Wednesday 1st May 1918

Billets at Cornedo Vicentino.

Pte. James Longworth (see 9^th March), serving at the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia, was attached to 273^rd Area Employment Company.

Pte. Eli Bradley (see 8^th August 1917), serving in India with 1DWR, was admitted to hospital in Gharial, suffering from neurasthenia; he would be discharged to duty after 16 days, having been treated with ‘bromide, arsenic and strychnine’.

L.Cpl. Wilson Pritchard M.M. (see 12^th October 1917) was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant with the Army Cyclist Corps. 

Maj. Harry Robert Hildyard (see 2^nd February) was transferred from the Royal Defence Corps and posted to the Army General List, awaiting a further posting.

Pte. Horace Trinder (see 23^rd April), who was on leave before reporting to Northern Command Depot at Ripon, was admitted to 3^rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford, having suffered a recurrence of “pains and swellings of legs”. He would be treated for four days before being transferred to the Military Hospital at Cowley Barracks where he would be treated for a further five days, following which he would be discharged and posted, as had been intended prior to his illness, to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

Pte. Robert Smith (235360) (see 20^th September 1917) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit due to wounds suffered in action. He had suffered severe wounds in September 1917 which had resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee and was awarded an Army pension (details unknown).

An examination conducted at the Ida Convalescent Hospital, Leeds on the condition of Carl Parrington Branthwaite (see 12^th March), who had been permanently discharged from the Army on account of illness contracted in service, found him to be, “delicate, cheeks flushed, nutrition poor, wound unhealed with drainage tube in situ”. He was to remain in hospital.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Joseph Fox (see 16^th April), who had been killed in action in October 1917; his mother, Mary, was awarded 8s. per week.

An increase was authorised in the pension award in the case of the late CSM James Davis MM (see 18^th December 1917) who had died of wounds in June 1917; the amount payable to his widow, Charlotte, was to be increased from £1 7s. 11d. to £1 10s. 5d. per week.

A review was carried out of the pension award to Marcella Stott, widow of the late Pte. Charles Arthur Stott (see 13^th December 1917), who had been killed in action on 10^th June; the amount of her pension payment was increased from 18s. 9d. to £1 3s. 4d. per week.

A further review of the pension award which had been made in respect of the late Pte. Bertram Stanley Temperton (see 18^th July 1917) who had been killed in action in July 1916, resulted in the weekly pension payable to his widow, Alice, being increased from 19s. 3d. to £1 5s. 8d. per week.

.

Tuesday 30th April 1918

Billets at Cornedo Vicentino.

There was a marked improvement in the weather and the day became very hot.

It was reflected that “The area as a whole was perhaps more ‘out of the war’ and restful than any the Division had lived in since September 1914. Billets were good and the inhabitants most friendly and hospitable … games could be played in the few fields left free of vines, and evenings could be spent at the Arzignano Theatre listening to the latest performance of the ‘Dumps’ (the Divisional Concert Party)”.

L.Cpl. James Edward Hollingworth (see 26^th April) was reported by Sgt. Frank Shelah Gilleard (see 8^th January) as being “absent off CO’s parade, ie, lecture to Officers and NCOs at 5.30pm”; on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 29^th April) he was deprived of his Lance Corporal’s stripe and reduced to Private.

Pte. Fred Clayton (see 7^th March) was reported by Cpl. Mark Butler (see 5^th October 1917) as having an ‘untidy bed’; on the orders of Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 26^th March) he was to be confined to barracks for three days.

The Battalion War Diary noted the award of the Military Medal to Cpl. Alexander Wallace (see 1^st November 1917), presumably for his conduct in the most recent tour in the front line but the circumstances under which he had gained the award are unknown.

