Sunday 1st September 1918

In Brigade reserve camp near Cavalletto.

Pte. Noah Davis (see 27^th August), who had been admitted five days’ previously, suffering from pneumonia and jaundice, died at 9^th Casualty Clearing Station; he would be buried at Dueville Communal Cemetery Extension.

Pte. Daniel Mackenzie (see 4^th August) suffered an accidental injury which would see him admitted to 70^th Field Ambulance. According to Pte. Arthur Newton (see 29^th October 1917) “About 9pm at feeding time after I had fed my mules Pte. Mackenzie went into the stables to undo some chains that had become crossed when one of the mules became restless and kicked him on his right side”. He suffered bruising to his ribs which was described as ‘not severe’ and he would be discharged and re-join the Battalion after ten days.

Cpl. Harry Shackleton (see 26th August) was admitted via 24^th Casualty Clearing Station and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia; he was suffering from ‘venereal disease – not yet diagnosed’. 

Sgts. Christopher Clapham MM (see 24^th August) and Harold Howlett (see 9^th July); Cpl. James Hotchkiss (see 26^th August); L.Cpl. Harry Seward (see 6^th August) and Ptes. Leonard Briggs (see 26^th March), Thomas Henry Fearn (see 20^th August), Hartley Gibb (see 6^th February), William Little (see 19^th February), Edward Shaw Powell (see 25^th November 1917), Fred Melton Vasey (see 29^th October 1917) and Alfred Whittaker (see 5^th June) departed on two weeks’ leave to England. 

Pte. Nathaniel Bather (see 10^th June), serving at the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia, also departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

Brig. Genl. Archibald Bentley Beauman DSO (see 25^th August), commanding 69^th Brigade, considered the case of Pte. Frederick George Westlake (see 25^th August), who had suffered a gunshot wound to his right foot a week previously. Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 28^th August) had concluded that the injury was “probably accidental, as the man has a good character”. Brig. Genl. Beauman deferred judgement, requesting that a statement be obtained from Pte. Westlake himself. A statement was accordingly taken at 69^th Field Ambulance where Pte. Westlake was being treated: “I had been out on patrol the night previous and when I came in, forgetting to unload my rifle, I went to sleep. Next day we had to keep sheltered until 11 o’clock as the artillery were breaking the wire, for fear of retaliation, but when we came and had dinner I suddenly thought my rifle had to be cleaned, and went and picked it up to take my pull-through from the butt trap forgetting it were loaded, and while pulling my pull-through from the butt trap, it went off, blowing the rifle out of my hands and the bullet caught me in the foot”. Having reviewed Pte. Westlake’s statement, Brig. Genl. Beauman would conclude that Pte. Westlake had been negligent and should be tried by Field General Court Martial.

2Lt. Herbert Edwin James Biggs (see 23^rd August) was promoted Lieutenant.

Pte. John Henry Evison (see 10^th August) who had been in England since having been wounded on 21^st June, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Saturday 31st August 1918

In Brigade reserve camp near Cavalletto.

Maj. Edward Borrow DSO (see 30^th August), wrote home to his wife (I am very grateful to Dr. Bendor Grosvenor for allowing me access to Maj. Borrow's letters), “It’s turned very cold up in these mountains the last two nights. We are on the bare side for a week and fuel is mighty scarce. Over the ridge – a mile away – there is plenty of it – in fact that slope is covered with trees - and a fire, even now in August, is badly needed”.

Maj. Edward Borrow DSO

L.Cpls. Martin Jackson (see 9^th July) and Victor Race MM (see 15^th March) were promoted Acting Corporal.
Pte. Joseph Binns (19614) (see 21^st March) and Ernest Mudd (see 15^th March) departed on seven days’ leave to Lake Garda.


Cpl. Harry Wood (see 26^th August), who was under treatment at 24^th Casualty Clearing Station having suffered severe wounds in the trench raid on 26^th August, was reported as being, ‘rather ill; temperature 102, pulse 106; flushed and breathing rapid’.

Pte. Walter Eary (see 19^th August) was transferred from 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia; he had been treated for tonsillitis, but was now re-diagnosed as suffering from a ‘laryngeal tumour’.

Cpl. George Jellett (see 20^th May 1917), serving in France with 2DWR (it is not known when, or under what circumstances he had left 10DWR, but he had also served with 2^nd/6^th DWR), was wounded, suffering severe injuries to his right leg; he would be treated at 18^th General Hospital at Camiers, before being evacuated to England (details unknown) on 7^th September.

Pte. Herbert Holt (see 20^th June), serving in France with 2DWR, was wounded in action, suffering injuries to his right wrist.

Pte. Samuel Walker (see 6^th June), also serving with 2DWR, was initially reported wounded and missing but this report was cancelled and he was confirmed simply as having suffered wounds to his “upper arm and ear; mild”.

A payment of £8 16s. 9d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. James Tuddenham, known to all as ‘Tudd’ (see 31^st May), who had been killed in action on 30^th April while serving with 1^st/6^th DWR; the payment would go to his mother, Elizabeth.

Pte. James Tuddenham

Casualties for the month were officially recorded as being:

Killed                                 2

Accidentally killed           0

Died of wounds               0

Wounded                          5 officers and 46 other ranks

Accidentally wounded    0

Missing                              1 officer and 7 other ranks

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

Killed                                   279

Accidentally killed                5

Died of wounds                  21

Wounded                       1,368

Accidentally wounded     53

Missing                                189

Friday 30th August 1918

In Brigade reserve camp near Cavalletto.

Lord Cavan presented medal ribbons for the awards arising from the raid on the Vaister Spur. 2Lt. Bernard Garside (see 26^th August) recalled that, “the general had a parade of those on the raid and congratulated us all on killing about 70 Austrians and capturing many more. He said the machine gun barrage against us had been one of the heaviest the Battalion had known, even in France”. 

Maj. Edward Borrow DSO (see 29^th August), referred to the event with great pride in a letter home to his wife, (I am very grateful to Dr. Bendor Grosvenor for allowing me access to Maj. Borrow's letters), “The Dukes came into their own today all right! No less than 39 decorations were awarded to the Battalion for the raid I told you about the other day and no less a personage than the Commander in Chief himself came along and presented them! In the raid we established a record for the number of prisoners taken by any one Battalion in the Division and now we’ve established another by receiving so many decorations. Not even for the 20^th of September (1917)did we get so many, although of course that was a much worse show, but here we had the field to ourselves. Do you remember my telling you of a certain captain who got two M.C.’s in a week in the September show? (Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne MC, see 26^th August) He now got a D.S.O. to stick up beside it. The Dukes are top dog now and the talk of the whole Expeditionary Force. Everybody is awfully bucked. Unfortunately, instead of having brilliant sunshine for the presentation, we had a typically wet mountain mist, a forewarning of what winter up here must be like. … Raids are all right but there are some mothers in England mourning the disappearance of their boys and there’s another promising young man who will go about with a wooden foot for the rest of his life”.

