Saturday 1st March 1919

Billets at Montecchia di Crosara

Sgts. James Henry Howarth (see 20^th February) and Harold Howlett (see 22^nd February) and Ptes. Harry Bailey (14133) (see 20^th February), Mortimer Banks (see 29^th June 1918), Edgar Baron (see 22^nd February), Frank Dunn (see 22^nd February), Bertram Edwin Earney (see 22^nd February), Fred Wilson Fawcett (see 20^th February), Owen Frank Hyde (see 22^nd February), Richard Metcalfe (see 19^th February), Fred Morrell (see 19^th February) and Charles Henry Russell (see 22^nd February) were posted back to England for demobilization. Howlett, Banks, Baron, Fawcett, Metcalfe, Morrell and Russell would be demobilized from Clipstone; Dunn and Earney from Fovant; and Hyde from Purfleet.

Pte. Willie Kershaw (see 8^th August 1918), serving with 497^th Company, Labour Corps, was transferred back to 3DWR at North Shields.

Pte. Sidney John Baker (see 27^th October 1918) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of the wounds he had suffered in October 1918.

2Lt. Percival Victor Thomas (see 21^st December 1918) was formally released from the Army from a dispersal unit in London. He gave his address as 73, Wendell Road, Shepherd’s Bush, London, and he would resume his pre-war employment as a ‘seal engraver and gem sculptor’.

Ptes. John Charles Clarke (see 13^th December 1918), Harold Passmore Lee (see 28^th May 1918), Harold Sykes (see below) and Robert Wilson MM (see 30^th January) were officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Harold Sykes had originally served with 2DWR, before being transferred to 10DWR, and subsequently to 2^nd/6^th and 2^nd/4^th DWR; in the absence of a surviving service record, I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish any details of his service.

Pte. Gilbert Bell (see 26^th December 1918) was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Harold Holt (see 7^th November 197), who had been discharged from the Army due to wounds had his Army pension reassessed as his level of disability was now considered to be less than 5%. His pension was reduced from 9s. 6d per week to 7s. 6d and would cease after twelve months, but he was also awarded a terminal grant of £10.

Friday 28th February 1919

Billets at Montecchia di Crosara

During February a total of 8 officers and 846 other ranks had been demobilized from 69^th Brigade as a whole, bringing the current total to 22 officers and 1,644 other ranks. 92 other ranks of the Brigade re-enlisted during the month, bringing the total up to 206.

More than 40 men from 10DWR have been identified as among those who had re-enlisted and would continue to serve with the Dukes, although the precise dates of their re-enlistment are unknown. In the absence of surviving service records for a number of these men it has not been possible to make a positive identification for many of them, or to establish any details of their service.

Some of these men had been original members of 10DWR. Ptes. Ernest Arthur Crookes (14527; 60032) (see 29^th July 1916) and Peter Kenny (12400; 60057) had only ever served with 10DWR. Ptes. Arthur Bilton (16151; 60070) (see 10^th July 1916) and Ernest Kaye (14524; 60071) (see 10^th July 1916) had also served with 8DWR before being transferred back to 10DWR.

Others had only ever served with 10DWR having joined the Battalion at a later date. These were Pte. John Benson (718470; 60002); Pte. Jack Boulter (25378; 60033) (see 27^th October 1918); Pte. Ralph Braithwaite (23010; 53589) (see 20^th November 1918); Pte. Robert Callaghan (15246) (see 25^th October 1918); Pte. Michael Cross (31626; 60048) (see 5^th June 1918); Pte. Brian Devnil (19608; 60063) (see 26^th August 1918); Pte. Joseph Garrett (265385; 60047); Pte. Edward Hanaghan (19413; 60042) (see 4th October 1916); Pte. Harold Hyde (3160; 60066).;Pte. George Jackson (266556; 60088); Pte. Leslie Norman Hill (17281; 53786) (see 26^th October 1918); Pte. John Kelly (18983; 60001) DCM (see 11^th June 1918); Pte. Frank Knott (25210; 60062) (see 5^th July 1917); Pte. Arthur Langstroth (29841; 60000); Pte. Thomas Mason (31684; 60069); Pte. Fred Walker (18279; 60090); Pte. William Wigglesworth (17891; 60058) (see 27^th October 1918) Leonard Wilby (see 28^th October 1917) and Pte. Ernest Yates (55314; 60089).

