Sunday 1st July 1918

Support positions near Mount Torle.

Work with the Royal Engineers continued.

Pte. George Allen Holroyd (see 8^th June) re-joined the Battalion following three weeks’ treatment for influenza.

Cpl. Walter Smith (18428) (see 17^th June), L.Cpl. John Lamb Watt (see 17^th June) and Pte. William Ryan (see 9^th April) were transferred from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

L.Cpl. Frederick James Lynch (see 21^st June) and Ptes. Thomas James Hogben (see 21^st June) and Herbert Jacklin (see 21^st June) who had been wounded on 21^st June, were transferred from 29^th Stationary Hospital in Cremona to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro, near Genoa. 

Pte. Cyril Hollingsworth (see 21^st April), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was reported for “breaking out of his billet after tattoo and remaining absent until seen by Military Foot Police at 11.25pm”; he was ordered to be confined to barracks for three days.

Pte. Ernest Franklin (25969) (see 15^th June), serving at the Regimental Depot at Halifax, was admitted to Halifax Military Hospital, suffering from influenza; he would be discharged to duty after nine days.

Pte. Percival Albert Wiggins (see 17^th May), serving at Northern Command Depot at Ripon, was admitted to hospital, suffering from influenza; he would be discharged to duty after seven days.

Lt. Harold Lockhart Waite (see 30^th May), serving at the Royal Flying Corps' No. 5 School of Military Aeronautics at Denham, was attached to the Air Ministry for duty.

Pte. John Dennis Moss (see 2^nd May), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was formally transferred to Army Reserve Class P; this classification of the reserve applied to men “whose services were deemed to be temporarily of more value to the country in civil life rather than in the Army”. He was to resume his previous employment as a coal miner in Durham with Lambton and Hetton Collieries.

A payment of £6 16s. 2d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Thomas Cragg (see 14^th April) who had been killed in action while serving with 1^st/7^th DWR; the payment would go to his widow, Annie.

Pte. Thomas Cragg

Sunday 30th June 1918

Support positions near Mount Torle.

Work with the Royal Engineers continued.

L.Cpl. Smith Hesselden (see 25^th May) was wounded by shell fire; he suffered severe wounds to his back and to both thighs and would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station. Pte. Frank Patterson (see 5^th July 1917) was also wounded, but his head wounds were relatively minor; he would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance to 29^th Casualty Clearing Station.

Pte. Walter Gibson (see 10^th May), serving at XIV Corps Reinforcement Camp at Arquata Scrivia, was admitted via 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 38^th Stationary Hospital in Genoa, suffering from pleurisy.

Pte. James Stott (see 1^st June) was transferred from 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles to 16^th Convalescent Depot, also in Marseilles; he had been suffering from myalgia.

Capt. John Atkinson (see 5^th January), who had been in England since September 1916 and had previously been declared unfit for further service overseas as a result of trench fever, was posted back to France. However, on arrival, he was immediately admitted to hospital in Le Havre, with a diagnosis of trench fever. 

Pte. Mark Beaumont (see 6^th May), serving with 169^th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps, was transferred to 27^th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry at Herne Bay.

Casualties for the month were officially recorded as being:

Killed                                 2

Accidentally killed           0

Died of wounds               0

Wounded                          1 officer (2Lt. Archibald (Archie) Allen) and 24 other ranks

Accidentally wounded    0

Missing                              1 officer (2Lt. Lawrence Tindill MM) and 2 other ranks

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

Killed                                   277

Accidentally killed                5

Died of wounds                  21

Wounded                       1,312

Accidentally wounded      53

Missing                               181

A concert was performed in Grassington to raise money for St. Dunstan’s Institution for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors. In the words of a subsequent report in the Craven Herald (6^th July) the performers were, “Mr. Nicholas Smith’s Ladies Concert Party of Skipton; the artistes were Miss M. Fisher, Mrs. N. Smith, violins; etc etc. There was a good audience and every item was encored. The programme was one of the best entertainments given in the village for some time. The object was especially of interest to local people as one of the Grassington lads – Lt. W. Oldfield (see below) – has lost the sight of both eyes in the recent fighting. Over £17 was the sum realised”.

2Lt. Billy Oldfield MM (see 10^th June), had recently relinquished his commission having been severely wounded while serving in France with 1^st/4^th DWR and was currently being treated at 2^nd Northern General Hospital, Leeds.

2Lt. Billy Oldfield MM

Saturday 29th June 1918

Support positions near Mount Torle.

Work with the Royal Engineers continued.

Pte. Joseph Hirst (29641) (see 14^th June) was discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion.

L.Cpl. Harry Bailey (25248) (see 15^th June) and Ptes. Alfred Ellis (see 17^th October 1917) and Abraham Sunderland (see 4^th November 1917) departed on seven days’ leave to Lake Garda.