Pte. James Tuddenham, known to all as ‘Tudd’ (see 21^st July 1916), who had been wounded while serving with 10DWR in July 1916, was killed in action while serving with 1^st/6^th DWR. The circumstances of his death were reported in a letter to his family from letter from Lt. H.E. Lowther, commanding ‘A’ Company; "He was killed by a shell in the early morning of April 30th and can have suffered no pain whatever. He was buried with two of his comrades, and the grave was marked by a cross made by the men of his own platoon. He was one of our company stretcher bearers who are always men picked specially for their bravery. He always did the job well, however dangerous the circumstances, and always thought of the wounded men he tended before himself. I know how hard it will be for you, but I want you to realise how deeply we feel his loss. 'A' Company will never forget 'Tudd', as he was known to everyone”. The site of James Tuddenham’s grave would be lost in subsequent fighting and he is now commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

2Lt. William Swift (see 27^th November 1917), West Yorkshire Regiment and formerly of 10DWR, joined 1^st/7^th DWR; he was on attachment from the West Yorkshire Regiment.

L.Cpl. Alfred John Davis (see 3^rd April), serving in France with 179^th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, was admitted to to 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport (cause unknown).

Cpl. John Henry Eastwood (see 8^th December 1917), serving in France with 860^th Area Employment Company, Labour Corps, was transferred to the Chinese Labour Corps.

CSM Albert Edgar Palmer (see 9^th November 1917) was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant and would be posted to 51^st (Graduated) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, a training battalion based at Thoresby Camp. On the same day, he was married, at Grimethorpe Parish Church, to Clara Monkman. At some point (date unknown) he would be posted to France to join 8^th West Yorks. 

A/Sgt. Thomas Walsh (see 6^th October 1917) was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant and would be posted to 3DWR at North Shields, before then being posted to France to join 2DWR (exact date unknown). The report at the conclusion of his training stated: “standard of education poor, military knowledge – below average; power of command and leadership – good; below average all round but has made fair progress”.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Sgt. James Scott MM (14445) (see 9^th April 1918); who had been killed in action in October 1917; his widow, Leah, was awarded £1 2s. 11d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Harry Hancock (see 30^th January 1918), who had been killed in action in September 1917; his mother, Ada, was awarded 9s. per week.

Casualties for the month were officially recorded as being:

Killed                                 0

Accidentally killed           0

Died of wounds               0 

Wounded                          7 (1 in action; 4 at duty; 2 self-inflicted)

Accidentally wounded    0

Missing                              0

The official cumulative casualty figures since arriving in France in August 1915 were thus: 

Killed                                   275

Accidentally killed                5

Died of wounds                  21

Wounded                       1,287

Accidentally wounded      53

Missing                              178

Monday 29th April 1918

Billets at Cornedo Vicentino.

The weather improved somewhat, becoming dry and warmer.

Following the incident three weeks previously when he had been injured whilst handling a detonator, Pte. John Eastwood (see 5^th April) was tried by Field General Court Martial on a charge of “conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in that he wounded himself by negligently handling a bomb”. He was found guilty and sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment no.1.

Pte. Fred Atkinson (see 21^st February) was reported by CSM Charles Edward Parker, DCM, MM (see 13^th March), Sgt. Harry Smith (12240) (see 22^nd March) and Cpl. Stanley Vyvyan Golledge (see 25^th April) for having been, “drunk whilst on duty and in charge of a pair of horses”; on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 25^th April) he would undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Pte. Wilson Hepworth (see 18^th April), on attachment to 23^rd Division HQ, was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station suffering from inflammation to his left knee joint, arising from the accidental injury he had suffered in February whilst playing rugby; he would be discharged and return to duty after nine days.

L.Cpl. George Oversby (see 18^th January), serving in France with 1^st/4^th DWR, was wounded in action. The injuries to his scalp were relatively minor and he would be admitted via 56^th General Hospital at Etaples to a Convalescent Hospital also at Etaples.

Pte. Robert McCall (see 8^th April), who had been severely wounded six months previously, suffering major chest wounds, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. for four weeks, reducing thereafter to 19s. 3d. and to be reviewed in nine months.

Pte. William Barker (see 5^th March 1915), who had been formally discharged from the army on medical grounds (varicose veins) in March 1915, was awarded a one-off gratuity payment of £15.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Henry Leech (see 16^th April), who had been killed in action on 18^th October 1917; his widow, Harriett, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Arthur Tempest (see 2^nd February), who had been killed in action on 20^th September 1917; his widow, Clara, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week for herself and her daughter.

Sunday 28th April 1918

Billets at Cornedo Vicentino.

The weather remained very poor, with a third consecutive day of heavy rain.