Others had previously served with other units before being transferred to 10DWR; the dates and circumstances of their transfers are unknown. These were Cpl. James Jennings (11270; 60087) MM (see 17^th December 1917). Cpl. Robert William Searby MM (16027; 60061) (see 17^th December 1917; it is not known when he had been promoted). Pte. James Cobb (25364; 60060) (see 15^th September 1917) had previously served with 8^th Bedfordshires. Pte. Bernard George Espin Cunningham (204668; 60050) had previously served with both 1^st/5^th and 1^st/4^th DWR and had first gone to France in April 1915. Pte. Charles Eyles (204691; 60054) had previously served with 5^th Northumberland Fusiliers and with 1^st/5^th and 2^nd/5^th DWR. Pte. William Green (23560; 60059) (see 8^th September 1918). Pte. Jim Haigh (23959; 60036) had originally served with 1^st/5^th DWR and had first gone to France in April 1915. Pte. Percy Helliwell (204568; 60073) had previously served with 1^st/5^th DWR. Pte. John Holden (24036; 60159) had previously served with 8DWR. Pte. William Richard Jones (29517; 60055) had previously served with 15^th and 17^th Cheshires. Pte. Joseph Arthur Jordan (204267; 60052) had previously served with 2^nd/5^th DWR. Pte. James William Kershaw MM (12519; 60065) (see 21^st July 1918). Pte. James Bernard McGreevy (202078; 60053) had previously served with 2^nd/5^th DWR. Pte. Arthur Moss (265326; 60091) had previously served with 1^st/6^th and 2^nd/7^th DWR. Pte. Albert Smith MM (11195; 60064) (see 13^th September 1918). Pte. Charles Smith (10345; 60084) had previously served with 8DWR and had gone to Gallipoli in July 1915. Pte. Alfred Swales (204399; 60051) had previously served with 1^st/4^th DWR. Pte. George Warwick (25738; 60034) had originally served with 12^th Royal Berks. Pte. John William Whaites (265127; 60072) had previously served with 1^st/4^th and 2^nd/5^th DWR.

A number of other men have also been identified as having re-enlisted in the Regular Army, though with different regiments. For most, in the absence of surviving service records the dates and details of their transfers are unknown. Sgt. Ernest Craddock DCM (see 15^th November 1918) joined the Northumberland Fusiliers; Pte. Charles Clear (see 11^th June 1918) was transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment and Pte. Joseph Clifford Hudson (see 26^th August 1918) would serve with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. 

L.Cpl. Horace Dunn (see 30^th January) was discharged from 1^st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham; a medical report found that he had suffered no disability whilst in service and he was to be demobilized.

Capt. William Andrew Leo Kerridge (see 15^th December 1918), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, formally relinquished his commission ‘on grounds of ill health’. He would, in 1921, take up a post teaching ‘Manual Training’ (woodwork, metalwork etc.) at Gresham’s School in Norfolk, and would remain at the school until retiring in 1946.

Capt. William Andrew Leo Kerridge (seated front right, amongst the staff of Gresham's School

RQMS Frank Stephenson (see 12^th January), Cpl. Stanley Arthur Bones (see 23^rd January), L.Cpl. Thomas Riding (see 30^th January) and Ptes. Joseph Dagger (see 10^th January) and Joseph Chapman Syers (see 3rd April 1916) were officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Sgt. Robert William John Morris (see 8^th January 1918), who had been serving with 3DWR at North Shields was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Edwin Baldwin (see 29^th January), who had been serving in France with the Motor Transport Section of the Army Service Corps, was also formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Sydney Drake MM (see 17^th December 1917) was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. After being wounded in October 1917 he had been transferred to King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (details unknown).

Pte. John Edward Atkinson (see 22^nd December 1917), who had been serving with 17^th Labour Company, Labour Corps, was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. A medical report prior to his transfer found that he was suffering from ‘very slight’ bronchitis, ‘caused by exposure, started about August 1917’. He was awarded an Army pension of 9s. 6d. per week, which was to be payable only for six months.

Pte. Thomas Barber Dudley (see 20^th April 1918), who had been transferred to the Army Reserve Class W to resume his civil employment in April 1918, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.


A pension award was made in the case of late Pte. William Northrop (see 9^th December 1918), who had been killed in action in August 1918; his widow, Sarah Alice, was awarded £1 5s. per week. 

Thursday 27th February 1919

Billets at Montecchia di Crosara

Pte. Charles Knight (see 28^th January) was reported by Cpl. John William Warner (see 26th August 1918) as having been “absent from billet at tattoo until reporting himself at 11.45pm”; on the orders of Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips MC (see 21^st February) he would undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.2.

Pte. Frederick William Warner (see 17^th February) was evacuated to England from 57^th General Hospital in Marseilles, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Panama; he was suffering from scabies and on arrival would be admitted to Graylingwell War Hospital, Chichester. 

At St. Andrew’s Church, Willesden, 2Lt. Fred Swale (see 5^th November 1918) married Winifred Annie Louise Passey (b. 17^th June, 1894).