Ptes. Mortimer Banks (see 30^th May), Michael Church (see 29^th October 1917), Harry Horner (see 9^th December 1916), Sidney Guy Mealing (see 29^th October 1917), Thomas Wilson Shaw (see 19^th December 1916) and Leonard Beaconsfield Turner (see 16^th June) departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

Cpl. Fred Greenwood MM (24522) (see 17^th June) was transferred from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. John William Procter (see 3^rd June), who was suffering from an abcess to his left thigh, was transferred from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera to hospital in Marseilles.

L.Cpl. Ernest Gee (see 6^th June), serving in France with 2DWR, was admitted to hospital suffering from suspected influenza.

Pte. Herbert Willis Pickles (see 20^th April), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was admitted to Brighton Grove Military Hospital in Newcastle suffering from gonorrhoea.

Pte. James Wilson (see 10^th May) was transferred from Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol where he had been treated for malaria, which he had contracted while serving with the ASC in East Africa. He would have two weeks’ leave before joining 728^th Employment Company, based at Hitchin, Herts.

Sgt. Arthur Manks (see 9^th March) was transferred from 161^st Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps to 3DWR based at North Shields.

Pte. Harold Drury (see 20^th September 1917) was formally discharged from the Army on account of the wounds he had suffered in September 1917. His medical report noted, “Operation performed. Scar 3” long above patella. Considerable thickening of bone. Limitation of movement in knee. Very little power of flexion. 30% disability”. He was awarded a pension, though the details are unknown.

Friday 28th June 1918

Support positions near Mount Torle.

Work with the Royal Engineers continued.

Sgts. Wilson Allinson (see 28^th March) and William Allen Sayer (see 28^th March) re-joined the Battalion; both had been absent for almost a year since having been wounded in 1917.

Pte. Bertie Cox (see 10^th June) departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

Thursday 27th June 1918

Support positions near Mount Torle.

Work with the Royal Engineers continued.

Sgt. Alfred Dolding (see 2^nd June) returned to Italy from leave in England but did not immediately re-join the Battalion; instead he was posted to XIV Corps Reinforcement Camp at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. William Hissett (see 20^th March), serving in France with 9DWR, was admitted to 56^th Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from ‘enlarged turbinal bone’ (a bone in the nose); he would be discharged to duty after five days.

Pte. Horace Trinder (see 25^th May), serving with 3DWR at North Shields was posted back to France and would join 2^nd/4^th DWR.

2Lt. Frederick Millward MC (see 20^th June), who had been severely injured during a trench raid carried out in November 1916 and had had his right leg amputated above the knee, formally relinquished his commission as a result of his injuries.

A pension award was made in the case of the late James Jackson (see 4^th May), who had been killed in action on 21^st September 1917; his widow, Rachel, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week for herself and her son.

Wednesday 26th June 1918

Support positions near Mount Torle.

Over the next few days the Battalion would provide large working parties for the Royal Engineers, “for wiring and for making the strong points in front of the line and on the San Sisto Ridge”. Much of the labour was involved with creating deep dugouts which would afford greater protection against enemy shelling. Under the direction of Major Bullock of the Royal Engineers, British troops, supported by Italian labour, would create “large underground chambers by blasting down from the surface; the dugouts then being roofed by layers of heavy timber, iron and concrete”.

Pte. John Henry Fidler (see 21^st May), who had been on temporary attachment to 23^rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. George Carter (see 17^th January), who had suffering from gonorrhoea, was discharged from hospital and posted to ‘F’ Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Pte. Richard Butler MM (see 15^th March), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps.

Pte. Charles Smith (12380) (see 16^th March), serving in England at Eastern Command Labour Centre, was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps.

A pension award was made in the case of the late L.Cpl. Arthur Milner (see 24^th May), who had been officially missing in action since 20^th September 1917; he having been a widower, his children were awarded 19s. 2d. per week.

Tuesday 25th June 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

Information was received of a possible renewal of the recent Austrian attacks and consequently the British attack which had been planned for 27^th June (see 24^th June) was cancelled. As a result, the Battalion was relieved by 8Yorks and moved back into support positions near Mount Torle, from where they would provide working parties for the Royal Engineers. This support for the Royal Engineers was part of a larger plan to reinforce the British defences following the shocks delivered by the Battle of the Solstice. A key component would be the strengthening of the rock-cut dugouts which had not proved as secure under Austrian barrage as had been hoped.

Following 11 days’ treatment for influenza, Ptes. Richard Henry Wedgbury (see 14^th June) and Jonas Yoxall (see 14^th June) were discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion.

