Wednesday 1st January 1919

Billets at Morando

Pte. John Foster (see 16^th December 1918), serving in France with 2/7^th DWR, was evacuated to England from 32^nd Stationary Hospital at Wimereux, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis; on arriving in England he would be admitted to 2/1^st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham.

Pte. George Clegg (see 29^th July 1916) who had been taken prisoner in July 1916 and held at prison camps including Le Cateau, Gottingen and Cassel, was repatriated to England.

Pte. Stanley Barker DCM (see 19^th November 1918) was discharged from1^st Northern General Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, following treatment for scabies, and re-joined 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. William Shirtcliffe Mallinson (see 8^th November 1918), who had been in England for the previous six weeks, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

L.Cpl. Martin Jackson (see 9^th November 1918), who had been in England for the previous two months, was posted to the Regimental Depot in Halifax.

2Lt. Sam Benjamin Farrant (see 23^rd December 1918) was officially released from the Army.

Pte. William Kershaw (12689) (see 7^th October 1915) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer for active service on account of ‘valvular disease of the heart; he was assessed as having suffered a 30% disability and was awarded an Army pension of 19s. 1d. per week. He had originally served with 10DWR but at some point (details unknown) had been transferred to the Labour Corps. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish any further details of his service.

The London Gazette published notice of four awards to officers and men of 10DWR. 2Lt. Edward Kent Waite MC (see 27^th October 1918) was awarded a bar to the Military Cross; 2Lt. George Clifford Sugden (see 14^th December 1918) was awarded the Military Cross; A/CSM Richard Everson (see 27^th October 1918), who had been killed on 27^th October 1918, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal; and  Cpl. Sidney Twine (see 26^th August 1918) was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Tuesday 31st December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. Charles William Hird (see 9^th October), who had been in England since having been wounded in August while serving in France with 2DWR, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

2Lt. Thomas Walsh (see 12^th October), who had been in England since October having been taken ill while serving with 2DWR, was declared permanently unfit for further service.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Herbert Farrand Hogley (see 27^th September), who had been killed in action on 23^rd June, while serving with 2DWR; his widow, Florence, was awarded 20s. 5d. per week for herself and her son.

Monday 30th December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. James Barker (25964) (see 23^rd December), who had been posted back to England, completed and signed his ‘Statement as to disability’ form, which was a precursor to his being discharged; his completed form confirmed that he did not claim to have suffered any disability in service.

Sgt. Harry Singleton (see 21^st December) was formally discharged from the Army; he was the brother of Robert Singleton (see 21st December).

Sunday 29th December 1918

Billets at Morando

CQMS Edgar Shuttleworth (see 27^th November), L.Cpl. Frank Dodgson (see 28^th October) and Ptes. Edward Anderson (see 18^th December 1917), Arthur Newton (see 1^st September), Herbert Williams (see 15^th November) and Norman Woodhouse (see 25^th November 1917) departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

The process of preparing men for their return to England and demobilization was now accelerated. CSM Stanley Vyvyan Golledge (see 28^th October) and Ptes. George Chamberlain (see 4^th January), William Hutchinson (see 22^nd December), Simpson Phillips (see 1^st August) and William Percy Smith (see 9^th June) completed and signed their ‘Statement as to disability’ forms, which were a precursor to their being posted back to England. The completed forms, which confirmed that they did not claim to have suffered any disability in service, were witnessed by 2Lt. William Johnson Simpson MC (see 22^nd December). The same forms were also completed by Ptes. Michael Hannigan (see 20^th September), William Little (see 1^st September), William Henry Luke (see 18^th November), Sidney Guy Mealing (see 20^th November) and Thomas Warburton (see 24^th December); in their cases, the forms were witnessed by Capt. Frederick Lowther Dawson Barker (see 23^rd August). 

2Lt. John William Pontefract (see 20^th November), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, wrote to the War Office to request a wound gratuity.

Sgt. Wilson Allinson (see 25^th October), who had been posted back to England two months previously, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Having served a sentence of 23 days’ detention for having been absent without leave from 3DWR at North Shields, Pte. James Kilburn (see 14^th December) was released from the Detention Barracks in York and posted back to 3DWR at North Shields.

On the expiry of his period of hospital leave, Pte. John William Mallinson (see 19^th December) failed to report as scheduled to 3DWR at North Shields; he would report himself four days later and be ordered to forfeit four days’ pay.

Saturday 28th December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. William Smart (see 14^th July) completed and signed his ‘Statement as to disability’ form, which was a precursor to his being posted back to England. The completed form, which confirmed that he did not claim to have suffered any disability in service, was witnessed by Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 24^th December).

