Friday 27th September 1918

Billets in Creazzo.

Creazzo was to be the base for training ahead of the projected return to France, but the area had both advantges and disadvantages as referred to in the official Divisional History: “The new area had many recommendations. Billets were good and the Division enjoyed a well-earned rest during a week of perfect weather. But the projected transfer of the Division to France, where the armies had broken away from the old trench lines, made training in the tactics of open warfare and urgent matter. The new area had not been organised for training and the close cultivated country made it most unsuitable for practice in open warfare”.

Pte. Fred Clayton (see 5^th September) was reported by Sgt. Willie Nichols (see 16^th November 1917) as being ‘dirty on 2pm parade’; on the orders of 2Lt. Sam Benjamin Farrant (see 4^th August) he was to be confined to barracks for three days.

Pte. Claude Wilfred Norman (see 9^th August) re-joined the Battalion from 23^rd Division Rest Station.

Pte. Harry Beaumont (29306) (see 7^th August) was discharged from 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia and posted to the Base Depot at Arquata Scrivia; he had been suffering from “I.C.T.” (inflammation of the connective tissue) to his neck.

2Lt. Albert Edgar Palmer (see 30^th April), serving in France with 8^th West Yorks, was initially reported missing in action but would subsequently be confirmed as having been killed in action. He would be buried at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, south-west of Cambrai.

Pte. Ernest Franklin (25969) (see 19^th September), who was serving 28 days’ detention as a result of being absent off his final embarkation leave from 3DWR at North Shields, was posted back to France and would join 5DWR.

Pte. Albert Ellis (see 24^th April), serving in England 26^th Durham Light Infantry, was transferred to 2^nd/7^th Durham Light Infantry. Ten days later the Battalion would be posted to Northern Russia as part of the Allied expedition to assist the White Russians in their fight with the Red Army. The Battalion would land Russia on 24^th October and be put to guarding the docks, supply dumps, and a prison in Archangel.

Following two months treatment at the Camp Hospital at Northern Command Depot at Ripon, Pte. John Stenson (see 27^th July) was granted one weeks’ leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. William Henry Jones (see 30^th December 1916), serving with the Labour Corps, was formally discharged from the Army ‘sick’, suffering from ‘chronic sycosis’ (facial inflammation); he was awarded the Silver War Badge and an Army pension of 7s. 6d. per week.

A payment of £5 3s. 9d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Herbert Farrand Hogley (see 23^rd June), who had been killed in action on 23^rd June, while serving with 2DWR; the payment would go to his widow, Florence. She would also receive a package of her late husband’s personal effects, comprising of, “wallet, letters, photos, mirror, spectacles (broken) in case”.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the deaths of Pte. Albert Christopher Benson (see 11^th September) and 2Lt. Harley Bentham (see 13^th September);

COWLING

The sad news is to hand that Signaller Albert C. Benson, M.M., of the Duke of Wellington's, and No. 2 Green Street, Cowling, was instantaneously killed by shell fire on September 11th whilst laying telephone wires on the Italian front. Signaller Benson had greatly endeared himself to his comrades by his cheerful and willing service under most trying conditions. He was buried with military honours in the British Cemetery. He joined the Forces four years ago in September 1914, went out to France in August 1915, and was transferred to Italy in November of last year. In September 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in face of the enemy. Under heavy fire he dug out four comrades who had been buried as a result of shellfire. Previous to joining the Colours he was employed by Messrs. John Binns and Sons Ltd. at Croft Mills as a weaver.

Pte. Albert Christopher Benson

I am, as yet, unable to confirm the award of the Military Medal to Pte. Benson as no record has been found in the official records and some subsequent correspondence casts doubt as to whether the award was ever formally made. 

HELLIFIELD - OFFICER DIES OF WOUNDS

We regret to record the death of Second-Lieutenant Harley Bentham, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, which occurred on September 13th, the official report stating that he died at the 19th Casualty Clearing Station, Havrincourt, of wounds received in action on September 13th. Lieut. Bentham was 23 years of age, and the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Bentham, of Thorndale Street, Hellifield. He joined the Duke of Wellington's as a Private in January 1916 and went to France the following May. In December of the same year he was recommended for a commission, and after completing his training with the O.T C. at Gailes, he was gazetted in August 1917, and returned to France in October. After leaving Giggleswick Grammar School he entered the Bank of Liverpool at Settle, where he was employed up to the time of his enlistment. Amongst a number of letters of sympathy and tributes was one from his Lieut.-Colonel, which states:- "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. Harley Bentham

There was also brief mention of Pte. Irvine Clark (see 14^th June), who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits but was now serving at the Regimental Depot at Halifax.

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

Private Irvine Clark, who enlisted soon after the outbreak of war, has had five birthdays in the Army.