Saturday 17th November 1917

In billets at Sacca.

A very bright morning following a sharp white frost overnight.

Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 5^th November) had lunch with the officers of 10DWR and had some photographs taken with them.

Pte. Ernest Wilson (11751) (see 9^th November), who had been absent and had missed the departure for Italy, now re-joined the Battalion; he would be ordered to undergo 14 days’ Field Punishment no.2 and forfeit nine day’s pay.

2Lt. Alfred Ernest Pass (known as ‘Alf’) (see 26^th September) was posted to France; he would later serve with 10DWR.

Sgt. George Thomas Bates (see 14^th May) serving with 32^nd Company, Labour Corps, died of wounds and was buried at Duhallow A.D.S Cemetery, north of Ypres. The circumstances of his death are unknown but Lt. Arthur Albert Furness would write to Sgt. Bates’ widow, “It is with the deepest regret that I tender you my condolences in your bereavement through the loss of your husband, Sgt. Bates. He was my platoon sergeant and I never had any cause for complaint so far as work and discipline were concerned. I can assure you that I feel very much regarding the loss I have sustained as his platoon officer. Everything has been done out here regarding his grave and it is my intention to have a cross made by the Company and erected over his grave. He was beloved by all his men and since his death I have censored many letters which have gone to different parts of England expressing regret that they have lost such a capable sergeant. In the present war we are now waging it is good for everyone to remember the old saying, ‘In the midst of life we are in death’”.

Image from The Halifax Courier, 30th November 1917

Pte. Harry Hartley (see 18^th September), who had been posted back to England since being taken ill in August, was posted from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR at North Shields.

Cpl. Christopher John Kelly (see 8^th June), who had been working as a limestone quarryman at the Swinden Lime Works near Skipton, having been transferred to the Army Reserve Class W, was formally discharged from the Army. His disability was regarded as minor and he was awarded a gratuity of £24 but no service pension.

Pte. Eastwood Wilkinson (see 1^st September), serving with the Royal Defence Corps, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of wounds suffered in action; he was assessed as having suffered a 40% disability and was awarded an Army pension of 27s. 6d. per week for four weeks, reducing thereafter to 11s. per week, and to be reviewed after one year. The detailed medical assessment of his wound stated that he had suffered, “Penetrating wound between 4^th and 5^th metacarpal bones, back of hand, coming out on palm. Little finger contracted and flexed across palm. Tip of finger lies between 2^nd and 3^rd fingers, which are also contracted. Movements of 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th fingers limited. Grip of thumb and index finger weak”.