Wednesday 25th December 1918

Billets at Morando

In the words of the official Divisional History, “Home leave had been ordered, and the first peace Christmas found many officers and other ranks in England; those remaining in Italy feasted with as great a gusto as in previous years and with less fear of its proving to be their last chance in life of a good square meal”. As remembered by Pte. Harold Charnock (see 22^nd December), “A Christmas dinner and dance was provided and the band performed in front of each billet in the morning”.  

As in previous years, Battalion Christmas cards had been printed; it should be noted that the battle honour for the Piave had been handwritten, having been gained after the cards had been printed.

This example from the personal collection of Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips MC (see 7^th December), by kind permission of the Trustees of the DWR Museum.

L.Cpl. Clarence Smith (see 18^th August) was severely reprimanded by Maj. William Norman Town (see 14^th December) having been reported by L.Cpl. Lawrence William Hinchcliffe (see 22^nd December) for, “neglect of duty; when in charge of a prisoner, allowing him to escape”.

L.Sgt. George Alma Cook (see 13^th December) was transferred from 23^rd Division Rest Station to 62^nd General Hospital, which had recently re-located from Bordighera, near Ventimiglia, to Marseilles.