CQMS Edgar Shuttleworth (see 24^th April) and Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 14^th November 1917) departed on two weeks’ leave in Italy.

Sgt. George Richard Goodchild

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Saturday 27th April 1918

Billets at Cornedo Vicentino.

A second day of steady rain.

Pte. Edgar Baron (see 22^nd March) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 51^st Stationary Hospital in Genoa, suffering from German measles.

Pte. Thomas Henry Cox (25806) (see 16^th February) was admitted via 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 29^th Stationary Hospital at Cremona, suffering from inflammation to his right forearm. 

Pte. Harry Barraclough MM (see 20^th April), serving with 23^rd Battalion  Machine Gun Corps, was transferred from 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera; he was now diagnosed as suffering from venereal disease and, in accordance with regulations, he became subject to a stoppage of pay and allowances.

Pte. Walter Ralph (see 6^th July 1917), elder brother of Pte. Kit Ralph (see 30^th April 1917) who had been killed at Le Sars in October 1916, was wounded in action while serving with 1^st/5^th York and Lancasters; he suffered a severe wound to his right knee. 

Pte. Greenwood Speak (see 16^th April), who had been in England since having been wounded on 10^th June 1917, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service; he was granted a pension of 27s. 6d. per week to be reviewed after six months.

A payment of £4 13s. 7d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Frederick James Farthing (see 23rd April), who had been killed in action on 17^th October 1917; the payment would go to his father, Frederick.

A remarriage gratuity of £34 5s. 6d. was paid to the recently re-married Mrs. Catherine Ashby, widow of the late Pte. Thomas Wood (see 25^th March), who had been killed in action in June 1917.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Herbert Hirst (see 14^th January), who had been killed in action in September 1917; his mother, Emily, was awarded 12s. 6d. per week.

Friday 26th April 1918

Billets at Cornedo Vicentino.

The poor weather returned, with rain all day.

2Lt. Arthur Lilley (see 5^th April) left the Battalion to return to the UK for transfer to the RAF.

Pte. George Mather (see 5^th October 1917) was reported by L.Cpl. James Edward Hollingworth (see 1^st November 1917) as being “deficient of bully beef”; on the orders of Maj. James Christopher Bull MC (see 24^th April) he was to be deprived of three days’ pay and to pay for the deficiency. Pte. James Stott (see 8^th April) was reported by L. Cpl. Metcalfe (unidentified) on a similar charge and would suffer the same punishment (it is not known exactly when Pte. Stott had re-joined the Battalion from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro, near Genoa). Pte. John Thomas Wilford (see 7^th March) was also reported on the same charge, by Cpl. Herbert Axe (see below), and suffered the same punishment.

Cpl. Herbert Axe was 21 years old and from Sheffield and had previously served with both 9DWR and 8DWR, having enlisted in December 1914. In the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR.

Pte. Frederick George Westlake (see 7^th March) was reported for “loss by neglect of iron rations”; on the orders of Maj. James Christopher Bull MC (see above) he was to pay for the lost items.

Ptes. William Barber (see 16^th December 1917) and Wellington Baldwin (see 3^rd December 1917) were ordered to be deprived of three days’ pay (cause unknown).

Pte. Alfred Shaw (see 3^rd April) was transferred from 29^th Stationary Hospital at Cremona to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera; he was now diagnosed as suffering from an abcess to his abdominal wall.

Pte. George Green (22749) (see 30^th March) was discharged from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Edgar Pooley, who had been serving at the Regimental Depot in Halifax was posted to join 10DWR; however, in the absence of a more complete service record it has not been possible when he actually joined the Battalion or any further details of his service. He was a 21 year-old warehouse assistant from Huddersfield and had attested in November 1915 and had been called up in January 1916, but had hitherto remained in England.

Pte. Patrick Conley (see 20^th September 1917), serving in France with 298^th Reserve Labour Company, Labour Corps, was transferred to 948^th Area Employment Company.

Three weeks after arriving in Alexandria, 2Lt. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 3^rd April) reported for duty with 2^nd/4^th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment. 


A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Herbert Briggs (see 10^th April 1918), who had been killed in action in October 1917; his father, Robert, was awarded 3s. 6d. per week, later (in November 1918) increased to 5s. per week.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported that Pte. Robert Cresswell (see 21^st March), serving with 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, was missing; he had in fact been taken prisoner.

