Friday 6th September 1918

In Brigade reserve in huts near Monte Pau.

Pte. Michael Hannigan (see 28^th May) suffered a sprained ankle while training and would be admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 23^rd Division Rest Station.

Pte. William Belcher (see 21^st July) re-joined the Battalion and was awarded seven days’ Field Punishment no.2 and ordered to forfeit three days’ pay, having been late in returning from leave to England.

Pte. Lancelot Johnson (see 26^th August), who had suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm and thigh on 26^th August, was transferred from 29^th Stationary Hospital in Cremona to 62^nd General Hospital at Bordighera, near Ventimiglia.

Pte. Albert Mellor (see 18^th August) was reported as “absent without leave” having failed to report for departure to Italy at the conclusion of his two weeks’ leave in England.

Pte. Frederick Fielden (see 2^nd September), who had been severely wounded on 20^th September 1917, died of his wounds at Edmonton War Hospital in London. His medical report stated that, “Wounds healed slowly, resulting in fair movement of arm and good of leg. Was re-admitted to Edmonton War Hospital from an auxiliary hospital complaining of pain in stomach and loss of weight. Went rapidly worse; great emaciation and continual sickness. No mass could be felt in abdomen. Sank rapidly and died at 3.55am. No post mortem allowed”. Pte. Fielden would be buried in his home town of Halifax, at Stoney Royd Cemetery.

Pte. Charles Edward Berry (see 12^th June), who had been in England since January after suffering from severe haemorrhoids, was posted from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR at North Shields.

A payment of £5 6s. 9d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. John Buckley (see 6^th May 1918), who was presumed dead having been officially missing in action since 20^th September 1917; the payment would go to his mother, Sarah.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald carried a report regarding the late Pte. John William Whitfield (see 9^th October 1917), who had been officially ‘missing in action’ since October 1917. 

Linton Soldier's Sacrifice 
News has been received from the Record Office, York, by Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Whitfield, Linton, that their only son, Sapper I. W. Whitfield, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, reported wounded and missing on the 9th October 1917, is now officially stated to have been killed on that date. He voluntarily enlisted, thinking it his duty to fight for his country, in January 1915. After being trained at different camps in England, he was, in August 1915, drafted to France. After serving in the trenches for some months he was transferred to the Engineers (as platelayer) where be remained until taken back to his old regiment in September 1917. He was 25 years of age, and of a genial disposition which made him a great favourite in the village, where he will be much missed. His letters home were always bright and cheerful. Great sympathy is felt for the parents and family. Previous to joining the Army he was employed on the Yorkshire Dales Railway as a platelayer on the Rylstone section.

 

Pte. John William Whitfield