Monday 20th May 1918

In tents and bivouacs south of Mare.

The Battalion marched a mile further north-east to new billets in the villages of Valle di Sopra and Covolo, with two companies billeted in each of the villages. There were also bathing facilities at Mare and the location was described as being one of “sylvan tranquillity”. Further training would be carried out here over the next few days.

Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 30th April) kept photographs of two young women with whose family he was billeted.

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Cpl. Walter Smith (18428) (see 27^th October 1917) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from impetigo.



Pte. Edwin John Collard (see 29^th October 1917) was admitted to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to his left groin. Five days later he would be transferred onboard no.31 Ambulance Train from Villaverla to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa.
Pte. Samuel Richards (see 24^th March) was posted from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Ernest George Denyer (see 11^th April) was discharged from hospital in Marseilles and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Ernest Thorn (see 2^nd May), serving in France with 1^st/7^th DWR, was admitted to hospital, suffering from a right inguinal hernia.

Sgt. John William Dickinson (see 31^st January), serving in France with 137 Prisoner of War Company, was admitted to 1^st Stationary Hospital in Rouen, suffering from gonorrhoea.