There was also news of Pte. Tom Smith, the younger brother of Pte. Johnny Smith (see 10^th June 1917) and the late Pte. Reuben Smith (see 5^th September 1917), both of whom had been original members of Tunstill’s Company. 

“Pte. Tom Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith of Church Street, Addingham, is a prisoner of war in Germany. Pte. Smith is one of six brothers – five in the army and one in the navy; one of whom, Reuben, was killed in action”.

Thursday 25th April 1918

Billets at Cornedo Vicentino.

A very hot day.

2Lt. William George Wade (see 29^th June 1917) was promoted Lieutenant.

Lt. William George Wade

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

2Lt. James Henry Midgley reported for duty with the Battalion. He was 21 years old, originally from Halifax, and had first enlisted in December 1915, having spent eight months with the University of London OTC while training as a teacher. He had served in France with 21^st (Pioneer) Battalion, West Yorks. between June 1916 and July 1917, rising to the rank of Acting Lance Sergeant. He had then been posted back to England for a course of officer training with 16^th Officer Cadet Battalion at Rhyl and had been commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant on 30^th January 1918.

Pte. James Grubb (see 24^th April), who had been put on a charge the previous day, was now reported by Sgt. John William Wardman MM (see 11th March), Cpl. Stanley Vyvyan Golledge (see 2^nd February) and Pte. Albert Reynolds (see 27^th March) as being “absent from billets at 8.30am”; he would be apprehended by Wardman at 8.45pm. Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 24^th April) would order Grubb to undergo a further seven days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Pte. Louis Charles Preen (see 21^st March) was also reported as absent from his billet at 8.30am, but he had been detained by 9.45am. However, Preen had then escaped from confinement and had not been apprehended.

Pte. Joseph Henry Haywood (see 22^nd April) was reported by Cpl. Fred Perry (see below) as “when on active service, drunk in the village”; on the orders of Lt. Col. Lethbridge he was to undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Cpl. Fred Perry was 22 years old and from Halifax. He had previously served with 8DWR, at Gallipoli, and had been wounded on the Somme in 1916; he had then been transferred to 2DWR. The circumstances under which he had joined 10DWR are unknown.

Pte. James Butterworth (see 21^st March) was reported as having “dirty SAA on inspection”; on the orders of Lt. Thomas Beattie (see 30^th March) he was to be confined to barracks for seven days.

Pte. Claude Wilfred Norman (see 21^st October 1917) was ordered to be deprived of seven days’ pay; the nature of his offence is unknown.

Pte. Bertram Edwin Earney (see 24^th March) re-joined from leave; the reason for his delayed return is unclear.

Capt. Hugh William Lester MC (see 19^th March) was posted to France on secondment as Brigade Major to 11^th Infantry Brigade.

Capt. Hugh William Lester (2nd left), pictured in the Summer of 1917

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Ptes. Frank Dunn (see 23^rd March), Percival William Hall (see 29^th October 1917) and Frank Tucker (see 8^th January) were posted to XIV Corps Reinforcement Camp at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. John Henry Evison (see 31^st December 1917) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station; he was suffering from “ICT (inflammation of connective tissue) general”.

2Lt. Charles Leonard Chorley (see 31^st July 1917), serving with 2^nd/5^th Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action near Givenchy; he was a former member of 10DWR and brother of L.Cpl. Richard Cleasby Chorley (see 18^th April). The circumstances of his death would be reported in the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers, “At 2.30 p.m. a company from the 2nd/5th Battalion (Lieutenant-Colonel G.S. Brighten, D.S.O.) under Captain L.J. Sutton and one from the 1st/4th King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment attacked under a heavy barrage. The King's Own were successful in gaining their objectives, but the 2nd/5th were less fortunate, partly owing to the barrage not covering two important points on the frontage attacked. Nevertheless, distinguished gallantry was shown by a number of men, particularly by Private N. Turner who, when the advance of his party up a trench was checked, climbed on to the parapet under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and bombed the Germans back, enabling his platoon to get forward. He was wounded early in the operation, but refused to go back and continued to bring messages to his platoon commander, Second-Lieutenant C.L. Chorley, and supplies of bombs to the forward troops, in spite of heavy shelling and machine-gun fire. Chorley fell mortally wounded, but Turner refused to leave him although the enemy, who had brought up reserves and had begun a counter-attack, were advancing. Indeed Turner, almost single-handed, held the Germans off for some time so as to enable Chorley to be taken back. For nearly six hours altogether from start to finish Turner was engaged in bombing encounters, often at very close quarters. The German counter-attack proved too strong and the company had to fight its way back to its starting point... Private Turner received the Distinguished Conduct Medal”. Although it would appear that Chorley would most likely have been buried, the site of his grave was lost in subsequent fighting and he is now commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