Image by kind permission of Joan, Sheila and Peter Rigg

Sgt. Wilfred Fletcher (see 30^th January) and Ptes. Alfred Armitage MM (see 27^th October 1918) and Willie Holmes (see 30^th November 1918) were officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. John William Farrer (see 12^th December 1918), who had been in England since having been wounded in October 1918, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to wounds suffered in action. He was awarded a pension of 8s. 3d. per week for life.

Pte. Charles Edward Berry (see 6^th September 1918), who had been in England for more than a year having been taken ill in January 1918, was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. Due to his having suffered “prolapse of rectum and bronchitis” whilst in service, he was also granted an Army pension of 8s. 3d. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

Pte. John Foster (see 29^th January), who had been in England for the previous two months, having been taken ill while serving with 2^nd/7^th DWR, was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. James Duncan Foster (see 9^th December 1918), who had been serving with 3DWR, was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

The Infantry Record Office in York wrote to Pte. Joseph Wilkinson (see 14^th February), who had recently been demobilized, with a query about his service,“In December 1917 instructions were received from the War Office, authorizing your discharge to commissioned rank as from the date previous to the date when you were to embark for India, on being appointed to a commission, viz. 25^th June 1916. Will you kindly state if this was eventually cancelled – if so, please state how you have been situated since the above date”.

Within days Pte. Wilkinson would reply stating that, “I assure you that I never entertained the idea of taking up a commission and how the papers ever got compiled I can never tell. So I will forward you the information you require, viz. 25^th June 1916. Since this date I have carried on the duties of a Private Soldier in the 10^th battalion, West Riding Regiment”.

There had clearly been some confusion over Pte. Wilkinson’s status, and correspondence between the Infantry records Office and the War Office would continue for some weeks. It is unclear when Pte. Wilkinson was formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Wednesday 26th February 1919

Billets at Montecchia di Crosara

Pte. Harold Charnock (see 18^th February) recalled that whilst at Montecchia, “there were so few men that parades were dropped. Leave to Venice and Verona was freely granted”.  

Pte. Bertie Cox (see 28^th June 1918) departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

L.Cpl. Ernest Gee (see 7^th November 1918), serving in France with 2DWR, was posted back to England for demobilization.

Lt. Eric Dixon (see 1^st April 1918), serving with the RAF, was transferred from 38 T.D.S. to 52 T.D.S.

2Lt. Samuel Whitaker (see 7^th February) died at his home in Keighley; his cause of death was stated to be ‘influenza and broncho-pneumonia’. He would be buried at Keighley (Utley) Cemetery. The events leading to his death would be reported in some detail in subsequent correspondence. Dr. H. Stewart Brander would confirm that, “I was called to see the late 2Lt. Samuel Whitaker on Wednesday morning, February 19^th. I found him seriously ill, suffering from a severe attack of influenza with right-sided septic pneumonia. On February 22^nd both lungs showed extensive pneumonia due to streptococcal infection from which he died on 26^th February. When I first visited Lt. Whitaker on 19^th February he informed me that he felt distinctly ‘out of sorts’ when he was at Clipstone and during the railway journey from Clipstone to Keighley on February 17^th he felt distinctly ill and had to go to bed two hours after his arrival home. I have no hesitation in saying that Lt. Whitaker died from double pneumonia complicating influenza contracted on active service”.

The circumstances concerning Lt. Whitaker’s journey home would be explained in greater detail in a letter from Lt. Stanley Reginald Wilson (see 2^nd February) to Whitaker’s father: “I perhaps knew poor Whitaker better than anyone in the 10^th Dukes as he was in my Company. Furthermore, we met at Havre on our way home, travelling to Clipstone together, where he was demobilized and said goodbye together at Mansfield Station. I was not demobilized but returned to my unit. I could write much about the very bad conditions we all were subjected to en route home, perhaps these details would be too lengthy and harrowing. One outstanding element, however, was the frightfully bad organisation at Havre, when about 2,000 officers and men were marched down from no.1 Camp at night in the pouring rain and, on arrival at the quay, waited there in the perishing cold and rain for many hours, only to be told eventually that there was no boat. We all were in an exhausted state and had to retrace our footsteps back to the Camp in the small hours of the morning and there await further orders. This fact alone is worthy of being referred to a higher authority, as we never should have been despatched there, the authorities knowing there was no boat in. We had a comfortable trip across, your son and myself in the same cabin. I must say he then seemed very restless, but nevertheless in a good humour. Our arrival at Clipstone in my opinion added the fatal touch. Doubtless you will remember, it was pouring in torrents, still we had to go through the process of demobilization, walking round and round the Camp all night. I became soaked through and felt perished. The elements turned to snow, which made it awful. Your son I know for a fact had no rest or cover at all that night or morning. While we waited in the snow at Mansfield Station, Whitaker seemed to me in a curious state of mind, but we nevertheless parted quite cheerily. I hate to have to mention it to you but there have been many big rows over the way troops are humbugged about coming home and now the conditions are different. All my brother officers are horrified at poor Whitaker’s fate, as he was, needless to say, much liked”.