Cpl. William Foulds (see 14^th June), suffering from swollen glands in his neck, was transferred from 11^th General Hospital in Genoa to 81^st Stationary Hospital in Marseilles.

Pte. Charles Knight (see 18^th May), who was on attachment to a working party at Rocchetto Station, was reported for ‘drunkenness and being absent from his billet; he was ordered to undergo five days’ Field Punishment no.1.

Pte. Cyril Hollingsworth (see 21^st April), who had been in England since March, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Monday 24th June 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

Orders were issued for an attack to be made against the Austrian lines on 27^th June, in accordance with the plans which had been made before the Battle of the Solstice (see 11^th June).

Cpl. Stephen Grady (see 3^rd July 1917), serving with 69^th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, was reprimanded for, “neglect of duty; leaving stores unguarded while in charge there”.

Pte. Harry Moore (16991) (see 5^th February) was transferred from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro, near Genoa to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Francis Wilson Stockell (see 8^th March), serving in England with the Labour Corps, was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps.

Pte. Sam Brook (see 21^st February 1917), who had been in England since having been wounded early in 1917, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service. He had suffered wounds to his left buttock which had severely damaged his sciatic nerve. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. per week for four weeks, reducing thereafter to 16s. 6d. and to be reviewed in six months.

A payment of £3 14s. 8d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Harry Exley (see 20^th November 1917), who had been killed in action on 20^th November 1917 while serving with 2^nd/6^th DWR; the payment would go to his brother, John, who was currently serving with the Army Service Corps. He would also receive a parcel of his brother’s personal effects, comprising of, “letters, religious book, purse, cigarette case”.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Walter Pedley (see 2^nd April), who had been killed in action on 28^th November 1917 while serving with 2/7^th DWR; his widow, Edith, was awarded 20s. 6d. per week for herself and her daughter.

Sunday 23rd June 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

Rumours, derived it was said “from and official source”, began to circulate that revolution had broken out in Austria and “for 24 hours we regarded the war in Italy as practically finished”; the rumours, of course, proved to be unfounded.

L.Cpl. Leonard Mustill (see 21^st June), who had been wounded in the trench raid of 21^st June, died from his wounds at 9^th Casualty Clearing Station at Dueville; he would be buried at Dueville Communal Cemetery Extension.

Pte. Thomas Edward Sear (see 29^th October 1917) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to his side; he would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after eight days.

Pte. George Wheatley (see 5^th October 1917) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station suffering from “P.U.O” (pyrexia, or high temperature, of unknown origin); he would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after six days.

Following nine days’ treatment for influenza, Pte. John James Pickering (see 14^th June) was discharged from 23^rd Division Rest Station and re-joined the Battalion.

Pte. Sidney Powdrill (see 26^th May), who was en route back to the Battalion having been on ‘special leave’ to the UK, was taken ill in Turin and would be admitted to 29^th Stationary Hospital in Cremona, suffering from influenza.

Pte. Herbert Farrand Hogley (see 6^th June), who had returned to France just 17 days previously and was serving with 2DWR, was killed in action; he would be buried at Le Vertannoy British Cemetery, north of Bethune. His widow would receive a letter from an unnamed Second Lieutenant, commanding her husband's platoon, which read, “It is with deep regret that I must inform you that your husband has paid the supreme sacrifice.  He had only been with my platoon a few days and even in so short a time I have seen in him a thoroughly sound man. It was during "stand-to" on the morning of the 23rd I had just visited that post where your husband was sentry when a shell burst just in front forming shrapnel, a piece of which killed Private Hogley instantenously. Perhaps it will be a little consolation to know that he was taken to a cemetery behind the lines and there received a proper burial service.  The N.C.O.'s and men of his platoon wish me to convey to you their deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement and I also Madam wish to convey to you my deepest sympathy."  

Pte. John Beaumont (see 13^th December 1916), serving in France with the Motor Transport Section of the Army Service Corps, suffered a sprained ankle. He described the circumstances in a statement, “I had just finished duty and was stepping down off my lorry when I slipped off the step and was thrown forward, striking the foot board with the bottom of my right foot”. He would spend a week in hospital before being discharged to duty.

2Lt. Leopold Henry Burrow (see 31^st October 1917), serving at no.14 Convalescent Depot at Trouville, departed to England on two weeks’ leave.

Pte. Patrick Conley (see 26^th April), serving in France with 948^th Area Employment Company, was posted back to England.

Saturday 22nd June 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

The situation remained generally quiet, although it was noted that “enemy artillery was slightly active”.

Just two days after re-joining the Battalion, Pte. Alfred Fishlock (see 20^th June) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from “P.U.O” (pyrexia, or high temperature, of unknown origin); he would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after nine days’ treatment.