Maj. Edward Borrow DSO

Pte. John Bayliss (see 19^th August), who had been held in confinement for ten days having been reported for sleeping whilst on sentry duty, was released and resumed normal duties pending a date for his trial.

Pte. George Ingle (see 28^th August 1917) was admitted to 71^st Field Ambulance, suffering from diarrohea.

Pte. Ellis Sutcliffe (see 27^th March), who had been taken prisoner in March while serving with 2^nd/5^th DWR, died from pleurisy at a German hospital in Caudry; he would be buried in the German military cemetery at Caudry, north-west of Le Cateau.

L.Cpl. Stanley Basil Studd (see 3^rd May), serving in France with 2^nd/4^th DWR, was wounded in action, suffering shrapnel wounds to his left thigh; he would be admitted via 14^th Field Ambulance and 38^th Casualty Clearing Station to 1^st Australian General Hospital in Rouen. Five days later he would be evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship Margueritte; on arrival in England he would be admitted to the North Staffordshire Infirmary in Stoke on Trent.

L.Cpl. Alfred Edward Wybrow MM (see 2^nd June), serving in France with 2DWR, was wounded in action, suffering a wound to his left heel. He would be admitted via 10^th Field Ambulance to 3^rd Australian General Hospital at Abbeville and from there evacuated to England on 3^rd September, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven. On arrival in England he would be admitted to 3^rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

Pte. Fred Kershaw (see 17^th June), serving in France with 2/7^th DWR, was wounded in action, suffering gunshot wounds to both thighs; he would be admitted via 14^th Field Ambulance and 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station to 12^th General Hospital at Rouen.

Pte. Sam Tinkler (see 25^th August), who was home on leave while serving in France with 54^th Company, Labour Corps, married Edith Rice, in a service in Bradford.

Eastwood Wilkinson (see 17^th November 1917), who had been discharged from the Army due to wounds in November 1917, underwent a medical examination in Halifax. The report stated that, “Healed scar, underside of right hand. Scar in palm between 4^th and 5^th metacarpals. Little finger flexed and protrudes between 2^nd and 3^rd. Grip of index finger and thumb good. Amputation of little finger recommended.” His degree of disability was considered to have reduced from 40% to 30% and his pension would be adjusted accordingly.

A payment of £3 2s. 5d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Herbert Butterworth (see 27^th November 1917), who had been killed in action in November 1917 while serving with 2/6^thDWR; the payment would go to his father, Henry. 

A payment of £2 9s. 2d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Ernest Needham (see 20th September 1917), who had been officially missing in action since September 1917; the payment would go to his father, Matthew.

Thursday 29th August 1918

In Brigade reserve camp near Cavalletto.

Maj. Edward Borrow DSO (see 27^th August), wrote home to his wife (I am very grateful to Dr. Bendor Grosvenor for lowing me access to Maj. Borrow's letters),

“We’re in a camp on the top of a mountain and look down almost 3,500 feet down the steep mountainous side to the Venetian plain. On a clear day it’s a wonderful view, although never too clear to see the Adriatic, which is in fact too far away. But you can imagine how beautifully the white Italian villages show up and, as they get quite a lot of rain, how green everything is down below, where every inch is cultivated. The grapes are ripe now, though they are more used for making wine than as table fruit and every day we have a huge water melon on the table!

Everybody is very bucked about our raid. We all took an infinity of trouble over it and have even received the congratulations of the Commander in Chief, which is a rare thing for him to do! For the moment the 10^th Dukes are top dog and hold the record in the Division for prisoners taken.”

Maj. Edward Borrow DSO

Following the accidental injury suffered by Pte. Bruce Ernest Nash (see 14^th June) on 14^th June, formal reports regarding the incident were submitted by Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 23^rd August), as Pte. Nash had, incorrectly, been noted as having been wounded in action.

2Lt. Christopher Longstaff (see 13^th January), serving in France with 9West Yorks, departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

Pte. Edwin Dawson (see 12^th July), who had been in England since having suffered severe wounds to his chest, left wrist and left foot on 20^th September 1917, was posted from 3DWR at North Shields to 14DWR at Clacton.

Fred Tate (see 3^rd January), who had been an original member of ‘A’ Company but had been discharged on grounds of ill health whilst the Company was in training, died, aged 48, at his home in Gomersal. His cause of death was stated as being “phtisis pulmonalis” (TB).

Wednesday 28th August 1918

In Brigade reserve camp near Cavalletto.

Pte. Joseph Hadley (see 16^th August), who had been late reporting back from leave, was ordered by Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 25^th August) to undergo 28 days’ Field Punishment no.1 and to forfeit three days’ pay.

Pte. Joseph Wilkinson (see 21^st July) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 29^th Stationery Hospital in Cremona; he was suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to his right arm and hand.

Pte. Edward Henry Chant (see 21^st July), who had been under treatment for pleurisy, was discharged from 9^th Casualty Clearing Station and posted to XIV Corps Reinforcement Camp at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. Charles William Hird (see 18^th July), who had been wounded six weeks’ previously while serving in France with 2DWR, was posted back to England and would be admitted to East Leeds War Hospital and later transferred to the Red Cross Hospital in Northallerton.

2Lt. Eric John Lassen (see 23^rd August 1916), who had briefly served with the Battalion in May/June 1916, serving with the Army Signals Service, a branch of the Royal Engineers, was promoted Acting Captain.

A payment of £1 5s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late L.Cpl. Norman Wright (see 12^th June), who had been officially missing in action since September 1917; the payment would go to his father, Henry. He would also receive a parcel of his son’s personal effects comprising of, “wallet, letters, cards, photos, cap badge, disc, cigarette case”. I am unable to explain the despatch of personal effects for a man posted as missing in action almost a year previously.


A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Charlie Branston (see 30^th April 1917) who had been killed in action in October 1916; his mother, Hannah, was awarded 5s. per week.

Pte. Charlie Branston

Tuesday 27th August 1918

Support positions in the Lemerle Switch line

In the morning the Battalion was relieved by 12DLI and marched to the Brigade reserve camp near Cavalletto.

Pte. Robert Clarke (see 26^th August), who had been wounded the previous day, died at the Advanced Operating Centre at 24^th Casualty Clearing Station; he would be buried at the nearby Cavalletto British Cemetery.

