Friday 13th September 1918

Reserve positions near Monte Magnaboschi.

The Battalion moved into front line positions on the far left of the divisional front, relieving 11West Yorks.; three companies went into the front line, with the fourth in close support near Cesuna Tunnels.

Pte. Walter Evans (see 25^th May) was reported by A/CSM Albert Blackburn (see 27^th August), A/Sgt. James Shackleton MM (see 21^st March; it is not clear when Shackleton had been promoted from his previous rank of Corporal) and Cpl. Alfred Frankland (see 25^th May) for drunkenness; he would be kept under close arrest for four days before being ordered by Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 12^th September) to undergo 14 days’ Field Punishment no.1.

Pte. Walter Dey (see 17^th June) was admitted via 71^st Field Ambulance and 24^th Casualty Clearing Station to 11^th General Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from malaria.

Pte. Albert Smith MM (11195) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 51^st Stationary Hospital; he was suffering from gonorrhoea. He had previously served with 8DWR and 9DWR but, in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish when, or under what circumstances, he had joined 10DWR.

L.Cpl. Harry Bailey (25248) (see 13^th July), who had been suffering from jaundice, was discharged from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia.

2Lt. Harley Bentham (see 7^th September 1917), serving in France with 5DWR, was severely wounded during an attack on the village of Havrincourt, and died of his wounds later the same day. News of his death would be received by his family in a letter from the Battalion Commanding Officer; “It is with deep sorrow that I have to inform you of the death of Second-Lieutenant Bentham in action on the 13th. He was wounded by shellfire whilst gallantly leading his men in the attack, which resulted in the capture of Havrincourt. He did not suffer and died shortly after reaching the C.C.S. We officers, N.C.O.s and men of his battalion thought much of him as a gallant, cheerful comrade, and it is a great grief to us that victory has cost so much to you and him. May the knowledge that he did his duty well and bravely help to lighten this great sorrow." 2Lt. Bentham would buried at Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux St. Marc.

2Lt. Harley Bentham

L.Cpl. Dennis Waller (see 7^th September), who had been severely wounded in action on 8^th August while serving in serving in France with 2DWR, suffering a compound fracture of his left femur, was evacuated to England from 35^th General Hospital at Calais, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege. On arrival in England he would be admitted to Edmonton General Military Hospital. On the same day the London Gazette published notice of the award of the Military Medal to L.Cpl. Waller.

Pte. William Norman Whitehead (see 15^th June) who had been in England since having been severely wounded in June 1917, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

The London Gazette published notice of the award of the Military Cross to Lt. Col. Sydney Spencer Hayne (see 12^th June), commanding 2^nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, “He commanded his battalion with marked ability and skill, and when surrounded by the enemy he led a successful counter-attack, thereby relieving the pressure on other troops. He set an example of courage and cheerfulness under most trying conditions.” The same edition also reported the award of the Military medal to Cpl. George Henry Hansford (see 12^th December 1917), he had gained his award whilst serving in France with 1^st/6^th DWR, but the date and circumstances are unknown.

Lt. Col. Sidney Spencer Hayne MC

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald published news of the death of Pte. Edwin Kenyon (see 26^th August) who had been killed during the trench raid on 26^th August; there were also In Memoriam notices from Pte. Kenyon’s family.

News was received last week-end, from Italy, of the death of Private Edwin Kenyon, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who was killed in action on the 26th August. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Kenyon, 54 Willow Bank, Barnoldswick, and leaves a wife residing at Cornholme. Private Kenyon joined up in January, 1915, and after serving two years and five months in France was transferred to the Italian Front in October last. In a letter of sympathy to the bereaved wife an N.C.O. says:- "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." Private Kenyon was 24 years of age.

KENYON – In loving memory of Private Edwin Kenyon, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, killed in Italy August 26th, aged 24 years.

We pictured his safe returning,

We longed to clasp his hand,

But God has postponed the meeting

Till we meet in the better land.

From Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters, 54 Willow Bank, Barnoldswick.

KENYON – In loving memory of my dear husband, Private Edwin Kenyon, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who was killed in Italy August 26th, 1918, aged 24 years.

I often think of the days gone by,

When we were both together;

But a shadow o’er my life is cast,

A dear one gone for ever.

From his loving wife, May, Vale School House, Cornholme. 

Pte. Edwin Kenyon