Maj. James Christopher Bull MC (see 17^th May) left the Battalion to take temporary command of 8Yorks in the absence of Lt. Col. Backhouse.

L.Cpl. Arthur William Stobart (see 20^th June 1917) and Ptes. Clarence Hubert Bolt (see 7^th April 1917), Louis Frank Lewis (see 29^th October 1917) and Milton Sutcliffe (see 9^th May 1917) departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

Pte. George Towler Brown (see 8^th June) was transferred from 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 48^th Division Rest Station; he had initially been treated for suspected influenza, but was now reported as suffering from boils.

Pte. William Postill Taylor (see 15^th April), who had been in England since having been wounded in action two months previously while serving with 2DWR, was discharged from hospital and posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

2Lt. Arthur Lilley (see 21^st May), serving in England with the RAF, was posted to the RAF station at Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey to begin his training.

Friday 21st June 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

Two simultaneous raids were carried out by the Brigade against the Austrian lines. One raid was to be conducted by a Company of 11^th West Yorks and the other by 10DWR. 11^th West Yorks would raid the Austrian front line near the hamlet of Sec while 10DWR would attack to the west around Ave.

The raid by 10DWR was divided into two parties under the overall command of Capt. Henry Kelly VC (see 25^th May). A smaller party, comprising of one officer, 2Lt. Wilfred Frederick John Thomson (see 19^th February), and 40 men from ‘C’ Company, was to assemble in four small columns in file; three columns were to be just west of the road from San Sisto to South Ave and the fourth just right of the road. Their task would be to engage the Austrian advanced post at South Ave. The larger party, comprising of two officers, Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne MC (see 25th May) and 2Lt. Lawrence Tindill MM (see 9^th October 1917), and 70 men from ‘B’ Company and one officer, 2Lt. Archibald (Archie) Allen (see 30^th May), and 30 men from ‘C’ Company, was to assemble in ten small columns in file along the front line east of the San Sisto to South Ave road. Their task would be to enter the Austrian front line on a 200 yard front east of the San Sisto to South Ave road. The men were to advance with bayonets fixed and with 30 rounds of ammunition each; two men per section were to carry bombs to be used against dugouts. Within the raiding parties there was to be one section per Company of rifle grenadiers, carrying six grenades each. It was also ordered that “All members of the raiding party will remove all badges, identity discs or other identification marks and no letters nor papers of any kind will be taken”.

The left flank of the raiding parties was to be supported by a covering party, under 2Lt. Andrew Aaron Jackson (see 22^nd February), consisting of the Lewis gun section from ‘C’ Company supported by an NCO and ten riflemen and bombers. The right flank was to be covered by a second party, under 2Lt. Albert Joseph Acarnley MC (see 15^th May), consisting of a Lewis gun section from ‘B’ Company. A Forward Aid Post would be established by the Battalion Medical Officer, Capt. Norman Robert Davis (see 8^th June) in a gun pit shelter just in rear of the British front line. The Battalion Signalling Officer, Lt. Cyril William Wildy (see 12^th June), would put out a Forward Signal Station, both wire and visual, just in rear of the assembly point of the first party.

By 11.20pm the raiding parties were formed up and in position. At 11.30pm, to cover the raid, the Austrian front line was shelled “heavily by guns of all calibres” and under cover of this barrage the larger party advanced 600 yards to within 300 yards of the Austrian line. The smaller party moved off a minute later. After three minutes the barrage by the heavy guns lifted from the front line and was advanced over the next three minutes at a rate of 100 yards per minute to bombard the Austrian support lines; the field guns continued to bombard the front line. This allowed the smaller party to attack the forward post at South Ave which was found to be only “to be very lightly held (it is possible that the remainder of the garrison fled when the barrage came down) and was quickly mopped up. An outpost or working party was also met with about 100 yards in front of the front trench. These were mostly killed, the remainder fled, and the advance was in no way delayed”.

Meanwhile the larger party had moved forward under cover of the creeping barrage to within 150 yards of the Austrian line. At 11.36pm the field guns bombarding the front line shifted their fire to cover the Austrian line to either flank of the raiding parties to allow the attack to go in; bombardment of the support line continued. At 11.40pm the party entered the Austrian lines; the events are best described in the words of the official report:

 “The enemy's front line was entered at 11.40pm on a frontage of 200 yards east of the Guardinalti to Ave road. The trench was found to be very strongly held, a Company apparently being concentrated for relief. The raiding party was thoroughly imbued with the ‘spirit of the bayonet’ and the greater part of the garrison was wiped out with cold steel after slight resistance. All dugouts were thoroughly bombed. There can be no doubt that the number of enemy killed was very high, even after making full allowance for the impossibility of obtaining really accurate figures. With some difficulty, the officers of the party were able to ensure that 31 of the enemy were brought back alive for identification purposes etc. All are convinced that this formed less than a third of the garrison of the trench. One machine gun was captured in good condition; another was captured but had been so damaged by artillery fire that it was not worth salving. One Flammenwerfer was also obtained”.

