Saturday 14th September 1918

Front line positions on the far left of the divisional front, north of Mt. Lemerle.

It was around this time that Sgt. Richard Everson (see 26^th August) was recommended for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal; he had already been recommended for the Military Medal for his actions in the raid on 26^th August. The citation for his DCM award referred to his service over an extended period, “During the period 26^th February 1918 to 14^th September 1918, he has always displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty; he is a most conscientious and capable worker both in and out of the line, and under the heaviest fire, and has on all occasions been of the very greatest help to his company commander and of benefit to the members of his company”.

Pte. Frederick George Westlake (see 5^th September), who had suffered a gunshot wound to his right foot three weeks’ previously, was tried by Field General Court Martial held at 9^th Casualty Clearing Station. Pte. Westlake was charged with, “When on active service conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in that he, on or about 25^th August 1918, negligently handled a rifle whereby he became wounded”. He was found guilty and ordered to forfeit 28 days’ pay.

A medical report was recorded regarding Cpl. Harry Wood (see 5^th September), who was under treatment at 24^th Casualty Clearing Station having suffered severe wounds in the trench raid on 26^th August. It was noted that ‘Neck wound nearly closed now; shoulder wound and leg wounds much cleaner; general condition good’; Cpl. Wood was considered fit enough for transfer and, next day, would be transferred to 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles.

CQMS Maurice Harcourt Denham (see 24^th August), who had been injured in an accident three weeks’ previously, was transferred from 38^th Stationary Hospital in Genoa to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano.

CQMS Maurice Harcourt Denham

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. Alfred Shaw (see 26^th May) was transferred from hospital in Marseilles to 16^th Convalescent Depot, also in Marseilles.

Pte. Ernest Thorn (see 9^th August) was posted from the Regimental Depot in Halifax to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Harry Walsh (see 4^th July 1917), who had been in England since suffering severe wounds to his back in June 1917, was married to Edith Lawrence at St. Mark’s Church, Harrogate. Pte. Walsh’s address was stated as being St. Nicholas’ Hospital, Wetherby Lane, Harrogate. Edith Lawrence was the widow of Pte. Harry Lawrence who had been killed in September 1916 while serving with 1^st/8^th West Yorks.

Pte. William Franklin (see 1^st June), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was formally transferred to Army Reserve Class P; this classification of the reserve applied to men “whose services were deemed to be temporarily of more value to the country in civil life rather than in the Army”. He was to take up employment as a coal miner at Baggeridge Colliery, Sedgley, Staffs.

Pte. George Edward Crangle (see 6^th February), who had been in England since having wounded in February while serving in France with 2^nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of his wounds; he was assessed as having suffered a 20% disability and was awarded an Army pension of 8s. per week.

The weekly edition of the Keighley News reported on the condition of A/CSM Frank Shelah Gilleard (see 26^th August) who had been wounded in the trench raid on 26^th August,

Sergeant Major Frank Gilleard, West Riding Regiment, son of the late Mr. Fred Gilleard and of Mrs. Gilleard of 31 Argyle Street, Keighley, has been dangerously wounded in the abdomen by gunshot in Italy. Latest reports, however, go to show that he is improving somewhat. He joined the Army on September 1st 1914. Before going to Italy shortly before last Christmas he was wounded three times in action in France. Since being wounded, Sergeant Major Gilleard has been awarded the Military Cross, the presentation being made to him in hospital by the Commander-in-Chief.