Pte. Edmund Peacock (see 6^th February) was posted back to France from 3DWR at North Shields; he would join 1^st/4^th DWR.

Pte. Arthur Butterfield (see 5^th July 1916), who had been wounded in July 1916, was posted to 2/6^th Battalion Durham Light Infantry; in the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish what had happened to him on the intervening period.

2Lt. Charles George Edward White (see 31^st August 1917), who had been in England since having been accidentally wounded in August 1917, was promoted Lieutenant.

George Henry Roberts (see 28^th September 1917), formerly of 10^th Battalion, who had relinquished his commission in September 1917 following a serious injury sustained while playing football, applied for a commission in the Royal Defence Corps. His application would be rejected on account of the number of officers already available.

Wednesday 24th April 1918

Billets at Cornedo Vicentino

The day was punctuated with heavy thunderstorms and it would be noted that, for the early part of the stay at Cornedo “owing to the bad weather very little training could be carried out, but in spite of this a large amount was done on improvised ranges and bayonet fighting courses”. The Brigade War Diary noted that, “On arrival in this area there were few training facilities and some difficulty was found in choosing good training grounds owing to cultivation. However, after careful reconnaissance one, 100 yards range per Battalion and one Divisional range, up to 1,200 yards, were constructed. Also, one bullet and bayonet course was made in the Brigade area. Schemes in hill warfare were practised on several occasions and a good deal of work with the helio was put in, there being no telephone communications whatever in this area”.

Despite the inauspicious start, Pte. Harold Charnock (see 21^st April) would later recall that, “At Cornedo, which was in beautiful country amid the foothills, we made and used a rifle range, practiced hill warfare and enjoyed good billets”. It was also noted that, “The weather here has been very changeable just lately, plenty of rain but we have had it hot now and again. We can get plenty to eat were we are just now, such as fruit and eggs. The scenery is also very pretty”.

Ptes. Clarence Smith (see 11^th September 1917) and Benjamin Tetley (see 15^th April) were appointed Lance Corporal.

Pte. Willie Holmes (see 21^st March) was reported by CQMS Edgar Shuttleworth (see 23^rd September 1917) for “losing by neglect clasp knife and bully beef”; on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 23rd April) he was to be deprived of seven days’ pay and to pay for the lost items. 

Pte. Edwin Haley (see 16^th December 1917) was reported by CQMS. Thomas Winder (see 14th March) for “losing by neglect his toothbrush”; on the orders of Maj. James Christopher Bull MC (see 24^th March) he was to pay for the lost item.

Pte. Arthur Walter Williams (see 23^rd April) was reported by CQMS Maurice Harcourt Denham (see 12^th October 1917), Sgts. William Henry Dobson MM (see 17^th December 1917, it is not known when he had been promoted Sergeant) and Edward Isger (see 15^th April) as being “deficient of clasp knife and biscuits”; on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see above) he was to be deprived of seven days’ pay and to pay for the lost items.

Pte. James Grubb (see 25^th November 1917) was reported by Sgt. William Walker Rossall MM (see 6^th April) as being “late on parade and hesitating to obey an order, ie hesitating to fall in when required to”; on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see above) he was to undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Ptes. Joseph Foulkes (see 5^th October 1917), Richard Henry Harris (see 3^rd December 1917) and John William Mallinson (see 30^th March) were also ordered to be deprived of seven days’pay; the details of their offences are unknown.

Pte. Tom Lister Ellison (see 13^th April) was discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion; he had been suffering from diarrhoea.