Pte. Matthew Woodward (see 4^th May), serving in France with 297^th Labour Company, Labour Corps, departed for England on demobilization leave; once in England he would be transferred to 16^th Labour Company.

Pte. Thomas Walter Mellin (see 9^th October), who had been evacuated to England in October, was reported “absent from hospital leave at tattoo” in North Shields; he would return to duty two days later and would be ordered to undergo two days’ Field Punishment no.2 and to forfeit two days’ pay.

Pte. Stanley Sykes (see 27^th November), who had been in England for the previous month after suffering from jaundice, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Friday 27th December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. Arthur Clark (25164) (see 6^th December), who was on leave in England, had his leave extended to 10^th January.

2Lt. George Thomas Lotherington (see 20^th September 1917), who had been wounded on 27^th September 1917 whilst on attachment to 10DWR from the East Yorkshire Regiment, was promoted Lieutenant; he was serving with 4^th East Yorks.

Pte. George Holmes (10794) (see 3^rd May), serving in France with 9DWR, departed for England on two weeks’ leave; at the conclusion of his leave he would not return to France but would instead be demobilized.

In Bradford, Ann Hopkins, mother of Pte. Michael Hopkins MM (see 18^th July), serving in France with 29^th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, died.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the deaths of Ptes. William Summers Holmes (see 25^th October) and Squire Topham; (see 27^th October).

Steeton Soldier's Death 

Mrs. Wm. Summers Holmes, Silsden, has received word in a very touching letter from the assistant matron of the 29th Stationary Hospital, Italy, that her husband had died from influenza. Pte. Holmes joined the army on the 5th of August, 1914, and went with the 9th Dukes to Gallipoli and after service there was transferred to Egypt, then from Egypt to France, and from France to Italy. Although he had been in many battles he had never been wounded. Pte. Holmes leaves a widow and two little children. He is the son of the late Timothy Holmes, Aireview, Silsden. His brother, Pte. Nelson Holmes, was killed in 1915; another brother, Pte. Edgar Holmes, was wounded in the arm and has since been discharged.

Pte. William Summers Holmes

Eastburn Soldier Killed

Official information has reached the village that Pte. Squire Topham, of the Duke of Wellington's, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Topham, of Bradley, until recently of the Lyon, Eastburn, had been killed in action in Italy on October 28^th (sic.). The deceased who was 25 years of age, was very well known and especially in the district. He joined the colours during the first month of the war, Aug. 27, 1914. He went through the Gallipoli campaign where he suffered many hardships. He also served in France and lost his life during the last fortnight of the war in Italy. His last letter home contained the statement which every one who knew him hoped might be correct "I think I shall be alright now." The deceased has been twice wounded. He was in hospital in Scotland with dysentery and had had many narrow escapes. He was home on furlough last June. Before joining the colours he was employed at the Eastburn Foundry by Mr. Lund, as moulder, and was highly respected by his employer and fellow employees. His younger brother is also serving in the army.

Thursday 26th December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. Fred Atkinson (see 29^th April) was reported by Sgt. Harry Smith (12240) (see 14^th December), L.Sgt. Thomas Craven Patchett (see 12th May), Cpls. Martin Reddington (see 11^th November) and Albert Lund (see below) and Ptes. William Ward Pickles (see 6^th October) and John Stanley Armitage (see 16^th December 1917) for having been drunk; on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 21^st December), he would be fined 2s. 6d.

Albert Lund had previously served with 8DWR, but in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish when, and under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR. 

At the Westgate Baptist Chapel, Bradford, Pte. Mark Henry Sutcliffe (see 20^th December), who was home on leave, married Beatrice Ellen Price.

At the Parish Church at Ingrow, Pte. Gilbert Bell (see 27th August) married Emily Day.

Wednesday 25th December 1918

Billets at Morando

In the words of the official Divisional History, “Home leave had been ordered, and the first peace Christmas found many officers and other ranks in England; those remaining in Italy feasted with as great a gusto as in previous years and with less fear of its proving to be their last chance in life of a good square meal”. As remembered by Pte. Harold Charnock (see 22^nd December), “A Christmas dinner and dance was provided and the band performed in front of each billet in the morning”.  

As in previous years, Battalion Christmas cards had been printed; it should be noted that the battle honour for the Piave had been handwritten, having been gained after the cards had been printed.

This example from the personal collection of Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips MC (see 7^th December), by kind permission of the Trustees of the DWR Museum.

