Monday 8th May 1916

Billets at Pernes

The fine weather of the previous two weeks finally broke and there was heavy rain through much of the day. Some training continued but the day was largely quiet.

Lt. Charles Frederick Wolfe (see 6^th April) joined the Battalion as Transport Officer, taking over that role from Lt. Leonard Hammond (see 5^th May), who joined ‘C’ Company. 

Pte. Harry Hartley, having been admitted, ill, to 70^th Field Ambulance at Bruay the previous day (see 7^th May), was transferred to no.18 Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment. How long he remained in hospital has not been established but he did re-join the Battalion.

George Richard Goodchild was called up from the Army Reserve and posted to 3^rd (Reserve) Battalion West Ridings to begin his training; he would later join 10DWR. He had attested under the Derby Scheme in Halifax on 29^th November 1915, at which time he was living in Bradford and working as a shorthand writer and journalist. He had been born in London in February 1891, the second of four children of George and Amelia Goodchild. By 1911 his father had died and his mother and all four children were living in Bradford.



George Richard Goodchild, with his wife, pictured whilst on leave in England when serving with 10DWR.
(Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton).

Pte. Willie Harold Dover (see 19th October 1914) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically for for service on account of bronchitis. He had been an original member of the Battalion and had been posted to France in August 1915; the date and details of his evacuation are unknown. 

Pte. William Taylor (see 25^th September 1915), who had been in England since having been wounded in September 1915, was was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service on account of his wounds.

Cpl. David Hanton (see 21^st December 1914), who had been attached to Tunstill’s Company whilst they were in training in England in the autumn of 1914, was formally discharged from the Army on account of the wounds which he had suffered in September 1915.

Sgt. David Hanton (front right), pictured, along with other senior NCO's, during Battalion training in 1914.
(Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton)

Sunday 7th May 1916

Billets at Pernes

The weather became cooler and showery and the day was generally quiet. At Pernes, “there was a football ground and a platoon competition was held which was won by No.14, captained by 2Lt. G.S. Hulburd”.

2Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 16th September 1915) was born 3^rd July 1896, the eldest of the four children of George Richard Hulburd and his wife Lucy; his father owned a grocer and draper’s business in Sittingbourne, Kent. George was educated at Faversham Grammar School and on the outbreak of war he was already a member of the Territorial Forces, having enlisted in the Kent Cyclist’ Battalion on 15^th May 1914. He joined his unit on 5^th August and remained with them until 5^th December 1914, when he was discharged to a commission with 10DWR.

2Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (seated front row second from right)

Image by kind permission of Paddy Ireland

Pte. Harry Hartley was admitted to 70^th Field Ambulance, having been taken ill (details unknown). He had been one of the contingent raised in Keighley who had been added to Tunstill’s original volunteers in September 1914. He was only 16 when he enlisted (born 8th February 1898), originally from Earby and was one of twelve children (two of whom died in infancy) of John and Ellen Hartley. His father had died in 1908 and three years later all ten children were still living at home, in Langroyd Road, Earby, and all those of working age, including Harry, employed in the local cotton mills.

Saturday 6th May 1916

Billets at Pernes

On another very hot day the Battalion was inspected by Major General Sir James Babington, commanding 23^rd Division. Working parties were provided for IV Corps School and the remainder of the men employed in training.

Following his infraction of military discipline two days’ earlier, it was ordered that L.Cpl. Christopher Longstaff (see 4^th May) should revert to the rank of Private.

Pte. John William Addison (see 17^th March) was admitted via 70^th Field Ambulance at Bruay to 18^th Casualty Clearing Station at Lapugnoy, suffering from influenza and debility.

