Tuesday 17th December 1918

Billets at Morando

According to the Brigade War Diary, whilst at Morando, “Units of the Brigade carried out training during the mornings from 9am until 12 noon. The afternoons were devoted to recreational training. Educational classes were held each morning”. The Battalion would be engaged in the usual training and played inter platoon football competitions. The Brigade inter-platoon six-a-side football competition would be won by 14 platoon, ‘D’ Company, 11^th West Yorkshires.

Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 14^th December) was attached for duty as Brigade Major with 69^th Brigade HQ at Veronella.

Capt. Dick Bolton MC

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. John Bayliss (see 30^th August), who had been reported for sleeping whilst on sentry duty, appeared before a Field General Court Martial. He was found guilty and ordered to serve two years’ imprisonment with hard labour. However, in the short term, he would not be committed to prison but would remain with the Battalion.

Sgt. Ronald Jeckell (see 27^th November) reported for duty with the Battalion. 

Ptes. Sam Sunderland (see 30^th November) and Fred Sutcliffe (see 12^th November) were evacuated to England from 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles; they would travel by train from Marseilles to Le Havre and then onboard the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle. Having arrived in England Pte. Sunderland would be admitted to 4^th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln, where it would be reported that, “The tip of the little finger was gangrenous and nearly separated; the whole of the distal phalanx came away while being dressed. Under general anaesthetic the necrosed phalanx was removed”. Pte. Sutcliffe would be transferred to Merryflats War Hospital, Govan, Glasgow.

Pte. Alfred Fishlock (see 2^nd December), who was on leave in England, was granted an extension of his leave to 19^th January 1918 on the grounds of “urgent private affairs”.

Pte. Reginald Hancock (see 2^nd March 1917) was transferred from 3DWR at North Shields to the Labour Corps to join 497^th Home Service Employment Company.

Pte. George William Corby (see 15^th November) was discharged from Tower Auxiliary Hospital, Rainhill; he would have ten days’ leave before reporting to 3DWR at North Shields.

2Lt. Edwin Merrall (see 21^st March), who had been taken prisoner in March while serving with 2^nd Battalion Yorks. and Lancs., was repatriated to England.

2Lt. Edwin Merrall