2Lt. Whitaker’s father also added further detail, “He arrived at Clipstone on Sunday 16^th February about 11pm. It was bitterly cold and there was a heavy fall of snow. He had to wait outside the Camp there until about 2.30am when he received his Protection Certificate. He had some breakfast about 6am and left Clipstone about 9.30am and arrived at Keighley at about 2.30pm on 17^th February. He stated that the journey from Italy to Clipstone had been a long and most uncomfortable one. He was looking ill on arrival home and shivering with cold. He said he was afraid the previous night at Clipstone had ‘done for him’. After a cup of tea and a hot bath he went to bed and never got up again. The Doctor was called in on Wednesday the 19^th and said he was suffering from acute influenza. He died on the 26^th from influenza and bronchial pneumonia”.

Cpl. Thomas Arthur Sturdy (see 18^th January 1918), who had been discharged from the Army in January 1918 due to wounds, died at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary; his cause of death was given as “spastic paraplegia and cystitis, due to active service”; he would be buried at Otley (Newall-With-Clifton and Lindley) Cemetery. His widow, Annie Elizabeth, was awarded a pension of 21s. 8d. per week.

A medical report was prepared regarding the condition of Pte. Tom Lister Ellison (see 6^th February), who was at a convalescent hospital in Ashton-in-Makerfield. The report stated that he had been under treatment for influenza and haemherroids but found that he “has a slight cold at present, feels well and complains of no disability’. He was transferred to Keighley War Hospital but remained there for only one night before being discharged for demobilization.  

Pte. Sydney Wakefield DCM (14755) (see 23^rd November 1915) was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Sgt. Samuel Collins (see 21^st December 1914) was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. He was found to be suffering from bronchitis attributable to his service, and was awarded a pension of 8s. 3d. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

Sgt. Samuel Collins (seated left), pictured in December 1914

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Pte. George Frederick Barkham (see 29th July 1916) was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. He was found to be suffering from bronchitis and emphysema, aggravated by his service, and was awarded a pension of 8s. 3d. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

Pte. George Green (13724) (see 4^th October 1916) was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. He had been wounded in October 1916 while serving with 10DWR and had subsequently (details unknown) served with both 2DWR and 9DWR. 

Cpl. Thomas Angus McAndrew (see 14^th July 1918), who had been serving in England with 770^th Area Labour Company of the Labour Corps, was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. He had been examined by an Army Medical Board which had reported that, “He says he was blown up in September 1916 and his left ankle fractured and when he got to the hospital was marked nervous debility. He now complains of feeling of tiredness, exciteability, loss of concentration. Has slight tremor of hands; is pale; eye reflexes normal”. The Board reported his disability to be stable and the disagree of disablement to be less than 20%; therefore he was awarded a sum of 6s. per week for the next six months, but no pension thereafter.

Pte. John James Pickering (see 2^nd December 1918), who had been in England since having been wounded in October 1918, was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z; an Army Medical Board had declared that he had suffered no disability in service.

Pte. James Wilding Clarkson (see 20^th September 1917), who had been serving with the Military Foot Police, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Sgt. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 15^th July 1918), who had been serving with 152^nd Prisoner of War Company, was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. 

Cpl. John Knowles (see 17^th April 1918), who, in April 1918, had been transferred to the Army Reserve Class P to resume his civil employment, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Tuesday 25th February 1919

Billets at Arzignano

Starting out at 10.15 am the Battalion marched nine miles south-west to their former billets at Montecchia di Crosara; the march route was via Brenton, but the transport moved by the more circuitous, but less steep, route via Montebello Vicentino and Terrossa.

Pte. Ernest Portman (see 26^th November 1918) completed and signed his ‘Statement as to disability’ forms, which were a precursor to his being posted back to England. The completed forms, which confirmed that he did not claim to have suffered any disability in service, were witnessed for by Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 24^th February).

L.Cpl. John Henderson (see 16^th February) and Pte. Robert Fiedler (see 16^th February) were posted back to England for demobilization from Clipstone Camp, Wilts.

The day after joining his new battalion, Pte. Alfred Whittaker (see 18^th February), serving with 8^th Yorks. and Lancs. was admitted to hospital (details unknown); he would be discharged and re-join his new battalion three days’ later.

Pte. Harry Barraclough MM (see 26^th May 1918), who had been serving with 23^rd Battalion Machine Gun Corps, was discharged from hospital in Marseilles and posted back to England, travelling initially onboard No.37 Ambulance Train; the stoppage of his pay and allowances which had been in force since August 1918 (he had been suffering from venereal disease) was now lifted.