John Henry Hitchin (see 27^th April) appeared at Tower Bridge Magistrate’s Court, having surrendered himself to the authorities at some point in the previous few days, charged with presenting forged cheques at the Waterloo Hotel, York Road, Lambeth, and obtaining board and lodging by false pretences. Evidence was given that Hitchin, who had been reported absent without leave from the Army on 29^th December 1915, had stayed at the hotel from January 27th until February 7th. He had worn the uniform of a lieutenant and had told hotel staff that he had been promoted captain. He was alleged to have cashed a cheque for £10, and borrowed £5 on an I.O.U., which he repaid by giving a cheque for £12 12s. 10d. when he left, the balance of £7 12s. 10d. being the amount of his bill. The cheques were subsequently dishonoured; Hitchin had signed them in the surname of a fellow officer, but the signature was found to be quite different. Hitchin’s  own account at Cox's Bank was overdrawn.

Hitchin was defended by Mr. Percy Robinson, who suggested that in view of the sad and peculiar circumstances of the case, the Magistrate might see his way to allow it to be withdrawn. Hitchin’s family, he said, were highly respectable. He told the Court that prior to the war Hitchin had been employed at a bank in Settle, and bore the highest character. At the outbreak of hostilities he had joined the Army, and his conduct was so satisfactory that he had been granted a commission. The obtaining of that commission, however, had been his downfall. He had mixed with people “of a higher class and extravagant habits, and for some time he undoubtedly led a fast life”.  He further told the Court that a few days after leaving his hotel Hitchin had been suddenly taken ill in the Strand, had collapsed, and had been to Charing Cross Hospital, and afterwards to the military hospital at Millbank, where he had been operated on for appendicitis. Mr. Robinson then assured the Magistrate that, whatever happened, full restitution would be made to the proprietor of the hotel.

The Magistrate, Mr. Cecil Chapman, having read a letter from Hitchin’s mother, said he felt very sympathetic and touched by the circumstances of the case. However, he reminded everyone that “the matter was a grave one”, and he remanded Hitchin in custody for another week.

Aidan Nicholson (see 25^th April), having been dismissed from his officer training course, was formally relegated to Class B Army Reserve as being “of insufficient physique”. However he was told, as he later recalled, “when I should be of sufficient physique, I should be allowed to resume my course”. He would later serve with 10DWR.

Friday 5th May 1916

Billets at Hersin

On another very hot day the Battalion’s move to Pernes began in the morning with the transport, under the supervision of Lt. Leonard Hammond (see 26^th April), assisted by Lt. Dick Bolton (see 4^th April), departing by road, via Barlin, Houdain and Divion to Pernes. Meanwhile, 2Lt. Hugh Lester (see 26^th March) was despatched to Hersin station to supervise arrangements there. At 3.50pm the Battalion formed up and marched to Hersin station and from there travelled by train, via Bruay and Bryas, back to Pernes, arriving at 7pm. They then marched to billets which were found to be, “not in a good condition. A complaint has been lodged at Brigade HQ”.

Prior to leaving for Pernes, Lt. Harold Lockhart Waite (see 13^th January) left the Battalion to join the Royal Flying Corps as a Flying Officer (Observer). It seems likely that the photograph below may have been taken as a memento prior to Waite’s departure (it can certainly be dated to no earlier than 21^st April as that is when Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira had re-joined the Battalion).

Image from the album kept by Lt. Dick Bolton (and annotated by him; I am most grateful to Henry Bolton for his permission to reproduce the image here. The photograph is especially interesting as it is clear that it was taken either by, or perhaps ‘unofficially’ during a visit by, an itinerant photographer, as the image clearly shows not only the ‘backdrop’ provided for the photo to be taken, but also a section of brickwork of the structure behind.

Harold Lockhart Waite, born 1^st June 1893, was the youngest of six children of Charles Michael and Mary Diana Waite. His father was a solicitor in Lincolnshire, but his mother had died when Harold was only two years old. In 1901, as a seven year-old, Harold was at a boarding school in Hampstead and by 1911 he was working as an apprentice to a “petrol motor engineers” in London. He had been with 10DWR since its formation. He had been the officer who had led the patrol sent out in January to search for 2Lt. Samuel Lawrence Glover (see 17^th April) after he had been reported missing in action.