The raiding parties returned to the British front lines at midnight. Amongst the raiding parties one man was confirmed killed and one officer and two men were reported missing. One officer and 18 men were reported wounded. The man confirmed killed was Pte. Ernest Haslam; he was 25 years old and from Stalybridge, where he had worked in a calico printing factory. He had previously served with 1^st/7^th and 1^st/6^th DWR, but in the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish when he had joined 10DWR. It would appear that he had been brought back to the British lines but had died in the early hours of 22^nd June before he could be evacuated for further medical treatment; he would be buried at Barenthal Military Cemetery.

The officer reported missing was 2Lt. Lawrence Tindill MM (see above); Pte. Harold Charnock (see 18^th June) recalled that “Lt. Tindill was a very capable officer. He lost his life through going back to help a wounded man. We had no idea what happened to him until after his grave was found by our burial party after the Armistice”. Tindill’s body would be recovered from No Man’s Land, just east of South Ave. Also recovered along with that of Tindill would be the body of Cpl. Joseph Robinson, who had also been reported missing in action. However, in his case, his fate was known from an early stage. Writing to Robinson’s family, an officer (unnamed) told them, “he took a gallant part in a raid on the night of 21st/22nd June.  As he was entering the enemy trenches he was severely wounded in the back and was carried back towards the British lines by a comrade when a shell burst near them.  This man himself was wounded and told the stretcher bearers that Cpl. Robinson was killed by the same shell … While you mourn a son we mourn a most promising non-commissioned officer, who was highly esteemed and respected by all who came in contact with him”. Robinson was 23 years old and from Scotter, Lincs., where he had worked as a farm labourer. He had previously served with 1^st/4^th DWR, and had been wounded in the Autumn of 1916, but in the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish when he had joined 10DWR. Both men would be re-buried at Barenthal Military Cemetery. The other man reported missing was Pte. John James Goodship (see 30^th August 1917); he had in fact been wounded, suffering injuries to his left thigh and right arm, and taken prisoner by the Austrians.

Cpl. Joseph Robinson

The wounded officer was 2Lt. Archibald (Archie) Allen (see above); he suffered severe shrapnel injuries to his left arm and chest. The details of his treatment in Italy are unknown, but he would subsequently be evacuated to England.

The wounded men have also been identified. Pte. Percy Burrows (see 10^th June) suffered shrapnel wounds to his left shoulder; he would be admitted to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station, where an operation was performed to remove a shrapnel ball from his shoulder; from there he would be taken onboard no.18 Ambulance Train to 38^th Stationary Hospital in Genoa.  Pte. Martin Corcoran (see 5^th October 1917); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would be subsequently transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. Pte. Franklin Colbeck (see 4^th October 1916); he suffered wounds to his right thigh and would be evacuated to England (details unknown). Pte. George William Corby (see 16^th January 1917); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would re-join the Battalion. Pte. John Henry Evison (see 7^th May) suffered shrapnel wounds to his hand; he would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 38^th General Hospital in Genoa. Pte. Frederick Gibbs (see 5^th October); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would re-join the Battalion. Pte. William Grimes (see 25^th November 1916); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would re-join the Battalion.  L.Sgt. George Heeley (see 15^th May) suffered wounds to his left leg and would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa. Pte. William Hewitt (25172) (see 10^th June) suffered shrapnel wounds to his right hand and would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa. Pte. Thomas James Hogben (see 29^th October 1917) suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm and hand and would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 29^th Stationary Hospital in Cremona. Pte. Herbert Jacklin (see 31^st May) suffered a shrapnel wound to his right hand and contusions to his right shoulder and would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 29^th Stationary Hospital in Cremona. Pte. Ernest Longbottom; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but it seems likely that he was evacuated to England. He was 22 years old and from Bingley. He had originally volunteered in November 1914 and had served with 2^nd/6^th DWR; the date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR are unknown. L.Cpl. Frederick James Lynch (see 20^th March) suffered contusions to his right shoulder and would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 29^th Stationary Hospital in Cremona. L.Cpl. Leonard Mustill would be admitted to 9^th Casualty Clearing Station at Dueville; the nature of his wounds are unknown. He was 21 years old and from Pudsey, where he had worked as a warehouse assistant. He had originally served with 2DWR and, in the absence of a surviving service record, it is unknown when he had joined 10DWR. Pte. John Parkinson (see 5^th October 1917) suffered wounds to his was left hand which would result in the amputation of the second finger; the details of his treatment are unknown. Pte. James Pidgeley (see 19^th April) suffered wounds to his right shoulder and chest and would be admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa. Pte. Adam Shore; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. He was a 22 year-old labourer from Lancaster. 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. Maurice Weldrick; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown but he would re-join the Battalion. He was a 20 year-old textile worker from Mirfield; he had originally served with 1^st/7^th DWR and had been wounded in the Summer of 1917. The date and circumstances of his joining 10DWR are unknown. Pte. Sidney Wood (see 5^th July 1917) suffered chest wounds; the details of his immediate treatment are unknown but he would be subsequently evacuated to England.