Pte. Richard Cleasby Chorley (see 18^th April) re-joined the Battalion, having been on attachment for almost a year to 223^rd Employment Company.

Pte. George Albert Wright (see 4^th October 1917), serving with 148^th Labour Company, Labour Corps, was transferred to 9^th Labour Company.

Pte. Albert Ellis (see 1^st May 1917), serving in England 26^th Durham Light Infantry, was admitted to Hill House Military Hospital in Ramsgate, suffering from synovitis in his left knee; he would be discharged to duty after 14 days.

A payment of 10s. 11d. was issued to Anthony Gallagher, brother of the Pte. Michael Gallagher (see 9th November 1917), who had been killed in action on 22^nd May 1917. This was the final payment to one of Gallagher’s siblings, the other payments having been issued in August 1917.

A payment of £16 3s. 5d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Walter Robinson (14753) (see 4^th January), who had been killed in action while serving with 1^st/6^th DWR in France; the payment would go to his father, Albert.

Pte. Walter Robinson

A second payment, of £1, was authorised on the account of the late Pte. James Herbert Armstrong (see 21^st February) who had been killed in action on 18^th October 1917; the payment would go to his mother and father, Mary and James, as joint legatees. His mother was also awarded an Army pension of 6s. per week.

A second payment, of 11s. 11d., was authorised, on the account of the late Pte. Herbert Kitley (see 26^th February) who had been killed in action on 9^th October 1917; the payment would go to his father, John.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Cpl. Joseph Smith (12748) MM (see 19^th April 1918), who had been killed in action in October 1917; his mother, Emma, was awarded 7s. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Joseph William Henley (see 27^th March 1918) who had been killed in action in October 1917; his widow, Lilian, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Henry Harry Jolly (see 20^th September 1917), who had been officially missing in action since 20^th September 1917; his widow, Ada, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

Pte. Henry Harry Jolly

Tuesday 23rd April 1918

In tents and bivouacs at Stecchini.

Setting out at 9am, on a beautiful morning, the Battalion marched a further twelve miles west to new billets at Cornedo. They marched via Isola Vicentina, Malo and Cereda, where they went over a very steep hill which “was found too steep for transport, except by doubling the mules. Practically all transport was therefore sent via Il Tezzone”. They would remain at Cornedo for the next four weeks, occupied in general training and specifically in training for ‘hill fighting’.

Ptes. Roderick Harmer (see 27^th March), Samuel Smith (see 29^th October 1917) and Arthur Walter Williams (see 5^th October 1917) were reported by Sgt. Edward Arthur Myers (see 15^th April) for “not complying with an order, ie drinking on the line of march”; on the orders of Maj. William Norman Town (see 1^st March), they would be confined to barracks for seven days.

Pte. Walter Clarke (see 16^th December 1917) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station suffering from diarrhoea; he would be discharged and return to duty a week later.

Pte. Albert Edward White (see 6^th April) was discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. Horace Trinder (see 6^th February) was discharged from Merry Flats War Hospital, Govan, Glasgow and granted a period of leave before reporting to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

A medical report was prepared in the case of L.Cpl. Walter Maynard Willis (see 16^th October 1917), who had spent the previous six months at the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, being treated for acute mental illness. His condition was described as, “Mental condition very damaged. He is confused. Conversation incoherent. Memory defective. Ideas grandiose. Says he is the best billiard player in the world (he had worked as a billiard marker before the war) and a millionaire. His speech is very impaired. He is shaky and his walk is unsteady. Physical condition is poor. Wasserman reaction positive (the Wasserman test is an antibody test for the presence of syphilis).” It was recommended that he should be committed to an asylum.



A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Frederick James Farthing (see 17^th October 1917), who had been killed in action in October 1917; his mother, Esther, was awarded 3s. 6d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Frank Suckling (see 5^th March 1918), who had been killed in action in September 1917; his mother, Phoebe, was awarded 8s. 6d. per week.

The London Gazette published notice of the award of the Military Medal to Pte. Harry Gordon Binns (see 17^th January), serving in France with 1^st/4^thDWR; the circumstances under which Pte. Binns had been awarded the medal are unknown.

Monday 22nd April 1918

Billets at San Fortunato, just south of Fara.

