Friday 3rd January 1919

Billets at Morando

Pte. Cuthbert Dyer (see 24^th November 1918) completed and signed his ‘Statement as to disability’ form, which was a precursor to his being posted back to England. The completed form, which confirmed that he did not claim to have suffered any disability in service, was witnessed Lt. Herbert Edwin James Biggs (see 10^th October 1918).

Sgt. Thomas Bulcock (see 17^th September 1918), serving in France with 2DWR, was posted back to England for demobilization.

Pte. Fred Hird (see 3^rd May 1917), who had been taken prisoner in May 1917 while serving in France with 2DWR, was repatriated to England.

L.Cpl. Joseph Simpson (see 2^nd December 1918), serving in England with 52^nd (Garrsion) Battalion, Notts. and Derbys., was severely reprimanded having been reported as “making an improper reply to RQMS Laycock”.

The Deputy Mayor of Keighley wrote to the Infantry Records Office in York regarding plans for the presentation of the Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal to Sgt. John William Wardman DCM, MM (see 3^rd December 1918), who was serving at the Regimental Depot in Halifax.

“Have you any record of these awards and is it possible for us to get the medals sent to Keighley so that they can be presented to Sgt. Wardman? Our Mayor is arranging a little tea party for all repatriated prisoners in the middle of this month and if I could have the medals to present to Wardman on this occasion it would be very nice”.

Sgt. John William Wardman DCM, MM

Image by kind permission of Paul Bishop

Pte. William John Thomas Hurst (see 18^th December 1918), who was on leave in England, was officially struck of the strength of 10DWR, from the dispersal centre at Crystal Palace.

Lt. John Charles Brison Redfearn (see 19^th June 1918), who was serving with 51^st Battalion King’s (Liverpool Regiment), on attachment from 1^st South Staffs., appeared before an Army Medical Board, which found that he was suffering from TB in his right lung; “General condition remains the same; cough being very persistent; expectoration – copious. General condition very poor”. He was assessed as being unfit for general service. but fit for home service although 30% disabled.


A pension award was made in the case of the late L.Cpl. Leonard Mustill (see 18^th October 1918), who had died of wounds in June 1918; his mother, Mary Ann, was awarded 10s. per week, later (in February) increased to 12s. 6d..