Capt. John Atkinson (see 15th April) was an Irishman, born in Bundoran, County Donegal in 1884; he was one of eleven children of George Andrew Atkinson, who was a solicitor in Dublin. John was granted a commission with 3^rd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1902 and served for six years before resigning his commission “owing to financial trouble”. John then settled in London and married in 1909; he and his wife had a child who died in infancy and, at the time of the 1911 census, the couple were living at 5 Blandford Road, Bedford Park. Living with them were three of John’s sisters, one of them also with her four months’ old son. In 1911 John had been working as a time-keeper at the Shepherd’s Bush Exhibition but by 1914 he had begun training as an engineer, working for the industrial giants, Siemens. On the outbreak of war he immediately applied for a commission with his old regiment but was told there were then no vacancies and was instead appointed to a temporary commission, with the rank of Captain and posted to join 10DWR in training at Frensham.

For Lt. George Reginald Charles Heale see 9^th March and note that he wears the ribbon of the Military Cross; for Lt. Adolph Keith Lavarack see 17^th April; for Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira see 21^st April.; and for 2Lt. Christopher Snell see 30th January.

The weekly edition of the West Yorkshire Pioneer carried an extended report regarding the death of 2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company before being commissioned (see 3^rd May):

BARNOLDSWICK OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION

The sad news was received on Sunday morning in a telegram from the War Office of the death of Second-Lieut. Harry Thornton Pickles, second son of Mr. Stephen Pickles, J.P., C.C., cotton manufacturer of Raygill, Barnoldswick. The telegram stated that he was killed in action on April 26. He was 26 years of age. A young man of exceptional talents, with every prospect of a brilliant future, he responded to the call of his country by joining the army in September 1914, enlisting as a Private in the 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment. After a period of training at Frensham Camp he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, and transferred to the 3rd Reserve Battalion at North Shields, where he was given a position of responsibility in training and organising the despatch of troops to the front. He was drafted out to France in January last, and after a brief training in grenade throwing was given charge of a Battalion (sic). He was married on January 20th, at Lewisham, to Miss Ada Heuf, of New Eltham, Kent. On Saturday last his parents received from him a cheerful letter (dated April 25th, the day before his death), saying he was quite well and feeling very fit.

Second-Lieut. Pickles was educated at Silcoates School, near Wakefield, where he spent five years, leaving at the age of 17 with all the scholarships the school had to confer. He then went to Victoria University, Manchester, where he carried all before him, taking his B.A. degree with honours before the age of 20. The M.A. degree was conferred upon him the following year. Six years ago he began to study for the law, and was articled to Messrs. Goulty and Goodfellow, solicitors, Manchester. Early in 1914 he secured the University degree of LL.B., with first-class honours. While at Manchester Mr. Pickles maintained a keen interest in sport, playing with the Varsity Association team, of which he was captain in 1911-12. In his final examination as solicitor he outdistanced all competitors being the only one in the list who passed with 'first-class' honours, and secured the Stephen Heelis Prize for Manchester and Salford Students in the form of a massive gold medal, awarded by the Manchester Law Society.

An estimate of the value set upon his intellectual attainments may be formed from the fact that shortly after leaving the University the authorities selected him from amongst a large number of applicants for a vacant lectureship in English Law and Jurisprudence, on which he was to have commenced with the winter term of 1914, but which he was destined never to occupy owing to the outbreak of war and the more insistent call of patriotism.

A letter received on Wednesday morning from Private James Mudd, another Barnoldswick man in the same battalion, states that Lieut. Pickles was killed by concussion from a bursting shell whilst going through the trenches to see that his men were all right. A bombardment from the enemy's heavy guns, lasting nearly 3 hours, was in progress at the time. Private Mudd adds that Lieut. Pickles was not struck by the projectile nor disfigured in any way, and that had he stuck to his dugout he would doubtless have come through scathless.

