Monday 29th July 1918

Billets at Cereda and Grumo.

The Battalion was engaged in training and on the rifle range.

Sgt. James Henry Howarth (see 2^nd March) was appointed ‘Sergeant Drummer’.

L.Cpl. Herman Tutty (see 15^th March) was deprived of his Lance Corporal’s stripe and reduced to the ranks; the reason for demotion is unknown.

Brig. Genl. Archibald Bentley Beauman DSO (see 21^st June), commanding 69^th Brigade, wrote to each of his battalion commanders,

“I wish to convey to you and your battalion my admiration of the fighting spirit shown by the Brigade since I took over command. During this period each battalion has carried out a highly successful raid. The keenness, initiative and organising ability shown by Commanding Officers and subordinate officers in these raids have greatly impressed me and have convinced me that I command a Brigade second to none in the British Army. During these raids 98 prisoners have been captured, also three machine guns and very heavy casualties have been inflicted on the enemy. Our own casualties have been less than 60. I look on this as a very fine record, even allowing for the quality of the troops opposed to us. That the value of these raids are appreciated by the higher authorities may be gathered from the number of decorations bestowed on the Brigade by the Commander-in-Chief and the Italians. They are as follows:

Distinguished Service Order                           1

Bar to the Distinguished Service order         1

Military Cross                                                    6

Bar to the Military Cross                                 1

Distinguished Conduct Medal                        8

Military Medal                                                28

Bar to the Military Medal                               3

Second Bar to the Military Medal                 1

Italian Decorations

Silver Medal for Valour                                  7

Bronze Medal for Valour                               7

Croce di Guerra                                             15

I should be grateful if you would allow all ranks an opportunity of seeing this letter. I would have liked to have come round and spoken to them but the present weather is not suitable for inspection parades involving troops standing for any length of time in the open”.

Pte. George Bernard Hardy (see 9^th July), serving in France with 2DWR, was admitted to hospital at Etaples (cause unknown).

Pte. Menhell Hudson (see 8^th March), who had been in England since November 1917, having been taken ill with rheumatic fever while serving in France with 2/6^thDWR, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service.

Pte. John William Camps (see 21^st October 1917), who had been in England since October 1917 having suffered severe wounds to his left leg, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service.

An official notice was issued of presumption of death in the case of L.Cpl. Arthur Dyson MM (see 17^th December), who had been officially missing in action since 17^th October 1917.