Following the casualties of the previous day, there was a round of promotions.

Sgt. Albert Blackburn (see 26^th August) was promoted Acting Company Sergeant Major.

Cpl. Harold Best (see 26^th August) was promoted Acting Lance Sergeant.

Cpls. Abel Roberts (see 26^th August) and Thomas Anthony Swale (see 16^th July) were promoted Acting Lance Sergeant.

L.Cpl. Stanley Arthur Bones (see 26^th August) was promoted Corporal.

L.Cpls. Bertie Thurling (see 18^th August), who was on leave in England, and Frederick James Lynch (see 1st July), John Wright Pollard (see 5^th January) and Frank Revell (see 14^th July) and Pte. Alfred Bradbury (see 27^th March) were all appointed Acting Corporal.

L.Cpls. Alfred Hanson (see 6^th June), Fred Oldroyd (see 13^th August) and William Robinson (see 13^th August) began to be paid according to their rank, having previously held the post unpaid.

Pte. William Dennison (see 26^th August) was appointed Lance Corporal.

Pte. Noah Davis (see 29^th October 1917) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 9^th Casualty Clearing Station, he was suffering from pneumonia and jaundice.

Reflecting on the events of the previous night, Maj. Edward Borrow DSO (see 26^th August), wrote home to his wife (I am very grateful to Dr. Bendor Grosvenor for lowing me access to Maj. Borrow's letters), 

“Tired, dusty and dirty I got back to our new camp and thankful to be there. For once more the Dukes had done it … After ten days of practice and reconnaissance almost the whole Battalion went over the top in a raid. Raids have been very frequent on this front and the Austrian, who will stand almost anything if he is not asked to come to close grips, was getting very tired of being raided. Our front is fairly limited which made the choice of the objective only too simple and we found that he had been expecting us for two days. Machine guns he had placed to fire down all important places and in addition he prepared a barrage for us which was as big and as uncomfortably accurate as anything he has turned upon us yet.

So imagine some 350 men stealing out through the woods to their assembly positions in the dark some fifty minutes before the attack was scheduled to begin, crossing a valley enveloped in white mist and silently climbing the slopes of two hills on the other side of which lay the Bosch trenches and the Bosch wire. And as time went on you might have seen your hubby going from party to party wishing them ‘good luck’ in a whisper and then disappearing in the mist, just as the moon rose, in the direction of Battalion Headquarters. For my part, last night was no risky job, simply to kick my heels around HQ! Then on came our barrage, bursting on and behind the enemy trenches; machine guns rattled away, pouring stream after stream of bullets down our flanks. ‘Very lights’ shot into the sky from enemy front and support lines and the raid was on in earnest. But the Bosch knew we were coming. His machine guns rattled out their streams of lead; his guns put up, though rather late, two barrage lines, one of which crossed our Battalion battle headquarters so that life there was, to say the least, uncomfortable. His machine guns met our advancing men and a rare fight he put up. But the Dukes had been properly coached for this show and they took on anything in the way of fighting that they were faced with. Presently prisoners began to accumulate at headquarters. A few wounded drifted in, to at once have a dressing applied and find themselves tucked away in a corner for safety. For 3 hours the Bosch kept up their shelling and for 3 hours it wasn’t safe to send any wounded down the valley. But when finally the shelling died down and one could go away we found that we had over 60 prisoners, amongst whom were 5 officers. And today we’ve received the congratulations of everybody from the Commander in Chief down. We’ve established another record for the Division and the C.O. is very proud!”

Maj. Edward Borrow DSO

Pte. Willie Holmes (see 11^th August), who was home on leave, was admitted to the War Hospital in Dewsbury; he was suffering from carbuncles.

Ptes. Gilbert Bell (see 26^th March) and Thomas Walter Mellin (see 15^th May), serving with 9DWR in France, were both wounded in action; Bell suffered wounds to his left arm and Mellin suffered shrapnel wounds to his back. Both would be admitted via 34^th Casualty Clearing Station to 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport. Mellin would undergo an operation at the CCS before being transferred; the report on the operation stated, “10^th rib excised; large quantity of blood-stained fluid evacuated; no clots felt in chest; foreign body not found; drainage tubes stitched in”.

Pte. Fred Smith (15149) (see 6^th July), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

Following ten days’ treatment for malaria, Pte. James Wilson (see 16^th August), serving with 728^th Employment Company, based at Hitchin, Herts., was discharged from hospital and returned to duty. However, just four days later, he would be admitted to hospital in Cambridge suffering from a recurrence of his symptoms.

The Infantry Records Office in York wrote to Leeds City Police, requesting their assistance in locating Pte. James Robert Ingleson (see 3^rd August 1917), who had been absent without leave from Beckett Park Hospital, Leeds for the previous three weeks. The Police would reply that having, “made careful enquiries for the above named at all places in this city frequented by soldiers, I have not been able to find any trace of his being now in Leeds”. In actual fact Ingleson had, at 7.30pm the same day, reported back at the hospital. He would be fined 20 days’ pay and have his pass stopped for ten days.

The family of Pte. Herbert Newton (see 22^nd July), who had been reported missing in action five weeks’ previously while serving in France with 5DWR, wrote to the War Office informing them of a change of their home address and asking, “if you hear anything further about him will you kindly send straight here and greatly oblige his sorrowing mother”.

Monday 26th August 1918

Support positions in the Lemerle Switch line

On the third anniversary of the Battalion’s departure for France, the planned raid on the Austrian lines on the Vaister Spur, east of Canove, was launched (see 23^rd and 24^th August for details of the plan).

In accordance with the plan the three raiding parties, comprising in total of more than 350 officers and men, formed up in No Man’s Land, about 300 yards from the Austrian front line. Many years later 2Lt. Bernard Garside (see 23^rd August) would relate to his niece and nephew how the raid was to begin, “The night came and we all left our front line very carefully and stole like lines of ghosts out of sight towards the Austrians. I had my own platoon of course. In front of us the Austrian line could be told because of the ‘Very lights’ which they usually sent up all night to have a look at anything there might be moving in front and machine gun it. When these went up we kept very still and then went on again. Presently, we were all in position. I could only see my own platoon and a few others of my Company, ‘D’ Company. But, stretching away to the right I knew there were many others of our Companies scattered on the ground for perhaps four hundred yards. All was very still and the night fair and warm. I forget what I thought about as I waited. Perhaps your Grandma and Pa and your Mummy and Uncle Stanley and Auntie May. Before I left our lines I had written a letter for Grandpa and Ma and to Auntie May in case I didn’t come back – a very queer kind of letter to write”.

