Friday 22nd February 1918

Billets at Valla

Training continued and parties of officers, NCO's and men again went a few miles north by motor lorries to the hills in the vicinity of Asolo for instruction in hill fighting.

Sgt. Lionel Vickers (see 8^th February) suffered an accidental injury. According to a report made by 2Lt. Andrew Aaron Jackson (see 20th September 1917), “At Valla on the afternoon of the 22^nd February Sgt. Vickers was a member of no.3 platoon’s team in the match 3 platoon vs. 4 platoon. During the match, in collision with an opponent, he appeared to receive a severe wrench of the left knee. For a time he tried to carry on but later had to be helped off the field”. After being treated locally, Vickers would be admitted to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa.

Pte. Arthur Clark (25966) (see 29^th October 1917) was admitted via 71^st Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from “I.C.T.” (inflammation of the connective tissue) to his left heel; he would be discharged and return to duty after five days.

Cpl. William Hutchinson (see 18^th February), who had been held “under close arrest” since having been reported as “drunk when on active service” appeared before a Field General Court Martial. He was found guilty of the offence and reduced to the ranks.

Pte. Herbert Archer (see 29^th October 1917) was reported as “absent off 10am parade”; on the orders of Maj. James Christopher Bull MC (see 18^th February) he was to be confined to barracks for seven days.

Pte. Fred Sutcliffe (see 23^rd September 1917) was reported by Sgt. Frank Brierley (see 11^th January; it is not known when he had been promoted) for “leaving kit untidy”.

Pte. Owen Frank Hyde (see 2^nd December 1917) re-joined the Battalion having spent seven weeks in hospital.

L.Cpl. Jesse Merritt (see 1^st February) was discharged from 66^th General Hospital at Bordighera and re-joined the Battalion, following three weeks treatment.

Pte. Thomas Henry Fearn (see 6^th February), who had only been back with the Battalion for two weeks following two months in hospital, was admitted to 70^th Field Ambulance, suffering from diarrhoea.

Pte. Charles William Hird (see 5^th January), serving in France with 2DWR, was reported for “inattention on the line of march and being deficient of iron rations”; he was ordered to be confined to barracks for seven days.

Pte. Richard Swallow (see 15^th October 1917), who had been in England since October 1917, was admitted to the Military Hospital in Halifax, suffering from a left, inguinal hernia; he would be discharged to duty after eight days.

Pte. Norman England (see 29^th July 1916), who had been severely wounded in July 1916, resulting in the amputation of his right leg, appeared before an Army Medical Board assembled at 2^nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol. The Board recommended that he be discharged from the army as no longer physically fit for service.

A payment of £2 4s. 4d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Joseph Honeyble (see 1^st October 1917) who had died of wounds on 1^st October 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Rose, for herself and their two children. She would also receive a parcel of her late husband’s effects, comprising of, “waist belt, gold ring (9ct.)”.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the wounding of Gnr. George Thistlethwaite (see 18^th February), who had in fact died of his wounds four days previously.

AUSTWICK - Wounded

Mr. and Mrs. J. Thistlethwaite, Main Street, have been notified from the Canadian Casualty Station that their second son, Gunner George Thistlethwaite, R.F.A., has been admitted suffering from compound fracture of the skull and his condition is very serious.

 

Gnr. George Thistlethwaite