2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles

Fred Dyson was mobilized for service, having previously (10^th December 1915) registered under the Derby Scheme, and was posted to join 3DWR for training; he would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR. He had been born on 20^th October 1891, the third of eight children of John Henry and Mary Dyson. His father ran an oat cake bakery in the village of Linthwaite, near Huddersfield. Before the war Fred had trained as a teacher and was working in a local school when he enlisted.

Thursday 4th May 1916

Billets at Hersin

The day was described as being ‘hot and stuffy’. Conditions were again quiet and more training continued, alongside the provision of working parties. In the evening orders were received that the Battalion would move next day, by train, back to Pernes. The orders stated that the Battalion would march either to the station at Hersin or Barlin “according to whether the former is being shelled or otherwise”.

L.Cpl. Christopher Longstaff (see 7^th April 1915) found himself on a charge for, ‘not complying with an order and making an improper reply to an NCO’, as witnessed by Sgt. William Eley (see 21^st August 1915) and L. Cpl James Walker (see 19^th October 1914).

Cpl. Thomas Flaxington was brought before a Field General Court Martial, charged with insubordination and using threatening language; he was found not guilty. He was 33 years old and from Bradford. He had emigrated to the USA with his family in 1895 (aged 12) but was back in Bradford by 1906 when he had married Lily Pickard; the couple had one daughter. Thomas had been working as a dyer’s labourer before joining the Army.

J.B. Priestley wrote home to his family, “Just received your letter with 10s. enclosed (see his earlier letter, dated 16^th April when he had requested money from home). The money will be useful here – we are in a town – to augment the slender and not over palatable fare provided by His Majesty. It is Summer now and as hot – or possibly hotter than it is at any time in Bradford … If you have read my previous letters carefully, and read the newspapers you will know the district we are in. Remember, we took it over from the French troops. You see the names of these trenches in the paper every day”.  

Following a month’s treatment for influenza, Pte. Albert John Start (see 6^th April) was posted from a convalescent hospital at Le Havre to 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, prior to returning to active service.

L. Cpl. Wilson Pritchard (see 31^st March), who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits but had been transferred to serve with the cyclist unit attached to 41^st Division, embarked for France to go on active service for the first time.

Pte. William Hissett (see 25^th April), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs., was posted back to France and would join 9DWR.

Pte. Edwin Everingham Ison (see 19^th April), joined 1^st Battalion West Yorkshires on active service in France; he would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR.

Edward Everingham Ison, pictured while serving with 10DWR
(Image by kind permission of Henry Bolton)

Pte. Conrad Anderson arrived in France with his Battalion, 26^th Royal Fusiliers; he would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR. Conrad Anderson was the youngest of five children of William and Annie Anderson; his father was a solicitor in Sunderland. Conrad had been educated at Argyle House School, Sunderland and had then worked as a bank clerk. He enlisted in the 26^th Royal Fusiliers (the ‘Bankers Battalion’) on 10^th December 1915 in London and had spent an eight-day period in hospital in January 1916, suffering from bronchitis.

Pte. Cecil Stanley Pitblado (see 19^th March), who had been wounded in March, was transferred from Stoke-upon-Trent War Hospital to Sandon Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital in Stafford.

.

Wednesday 3rd May 1916

Billets at Hersin

Another quiet day, with more training and working parties and a resumption of artillery activity through the evening. The weather remained hot.

L.Cpl. Harry Widdup (see 12^th February) left the Battalion to return to England where he would begin his training as an officer cadet.

L.Cpl. James Shackleton (see 23^rd August 1915) was promoted Corporal.

Cpl. James Shackleton

Pte. Harry Siddall (see 23^rd April) was ordered to undergo 10 days Field Punishment no.2; the details of his offence are unknown.