At 11.40pm the barrage commenced and the raiding parties advanced on their objectives. 2Lt. Garside remembered, “Then the whole business began. Suddenly, instead of quiet all around, a great hell of sound broke loose. Just over our heads scores of shells whined from our guns behind and dropped on and behind the Austrian trenches in front of us. At the same time machine guns of ours opened up on each side, firing across and away from us on the Austrian lines. Almost immediately the Austrians sent up dozens of Very lights bursting in the air and throwing out brilliant lights like rockets at a firework show. Also, when they were certain they were being attacked, they sent up coloured lights which told their HQ and artillery to prepare to send help – men and shells. All this time we lay waiting for the moment we were due to attack – five minutes I think, after our guns started. As five minutes ended the guns were to ‘lift’ their shells and drop them further back and we were to ‘go in’.

On the right, all four platoons of “A” party succeeded in reaching the trenches and railway near Post Spur. Several strong Austrian posts were mopped up, and prisoners taken, but the main body of the Austrian garrison withdrew to trenches on and to the north of the Asiago-Canove road. There was intense machine gun fire from Austrian positions to the north and east and the raiding party suffered considerable casualties. 2Lt. Keith Sagar Bain (see 24^th August) later described the circumstances under which he had been wounded and 2Lt. Alfred Ernest Pass (known as ‘Alf’) (see 24^th August) and Pte. William Northrop (see below) had been wounded and, it was believed, subsequently killed.

“In the raid carried out by the 10^th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment on August 26^th 1918 my Company had the right front of the Battalion of which my platoon was the left. Behind me followed No.6 Platoon under the command of 2Lt. A.E. Pass. I spoke a few words to Mr. Pass a few minutes before Zero, 11pm (sic.). I saw nothing more of him until our work was nearing completion about twenty minutes later when I ordered the few remaining men with me to evacuate the position we held at the Railway Cutting at “Post Spur”. It was as the last few men were scrambling up the embankment and as I looked round to see if all the men were clear, that I saw one figure slip back. I stopped the last man near me, Pte. Northrop, afterwards killed, to help me if required. The figure I recognised as the late 2Lt. Pass and I spoke to him.

The position we were in was being heavily swept by the fire of about 15 Austrian machine guns and much trench mortar and artillery fire. 2Lt. Pass was suffering from abdominal wounds and unable to walk or help himself. How many or of what kind I cannot say. The state of the position making it inadvisable to attend to them there and then if anyone was to return with a report, I decided to carry him with the help of Pte. Northrop and we proceeded slowly over about 50 yards to the outside edge of the inner belt of the Austrians wire defences. Here, Northrop was wounded for the second time during the evening in the shoulder supporting 2Lt. Pass, rendering him of no further help to me, so I ordered him to cut along alone whilst I made an effort to carry 2Lt. Pass myself. I was not very strong by this time with the exertion and excitement of the raid and the three wounds I had received giving more trouble to me. I carried 2Lt. Pass however to the outer belt of the enemy defence about another hundred yards when an Austrian heavy shell burst behind us, throwing us both into a shell hole.

Being in need of breath we rested a few moments and when I enquired whether we should continue 2Lt. Pass was unconscious, haemorrhage having set up and blood oozing from his mouth. I was arrested from investigating whether he was still living by a Very light burning on the ground showing up two live Austrians about twenty-five yards away, who had evidently seen us, covering us with their rifles, there was nothing left for me but to go for them. I did, and killed them both. After this my mind had turned itself to my own men and getting away from that dangerous area having given 2Lt. Pass up as died from wounds.

When I eventually arrived at Raid HQ I reported how and in what condition I left 2Lt. Pass and afterwards plotted out, whilst in hospital, where he finally fell”.

In the centre, “B” party entered and secured the Austrian front line. Two platoons then attacked the railway cutting at H.493.573. This was found to be very strongly held by riflemen and four machine guns. The first attack failed, with a number of wounded, among them both Lts. Arthur Neill (see 23^rd August) and Andrew Aaron Jackson (see 23^rd August). CSM Edward Arthur Myers (see 31^st July) then organised a second attack, which, although pushed through with great gallantry again did not succeed, CSM Myers himself being badly wounded. Eventually the two platoons took up a position in shell holes facing the Austrians, and, by rifle and Lewis Gun fire kept this position engaged. To their left, another platoon took the Quarry at H.485.576 in which it was found that only a few Austrians remained alive. The remaining platoon attacked and captured the railway at H.470.580 and advanced as far as the road at H.490.590. This platoon cleared many dugouts, taking large numbers of prisoners and killing many more.

On the left, “C” party was confronted with wire which had only been partially cut, but still managed to break into the Austrian front line. 2Lt. Garside remembered, “At the right moment we rose and rushed forward. I remember roaring out, “Come on 13!, Come on 13!” to my platoon, no.13, and tearing forward”. We found the wire had been partly broken up by our guns and some we had quickly to cut. On we went beyond it and some Austrians in the post line were firing at us and machine gun bullets whistled by. I felt rather queer as we rushed at them, firing as we ran, and preparing to use our bayonets. I carried a rifle, not a revolver, or rather, as well as a revolver. Then, I felt a relief somewhere inside me, for they were putting up their hands. Quickly we bundled them into a shell hole and I set a man to guard them. And then we leapt into the Austrian front line”.

After mopping up an Austrian post in the front line, the party, as planned, left one platoon in the Austrian front line, while the remainder of the party attacked three separate objectives. The right-hand platoon attacked the railway at H.470.580 but was met with very strong machine gun fire and only a few men succeeded in reaching their objective. The centre platoon advanced and captured the railway cutting at H.460.583 and then proceeded north to the road at H.462.586. About 12 large dugouts and shelters were cleared by this platoon; many Austrians being killed and captured. 2Lt. Vincent Edwards MC (see 23^rd August), described the clearing of one of the dugouts, “We sent a hand grenade down one entrance to a dugout and then heard voices. But no-one came up into the trench. We wanted prisoners, so it was no good sending any more hand grenades down. I decided to go down myself and “persuade” our enemies to come up and be taken by our chaps at the top. With an electric torch in one hand and a loaded revolver in the other, I descended into the darkness with a man or two behind me. It was a deep dugout. Trying out my German I shouted “Aus schnell” (get out quickly). No response. So I tried English, “Come along out, we shall not hurt you”, in a milder tone. One by one they pushed past me and crawled up into the trench, where they were taken prisoner, having left their weapons behind in the dugout”. Meanwhile the third platoon, on the left, had mopped up the Austrian front line to the west, as far as Little Spur. This platoon overcame several enemy posts and was able to establish a defensive flank at Little Spur. The Austrians attempted a bombing attack from Canove, but this was driven off Lewis Gun fire from Little Spur.