L.Cpl. Clarence Smith (see 18^th August) was severely reprimanded by Maj. William Norman Town (see 14^th December) having been reported by L.Cpl. Lawrence William Hinchcliffe (see 22^nd December) for, “neglect of duty; when in charge of a prisoner, allowing him to escape”.

L.Sgt. George Alma Cook (see 13^th December) was transferred from 23^rd Division Rest Station to 62^nd General Hospital, which had recently re-located from Bordighera, near Ventimiglia, to Marseilles.

Tuesday 24th December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. Thomas Warburton (see 15^th September) was reported by Cpl. James Hotchkiss (see 26^th November) as having been, “dirty on guard mounting”; on the orders of Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 21^st October) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

Sgt. Wilfred Fletcher (see 22^nd December) was evacuated to England from 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship St. Patrick.

Pte. Walter Oddy (see 24^th February), serving at the Royal Engineers Special Factory Section at Les Attaques, was posted back to England for demobilization.

Pte. John James Goodship (see 20^th December), who had only returned to England four days previously having been a prisoner of war in Austria, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to wounds. He would be awarded a pension of 11s. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

Monday 23rd December 1918

Billets at Morando

A/CSM Alfred Dolding (see 30^th October) was confirmed in his rank as Warrant Officer Class II and Company Sergeant Major.

L.Cpl. Harold Bray (18231) (see 9^th June) was promoted Lance Sergeant.

2Lt. Sam Benjamin Farrant (see 27th October), Sgt. Joseph Maddison MM (see 13^th March) and Ptes. James Barker (25964) (see 5^th July), Israel Burnley (see 25^th February 1918), Edwin Collins (see below), John Craven (see 23^rd March), John Walter Gethen (see 13^th December) and John Griffiths (see 17^th November) left the Battalion en route to England in preparation to be demobilised. They would sail to England from Cherbourg on 28^th December, onboard the La Marguerite and, on arrival, would be posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon. 

Edwin Collins had been an original member of the Battalion, but in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish any details of his military service.

Sgt. Harold Howlett (see 1^st September) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance, suffering from jaundice.

Capt. Hugh William Lester MC (see 3^rd November), serving in France as Brigade Major to 11^th Infantry Brigade, departed on two weeks’ leave to England; his leave would subsequently be extended to 16^th January.

L.Cpl. Alfred John Davis (see 18^th May), serving in France with 179^th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, was posted back to England for demobilization.

Pte. Charles Edward Lund (see 29^th November) was discharged from 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester; he would have ten days’ leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields.

Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison MC (see 27^th November), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, wrote to the War Office, 

“I have the honour to request that my application for a wound gratuity may be reconsidered. I was wounded in the foot and leg by bullet on 7^th June 1917 and was in hospital until 6^th June 1918 as a result of these wounds. My medical category at the present date is still C1 from the same cause. My last medical board was held on 27^th November 1918. On referring to article 645 of the Royal Pay Warrant it appears that I am eligible for wound gratuity”.

Four days later Capt. Harrison would appear before a further Army Medical Board at Tynemouth which would find his condition to be unchanged and instruct him to continue serving with 3DWR.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Matthew Henry Jubb (see 10^th April), who had been officially missing in action since 10^th April, while serving with 1^st/4^th DWR; his widow, Annie, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

Sunday 22nd December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. Harold Charnock (see 2^nd December) would later recall that, “On the 22^nd the first party for demobilisation left”. This party included Lt. Vincent Edwards MC (see 27^th October) and Ptes. Thomas Henry Dixon (see 5^th July 1917), Walter William Ford (see 20^th July), Michael Langley (see 1^st March) and William Noel Simpson (see 26^th August). They were officially on two weeks’ leave, but would be demobilised once in England.

Pte. William Hutchinson (see 19^th December) was reported by L.Cpl. Lawrence William Hinchcliffe (see 1^st December) as “absent from roll call 9pm until found in billets at 9.50pm”; on the orders of 2Lt. William Johnson Simpson MC (see 18^th December) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

Pte. John George Inshaw (see 11^th November), serving at the Trench Mortar School at Arquata Scrivia, departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

Sgt. Wilfred Fletcher (see 4^th December) was transferred from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia, to 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles.

Pte. Newton Dobson (see 27^th October) was transferred from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia, to 81^st General Hospital in Marseilles.

Pte. John Cronin (see 24^th November), who was on leave in England, was officially struck off the strength of 10DWR and demobilized from the Dispersal Centre at Wimbledon.