Pte. Harold Charnock (see 18^th June) recalled the gallantry awards issued as a result of the raid: “Capt. Kelly received the MC and Capt. Payne and 2Lt. Thomson the Croce di Guerra; Lt. Col. Lethbridge (see 30^th May) received the Silver Valori Medal”. Of these, the only surviving citation is that for Capt. Kelly, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of a company and a half in a raid. Despite a bright moon, he successfully assembled his party and attacked, killing a large number of the enemy and capturing thirty-one prisoners and two machine guns. His gallantry and fine leadership were largely responsible for the success of the raid”.

Nine other ranks would be awarded the Military Medal for their part in the raid:

Sgt. John Scott (see 12^th May 1917).

Cpl. Fred Perry (see 25^th April); it was said that Cpl. Perry, “led his section with great gallantry, skill and determination and after having taken his objective, went on to help the section on his right. He showed a high standard of courage and initiative during the operation” and he would be promoted Sergeant.

Pte. Benjamin Thomas Alcraft (see 5^th July 1917).

Pte. Robert Henry Arnold (see 13^th March) 

Pte. Lewis Batey (see 21^st March) 

Pte. William Harper (25972) (see 29^th October 1917).

Pte. William George Ruddock (see 24^th October 1917) 

Pte. Edward Percy Webb (see 24^th January).

Pte. Robert Wilson (see 29^th October 1917).

Writing many years later, Brig. Genl. Archibald Bentley Beauman DSO (see 17^th June) reflected on the conduct of raids such as this; “It is questionable if such raids can be justified. They do, of course, foster the offensive sprit in our troops during quiet periods, and identifications are always valuable to the intelligence branch. But raids can hardly have much effect on the campaign as a whole, and the position of the brigade commander or CO who plans them is rather difficult. If they succeed he gets a share of the reflected glory but he would only be in the way if he accompanied the raiders. Although I always went down to the front line to see the party off and welcome them back, the danger which I incurred was infinitesimal in comparision, and I always felt a fierce stab of remorse when I heard there had been casualties”. 

Cpls. George William Keeling MM (see 16^th April) and Percival John Munn (26^th March) were promoted Acting Lance Sergeant.

Ptes. Wellington Baldwin (see 26^th April), James Sugden (see 17^th January 1917) and Frank Wood MM (see 9^th May) departed on one weeks’ leave to Lake Garda. The resorts around the Lake were to be adopted as a destination for men on leave, as described in the Divisional History, “In their quest for a place in the sun, the Germans, during the years preceding the war, had all but converted Lake Garda into a German colony. Its shores were dotted with German villas and hotels. Now empty and abandoned, certain of these hotels at Sirmione, a village at the point of a narrow peninsula on the southern shore of the lake, were taken over as a rest station for British troops. No more perfect place could have been designed for the refreshment of the war-worn soldier from the line. Separate hotels were arranged for officers, non-commissioned officers and men. Here, far from the clatter of motor lorries and safe from the not too enterprising Austrian aeroplanes, the days could be idled away bathing, fishing, or taking trips by motor-launch to islands or neighbouring villages. The evenings were spent at the theatre or at open-air concerts”. 

Pte. Arthur Thomas Wilford (see 31^st May) was discharged from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro, near Genoa and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Cpl. Michael Kenefick MM (see 10^th June), who had been ‘absent without leave’ from Northern Command School of Instruction at York for the previous 11 days, reported back at 11.55am. He would be tried by District Court Martial and, having been found guilty, reduced to the rank of Private.

Thursday 20th June 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

Ptes. Alfred Fishlock (see 21^st April), Joseph Hartley (see 21^st April), Robert Jackson (see 21^st April) and Walter Gee Wardley (see 21^st April), who had been part of the working party which had been detached since April for work at at Rocchetto Station, south-east of Verona, now re-joined the Battalion. 

