Friday 11th January 1918

Billets at Biadene

Pte. Thomas Tibble (see 8^th January) died at 70^th Field Ambulance, three days after being admitted suffering from swelling to his legs. A subsequent post mortem examination would confirm his cause of death as being lobar pneumonia. He would be buried at Istrana British Cemetery, west of Treviso; his remains would subsequently be exhumed and re-buried at Giavera British Cemetery.

Pte. Walter Evans (see 16^th January 1917) was reported by Sgt. Harry Holmes MM (see 7^th January), Clark and L.Cpl. Enoch Wilson Rhodes MM (see 16^th August 1917) as “absent from 8.45am parade”. He would be apprehended by the Military Police at 10.30 am, at which point he was also reported as “improperly dressed”. He would be sentenced by Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 10^th January) to 14 days’ Field Punishment no.1.

At 11pm Pte. James Isaac King (see 29^th October 1917) was reported absent; the report was made by Cpls. Frank Brierley (see below), Arthur Ledgard (see below) and Alfred Sayer (see below) and Pte. William Francis Murphy (see below).

Frank Brierley had enlisted soon after the outbreak of war, aged 17, having been working as a twister in a woollen mill in Huddersfield. He had originally served with 8DWR, with whom he had gone to Gallipoli in July 1915; the circumstances under which he had been posted to 10DWR are unknown. Arthur Ledgard had previously served with 5DWR; 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. Alfred Sayer had previously served with 2DWR and had gone to France with his Battalion in August 1914; in the absence of a a surviving service record I am unable to establish when, and under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR. William Francis Murphy was 36 years old. Originally from Ireland he had been living in Wolverhampton before the war where he had been a detective constable in the Borough Police. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish when, and under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR.

Pte. James Hillhouse (see 24^th October 1917) departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

A/Cpl. Albert Reynolds (see 29^th October 1917) was admitted to 70^th Field Ambulance (cause unknown); he would be discharged to duty three days later.

Cpl. Arthur Boorman (see 8^th September 1917) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from ‘thrombosis of veins, left leg’; three days later he would be evacuated via no.15 Ambulance Train to 38^th Stationary Hospital in Genoa.

Pte. Samuel Slone (see 5^th July 1917) was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station, where an operation would be carried out to drain an abscess to his left armpit; three days later he would be evacuated via no.15 Ambulance Train (destination and details unknown).

Pte. James Slinger (see 17^th April 1917) was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station suffering from jaundice; he would be discharged and return to duty after eight days.

A payment of £2 9s. 5d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Albert Edward Everitt (see 20^th September 1917), who had been killed in action on 20^th September 1917; the payment would go to his father, Henry. His father would also receive a parcel of personal effects, comprising of, “wallet, cards, photos”. Albert Edward Everitt’s brother, Hubert, serving with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, would be reported missing in action in March 1918, and subsequently presumed dead.

The weekly edition of the Clitheroe Times reported on the award of the Military Medal to Pte. Richard Butler (see 17^th December 1917),

Private R. Butler, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regt., son of Mr. W. Butler, Paythorne, has been awarded the Military Medal, for his courage shown in rescuing a wounded comrade under fire.

The Craven Herald reported on the ‘Mention in Despatches’ for Trooper Claude Darwin (see 19^th September 1917), who was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin (see 19^th September 1917), who was back in England having been wounded on 7^th June. Although the report referred to Tom Darwin as having been discharged from the Army due to his wounds, his discharge had not yet formally been confirmed.

GALLANTRY IN THE FIELD

It will be noted with pride by Grassington people that one of the old Grassington lads has been singled out for a distinction. A letter to Mr. J.W. Darwin, Fell View, Grassington, father of Pte. C. Darwin, shows that in the despatch from General Sir Archibald Murray, G.C., M.G., K.C.R., Commander-in-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, is the name of Private Claude Darwin, 1st Field Squadron Engineers, Australian Expeditionary Force, for ‘distinguished conduct in the field or for valuable services”. Private Darwin, who emigrated to Australia seven years ago, was some time ago wounded in the back of the neck, and later suffered from septic poisoning in the fingers. His brother, Thos. Darwin, has just been discharged from the Army with a shattered arm. This is the second honour that has come to a Grassington lad, the first being the awarding to Second Lieutenant William Oldfield (2Lt. Billy Oldfield MM, see 1^st October 1917) of the Military Medal for gallantry on the field of battle.

There was also news that Pte. John Myles Raw (see 20^th September 1917) had been confirmed killed in action,

DENT - KILLED IN ACTION

Mr. and Mrs. R. Raw, of Gawthrop, Dent, have, been officially informed that their son John M. Raw, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, was killed in action on September 20th last. It was reported by an officer that he had been killed but officially reported that he was wounded. Inquiries were then made and he was officially reported missing. After further inquiries he is now reported killed in action on September 20th. Private Raw, who was 30 year, of age, had a very cheerful and pleasant disposition, and his officer spoke most highly of his behaviour.

Pte. John Myles Raw