Saturday 21st December 1918

Billets at Morando

2Lt. Percival Victor Thomas (see 9^th October 1917) left the Battalion to take up duties (details unknown) with 23^rd Division HQ. During his time with 10DWR, according to the subsequent statement of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 26^th November), 2Lt. Thomas, “gave me satisfaction in the performance of his duties so far as his health permitted … I consider it my duty to state that this officer’s health was so bad that I considered him unfit for combatant duty”.

L.Cpl. Richard Cleasby Chorley (see 16^th November) was transferred from 16^th Convalescent Depot, Marseilles, to Etaples, where he would remain for a week before being posted back to England for employment with the Ministry of Labour, based at Northern Command Depot, Ripon.

Pte. Harry Hartley (see 26^th January), serving in France with 1^st Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

Pte. Arthur Baxter (see 19^th August 1916), who had been a prisoner of the Germans since 29^th July 1916, was among a number of men repatriated to England. He would be granted two months’ leave before then reporting to the Regimental Depot in Halifax. Sgt. Harry Singleton (see 8^th September), who had been taken prisoner in France in April while serving with 50^th Field Ambulance, was also repatriated; he was the brother of Robert Singleton (see 8^th September).

The Commander of the Officers University and Technical Classes in Oxford wrote to the War Office to inform that Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 18^th November) was attending a course at his institution and was not employed there.

Friday 20th December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. Mark Henry Sutcliffe (see 10^th March 1917), serving at 23^rd Division Headquarters, departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

Pte. George Bernard Hardy (see 2^nd December), who was at one of the Base Depots at Etaples (details unknown), departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

L.Sgt. Jonathan Richardson Sunderland (see 18^th October) and Pte. John James Goodship (see 27^th November), both of whom had been prisoners of war in Austria, were repatriated to England. Both were posted to the Regimental Depot in Halifax.

Maj. Robert Harwar Gill DSO (see 12^th December), who was under treatment at 3^rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, having been wounded in October, appeared before an Army Medical Board. The Board found that he would be unfit for active duty for at least six months, pending further hospital treatment; he was granted one month’s special leave, on the expiry of which he was to return to hospital.

Maj. Robert Harwar Gill DSO

2Lt. John William Pontefract (see 20^th November), who had suffered a bullet wound to the face on 27^th October, appeared before an Army Medical Board in Huddersfield. The Board found that, “His condition has considerably improved since the last Board”. He was declared fit for general service and instructed to join 3DWR at North Shields. 

Pte. Harry Pullin (see 26^th October) was discharged from hospital (details unknown) and posted to 3DWR at North Shields. However, he failed to report on time and would be reported “absent off sick furlough until reporting himself to the Orderly Sergeant at 8.30am on 29^th December”; he would be ordered to forfeit nine days’ pay and to undergo nine days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Cpl. Paul Bland (see 21^st July 1917), who had been wounded in July 1917, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to his wounds; he was awarded a pension of 18s. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the death of Pte. Edward Victor Grubb (see 27^th October).

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND - Another Soldier Gone

Private Victor Grubb, who was formerly a gardener at Closes Hall, and who enlisted in Captain Tunstill's regiment (sic.), is reported as having died in hospital in Italy, the intimation having been conveyed by Private Horner (Pte. Harry Horner, see 29th une) to the secretary of the local War Fund Committee in the following letter:- "I am very sorry to have to write and tell you the sad news about Private Victor Grubb. He went into hospital a few months ago, and news came through to the regiment that he had died last week in hospital in Italy. It is very hard for us to lose him now that the war is so near the end, after we have been together for four years. I shared the contents of the last parcel with his pals, which we thank you very much for. We are only sorry that Victor was not there to enjoy them”.

Thursday 19th December 1918

Billets at Morando

Pte. James Henry Lomax (see 28^th November) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from scabies; he would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after one week.

Pte. William Hutchinson (see 22^nd August) was briefly admitted to one of the local Field Ambulance units (details unknown).

Pte. Nathaniel Bather (see 1^st October) was discharged from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia and posted to “Caesar’s Camp” at Arquata Scrivia.


Pte. Reginald Jerry Northin (see 3^rd May 1917),who had been a prisoner of war since May 1917, was re-patriated to England.

Having served five months of an 18-month sentence, Pte. William Baxter (see 17^th July) was released from no.1 Military Prison in Rouen on suspension of the remainder of his sentence and posted back to 17^th Prisoner of War Company.

Cpl. William Henry Thornton (see 7^th August), serving in England with the Army Pay Corps, was promoted (Acting) Lance Sergeant.

Pte. John William Mallinson (see 25^th November) was discharged from hospital in Eastleigh; he would have ten days’ leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields.

