Monday 17th December 1917

Front line trenches on the Montello.

There was heavy snow overnight 16^th/17^th, leaving about three inches on the ground; this was followed by further snow and rain in the evening.

The Battalion was based in dugouts and Italian tents in small wooded gullies close to the river. Conditions were described as very quiet, with the men occupied in making new dugouts and improving the defences. 


Pte. Henry Edgar Grass (see 6^th May), serving at Burhan in India with 1DWR, was reported for “moving about in the ranks”; he was ordered to be confined to barracks for three days.

The London Gazette published official notice of the award of the Military Medal to a number of men from 10^th Battalion for their conduct in the actions of 20^th September. Four of the men decorated had subsequently been killed: Sgt. James Scott (14445) (see 18^th October); Cpl. Joseph Smith (12748) (see 20^th October); L.Cpl. Arthur Dyson (see 17^th October); and Pte. Arthur Samuel Potter (see 17^th October).

The others decorated were:
L.Cpl. William (Billy) Hoyle MM (see 16^th November); this was a second award, having already been recognised for his conduct on 7^th June, he was now awarded a Bar to his Military Medal.
Sgt. Harry Holmes (see 14^th December).
Sgt. John William Wardman (see 21^st October).
A/Sgt. George William Keeling (see 1st December).
Cpl. Albert Jackson (see 20^th September).
Cpl. William Henry Dobson (see 29^th October).
Cpl. Horace Dewis (see 26^th September).
Cpl. Fred Greenwood (24522) (see 4^th October).
Cpl. James Jennings (11270) (see 27^th October).
Cpl. Thomas Mann (see 20^th September).
Cpl. Joseph Maddison (see 20^th September).
L.Cpl. Louis Feather (see 16^th November).
L.Cpl. Ernest Pearson (see 20^th September).
L.Cpl. Cain Rothera (see 11^th December).
Pte. Jesse Barker (see 20^th September). 

Pte. Richard Butler (see 27^th October) had been wounded and posted back to England.
Pte. Sydney Drake (see 18th October).
Pte. Frederick Harris (see 20^th September).
Pte. Michael Hopkins had been wounded (see 7^th November).         

Pte. H Kenworthy (268541) ((see 20^th September).
Pte. James William Kershaw (see 20^th September).
Pte. Albert Matchet (see 20^th September).
Pte. Ned Metcalfe (see 20^th September).
Pte. Harry Nason (see 20^th September).
Pte. Tom Platts (see 20^th September).
Pte. Ernest Reeve (13014) (see 20^th September).
Pte. Robert William Searby (see 20^th September).
Pte. William Settle (see 20^th September).
Pte. George Thompson (see 20^th September).
Pte. Frank Wood (see 14^th December).
Pte. Thomas Irvin Wood had been wounded (see 21^st September).


A pension award was made in the case of the late CSM James Davis MM (see 8^th June), who had died of wounds on 8^th June; his widow, Charlotte, was awarded £1 7s. 11d. per week. No payment would be made on CSM Davis’ pay and allowances as there had been a debit balance on his account at the time of his death.

CSM James Davis MM Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Joseph Bernstein (see 7^th June), who had been killed in action on 7^th June; his mother, Leah, was awarded 11s. 6d. per week.