Pte. Hubert Crabtree (see 13^th December 1918), serving in France with 1^st/6^thDWR, transferred to 13DWR.

Pte. Ernest Thorn (see 21^st November 1918), serving in France with 1^st/7^thDWR, was posted back to England for demobilization.

Sgts. Harold Best MM (see 31^st January), John (Jack) Cranston (see below), A/Sgt. George William Keeling MM (see 24^th January), Cpls. Stephen Grady (see 24^th January) and Walter Smith (18428) (see 24^th January), L.Cpl. Benjamin Tetley (see 26^th January) and Ptes. William Atkinson (25980) (see 26^th January), Archie Thomas Best (see below), Jesse Ferns (see 26^th January), Robert Hitchen (see 26^th January), William Kershaw (18282) (see 26^th January), William Andrew Leiper Long (see 24^th January), George Maidens (see below), Edgar Midgley (see below), Joseph Pickles (see 26^th January), Thomas Alfred Simpson (see 26^th January), William Henry South (see below), Harold Wall (see 26^th January) and Herbert Willoughby (see 26^th January) were officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

John (Jack) Cranston had been an original member of the Battalion; Archie Thomas Best was 30 years old and from Sheffield, where, before joining the Army, he had worked as a steel warehouseman; Edgar Midgley had only served with 10DWR; George Maidens and William Henry South had originally served with 1^st/4^th DWR before being transferred (date and details unknown) to 10DWR. In the absence of surviving service records I am unable to make a positive identification of any of these man or establish any details of their service. 

Pte. Arthur Wideman (see 21^st January), who had been serving in France with 2DWR, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Albert Saville (see 4^th November 1918), who had been serving in England with 762^nd Area Employment Company, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Matthew Woodward (see 28^th December 1918), serving in England with 16^th Labour Company, Labour Corps, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. James William Briggs (see 29^th May 1916), who had been serving with the Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire) Regiment, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Arthur Wellock was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z; he had originally served with 10DWR before being transferred (date and details unknown) firstly to the Durham Light Infantry and from there to the Machine Gun Corps. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or establish any details of his service.


Pte. Norman Greenwood (see 8^th February), who had been transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z two weeks previously, was admitted to Keighley War Hospital, suffering from chronic bronchitis.

Monday 24th February 1919

Billets at Arzignano

The draft provided for 8^th Yorks. and Lancs. now joined their new battalion, though the transfers would be formally completed with effect from 8^th March. In the meantime they would march two miles south-east to Terrossa from where they would be transported to Fiume (now known as Rijeka) to join the Army of Occupation. 

Pte. Richard Henry Wedgbury (see 25^th June 1918) completed and signed his ‘Statement as to disability’ forms, which were a precursor to his being posted back to England. The completed forms, which confirmed that he did not claim to have suffered any disability in service, were witnessed for by Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 22^nd February).

L.Sgt. George Heeley (see 16^th February) and Ptes. Thomas Bates (see 16^th February), Henry Grimshaw (see 17^th February), Robert Jackson (see 16^th February), John William Pennells (see 16^th February), Samuel Richards (see 16^th February), Alfred Shaw (see 16^th February) and Herbert Sloane MM (see 17^th February), were posted back to England for demobilization. Bates would be demobilized from Chiseldon; Jackson and Pennells from Wimbledon; Richards from Fovant; Grimshaw and Shaw from Prees Heath; and Sloane from Clipstone.

An Army Medical Board was convened at 1^st Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham to consider the case of Lt. George Clifford Sugden MC (see 18^th February), who had recently been evacuated to England, suffering from laryngitis. The Board found that, “This officer has improved; colour good and looks well. Much cough remains, but no expectoration. Voice is husky. No physical signs heard in chest”. He was discharged from hospital and resumed his period of leave on the expiry of which he was instructed to report to the War Department.

Pte. Frank Mallinson MM (see 5^th February), who was at the Dispersal Centre at Clipstone in preparation for demobilization, was reported for ‘not complying with an order’; he would be confined to barracks for three days.

2Lt. George Henry Roberts (see 30^th January), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was declared permanently unfit for further service.

Ptes. Richard Cole (see 26th August 1918), George Henry Palmer (see below), Sidney Powdrill (see 26^th January), Ernest Raymond Smith (see below), George Smith (13176) (see below) and Ernest Wood (18378) (see below) were officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Ernest Raymond Smith and George Smith (13176) had both been original members of 10DWR. George Henry Palmer and Ernest Wood (18378) had only ever served with 10DWR. In the absence of surviving service records I am unable to make a positive identification of any of these men or to establish any details of their service.