2Lt. Garside had command of the platoon which had been clearing the Austrian front line and collecting prisoners, “My job – we all had our parts – was now to get my platoon quickly to work ‘mopping up’ the front line whilst the other platoons went on. I suppose this was because I was the youngest platoon commander and the others had a great deal more experience of heavy fighting. But it was a responsible job I had, now and later. The ‘mopping up’ meant organising my platoon to go quickly along the stretch of front line trench we were allotted, calling down the dug-outs for people to come out and surrender, and, without waiting long for a reply, to fling Mills bombs down and follow in, bayoneting or shooting any people left, if they put up any fight. In this way we collected quite a few. I ordered them to be collected in one or two shell holes and when the number got to a dozen or so, I sent a couple of men back with them. Soon they began to come in from the people ahead and these too I collected and presently sent back in batches. All this work meant walking or running about, calling an order there and a direction there, and I remember hearing the bullets whizzing by. Also, by this time the Austrian artillery knew their men were driven out of their front line and they were shelling it too. It was a pretty hot place. I suppose one of my narrowest shaves in the war was about this time. I was standing in the open shouting an order to a man, my legs apart, when suddenly the earth between my legs came spurting up into my face and I heard a sort of swishing sound. I was too busy to worry and just brushed the dirt off my face – but next morning, thinking about it, I became sure what had happened. A stream of machine gun bullets had passed straight between my legs. Next morning I also found a lot of tiny grit driven right under the skin of my hands – and I don’t know to this day how that happened. You see you haven’t time to think what’s happening to you – you have a job to do and must do it.

All this time our Very lights were going up from farther back; our men were advancing ahead of the front line where I was; the air was thick with bullets, shells were screaming overhead and some bursting near. It was quite light usually, with sudden bursts of darkness. And all the time the clock was going steadily on. Prisoners were coming back and I was getting them in shell holes until there were a group and then sending them off towards our lines with guards.

I remember one rather awful incident. A man came back, an Austrian, and when I shouted to him to get into the shell hole, he must have thought I was going to shoot him, for he flung his equipment at my feet and got down and grovelled, asking me to spare him I suppose. All I wanted him to do was to get into the shell hole with the others – out of the way of the bullets incidentally. So when he didn’t, I got hold of him and flung him in and oh how he screamed. For, without knowing it, I had gripped an arm that was all bloody and, I should think, half off”.

At 12.30am the signal was given for the raiding party to retire. This, of course, was one of the most hazardous phases of the operation as evidenced by 2Lt. Bain’s experiences (see above). 2Lt. Garside described the withdrawal of the men of his platoon, “Presently, the rest of my Company began to come back. It was getting time to go back, 12.30. My job was now to stay where I was with my men until all the rest of the Company, the other platoons, were clear of the Austrian lines and off back to ours. When the last had gone, unless the Austrians had followed them and were attacking us, I could follow them with my men. If the Austrians had followed, I had to beat off the attackers and prevent them following our Company towards our lines.

Fortunately, no further firing came after the men who were coming back through us and when I had seen the last off through the haze, I ordered my sergeant to follow with my men, I bringing up the rear. The Austrians knew we were off back through ‘No Man’s Land’ and so they plastered the ground in front of their own trenches with shells; they were screaming down all over the place and throwing up earth. So we were very glad to be going back – very glad indeed. Now just then as I hurried along in the tail of my string of men, the sergeant leading the way to our lines at the other end, I got a queer feeling he was not going in the right direction. I hesitated a moment to halt them, because there were a lot of shells overhead and dropping near, for the Austrians knew we were on our way back through ‘No Man’s Land’. Fortunately, I passed the word up the hurrying line of men to get down. I then took what anyone knowing a compass calls a bearing in the dark, for the officers had set their compasses before leaving our line. I found to my horror (in one sense) and huge relief in the other that we were going too much to our right. Why horror you say? Because we were going in a line that would have taken us very near an Austrian machine gun nest we knew and almost certainly my men would have suffered badly. I passed word up quickly to change direction and off we set at a smart pace for our line. Well, we weren’t ‘home’ yet. I have said the Austrians were shelling when I halted my men. They were shelling their own line, knowing there were no Austrians there and also the space in front of it, nearer our line, where they suspected we were passing. They were also shelling very hard the space just in front of our front line, where they knew we must cross to get home. The shelling was very heavy here, a real barrage”.

Once having got their men, along with prisoners, safely back into the British lines, all officers were to report to Battalion HQ; this would entail them again leaving the front line and going forward to the Advanced Battalion HQ, which was located in No Man’s Land. In the words of 2Lt. Garside, “The rather cruel thing was that our Colonel (a nasty old man, I thought generally) had fixed his headquarters in a kind of semi-cavern some little distance in front of our line in ‘No Man’s Land’. It was cruel because he should have known what the Austrians would do and yet he ordered the officers taking part to see their men into our lines and then report to him – that is, going through the barrage and then come back through it again to him. This each of us did on his own as soon as he had seen his men ‘home’. I shall never forget it. It was very heavy and I remember staggering through the smoke with dirt flying up from shells all round, the air full of burnt powder, stinging my nose, and a devilish noise of whining and bursting shells all round. It seemed impossible that I should not be hit; yet I wasn’t. My feet seemed as heavy as lead, as they are in a nasty dream, my arms too. I floundered in to the cavern in the end and reported. There it was safe, as the Colonel knew. When all had reported we waited till the barrage had died down and then, weary but in high spirits, we were dismissed and went off to bed. I always remember waking next morning destroying the letters I had written in case I was killed”.

It was estimated that at least 80 Austrians had been killed, including one officer; and five officers and 60 other ranks had been taken prisoner. Two Austrian machine guns had also been brought back by the raiding party.

Despite the large scale of the raid and the vigour, in places, of the Austrian resistance, casualties on the British side had been relatively light. Two men were confirmed killed. One of them was Pte. William Northrop (see above), who had helped 2Lt. Bain; Pte. Northrop had been an original member of the battalion. He had enlisted aged 33, married with one daughter and living in Bradford where he worked as a woolcomber. He would be buried at Boscon British Cemetery. The other was Pte. Edwin Kenyon (see 4^th August); a letter to his widow from an (unnamed) N.C.O. reported the circumstances of his death: “The company was ordered to make a raid on enemy trenches. This took place and I saw your husband after we had reached our objective. After a short time we were ordered back again and he was all right until he got within a short distance of our own lines, when a bullet struck him in the head, killing him instantly.” Pte. Kenyon has no known grave and is commemorated on the Giavera Memorial.

