, was transferred from 2^nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol to the Military Hospital at Parkhurst.

James Lyon, father of 2Lt. Donald Halliday Lyon (see 20^th September) who had been killed in action on 20^th September, wrote to the War Office: “I beg to acknowledge receipt of the effects of my son, 2^nd Lt. D.H. Lyon, and to thank you for same. I notice, however, that neither his revolver, watch, nor compass (amongst other things) have been forwarded, nor will it be of much use, I suppose, to expect them now”. In reply the War Office would confirm that “no further effects have yet been placed at the disposal of this department. I am to explain that the arrangements in force provide for the recovery, wherever possible, of all the effects of deceased Officers, and for their return to this country for disposal. Every endeavour is made to ensure the safe custody of the effects, and this department has no reason to doubt that if the articles mentioned by you were recovered, they will, in due course, be received. I am to add that, owing to the abnormal conditions attaching to active service, delay in the recovery and transmission of such effects is frequently unavoidable, but that if any further articles of the late Officer’s property are at any time forthcoming, they will be at once forwarded to you”.

2Lt. Donald Halliday Lyon