Sunday 13th January 1918

Billets at Biadene

Training continued but there was time also for more relaxation; the author of the Divisional History recalled that the Divisional Concert Party, known as “The Dumps”, presented shows “on a far more ambitious scale than in the old days”, including a review entitled, ‘Remember Belgium’. Performances were well attended by all ranks and concerts were given also by French and Italian troops. Most of this entertainment was conducted in Montebelluna, which also boasted a canteen and a cinema. Montebelluna was described by Pte. Norman Gladden of 11^th Northumberland Fusiliers in 68^th Brigade, 

“Montebelluna, which we were to get to know quite well, was an open township of modern construction nestling amidst the foothills, and had until quite recently been a thriving community on the main route into the mountains. Many of its inhabitants had fled before the unexpected tide of war, but some civilians were hanging on hopefully to look after their possessions or to keep open a few shops; though there was little to be bought, certainly not bread, which was our greatest need. The place had an abandoned air, which, to some extent, was being accentuated by the superimposition of alien military establishments. These occupied the municipal buildings, including the now forlorn little theatre, so typical of Italian provinicial culture. There was a half-built modern church, on which work had presumably been suspended at the outbreak of war, and the electric trams no longer rattled over the pave streets. Yet there was still an air of acute respectability about the place”.

Pte. Ernest Jones (see 16^th August 1917) was reported as having “used insubordinate language to his superior officer”; he was placed in detention to await court martial.

2Lt. Christopher Longstaff (see 5^th January) reported for duty in France with 9^th Battalion West Yorks.

Cpl. Rennie Hirst (see 19^th July 1917), serving in France with 2DWR, was promoted Sergeant.


L.Cpl. George Holmes (10794) (see 9^th October 1917), who had been in hospital since having suffered facial wounds in October 1917, re-joined 8DWR. Ten days later he would depart for England on two weeks’ leave.