Pte. Edwin Kenyon

2Lt. Pass (see above) and seven other ranks were reported missing in action. Pass and six of the others would subsequently be presumed to have been killed. Pass and five of the other men have no known grave and are commemorated on the Giavera Memorial.

2Lt. Alfred Ernest Pass (known as ‘Alf’)

Sgt. James Robinson (see 24^th July).

Cpl. Reginald Robinson (see 1^st August).

L.Cpl. Arthur Clark (25966) (see 13th August).

L. Cpl. Charles Dowson; he was 34 years old. Pte. Dowson had previously served with both 2DWR and 8DWR; but in the absence of a surviving record it has not been possible to make a positive identification of this man nor to establish when and under what circumstances he had joined 10DWR.

Pte. Edward Percy Webb (see 21^st June); he had been recommended for the Military Medal for his part in the raid on 21^st June, but notice of the award had not yet been published.

The sixth man killed was Cpl. John Kennedy MM (see 21st March). In 1924 his remains would be exhumed from a Military Cemetery at Canove, which had been behind the Austrian lines in August 1918 and re-buried at Boscon British Cemetery.

The seventh man reported missing was L.Sgt. Jonathan Richardson Sunderland (see 4th August); he would later be confirmed as having been taken prisoner by the Austrians.

In the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Pte. James Scott (18676) is also noted as being presumed to have died on 26^th August. However, reference to other record sources would suggest that this may be a clerical error and that Pte. Scott in fact more likely would be among those reported missing in action on 27^th October 1918. In the absence of a surviving service record this is difficult to confirm.

Four officers had been wounded in action.

Lt. Andrew Aaron Jackson (see above) suffered wounds to his right shoulder; the details of his treatment in Italy are unknown, but he would, in due course be evacuated to England.

Lt. Arthur Neill (see above); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would, in due course be evacuated to England.

2Lt. Keith Sagar Bain (see above) had suffered wounds to his right leg and buttock; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia.

2Lt. Mark Allan Stanley Wood (see 23^rd August); the details of his treatment are unknown, but he would, in due course be evacuated to England.

2Lt. Edward Kent Waite MC (see 23^rd August) was also reported ‘wounded at duty’; the details of his injuries and treatment are unknown, but he would remain with the Battalion.

Forty other ranks were reported wounded in action and a further three wounded at duty. It has only been possible to positively identify around half of these men.

CSM Edward Arthur Myers (see above); the details of his treatment are unknown.

A/CSM Frank Shelah Gilleard (see 10^th July) suffered abdominal wounds; he would be admitted to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station, where an operation would be carried out at 6.30am on 27^th. The report of the procedure was as follows, “Laporotomy; mid line. Suture of tears in left lobe of liver and complete tear of anterior wall of stomach. Shrapnel removed from cavity. Abdomen closed”.

Sgt. Albert Blackburn (see 25^th May); his wounds were relatively minor and he remained with the Battalion.

Cpl. Thomas Henry Cox (9328) (see 4^th August) suffered wounds to his left thigh; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa.

Cpl. Cecil Lloyd (see 6^th June 1916; it is not known when he had been promoted) suffered a bayonet wound to his left thigh; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia.

Cpl. Norman Lockwood MM suffered a gunshot wound to his left thigh; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia. He had previously served with 9DWR, going out to France with his Battalion in July 1915, but in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined the Battalion. 

L.Cpl. Robert Whitaker (see 21^st March) suffered wounds to his left thigh and right hand; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station where an operation was carried out, “left thigh excised; explosive bullet, involving soft parts only; pieces of bullet extracted; sartorius sheath, fascialata and intervening muscle; wide dissection; amputation of top of little finger of right hand”. To aid healing the thigh wound would be left open and would be sutured five days later, before he would then be evacuated onboard no.18 Ambulance Train to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia.

Pte. Robert Clarke (see 9^th May) suffered bullet wounds to his left elbow and abdomen and would be evacuated to 24^th Casualty Clearing Station.

Pte. Frank Easterby (see 28^th July) suffered a bullet wound to the right side of his chest and right axilla; he would be evacuated via 69^th Field Ambulance to 24^th Casualty Clearing Station and would be operated on two days later.

Pte. Joseph Firth (see 13^th May 1917) suffered wounds to his left arm and thigh; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station where an operation would be carried out, ‘gunshot wound left forearm; head of radius excised; joint washed; wound washed and treated with Carrol’s tube; left thigh, shrapnel wound’. He would undergo a further operation next day, ‘left arm; part up and part interrupted; splint and two stitches from upper end’.

Pte. William Thomas Foley (see 15^th April) suffered wounds to his left arm; the details of his treatment in Italy are unknown.

Pte. Norman Greenwood (see 21^st July) suffered a gunshot to the back, causing a compound fracture of his right shoulder blade; he would be admitted to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station. At 5.30pm on 27^th an operation would be carried out, the report of which was as follows: “Through and through chest wound, non-penetrating. Back wound between shoulders. Excision of entry and exit wounds and track as far as spine on each side. Compound fracture of right scapula”. Three days later a further operation would be carried out to examine Pte. Greenwood’s chest.

Pte. Charles William Groves (see 7^th July) suffered wounds to his left hand; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa.

Pte. Richard Henry Harris (see 24^th April) suffered a wound to his left hand; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia.

Pte. Louis Hodgson (see 11^th September 1917) suffered facial wounds which would result in the loss of his left eye; the details of his treatment in Italy are unknown.

Pte. Thomas James Hogben (see 1st July) suffered wounds to his left elbow; the details of his treatment in Italy are unknown.

Pte. Joseph Clifford Hudson suffered wounds to his neck and legs; he would be admitted to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station, where an exploratory operation would be carried out next day. He was a 33 year-old carter from Horsforth; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined the Battalion.

Pte. Raymond Charles Ingleson (see 5^th July 1917) suffered wounds to his left foot; the details of his treatment in Italy are unknown.

Pte. Lancelot Johnson (see 22^nd March) suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm and thigh; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 9^th Casualty Clearing Station to 29^th Stationary Hospital in Cremona.

Pte. John O’Gara (see 29^th October 1917) suffered wounds to his right eye; the details of his treatment in Italy are unknown.

Pte. James Percival (see 14^th July) suffered wounds to his left leg; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia.

Pte. Harry Pullin (see 24^th March) suffered wounds to his abdomen and right thigh; he would be admitted to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station. At 7.30am on 27^th an operation would be carried out; the surgical report noted, “Laporotomy; mid line. Suture of perforation of ilium (mid way). Abdomen closed. Right thigh wound excised; two fragments of bone removed”.