Cpl. Charles Stuart Carrack MM (see 24^th January) was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z; having been wounded in August 1918 he was assessed as having a 40% disability and was awarded an Army pension of 17s. 4d. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

L.Cpl. Thomas Hemingway (see 26^th July 1918) and Ptes. Irvine Clark (see 27^th September 1918), Thomas Legg (see 30^th August 1917), William Shirtcliffe Mallinson (see 1^st January) and Arthur Wood (29040) (see 21^st November 1918), who had been serving with 3DWR at North Shields, were officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Charles Dobson, who had served with 10DWR before being transferred (date and details unknown) to 1^st/7^th DWR, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish any details of his service.


A revised pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Henry Harry Jolly (see 11^th October 1918), who had been officially missing in action since 20^th September 1917. His mother, Ann, was awarded 12s. 6d. per week, backdated to 22nd October 1918; the previous award to his widow, Ann, was cancelled on the grounds that she was ineligible (details unknown).

Pte. Henry Harry Jolly

Sunday 23rd February 1919

Billets at Arzignano

Ptes. Ben Butler (see 15^th February), John Eastwood (see 15^th February) and Albert Edward White (see 15^th February) were posted back to England for demobilization; Butler and White would be demobilized from Clipstone; and Eastwood from Prees Heath.

L.Cpl. George Oversby (see 3^rd December 1918), who had been serving with 1^st/4^th DWR was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to wounds suffered in action. Having been wounded in October 1918, he was medically examined and it was reported that, “He complains of stiffness of right index finger and aching left leg on much walking. There is a scar over posterior aspect of second phalanx, right index finger; helaed, not tender, not adherent There is a 2” vertical scar, inner side of lower third of left leg; healed, partially adherent, not tender. Ankle movements normal”. He was awarded a pension of 5s. 6d. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

Pte. William Noel Simpson MM (see 24^th January), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was appointed Lance Corporal.

2Lt. Archibald (Archie) Allen (see 24^th January), who been in hospital in England after suffering severe shrapnel injuries to his left arm and chest on 21^st June 1918, was formally released from the Army; he completed his documents whilst at 1^st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham.

Sgt. James Leach (see 11^th January), who had, just six weeks previously, been discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to sickness suffered in service, died, from influenza and pneumonia; he would be buried at Bingley Cemetery. His widow, Isabel, would be awarded a pension of 22s. 11d. per week for herself and their daughter, Helen.

Cpl. Norman Lockwood MM (see 26^th August 1918), L.Cpl. William (Billy) Hoyle MM (see 24^th January) and Ptes. John Thomas Alston (see below), Edwin Beechey (see below), Alfred Cragg (see 5^th July 1916), Bertie Gooch (see 24^th January), John William Holroyd (see 24^th January), George Ingle (see 24^th January), Richard William Johnson (see 24^th January), Albert Lund (see 26^th December 1918), John William Procter (see 24^th January), John George Sleight (see 13^th October 1918), Harry Squire (see 24^th January), Matthew Stone (see 24^th January), Joseph Barber Taylor (see 4^th January) and John Edward Varley (see 22^nd January) were formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

John Thomas Alston and Edwin Beechey had served only with 10DWR, and both had been been original members of the Battalion, but, in the absence of surviving service records, I am unable to make a positive identification of either of these men or establish any details of their service.

Ptes. Charles Bradbury and Herbert Crossley, both of whom had originally served with 10DWR before being transferred (date and details unknown) to 1^st/7^th DWR, were also formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. In the absence of surviving service records I am unable to make a positive identification of either man or to establish any details of their service.

Sgt. Harry Raistrick (see 1^st January 1918) and Cpl. Joseph Dunn (see 1^st December 1918), who had been serving with 3DWR at North Shields, were also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. William Postill Taylor (see 15^th December 1918), who had been serving with 2^nd/4^thDWR, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Walter Butterfield MM, who had been serving with 2DWR, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. He had been an original member of 10DWR, having enlisted aged 32, married, with one son, and working in Keighley as a woolsorter. At some point (date and details unknown) he had been transferred to 2DWR and was serving with that battalion when awarded the Military Medal in 1918. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish any further details of his service.

Pte. Harry Frederick Walton (see 7^th June 1917), who had been serving with the Labour Corps, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Edward Burnside (see 31^st August 1916), who had been serving with 1^st West Yorks, was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Saturday 22nd February 1919

Billets at Arzignano

A third Divisional horse race meeting was held (see 5^th and 14^th February).

Sgt. Harold Howlett (see 2^nd January) and Ptes. Edgar Baron (see 23^rd November), Frank Dunn (see 5^th January), Bertram Edwin Earney (see 25^th April 1918), Owen Frank Hyde (see 16^th September 1918) and Charles Henry Russell (see 19^th October 1918) completed and signed their ‘Statement as to disability’ forms, which were a precursor to their being posted back to England. The completed forms, which confirmed that they did not claim to have suffered any disability in service, were witnessed for Howlett by Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 9^th February); and for Baron, Dunn, Earney, Hyde and Russell by 2Lt. Albert Joseph Acarnley MC (see 16^th February).