Lt. Andrew Aaron Jackson (see 10^th December), who had suffered wounds to his right shoulder during the trench raid on 26^th August, appeared before a further Army Medical Board which determined that he should remain under treatment at Lady Cooper’s Hospital, Hursley Park, Winchester.

A payment of £10 7s. 2d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harry Clay (see 26^th August 1918), who had been killed in action on 26^th August 1918 while serving in France with 9DWR; the payment would go to his mother, Mary.

Wednesday 18th December 1918

Billets at Morando

Field General Courts Martial were assembled to consider the cases of two men who had been late reporting back following periods of leave in England.

Pte. Arthur Clarke (see 28^th November), who had been taken ill whilst on home leave, was charged with “absenting himself without leave from 4pm on 19^th October to 6.45am on 7^th November” (this was the period from the date of expiry of his leave and the point when he had actually reported at Southampton, following a period in hospital). He was found guilty of absence from 31^st October (when he had been due to report to Southampton) and 7^th November, and was ordered to undergo 14 days’ Field Punishment no.1.

The case of Pte. Albert Mellor (see 1^st December) was more straightforward; he was charged with “absenting himself without leave from 3.30pm on 6^th September to 3.20pm on 25^th October”. He was found guilty and was ordered to undergo 90 days’ Field Punishment no.1.

Pte. Herbert John Wicks (see 2^nd August) was reported by Cpls. Thomas Mann MM (see 1^st December) and Fred Greenwood MM (24522) (see 15th October) as having been, “absent from roll call 9pm until reporting at 10pm”; on the orders of 2Lt. William Johnson Simpson MC (see 2^nd December) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

A/L.Sgt. Percival John Munn (see 31^st July) relinquished his acting rank and reverted to the rank of Corporal.

Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 28^th April), Cpl. William Hay Murdock (see 27^th October) and Ptes. Lewis Batey MM (see 18^th October), William John Thomas Hurst (see 11^th September), Frank Patterson (see 6^th July) and Thomas Prince (see 20^th November) departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

Pte. William Douglas (see 26^th November) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 11^th Stationary Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from conjunctivitis; he would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after six days.

L.Sgt. George Heeley (see 11^th November) and Ptes. William Henry Bray (see 8^th December) and James Henry Innes (see 26^th October) re-joined the Battalion from the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Harry Sugden (see 28^th October) re-joined the Battalion from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro, near Genoa.

A/Capt. Ernest Cyril Coke (see 5^th May), who had been Adjutant to 3DWR at North Shields, relinquished his role as Adjutant and reverted to the rank of Lieutenant.

2Lt. Keith Sagar Bain MC (see 2^nd December) appeared before a further Army Medical Board at Peveril Park Hospital. The Board found that, “he has made good progress … he has quite recovered from the effects of jaundice. No liver tenderness; urine normal; stools normal; taking on normal food. He is now fit for Home Service. Recommend 3 weeks leave, to 8^th Jan 1919”. He was then to join 3DWR at North Shields.

A note was added to the War Office case file of Lt. Andrew Aaron Jackson (see 10^th December 1918), who had suffered wounds to his right shoulder during the trench raid on 26^th August 1918, and was still under treatment at Lady Cooper’s Hospital, Hursley Park, Winchester, recording that he “is not in a fit state of health to be released from military service for employment with the Education Committee”. Before joining the army he had been working as a schoolmaster in Mytholmroyd.

Tuesday 17th December 1918

Billets at Morando

According to the Brigade War Diary, whilst at Morando, “Units of the Brigade carried out training during the mornings from 9am until 12 noon. The afternoons were devoted to recreational training. Educational classes were held each morning”. The Battalion would be engaged in the usual training and played inter platoon football competitions. The Brigade inter-platoon six-a-side football competition would be won by 14 platoon, ‘D’ Company, 11^th West Yorkshires.

Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 14^th December) was attached for duty as Brigade Major with 69^th Brigade HQ at Veronella.

Capt. Dick Bolton MC

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. John Bayliss (see 30^th August), who had been reported for sleeping whilst on sentry duty, appeared before a Field General Court Martial. He was found guilty and ordered to serve two years’ imprisonment with hard labour. However, in the short term, he would not be committed to prison but would remain with the Battalion.

Sgt. Ronald Jeckell (see 27^th November) reported for duty with the Battalion. 