Pte. William Smith (30333) suffered a gunshot wound to his arm; he would be admitted to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station where an operation would be performed next day to stem the bleeding from his radial artery. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined the Battalion.

Pte. Francis Titcombe (see 15^th April); the details of his treatment in Italy are unknown.

Pte. Harry Walton suffered a gunshot wound to his right thigh; he would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia. He had previously served with 1^st/5^th DWR, but in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined the Battalion.

A large number of gallantry awards would subsequently made to those involved in the raid.

Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne MC (see 23^rd August), commanding “C” party, would be awarded the DSO; “Although the objective was continuously swept by enfilade machine-gun fire, he carried out the operation successfully and withdrew his party in perfect order, capturing a large number of prisoners. He exhibited great coolness and ability to command”.

All the surviving officers of “A” party would be awarded the Military Cross.

2Lt. William Johnson Simpson (see 23^rd August); “It was largely due to his splendid leadership, when the company was in a critical position through heavy enfilade fire from its right flank, that many prisoners were taken and the company extricated from a most difficult position without serious losses”.

2Lt. Keith Sagar Bain (see above); “He led his platoon with great coolness and skill through very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. Though twice wounded, he refused to leave his men until he had successfully withdrawn from a very critical position. He showed marked courage under very difficult circumstances”.

2Lt. Wilfred Frederick John Thomson (see 23^rd August) “He led his platoon through very heavy machine-gun fire to his objective, took up a defensive position, and by his fire caused the enemy great losses and prevented him from counter-attacking. He personally killed most of a strong enemy post and captured the rest. He did splendid work”.

Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 23^rd August), commanding “B” party would be awarded a Bar to the Military Cross; “He led his company with great determination to the capture of its objectives. His fine leadership and coolness under very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire inspired all ranks, and were largely responsible for the capture of a machine gun as well as a large number of prisoners by his company”.

Capt Dick Bolton MC

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Among “C” party, in addition to Capt. Payne’s DSO, 2Lt. Mark Allan Stanley Wood (see 23^rd August) would also be awarded the Military Cross; “He led his platoon with the greatest dash through very heavy fire to its final objective. His bearing inspired his men, and was largely responsible for the capture of a number of prisoners. Though twice wounded, he remained with his men to the end of the raid, withdrew them in perfect order, and would not hand over till he had brought his platoon back to advanced battalion headquarters. He behaved splendidly”.

Pte. Harold Charnock (see 26^th July), remembered that, “all the men spoke most highly of the work of 2Lt. Edward Kent Waite MC (see above), but he did not receive any further award from the British”.

There was also a Military Cross for Acting CSM Frank Shelah Gilleard (see above); he rallied his platoon under very heavy fire and successfully led them to their objective. Although early severely wounded, he continued to lead his platoon up to the end of the action, and skilfully withdrew in perfect order, after which he collapsed from the severity of his wound”.

CSM Fred Pattison DCM (see 3^rd June) would be awarded a Bar to the DCM, “He led his men through heavy rifle and machine gun fire to a cutting about 500 yards behind the enemy’s front line system, where he captured a large number of prisoners. Throughout he showed the greatest disregard for danger and, by his dash and leadership, he ensured the complete success of the raid on his objective”.

Seven NCOs would also be awarded the DCM.

CSM Edward Arthur Myers (see above); “After two officers of his Company had been wounded he led two platoons through heavy fire against a strongly held position. He was subsequently badly wounded but refused to be carried back until the signal to return had been given. He showed great coolness and initiative throughout”.

Sgt. Albert Blackburn (see above); “Although severely wounded in the head before reaching the enemy wire, he remained with his platoon which he led to the final objective. He organised the mopping up of dug-outs, killing many of the enemy and personally capturing an officer. His coolness and utter disregard of danger instilled great confidence into his men”.


Sgt. George William Chapman (see below); “He led his party with great skill and determination, capturing several prisoners and killing at least six others. He displayed fine courage and leadership and set a splendid example to his men”. He was a 27 year-old bootmaker from Settle. He had served with both 2DWR and 8DWR before joining 10DWR (date and details unknown); in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish any further details of his service.

Sgt. Ernest Craddock (see 25^th May); “He was Acting Company Sergeant Major and showed great fearlessness in carrying out his duties under heavy machine gun fire. When the situation was critical he was of the utmost assistance in rallying small detached bodies of men and again leading them to the attack. No one could have been of greater help to his Company commander”.

Sgt. Ernest Stead MM (see 8^th December 1916); “he led his party with great skill and gallantry to the first objective and personally captured the sentry posted there. He then led his party forward to the main line of trenches in front and mopped up ground left by another party. He showed fine courage and initiative”.

Cpl. Abel Roberts (see 14^th July); “He kept his platoon well in hand under very heavy machine gun fire during the preliminary stages of the advance, and, finally, with a few others, pushed right through the enemy position to the final objective, although the enemy was holding out on both sides of him. His conduct throughout was splendid”.

Pte. Stanley Barker (see 8^th December 1917); “when his platoon in the early stages of the action encountered an enemy post, he went forward and engaged the enemy with rapid fire, thus enabling the others to outflank the post and capture the garrison. Throughout, he displayed great skill and initiative and utter disregard of personal danger”.

Three men who had previously been awarded the Military Medal would now receive a second award. They were:

L.Cpl. James Walker MM (see 15^th February).

L.Cpl. John Smith Hodgson MM (see 23^rd March); he, “as platoon leader, with great resource and courage, pushed forward fearlessly to gain tactical positions against enemy trenches”.

L.Cpl. John Smith Hodgson

Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenOfWorth

Pte. William Dennison MM (see 30^th January); it was reported that Pte. Dennison had “All through the action fought splendidly and is a fine example to his comrades. When several NCOs of his platoon became casualties he showed great initiative in rallying the men and was of great assistance in the advance. Single-handed he attacked a post with rifle grenades and killed the occupants”.

A further 23 men would be awarded the Military Medal.

Sgt. Wilson Allinson (see 28^th June).

Sgt. Richard Everson (see 15^th February); for ‘taking command of a platoon at a critical stage when his commander was wounded and re-organising the platoon under heavy machine gun fire’.

Sgt. William Allen Sayer (see 28^th June).

Sgt. Frank Brierley (see 28^th July); for "invaluable assistance in the reorganisation of his platoon under very heavy fire."  

Cpl. Harold Best (see 10^th June).

Cpl. Charles Stuart Carrack; he had been an original member of the Battalion, having enlisted in 1914 aged 18 while working as a ‘time office clerk’ in Horsforth. 