Pte. John Whitham (see 9^th November 1915) was admitted to 23^rd Division Rest Station, suffering from debility.

Four men from the Battalion were admitted via 100^th Field Ambulance at Barlin to 23^rd Casualty Clearing Station at Lozinghem for treatment for dental caries. They were Ptes. Edwin Baldwin, George Illingworth (see 10^th March), Tom Nixon (11904) and Harry Smith (15201). Ptes. Baldwin, Nixon and Smith were original members of the Battalion. Edwin Baldwin had enlisted in Keighley in September 1914, giving his age as 39; he was in actual fact 42 years old. He was married with three children. Tom Nixon (11904) was 46 years old and originally from Lundhill near Barnsley, but had lived for a number of years in Keighley; he was married with ten children and had served 14 years in the territorial battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. Harry Smith (15201) was 43 years old and married with five children; he was from Bradford and had been working as a wool sorter before enlisting.

Pte. Rennie Hirst (see 12^th April) was discharged from 11^th Stationary Hospital in Rouen and posted to 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples; he would re-join 10DWR from Etaples on 9^th May.

Pte. George Henry Hansford (see 8^th April) was evacuated to England from 9^th General Hospital at Rouen onboard the Hospital Ship St. David; he was suffering from ‘trench foot’ to his right heel. On arrival in England he would be admitted to Huddersfield War Hospital.

At home in Leeds, Grace Nixon, wife of Pte. Albert Nixon (see 23^rd December 1915) gave birth to the couple’s second child, a daughter, who would be named Annie.

The parents of 2Lt. Harry Thornton Pickles who had originally served with Tunstill’s Company before being commissioned, received a letter from Pte. James Mudd, another Barnoldswick man, who had been serving with their son when he was killed. Mudd told them something of the circumstances of their son’s death: he told them that he was, “killed by concussion from a bursting shell whilst going through the trenches to see that his men were all right. A bombardment from the enemy's heavy guns, lasting nearly 3 hours, was in progress at the time … he was not struck by the projectile nor disfigured in any way, and that had he stuck to his dugout he would doubtless have come through scathless” (see 30^th April).

Several of Pickles’ comrades visited his grave at Cite Bonjean Cemetery, Armentieres, not far from where they were now billeted having been relieved from the front line. They went to pay their respects not only to Pickles, but also to eighteen other of their comrades buried there after the fighting of the previous days, including another local man, Pte. James Walsh from Earby, who had been killed on the same day. Four other men from 9DWR killed in the same actions have no known grave and are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, while three others died of wounds and are buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. News of their visit was related by Sgt. Richard Wharton, who was the brother of Pte. Allan Wharton (see 20th August 1915) who was serving with Tunstill’s Company (hence the reference to “our Allan”), “You must excuse me not writing before. We have been having a rough time of it lately. We lost about 100 last week (he would have been referring to both killed and wounded). No doubt you will have heard about J. Walsh getting killed, and Lieut. Pickles who used to be with our Allan. Well, dear mother, we went to see the graves of the boys we had lost last night. We are now out for a rest. It is a grand place where they are buried; Walsh and Lieut. Pickles are laid side by side. You must tell Mrs. Walsh I am getting some flowers to put on their graves, and shall see they are all right every time I come out of the trenches. Jim had not been with us long, but he was liked by all the Company. It was a blow to me when I got to know.”

Tuesday 2nd May 1916

Billets at Hersin

Conditions continued as on the previous day, though the weather become more thundery, with a few showers.

Pte. Thomas Angus McAndrew (see 7^th January) was sentenced to ten days’ field punishment number 1; the nature of his offence is unknown.

Pte. Stephen Grady (see 9^th April) was posted to the Brigade Trench Mortar Battery.

2Lt. Charles Douglas Storrs, who had recently left the Battalion to join the Royal Engineers (see 28^th April), was promoted Temporary Lieutenant.