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.