Cpl. Stanley Vyvyan Golledge (see 23^rd July).

Cpl. Harry Wood (see above).

L.Cpl. Arthur Clark (25966) (see above); he was officially missing in action.

Pte. Newton Dobson (see 10^th June).

Pte. Richard Harrison (see 14^th February).

Pte. John Henderson (see 30^th October 1917).

Pte. Thomas Charles Jaques (see 18^th December 1917).

Pte. Albert Jeffrey (see 25^th May) “During a raid on the enemy trenches this man showed great courage as a stretcher bearer and several times passed through the enemy barrage to return to the enemy line to help back more wounded. He bound up the wounded although under heavy direct enemy machine gun fire, thereby saving several lives”.

Pte Albert Jeffrey 
Image by kind permission of the Trustees of the DWR Museum

Pte. Thomas Edward Laycock (see 25^th May).

Pte. Charles Frederick Marsden; he was 21 years old and from Halifax, where he had previously worked as a ‘finisher’s labourer’ in a brass works. He had previously served with 9DWR with whom he had been twice wounded before being evacuated to England in April 1917, suffering from trench foot and frostbite. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish when, and under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR.

Pte. William Francis Murphy (see 11^th January). 

Pte. Ben Pedder (see 24^th August).

Pte. James Percival (see above).

Pte. William Noel Simpson (see 10^th October 1917).

Pte. Herbert Sloane (see 2^nd October 1917).

Pte. John Robert Weightman; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man beyond the fact that he had been an original member of the Battalion.

Pte. Smith Stephenson Whitaker (see 7^th July); “during the raid showed great ingenuity in handling his Lewis gun. Acting on his own initiative when the final objective was reached he rushed forward a considerable distance to his left flank and successfully brought fire to bear on enemy reinforcements coming up, inflicting heavy losses on them. In addition, he captured one prisoner”.

A number of Italian gallantry awards would also be made to men involved in the raid.

The Italian Silver Medal for Valour would be awarded to Maj. Maj. Edward Borrow DSO (see 23^rd August) DSO and Capt. Bolton (see above).

The Italian Bronze Medal for Valour to Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 5th May), 2Lt. Bain (see above), and 2Lt. Simpson (see above).

The Italian Croce di Guerre to Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 25^th August), A/CSM Gilleard (see above) and CSM Myers (see above),

The Croce di Guerra would also be awarded to:

CSM Fred Pattison DCM (see above).

Cpl. Frank Flynn 202979; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.

L.Cpl. Stanley Arthur Bones (see 27^th March).

Pte. Brian Devnil (see 5th June).

Pte. Henry Fielding (see 15^th July).

Pte. Arthur Whincup; he was a 26 year-old married man with one son from Skipton. In the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish when or under what circumstances he had joined the battalion.

The official account of the raid would reflect on a number of key aspects, as recorded in the Battalion War Diary:

5. The raid was excellently organised by Lt. Col. F W Lethbridge, DSO and except where the enemy's resistance proved too strong proceeded exactly as arranged. The arrangements for forming up, evacuation of prisoners, withdrawal, etc had been carefully thought out, with the result that in spite of the heavy fire there was at no time any confusion.

6. The Artillery fired most accurately. The C.R.A. and staff and Lt. Col. G. Badham-Thornhill, DSO took an infinity of trouble over the artillery arrangements and not a single case of short shooting occurred. The number of Field Guns available, however, was rather too few for a raid on such a broad front.

7. The Machine Gun support was satisfactory.

8. The following points may be of interest:

(a) The enemy were fully prepared for attack and for the most part put up a determined and well organised resistance. Rifle fire and machine guns were most freely used.

 (b) The enemy swept not only his own front line, but a considerable area in rear of it with heavy enfilade machine gun fire, entirely disregarding his own posts in the front line.

(c) The following localities displayed troublesome nests of machine guns – Canove Station and Bellocohio. Gaiga North and Coda Spur. Trench mortars fired from the regions of Coda Spur.

(d) The enemy barrage was heavy round Vaister Houses and Hill 1002; otherwise moderate.

(e) A Field Gun (Tank Gun?) is reported to have fired from the neighbourhood of Exeter Trench.

(f) The enemy's accommodation in the Railway Cutting consists of huts, shelters and some dugouts about 20 feet deep.

Cpl. James Hotchkiss (see 24^th July) re-joined the Battalion from the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

Pte. James Henry Innes (see 29^th October 1917) was admitted via 23^rd Field Ambulance and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa, suffering from “I.C.T.” (Inflammation of the connective tissue) to his buttock.

Pte. Alfred Ellis (see 22^nd July), who had been under treatment for impetigo for five weeks, was transferred from 11^th General Hospital in Genoa to hospital in Marseilles.
Ptes. Harry Clay (see 6^th April) and Victor Hillam (see 6^th April) were both killed in action while serving in France with 9DWR; the Battalion had been engaged in an attack near Flers on the Somme. The remains of both men were originally interred by their colleagues. The site of Pte. Hillam’s grave was subsequently lost and he is now commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial; Pte. Clay’s remains on the other hand would be exhumed after the war and re-interred at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont.

L.Cpl. Thomas Lloyd (see 7^th July), serving in France with 1^st/7^th DWR, departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

Ptes. Tom Clay and John Lee were posted from 3DWR back to France, en route to joining 10DWR in Italy; it is unclear exactly when they reported to the Battalion in Italy. Pte. Tom Clay was from Huddersfield and had enlisted, aged 18, in July 1916. He had been posted to 2DWR in France in February 1917 and had served two months before being posted back to England (reason unknown). He had remained in England until December 1917 when he had returned to France and joined 2^nd/4^th DWR. He had again been posted back to England in March 1918, suffering from trench fever. After spending some time in hospital and at Northern Command Depot at Ripon he had been with 3DWR at Tynemouth since 27^th July. Pte. John Lee was a 34 year-old labourer from Leicester and had served four years’ with King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry before the war. He had been called up in May 1916 and posted to 14^th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment for training. After five weeks he had been reported as a deserter and, on return, had been sentenced to six month’s detention, later reduced to three. In February 1917 he had been convicted of a civil felony and sentenced to three months with hard labour. He had been released in May 1917, transferred to DWR and posted to France in August 1917, joining 1^st/5^th DWR. He had then been posted back to England in October 1917, having been wounded. He had been posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon in May 1918 but had again been reported as a deserter and had been sentenced to two years military detention with hard labour in July.

The London Gazette published notice of the award of the Military Medal to Cpl. Alexander Wallace (see 1^st August).