At 10.25am the Battalion began a march to take them a further six miles south-west via Leva to Stecchini, between Dueville and Villaverla, where they would be accommodated overnight in tents and bivouacs, with Battalion HQ close by at Novoledo. 

L.Cpl. Joseph Henry Haywood (see 10^th April) was reported by Sgt. James Robinson (see 11^th March) as “absent from tattoo at 9.30pm until reporting himself at 11.50pm”; on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 15^th April) he would be deprived of his Lance Corporal’s stripe and revert to Private.

Pte. Harold Richard Denny (see 29^th October 1917) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from impetigo; he would be discharged to duty and re-join the Battalion after three days.

Pte. Joseph McDermott (see 9^th April) was discharged from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Herbert Smith MM (11837) (see 16^th August 1917), who had been transferred from 10DWR to 69^th Brigade Pigeon Station, was reported for “drunkenness on active service”; he would be deprived of seven days’ pay.


Pte. Frederick Frank Banks (see 30^th November 1917), who had been in England since having been wounded in September 1917, was formally transferred to the Army Service Corps.

A payment of £5 5s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harry Jackson (10796) (see 17^th October 1917), who had been killed in action on 17^th October 1917. Although he had served under the name ‘Harry Jackson’, his real name had in fact been Morris Kayles and the payment would go to his father, Israel Kayles.

A pension award was made in the case of the late CSM Joseph Bona (see 9^th March 1918), who had been killed in action in October 1917; his mother, Elizabeth, was awarded 6s. per week.
A pension award was made in the case of the late L.Cpl. Alfred Exley (see 21^st March 1918), who had been killed in action in October 1917; his father, Joseph, was awarded 10s. per week.
The Infantry Records Office replied to the recent letter from the family of L.Sgt. Fred Light Pashley (see 16^th April), acknowledging the letter and informing them that they would need to contact the Ministry of Pensions.

The London Gazette published notice of the award of the Military Cross to 2Lt. Albert Joseph Acarnley (see 24^th March). The citation stated: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When he was in command of a patrol reconnoitring on the farther side of the river his position was discovered, but, owing to his good leadership and initiative, he succeeded in withdrawing his patrol without loss. His patrol work has at all times been most conspicuous, and during numerous difficult crossings of the river he has displayed great courage and skill”.

Sunday 21st April 1918

Billetted in huts at Granezza

Starting out at 10am, the Battalion marched eight miles south, descending from the plateau, via Sciessere, Campana, Lusiana and Velo to San Fortunato, just south of Fara. Pte. Harold Charnock (see 11^th April) recalled that, “The march from Granezza was a very wet one with a strong north-easterly wind”.  

Lt. Arthur Poynder Garratt (see 15^th January) left the Battalion to return to the UK having been transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

Pte. Cyril Hollingsworth (see 25^th March), who had been posted back to England a month previously, suffered fractures to the tibia and fibula of his left leg in an accident; the precise circumstances and the details of his treatment are unknown.

Pte. Reginald James Nosworthy (see 27^th March) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from inflammation to his right foot; he would be discharged and return to duty after seven days.

Pte. Jonas Yoxall (see 5^th October 1917) was admitted to 23^rd Division Rest Station suffering from myalgia; he would be discharged and return to duty five days later.

A number of men from the Battalion were attached to a working party to Rocchetto Station, south-east of Verona. The size of the working party and its precise purpose are unknown, but the men who have been confirmed as being attached were: Ptes. Robert Baldwin (see 5^th October 1917); Joseph Barnes (see 21^st June 1917); Nathaniel Bather (see 8^th April), Joe Arthur Bentley (see 11^th June 1917); Percy Burrows (see 29^th October 1917); Bertie Cox (see 29^th October 1917); Walter Dey (see 21^st December 1917); John William Farrer (see 5^th July 1917); Alfred Fishlock (see 11^th March); Joseph Hadley (see 21^st March); Joseph Hartley (see 31^st December 1917); William Hewitt (25172) (see 19^th February); Robert Jackson (see 29^th October 1917); Charles Knight (see 5^th July 1917); Richard Metcalfe (see 22^nd March); William Naylor (see 23^rd September 1917); John Richard Newell (see 5^th January); Walter Gee Wardley (see 5^th January) and Frederick William Warner (see 20^th March).