Sgt. Lionel Vickers (see 9^th June), who had been away from the Battalion since suffering an injury to his knee suffered whilst playing football in February, re-joined from the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia. Ptes. Harry Bailey (25198) (see 4^th June), William Henry Cleaver (see 4^th June), George Green (22749) (see 26^th April), Samuel Richards (see 20^th May), Ernest John Robbins (see 27^th May), William Smart (see 6^th June) and Hiram Tasker (see 15^th April) also re-joined the Battalion from Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Percival William Hall (see 7^th June) was transferred from 51st Stationary Hospital at Arquata Scrivia to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano.

Pte. Albert Edward White (see 15^th June), who had been wounded on 15^th June, was transferred from 29^th Stationery Hospital in Cremona to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera.
2Lt. John Robert Cass (see 7^th June 1917), who had left the Battalion having been wounded on 7^th June 1917, was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps; the details of his service are unknown.

Pte. Herbert Holt (see 30th December 1917), who had been in England since 1^st January, was posted back to France and would join 2DWR.

2Lt. Frederick Millward MC (see 7^th June), who had been severely injured during a trench raid carried out in November 1916 and had had his right leg amputated above the knee, wrote to the War Office:

“Acting on advice received, I have the honour to write in search of information. I have lost my right leg just above the knee and my stump has been fit for an artificial limb for quite twelve months and has been reported as such on every Medical Board I have attended during that period. I have not yet received a limb and as this is the only thing which prevents me from being of further military service (as a War Office return in April stated) I feel rather aggrieved at the delay. In addition, until I have received a limb I shall be unable to obtain civil employment and, as I have no private means to rely upon until I do get employment, I would like to know if I can get any additional allowance until fitted with an artificial leg. I have also been advised by Sir Frederick Milner to ask if any allowance goes with the Military Cross and also if I am due any further gratuity for the loss of a limb”.


L.Cpl. Ernest Wilson (28985) (see 31^st May) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of the wounds he had suffered in September 1917; he was awarded an Army pension of £1 7s. 6d. per week for four weeks, reducing thereafter to 13s. 9d. per week and to be reviewed after one year.

Wednesday 19th June 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

A quiet day.

Pte. Matthew Stone (see 19^th August 1917), who was currently under medical treatment with the RAMC (details and location unknown) was ordered to undergo 21 days’ Field Punishment no.1; the details of his offence are unknown.

Lt. Charles George Edward White (see 25^th April), who had been in England since having been accidentally wounded in August 1917, was promoted Captain and attached to a battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.

Pte. Herbert Burgess (see 27^th November 1917), who had been in England since having been wounded in November 1917 while serving with 2^nd/6^th DWR, was transferred to 29^th Durham Light Infantry.

The Officer Supervising Instruction at Officer’s Convalescent Hospitals and Command Depots wrote to the War Office regarding Lt. John Charles Brison Redfearn (see 7^th March), who had been in England since having been taken ill in September 1916. He requested that, “I should be glad of the services of Lieut. J. C. B. Redfearn as an assistant instructor on probation at one of the Officers Convalescent Hospitals or Command Depots”

Tuesday 18th June 1918

Front line trenches between San Sisto and Poslen.

After the fierce fighting of the 15^th June the situation was now quiet and “large working parties were found to repair damage caused by the enemy bombardment on the 15^th and all wire was repaired and very much strengthened”. Pte. Harold Charnock (see 25^th May) also remembered that “Here we had a great deal of clearing up to do and we brought in some 70 Austrian wounded from No-Man’s-Land.  We also buried nearly 200 Austrian dead”.

Pte. Herbert Phillips was admitted to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, suffering from “P.U.O” (pyrexia, or high temperature, of unknown origin). In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man, or to establish any details of his military service, beyond the fact that he had originally served with 9DWR before being transferred (date and details unknown) to 10DWR.

Sgt. Ellis Rigby (see 26th March) was posted back to England; he would have a period of leave before beginning training as a candidate for a commission.

2Lt. Frederick Griggs MM (see 26^th June 1917), serving as assistant transport officer with 2DWR, was injured in an accident in France. According to Lt. Colson, Transport Officer, Griggs had dropped his stick whilst riding and on dismounting to pick it up, had been kicked by Colson’s horse which was “a bad kicker”. Griggs suffered a fracture to his right elbow and would be evacuated to England three days later.

Pte. Harold Parsons (see 21^st April), who had been posted back to England from 2DWR two months previously, suffering from psoriasis, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

A payment of £8 16s. 8d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Sgt. George Thomas Bates (see 17^th November 1917), who had died of wounds in November 1917 while serving with 32^nd Company, Labour Corps; the payment would go to his widow, Emily.

Monday 17th June 1918

Billetted in huts at Granezza.

Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 2^nd June) and Lt. William George Wade (see 2^nd June) re-joined the Battalion following their two weeks’ leave in Italy.