Ptes. Sam Sunderland (see 30^th November) and Fred Sutcliffe (see 12^th November) were evacuated to England from 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles; they would travel by train from Marseilles to Le Havre and then onboard the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle. Having arrived in England Pte. Sunderland would be admitted to 4^th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln, where it would be reported that, “The tip of the little finger was gangrenous and nearly separated; the whole of the distal phalanx came away while being dressed. Under general anaesthetic the necrosed phalanx was removed”. Pte. Sutcliffe would be transferred to Merryflats War Hospital, Govan, Glasgow.

Pte. Alfred Fishlock (see 2^nd December), who was on leave in England, was granted an extension of his leave to 19^th January 1918 on the grounds of “urgent private affairs”.

Pte. Reginald Hancock (see 2^nd March 1917) was transferred from 3DWR at North Shields to the Labour Corps to join 497^th Home Service Employment Company.

Pte. George William Corby (see 15^th November) was discharged from Tower Auxiliary Hospital, Rainhill; he would have ten days’ leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields.

2Lt. Edwin Merrall (see 21^st March), who had been taken prisoner in March while serving with 2^nd Battalion Yorks. and Lancs., was repatriated to England.

2Lt. Edwin Merrall

Monday 16th December 1918

Billets at Arzignano

The Battalion marched 24 miles south, via Zermeghedo, Montebello Vicentino, Monticello, Lonigo and Zimella, to the village of Morando. Here one Company would be billeted in the Church of St. Felice, one in the Church of St. Andrea and two at the farm of Casa Pasetti.

Pte. John Foster (see 8^th October), serving in France with 2/7^th DWR, was admitted via 26^th Casualty Clearing Station to 32^nd Stationary Hospital at Wimereux, suffering from inflammation to his scrotum.

Pte. Mark Beaumont (see 26^th November), serving in Malta with 1^st Garrison Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers, was officially taken off the strength of his Battalion, but would yet remain for some time in Malta.

CQMS Andrew Hermiston (see 14^th December 1917), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was severely reprimanded for ‘gross neglect of duty’ having been found to have “overdrawn 409 rations between 30^th November and 6^th December”.

Sunday 15th December 1918

Billets at Arzignano

2Lt. Bernard Garside (see 12^th November), L.Cpl. Harry Bailey (25248) (see 27^th October) and Ptes. Harry Bailey (25198) (see 3^rd August), Charley Culley (see 24^th September 1917), Harold Deighton (see 5^th July 1917), Walter Dey (see 20^th November), Harold Draper (see 18^th May), Thomas Charles Jaques (see 26^th August), Tom Smith (see 8^th December), Joseph Barber Taylor (see 26^th November) and Sidney Christopher Hugh Williams (see 5^th July 1917) departed for England on two weeks’ leave to England. 

2 Lt. Garside later recalled this Christmas leave, “I really do not remember very much about the few weeks between Nov. 11^th, the armistice with Germany, and coming on leave a few days before Christmas. That is I landed in England just before Christmas. The journey of course took about a week. I do remember snippets of the leave journey. I remember falling asleep in the carriage one night in a defile with great hills towering all round and I remember waking up in disgust next morning to see all those same hills. We hadn’t budged. But I must confess that the sun rising over those great blocks of mountains was also something to be remembered – shining on the snow and ice. That must have been near the Mont Cenis tunnel or one of those famous passes.

You can guess what a grand thing it was to be home on leave, but curiously enough I remember little about that Christmas. I recollect my misery when I had to come back. I remember other things – for instance. I have often told how, just before the train left Cherbourg, a great voice bellowed down the train, “Have you got the lampets and blanks?”. Scores of us roared with laughing. The man had got excited in asking after the blankets and lamps we all had in the carriages for the journey. Also, I’m afraid I was ill soon after the train started owing to one of our party having brought some oysters and cigars. I had both – and after half an hour from finishing the cigar I went out in the corridor and lay down not caring whether anyone trod on me or not. Never mix oysters and cigars! Oh dear! I’m almost ill now thinking of it. But the rest of the journey was not bad. You see, we weren’t going out to fight again”.

Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 24^th September), commanding 5^th (Pioneer) Battalion South Wales Borderers, returned to England ‘on duty’ for four days before re-joining his Battalion in France.

Pte. Frank Demaine (see 15^th April), serving in France with 2DWR, was admitted to 18^th General Hospital at Camiers suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to his scrotum; he would be discharged to no.6 Convalescent Depot at Etaples four days later.

Pte. William Postill Taylor (see 23^rd October), serving in France with 2^nd/4^thDWR, was admitted to hospital in Wimereux, suffering from influenza.