Pte. Leonard Briggs (see 1^st September 1918) was transferred to 69^th Brigade HQ as a batman.

Sgt. Richard Farrar (see 10^th August 1918), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was attached for duty at the Prisoner of War Camp at Brocton Camp, Staffs.

Pte. Herbert Newton (see 13^th December 1918), serving at the Regimental Depot at Halifax, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Maj. Robert Harwar Gill DSO (see 23^rd January) returned to 3^rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth for further treatment in respect of the wounds he had suffered in October 1918.

Maj. Robert Harwar Gill DSO

CSM Alfred Dolding (see 24^th January), Cpl. Frank Revell (see 24^th January) and Ptes. William Henry Cleaver (see 24^th January), John Robert Weightman MM (see 24^th January) and Cuthbert Wrightson (see 8^th September 1917) were formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

L.Cpl. Edmund Peacock (see 18^th October 1918), who had been serving with 1^st/4^th DWR, was also formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

L.Cpl. Joseph Simpson (see 23^rd January), who had been serving in England with 52^nd (Garrison) Battalion, Notts. and Derbys., was also formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. He was also granted a pension, on account of wounds and ‘heart trouble’, of 8s. 3d. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

A.M. James Linfoot (see 30^th September 1918), serving in England with the RAF, was formally transferred to the RAF Reserve; he was awarded a pension of 7s. 10d. per week, to be reviewed after six months.

A pension award was made in the case of late Pte. Edwin Kenyon (see 3^rd December 1918) who had been killed during the trench raid on 26^th August 1918; his widow, May, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

Pte. Edwin Kenyon

The War Office wrote to Clara Palmer, widow of the late 2Lt. Albert Edgar Palmer (see 2^nd January), who had been killed in action on 27^th September 1918 while serving in France with 8^th West Yorks, to inform her that her husband was buried at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, south-west of Cambrai.

Friday 21st February 1919

Billets at Arzignano

The draft from 10DWR which was to join 8^th Yorks. and Lancs. as part of a larger draft from 69^th Brigade as a whole (see 18^th February) formally left the Battalion.

Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 11^th February) left the Battalion to return to England; temporary command of the Battalion passed to Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips MC (see 2^nd February). Sgts. Albert Hoggarth (see 12^th February) and Herbert Parkin (see 13^th February), A/Cpl. Hiram Tasker (see 13^th February) and Ptes. George Dunkin (see 12^th February), Joseph McDermott (see 13^th February), Frederick Thomas Peart (see 12^th February) and John Perrin (see 12^th February) were also posted back to England from Le Havre onboard the Peel Castle for demobilization. Hoggarth, Parkin, McDermott and Perrin would be demobilized from Ripon; Dunkin from Chiseldon; and Peart from Clipstone. A/Cpl. Tasker, having enlisted on a regular engagement, rather than for the duration of the war, would be taken off the strength of 10DWR and granted one months’ leave before reporting to the Regimental Depot at Halifax on 23^rd March.

Pte. Arthur Cerenza King (see 5^th February), who had been serving with 9^th Battalion South Staffs., was posted to England for demobilization.

A/Capt. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 9^th December 1918), serving in Egypt with 2/22^nd Battalion London Regiment, embarked at Port Said to return to England for demobilization.

Pte. Reginald Jerry Northin (see 19^th December 1918) was reported ‘absent from tattoo (at the Regimental Depot at Halifax) from 2.30pm’; he would not report back until 27^th February and would be confined to barracks for ten days.
Pte. Ernest William Gilbert (see 2^nd January) was discharged from hospital in Birkenhead and posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

A number of men recently returned from Italy were officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. They were: Sgt. Ernest Taylor (12370) (see 22^nd March 1918); Cpls. Frank Flynn (202979) (see 26^th August 1918) and Percival John Munn (see 22^nd January) and Ptes. Thomas Henry Barnaby (see 29^th October 1917), James Cowie (see 22^nd January), Harold Richard Denny (see 22^nd January), Thomas Henry Fearn (see 22^nd January), Ernest Jones Garside (see below), John Straton Graham (see 22^nd January), William James Nunn (see 24^th January), Thomas Edward Sear (see 22^nd January), Abraham Sunderland (see 22^nd January),  Tom Wade (see 24th January) and Erwin Wilkinson (see 22^nd January). Pte. Wilson Hepworth (see 22^nd January), who had spent the whole war on attachment to 23^rd Division HQ, was also transferred to Class Z.

Ernest Jones Garside was a 36 year-old woollen spinner from Slaithwaite; he was twice married, having been widowed and left with the care of a young daughter before re-marrying in 1917. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish any details of his service with 10DWR.