At 2pm the Battalion began their previously postponed move into the same front line trenches between between San Sisto and Poslen, which they had occupied two months previously, relieving 9^th Yorks. and Lancs. However, under the the re-organisation of the front line put in place by Brig. Genl. Archibald Bentley Beauman DSO in early June (see 2^nd June), the front line itself was now to be held by two companies rather than three, and with the third company now to hold a series of strongpoints, known as Dewsbury, Hull and Fulford redoubts. 

Pte. Alfred Charles Dolphin (see 29^th October 1917) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from suspected influenza; he would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after five days.

Ptes. John Griffiths (see 5^th October 1917) and Joe Noons (see 29^th October 1917) were admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from scabies; both would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after eight days.

Pte. Reginald James Nosworthy (see 7^th June) was admitted via 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 38^th Stationary Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue).

Pte. Walter Dey (see 21^st April), who was attached to a working party to Rocchetto Station, south-east of Verona, was ordered to be deprived of two days’ pay; the nature of his offence is unknown.

Pte. Edgar Baron (see 27^th April) was transferred from 51^st Stationary Hospital in Genoa to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro, near Genoa.

Cpl. Fred Greenwood MM (24522) (see 23^rd May) was transferred from 38^th Stationary Hospital in Genoa to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro.

Cpl. Walter Smith (18428) (see 20^th May) was transferred from 11^th General Hospital in Genoa to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro.

L.Cpl. John Lamb Watt (see 17^th May) and Pte. Owen Frank Hyde (see 25^th May) were transferred from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albaro.

Ptes. Fred Kershaw (see 28^th January) and Edwin Wood (see 30^th July 1917), serving in France with 2/7^th DWR, were transferred to 5DWR.

Pte. John Foster (see 15^th November), serving in France with 2/7^th DWR, was admitted to a Field Ambulance unit, suffering from scabies.

Pte. Michael Hopkins MM (see 3^rd June), serving at Pirbright with 29^th Durham Light Infantry was reported as being absent; he would return to duty on 26^th June. The nature of his punishment is unknown. 

Pte. James Moran (see10^th June) appeared at Brighouse Borough Court; he was “brought up on remand and charged with the wilful murder of George Taylor Birkhead, 42, dyer, of 23 Turnpike Street, Elland. Mr. Arthur Bastide, solicitor, Brighouse, prosecuted on behalf of the Crown and Mr. R.A. Shepherd. Barrister, of Leeds, instructed by Mr. H.B. Richardson, solicitor, Brighouse, appeared for the defence. The evidence was that Pte. Moran came on escort duty and unexpectedly called at his home in the early hours of Sunday June 9^th, finding there in a bedroom George Taylor Birkhead. The men had some words and, on getting downstairs quarrelled, and the prisoner, after calling his thirteen year-old son up, and sending for his wife’s father, hit the deceased with a bayonet, cutting the jugular vein, and then telling the man to clear out. The man did so and fell dead in the yard adjoining the house. Mr. Shepherd, who pleaded not guilty on behalf of the prisoner, said he ventured to think there was no evidence of murder in the evidence. It was a case of a soldier, who was serving his country, coming home unexpectedly and finding his wife with her paramour in the house in the early hours of the morning. Moran was an affectionate husband and the circumstances were such as to excite considerable anger on his part. They must remember that Moran’s wife gave no explanation for the presence of Birkhead. He thought that the evidence was quite clear that Moran did not intend to kill the man, but to give him a sound thrashing, and surely they could not think that Moran would send for two persons – his son and his father-in-law – to witness a murder. Then, again, the man was beyond himself with rage. He asked if there was not sufficient provocation to put Moran in a frantic rage, and that it was his intention to inflict upon Birkhead a sound thrashing. If ever there was a case where a prisoner should be put on manslaughter this was one. The Bench decided to reduce the charge from murder to manslaughter, considering there had been great provocation, and committed Moran to the Leeds Assizes, bail being allowed in three sureties of £50 each.

Sunday 16th June 1918

Billetted in huts at Granezza.

At 12 noon the ‘stand-to’ order which had been in place for the previous 33 hours was finally cancelled. 

Pte. Henry Grimshaw (see 3^rd April) was ordered to undergo seven day’s Field Punishment no.2 and to forfeit three days’ pay; the nature of his offence is unknown.

Pte. Ernest Townsend (see 6^th June) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station; he was again suffering from scabies for which he had been treated on several previous occasions. He would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after six days.

Ptes. Herbert Stanley Smith (see 30^th October 1917) and Leonard Beaconsfield Turner (see 13^th December 1917) were both admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue); Smith would be discharged to duty after three days and Turner after six.  


Cpl. John Henry Crawshaw (see 5^th May), serving at the Regimental Depot at Halifax, was posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.