Pte. David Hume (see 21^st March 1916) was admitted to 18^th General Hospital at Camiers, suffering from influenza; he had been an original member of 10DWR, but was on attachment to 296^th Railway Company, Royal Engineers. Whilst in hospital he would also undergo a series of x-rays to investigate a ‘foreign body’ lodged above his jaw; this may have been a legacy of the wound he had suffered in March 1916 but, in the absence of a surviving service record, this cannot be established for certain.

Pte. Eli Bradley (see 4^th July), serving in India with 1DWR, was posted to the Convalescent Depot at Dagshai; he was suffering from malaria.

Lt. William Andrew Leo Kerridge (see 30^th March 1917), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was promoted Temporary Captain.

Pte. Frank Mallinson MM (see 2^nd November), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was again reported ‘absent from tattoo’; he would remain absent until reporting back at 10.15pm on the 17^th. However, it would then be reported that, ‘when in open arrest he broke out of his billet around 8am on 18^th and remained absent until seen in billets about 7am on 20^th’. He would be ordered to undergo five days’ Field Punishment no.2 and to forfeit five days’ pay.

Pte. Robert Cresswell (see 3^rd May), who had been taken prisoner in April while serving with 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, was repatriated to England; he would immediately be granted two months’ leave. The Craven Herald would subsequently report on his report, along with that of men from other regiments, “During the past week three local soldiers in the persons of Privates Norman Ellis, R.E.; W. Seggar, Scottish Borderers and Robt. Cresswell, Yorks, have returned home, all having been prisoners of war in Germany. Prior to joining H.M. Forces, Pte. Ellis was in business with his brother as a motor mechanic at the local garage, Pte. Seggar being with Messrs. Harger Bros., cabinet makers etc and Pte. Cresswell was the Police Constable at Giggleswick. Whilst all three appear to be looking well and in good health, they are agreed that it is in no way due to the gentle treatment they have received at the hands of the Hun, but to the care and the hospitality of the authorities in Holland. Naturally they are all delighted to be in Old England again and will look back on their term in captivity, and the usual accompanying hardships and indignities to which they have been subject, with feelings that will not tend to create a bond of union with their erstwhile gaolers.

Saturday 14th December 1918

Billets at Arzignano

A Brigade Sports Meeting was held at no.5 Training Ground at Arzignano. Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 11^th December) was on the organizing committee; Maj. William Norman Town (see 22^nd November)  was among the official starters; and A/RSM Fred Pattison DCM (see 23rd November; Pattison’s acting rank would suggest that RSM Charles Edward Parker, DCM, MM, see 27^th October, was on leave, but this cannot be confirmed for certain) was one of the clerks of the course.

The Battalion competed against 11^th West Yorkshires in the tug o’ war, with the winners to compete against 8^th Yorkshires. There were also representatives in the individual running events: 2Lt. George Clifford Sugden (see 2nd October) and David Twigg (see 1^st December) in the 100 yards; L.Cpl. Wilfred Henry Fiddes (see 9^th December), and Ptes. Gahagan (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man), Tim Helliwell (see 1^st December) and Twigg in the quarter mile; Sgt. Harry Smith (12240) (see 11^th August) and L.Cpl. Irvin Ward (see below) in the half mile; and Sgt. Smith and L.Cpl. Harold Bray (18231) (see 9^th June) in the mile. The Battalion also competed in the relay events. At the end of the day the prizes were awarded by Brig. Genl. Archibald Bentley Beauman DSO (see 18^th November), commanding 69^th Brigade, but unfortunately the results were not recorded in the Brigade War Diary, although it was recorded that the Brigade champions were 11^th West Yorks.

Irvin Ward was a 24 year-old woollen spinner from Denby; he had previously served with 1^st/7^th DWR, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, I am unable to establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR.

Pte. Arthur Wideman (see 24^th January), serving in France with 2DWR, departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

Pte. James Kilburn (see 5^th December), who had been ordered to undergo 23 days’ detention having been absent without leave 3DWR at North Shields, was transferred to the Detention Barracks in York to serve the final 15 days of his sentence.

A number of men who had previously served with 10DWR but had been transferred to either the Army Reserve Class P or W, to resume their civil employment, were formally discharged from the Army. Those known to have been so discharged were Sgts. Sam Beveridge (see 13th October 1915) (his subsequent application for an army pension would be rejected) and John Thomas Matthews (see 28^th February), Cpl. John William Cooper (see 13^th November 1917) and Ptes. John Broadbent (see 9^th February), Joseph Chandler (see 1^st November), Robert Sylvester Downey (see 31^st May), John Thomas Elford (see 27^th August 1917), William Franklin (see 14^th September), George Hirst (see 21^st March 1917), Samuel Hodgetts (in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish any details of his service with 10DWR), Cyril Hollingsworth (see 30^th November), Albert Moore (see 28^th November), John Dennis Moss (see 1^st July), James Pickering (see 24^th October 1917), Ambrose Scalley (see below), Walter Shackleton (see 2^nd May 1915), Michael Thornton (he had been an original member of the Battalion, but in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish any details of his service with 10DWR) and William Henry Yarnold (see 21^st June 1915). 