Pte. Charles William Groves (see 2^nd January), who had been wounded in August 1918 was also transferred to Class Z; he was awarded a pension of 8s. 3d. per week, to be reviewed in nine months.

Cpl. George Jellett (see 31^st August 1918), who had been wounded in August 1918 while serving in France with 2DWR, was also transferred to Class Z.

Sgt. Rennie Hirst (see 18^th July 1918) and L.Cpl. Alfred Edward Wybrow MM (see 22^nd November 1918), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, were also transferred to Class Z.

A  number of other men who had previously served with 10DWR but had been transferred to other units were also transferred to Class Z. Several of them had been original members of 10DWR, including Ptes. Thomas Henry Bradley (see 6th October 1916) and Percy Houldsworth (see 24^th June 1917), who had been transferred to the Labour Corps. For a number of other original members of the Battalion, in the absence of surviving service records I am unable to make a positive identification or to establish any further details of their service. After leaving the Battalion having been wounded in July 1916 Pte. George H. Day (see 29^th July 1916) had served with the Labour Corps, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and, latterly, the Royal Engineers. Cpl. George Foster had been transferred to the Royal Engineers.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald included memorial notices relating to two former members of 10 DWR: Pte. William Summers Holmes (see 27^th December 1918) and Gnr. George Thistlethwaite (see 12th August 1918).

“We also reproduce a photograph of Pte. William S. Holmes, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, a native of Silsden, whose widow also lives in Skipton, and who succumbed to influenza, October 25^th, 1918, whilst on active service in Italy.

Pte. William Summers Holmes

THISTLETHWAITE - In ever loving memory of a dear son and brother, Gunner George Thistlethwaite, who died February 18^th, 1918, from wounds received in France.

In a silent country graveside,

Where the trees and branches wave,

Lies a loving son and brother

In a cold and silent grave;

We mourn for him in silence

And his name we often call,

But there is nothing left to answer

But his photo on the wall.

Ever remembered by his Father, Mother and Brothers, Main Street, Austwick.

Gnr. George Thistlethwaite

Thursday 20th February 1919

Billets at Arzignano

Sgt. James Henry Howarth (see 11^th August 1918) and Ptes. Harry Bailey (14133) (see 5^th July 1917) and Fred Wilson Fawcett (see 15^th September 1918) completed and signed their ‘Statement as to disability’ forms, which were a precursor to their being posted back to England. The completed forms, which confirmed that they did not claim to have suffered any disability in service, were witnessed by Lt. Edward Kent Waite MC (see 19^th February).

Pte. Walter William Ford (see 16^th January), who was on demobilization leave from 3DWR, died from influenza whilst at his home in Bristol.

Pte. Sam Tinkler (see 3^rd December 1918), serving in France with 54^th Company, Labour Corps, was posted back to England for demobilization; he would be formally demobilized from Clipstone Camp.

Pte. Claude Wilfred Norman (see 3^rd December 1918) was discharged from hospital in England (details unknown) and posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Cpl. William Foulds (see 6^th February), who had recently been demobilized and was awaiting formal transfer to Class Z, appeared before an Army Medical Board in Bradford. The Board found that, “He complains of earache in the right ear. Scar from removal of glands below right side of jaw; no other enlarged glands”; it was determined that he had suffered no impairment whilst in service and should be discharged as fit.

Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison MC (see 27^th January), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was officially released from the Army, with the formalities completed at no.2 Dispersal Unit at Crystal Palace; his address on release was 59 Belsize Avenue, Hampstead.

2Lt. Fred Dyson (see 1^st December 1918) was officially released from the Army, with the formalities completed at an Officers Dispersal Unit in London; his address on release was 26 Casson Street, Milnsbridge, Huddersfield.

Cpl. James Hotchkiss (see 22^nd January), L.Cpl. John Smith Hodgson MM (see 24^th January) and Ptes. Thomas Percy Lloyd (see 4^th June 1918) and John O’Gara (see 4^th December 1918) were officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. Pte. O’Gara, having suffered a wound to his right eye, would be awarded a pension of 13s. 9d. per week, to be reviewed after one year.

L.Cpl. John Smith Hodgson MM

Image by kind permission of Andy Wade and MenOfWorth

Pte. Edgar Pooley (see 24^th April 1918) was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z; he was noted as suffering from ‘valvular disease of the heart’, representing a 30% disability, and was awarded a pension of 8s. 3d. per week, to be reviewed in nine months.

Pte. Wilfred Frankland was also officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. He had originally served with 8DWR, going to Gallipoli in September 1915 and had also served with 9DWR before joing 10DWR. He had then been transferred again, to 2DWR. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or establish any details of his service.