Friday 7th February 1919

Billets at Arzignano

Capt. Dick Bolton MC (see 12^th January), serving as Brigade Major with 69^th Brigade HQ, completed and submitted his application for a commission in the Regular Army. His application would be endorsed by Brig. Genl. Archibald Bentley Beauman DSO (see 14^th December 1918), commanding 69^th Brigade, who added that, “He has shown marked ability and gallantry as a company commander, and is very popular with both officers and men. He holds M.C. and bar and Italian Silver Medal. An officer well above the average”. He would also be strongly recommended by Maj. Genl. Thuillier, commanding 23^rd Division and would be forwarded to the War Office from Italy on 16^th February.

Capt. Dick Bolton MC

Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton

2Lts. Robert Jowett Robinson (see 22^nd October 1918) and Samuel Whitaker (see 28^th January), Cpl. Joseph Edward Robinson (see 30^th January), L.Cpl. Louis Feather MM (see 29^th January) and Ptes. Francis Barrett (see 29^th January), Michael Church (see 29^th January), James Grubb (see 29^th January) and Arthur Leeming (see 29^th January), were posted to England to be demobilized. 2Lts. Robinson and Whitaker, Cpl. Robinson and Feather, Barrett and Leeming would be demobilized from Clipstone; Church from Prees Heath; and Grubb from Kinross. 

Pte. James Austin (see 5^th June 1918), serving with 273^rd Employment Company at Arquata Scrivia, was transferred to 1034 Labour Company.

Pte. Percival William Hall (see 4^th October 1918) was transferred from the GHQ Scouting School, based at Arquata Scrivia, to 1034 Labour Company, based at San Bonifacio.

Pte. Harry Hartley (see 21^st December 1918), serving in France with 1^st Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, was posted to England for demobilization.

Pte. Fred Teal (see 12^th January), who had been on leave in England, was officially transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Ptes. Herbert Noble and Reuben Thomas Thompson were both formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z. Both had served with 10DWR but, in the absence of a surviving service record for either man, I am unable to make a positive identification of either of them or to establish any further details of their military service.

Pte. Francis Dunwell was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to wounds suffered in action. He had enlisted in October 1915 and had first served with 10DWR before being transferred to 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 further details of his military service; when, and under what circumstances, he had left 10DWR are unknown.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported on the concert and dance held in Giggleswick for returned prisoners of war, including Pte. Robert Cresswell (see 31^st January):

GIGGLESWICK

Welcome Home

To welcome home the repatriated prisoners of war of Giggleswick a concert and dance were held on Friday evening last for adults, and a tea party on Saturday to which the children and the old folks of the village were invited. Mr. A. Barran, J.P., of Holly Bank, presided on Friday and Lieut. Col. Birkbeck of Careholme, made a presentation to each of the four prisoners of war – Private J. Walsh, Private R. Cresswell, Private R. Silverwood and Private F. Threlfall – of a salver engraved with a suitable inscription. The Chairman thanked the villagers for their evident sense of gratitude and hearty welcome home. the concert was exceptionally good; the artistes being: Mrs. Francis. Miss Jean Bell, Miss H. Leaworthy, Miss Graham, Mr. T. Butler, Mr. H. Edmondson and Lieut. H.L. Hopkins. Mr. S.H. Francis officially accompanied. Messrs. A. Graham, A. Horner and B. Patterson played for dancing, there being a crowded attendance.