Sgt. Matthews and Ptes. Broadbent, Chandler, Hollingsworth, Moore, Moss, Scalley, Shackleton and Yarnold were all awarded army pensions on account of their injuries or illness. Pte. Moore, assessed as having a 100% disability due to TB, was awarded 40s. per week.

Ambrose Scalley had enlisted, aged 18, in December 1915 while working as a tenter for a fabric printer in Birstall. He had served with 10DWR before being transferred to 2^nd/7^th DWR and, at some point, had suffered a wound to his right foot. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish any details of his service with 10DWR or the date and circumstances of his having been wounded.

Friday 13th December 1918

Billets at Arzignano

Ptes. John Walter Gethen (see 26^th November), Lancelot Johnson (see 19^th November), Douglas Mercer (see 28^th November) and Reginald James Nosworthy (see 8^th November) re-joined the Battalion from the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Ernest Mudd (see 6^th October) was discharged from 81^st Stationary Hospital in Marseilles and re-joined the Battalion.

L.Sgt. George Alma Cook (see 5^th December) was admitted via 71^st Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station; he was suffering from jaundice, which, in a subsequent statement, he would attribute to “bad food and climatic conditions”.

Sgt. Edward Isger (see 25^th November) and L.Cpl. John Smith Hodgson MM (see 27^th October), both of whom had been wounded on 27^th October, were evacuated to England; the details of their treatment are unknown.


Pte. Samuel Wilkinson (see 27^th November), who had been in hospital for treatment for suspected influenza, was also evacuated to England; he would be admitted to hospital (details unknown), where he would be diagnosed as suffering from gonorrhoea. He would be transferred, on 19^th December, to Seaforth Auxiliary Hospital at Dingwall, before being transferred again, after three days, to 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester.
Trooper Claude Darwin (see 12^th October), who had been suffering from malaria, was discharged from hospital and re-joined 1^st Field Squadron, Engineers, Anzac Mounted Division, at Moascar. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin (see 2^nd February), who had been discharged from the army.

Pte. Herbert Newton (see 1^st November), who had been a prisoner of war since July, was repatriated to England. He would be posted to the Regimental Depot at Halifax and would be immediately granted two months’ leave.

Capt. John Atkinson (see 21^st August) was transferred from 3DWR at North Shields to join 51^st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, based in Ipswich. He would become Acting Major and second-in-command of the Battalion.

Pte. John Charles Clarke (see 27^th November) was discharged from the University War Hospital in Southampton; he would have ten days’ leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Charles Grant (see 4^th September) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to chronic conjunctivitis contracted in service; he would be awarded a pension of 13s. 9d. per week, to be reviewed in six months.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the death of Pte. William Dixon (see 28^th October), who had died of wounds on 28^th October:

ADDINGHAM - KILLED IN ITALY ON THE LAST DAY OF FIGHTING 

We regret to record the death of Lance Corporal (sic.) W. Dixon, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, which took place in Italy as a result of wounds received on the last day of fighting. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Dixon, Addingham, have received no official information as yet, though they have been in communication with the War Office for some time. They had received a card from him dated the day hostilities ceased and were naturally thinking he had come through all right, but it must have been posted just before going into action. Then a letter came to a friend in the village saying he had been seriously wounded, and afterwards, in response to further enquiries, his friend who had been with him both in France and Italy wrote to his sister as follows:- 

"Dear Mrs. Scholfield, - You ask me to tell all I can concerning Willie. It is something I would rather not do, but as you have asked me to state the worst I feel that I ought to do so, as I know the suspense that you will be in. I thought you would have been notified by the War Office before now. I am sorry to say that Willie met his death on October 27th when we made the advance across the Piave. He was hit with a machine gun bullet soon after we crossed the river. I should like to have seen him, but did not know he was severely wounded until we reached our objective the same day. I was told he had been attended to and carried away on a stretcher, and afterwards heard he had died later in the day. I sympathise with you. I have known Willie since we were in training together; he came out in the same draft as myself. It does seem hard after going through so much to be taken away at the final push. Yours sincerely, E. Plumb (Pte. Ezra Plumb, see 28^th October)."

Pte. William Dixon