Wednesday 3rd April 1918

Billetted in huts at Granezza.

The Battalion moved into support positions to the right Brigade of the Division near Malga Fassa on the forward slopes of Mount Kaberlaba. Pte. Harold Charnock (see 28^th March) recalled that, “accommodation consisted of dug-outs, trenches and a few huts. The thaw had now come and the weather was very wet”.  This first tour, however, would be relatively quiet; according to the Divisional History, “the cold was severe and clear, bright days alternated with heavy snowstorms. Wood, however, was plentiful and when it had been dried there was no lack of fuel. The health of the troops was excellent, and they very soon cultivated the wind and muscles of the mountaineer”.

The 23^rd Division sector was 3,600 yards wide; divided into two sections, each held by an infantry brigade, supported by machine guns and artillery. The two sections were very different; On the right, the eastern part, the line ran through dense woods and observation was also restricted by a low ridge from Villa del Brun-Guardinalti-Poslen around 200-400 yards ahead of the front line. Immediately in rear of this section was the steep San Sisto ridge. HQ of the right brigade was at Pria del Aqua (a junction on the Granezza-Asiago road). The left (western) section lay mainly in the open, except for 50 yards on the extreme right, and had open view across the whole front. The far left of the Division was anchored on Mt. Lemerle, the slopes of which were heavily wooded and thus concealed any advance further west. HQ of the left brigade was at Mt.Torle. It was thus much easier to move unobserved in the right section, but here there were restricted views; while the left section was very exposed but afforded excellent views of the enemy.

Defences had been laid out by the Italians, with two trench lines running parallel and heavily wired. The first line was part earth-dug and part blasted from rock; the second line was 800 yards back and 400-500 feet higher and was blasted from rock. There were no communication trenches, partly because of the difficulty of constructing them in the rocky terrain and partly because the heavy tree cover made them largely unnecessary. There was a belt of wire between the two lines but no real defence system between them which meant that front line had to be strongly held.

Lord Cavan had been planning for an assault in this area, partly to ‘occupy’ the Austrians as allied fortunes on the Western Front were in decline due to the German Spring Offensive. The precursor to this would be to ensure allied supremacy over the wide area of no mans land. The Division immediately moved away from the Itlaian policy of purely passive defence. Several small ruined buildings in niman’s land were occupied at night by Austrians and raids were quickly undertaken against these, securing prisoners and killing the enemy. Otherwise time would be spent in reorganizing and strengthening defences.

Pte. Henry Grimshaw (see 13^th March) was admitted to 71^st Field Ambulance, suffering from inflammation to his left foot; he would be discharged to duty four days later.

L.Cpl. Joseph Henry Haywood (see 21^st March) was admitted to 71^st Field Ambulance, suffering from bronchitis.

Pte. Alfred Shaw (see 16^th January 1917) was admitted via 71^st Field Ambulance and 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 29^th Stationary Hospital at Cremona, suffering from scabies.

Pte. Thomas Henry Fearn (see 24^th March) was discharged from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro and posted to XIV Corps Reinforcement Camp at Arquata Scrivia.

At home in Huddersfield, three-month-old Julia Davis died from convulsions; she was the daughter of L.Cpl. Alfred John Davis (see 27^th February), who was serving in France with 179^th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.

Pte. Frederick McKell (see 28^th March), who had been wounded while serving with 5DWR, was evacuated to England from 22^nd General Hospital at Camiers, travelling onboard the hospital ship Ville de Liege. On arrival in England he would be admitted to hospital in Carlisle.

Three weeks after leaving England, 2Lt. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 13^th March) arrived at Alexandria, where he was to join 2^nd/4^th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment. 

L.Cpl. Ernest Gee (see 12^th February), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was reported absent without leave.

A payment of £2 8s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Henry Percival Widdop (see 18^th October 1917), who had been killed in action on 18^th October 1917; the payment would go to his father, Edwin.

A second payment, of 2s., was authorised, on the account of the late Pte. Joseph Henry Woodcock (see 21^st January), who had died of wounds on 30^th September 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Ethel.



A pension award was made in the case of the late L.Cpl. Joseph Bowles (see 22^nd January 1918), who had been killed in action in September 1917; his widow, Mary, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Wilfred Cornelius Allott (see 2^nd February), who had been killed in action on 20^th September 1917; his mother, Grace, was awarded 11s. 6d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Edward Greenhalgh (see 17^th January 1918), who had been killed in action on 20^th September 1917; his mother, Ann, was awarded 8s. 6d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Henry Richardson Oddy (see 2^nd January 1918), who had been killed in action in September 1917; his mother, Eleanor, was awarded 12s. 6d. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. James Scott (235412) (see 3^rd April), who had died of wounds in September 1917; his mother, Jane, was awarded 15s. per week.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. George Stinson (see 20^th February) who had been killed in action in September 1917; his mother, Betsy, was awarded 4s. per week.