Pte. Ernest Franklin (25969) (see 31^st March), who had been suffering from ‘trench fever’, was evacuated to England from 57^th General Hospital at Marseilles. He would travel onboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew and on arrival in England would be admitted to the Voluntary Auxiliary Hospital in Cirencester.

Pte. Henry Charles Lindsay (see 18^th March), serving in France with 2DWR, was evacuated to England, having been wounded in the left thigh (the exact date on which he had been wounded is unknown).

Pte. Harold Parsons (see 24^th January), serving in France with 2DWR, was posted back to England, suffering from psoriasis.

2Lt. William Jones MM (see 10^th April), serving with 2^nd Battalion, Border Regiment, was posted back to England on three weeks’ sick leave, following a Medical Board held at Le Havre. His address whilst in the UK would be Quarry Cottage, Knot Hill, Carlisle.

Saturday 20th April 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

During the day the Battalion was relieved by the 8th Royal Warwicks and returned, via Pria dell Acqua to Granezza. However, one officer per company and one NCO per platoon would remain with the incoming unit overnight before returning to Granezza by 9.30 the following morning. Granezza by now had a fully-equipped YMCA in place and was ‘much more lively than previously” .

The Brigade War Diary reflects the difficulties posed by the weather in recent weeks, “Throughout the latter part of this tour in the line the weather conditions were extremely bad with practically unceasing rain, snow or sleet and extreme cold at nights. This, together with lack of accommodation, bathing facilities and dry clothes told heavily on the men who, however, showed much cheerfulness and endurance throughout”.

Pte. Herbert Williams (see 29^th October 1917) was slightly wounded, but remained at duty.

Pte. Harry Barraclough MM (see 6^th April), serving with 23^rd Battalion  Machine Gun Corps, was admitted to 9^th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a recurrence of ‘balinitis’ (inflammation of the head of the penis).

Pte. Frank Jowett (see 10^th June 1917), who had been serving in France with 1^st/6^thDWR, was evacuated to England having being wounded in action (date and details unknown); he had suffered wounds to his right hand, which had resulted in the amputation of his thumb. The details of his treatment in England are unknown.

Pte. Herbert Willis Pickles (see 19^th January), who had been in England since having been wounded in November 1917, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 21^st March), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, wrote to his brother Martin in anticipation of his return to active service:

“Having just lately again seen the distress of parents at the death of a son in action, I am led to write this in the hope of helping you all if I am killed this time out. The great fundamental thought I have always suggested to parents etc. is “He does not need or want you to worry”; “Let your pride in his death conquer your sorrow at his loss.”

In my case you know I am ready and willing to die for the cause if necessary and sure of a happy future of some sort – a future which on your own profession you feel certain of sharing with me in some degree.  There only remains then what I know you will feel – the loss of me in your life.  Take a tip from one who has lost many pals in this war.  At first,  references from “the family joke bag” and many incidents will remind you sharply and bitterly of my absence, but try and think every time of my good points and how you liked them (perhaps especially my volunteer’s death) and in time those very references and memories will become sweet reminders of me. Don’t intentionally and conventionally mourn me. Don’t shun, but stick to thoughts of our close friendship and happy times together.  They will be all of me left on earth to help you.  If it is of any avail, my prayer will still be what it is daily now “And give him true and lasting love and happiness in Thee with Maybell”.

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to allow me to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

Capt. Bob Perks DSO (left), with his brother, Martin

(Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson)

Pte. Thomas Barber Dudley (see 13^th March), serving with the Non-Combatant Labour Corps, who had been suffering from heart problems, was formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class W, to resume his civil employment (details unknown).

A payment of £2 17s. 4d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late L.Cpl. Christopher Smith Birch (see 18^th October 1917), who had been killed in action on 18^th October 1917. The payment would go to his mother, Elenior; she would also receive a parcel of his personal effects comprising of, “two wallets, wrist watch, spectacles (broken), photos, letters”.

At the request of Edwin Allott, brother of the late Pte. Wilfred Cornelius Allott (see 3rd April), who had been killed in action on 20^th September 1917, the payment of 3s. 14d. which he had been allocated from his brother’s account was re-directed to their mother, Grace.