Friday 7th July 1916

Bivouac in fields south of Albert

Following a 4 am reveille the men were ordered to be ready to move off at 6 am, equipped with two days’ iron rations. The Battalion duly moved forward, via Becourt Wood, to captured German trenches just west of Lozenge Wood, around 300 yards in rear of where they had been in action on the 5^th. With heavy rain on and off throughout the day, “Conditions were appalling. The flooded trenches where men could scarcely drag along, were now congested with killed and wounded”. The Battalion, along with 11^th West Yorks, was now placed temporarily under the command of 24^th Infantry Brigade which had suffered heavy losses in the actions around Contalmaison; this meant that they would remain in close support positions whilst the remainder of 69^th Brigade (8^th and 9^th Yorkshires) was temporarily withdrawn to be prepared for a renewed attempt to capture Contalmaison.

Pte. Watson Halliday was admitted to 51^st Field Ambulance, suffering from shellshock. He was a 19 year-old bobbin setter from Bradford and had enlisted under age in September 1914.

Pte. William Henry Bower (see 30^th September 1915) was also reported as suffering from shellshock; the details of his treatment are unknown but it seems likely that he remained in France and would shortly re-join the battalion.

Pte. Harold Brooksbank (see 9^th January) was admitted, via 70^th Field Ambulance, to 23^rd Division Rest Station; he was suffering from an abscess to his groin.

However, things were immeasurably more difficult for the men of 24^th and 68^th Brigades who were engaged in the renewed attacks on Contalmaison. These had begun with an artillery barrage from dawn. However, the main infantry assault was delayed and the attacking troops found themselves, not only “dragged down by the weight of sodden equipment and blinded by torrents of rain … operating over flooded ground, water-filled craters, and trenches waist-deep in mud” but also  facing fierce German resistance. Despite this, British troops did manage to enter Contalmaison, but were unable to secure and hold the positions. By nightfall, “the capture had not been effected, but the grip on Contalmaison had been tightened”.

One of the many casualties in this renewed fighting around Contalmaison was Pte. John Reginald Butterfield, who was killed in action with 9DWR. He had originally been a member of Tunstill’s Company, having been one of the Keighley recruits who had been added to Tunstill’s original volunteers. He had attested in September 1914, at which point he was actually only 15 ½ years old. The widespread practice of young men, eager to serve, enlisting in the army though under age is well known and there are numerous examples among Tunstill’s Men. Butterfield appears to have been the youngest of Tunstill’s Company; he had been born in Keighley on 24^th March 1899. In 1914 John was working, as were his father and elder brother Fred, in Keighley for Messrs. Dean, Smith and Grace Ltd., who manufactured lathes and other precision engineering equipment. Fred, who was eight years older than John, had joined the territorial army in May 1911, signing up for four years’ service with the 6^th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. On the outbreak of war Fred was called up for full-time service with the Battalion. In June 1915 Fred Butterfield’s engineering background meant that he was attached for duty with the engineering and armaments company Messrs Armstrong Whitworth & Co., at their site at Elswick, near Newcastle upon Tyne. In January 1916 he had been transferred back to his original employers, Dean, Smith and Grace.

John had clearly been eager to follow a similar path to his brother and attested on 20^th September in Keighley. At some point (date unknown) before the departure of 10DWR to France in August 1915, John Butterfield had been transferred and he only arrived in France in February 1916, being posted to 9DWR. Shortly before his death, John’s mother had written to his commanding officer, asking, on account of his age, if her son could be transferred back to England. John Butterfield has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Pte. John Reginald Butterfield

Lt. Dick Bolton (see 30^th June) re-joined the Battalion, having spent the previous week at 69^th Field Ambulance, being treated for inflammation of the face and neck. 

Lt. Dick Bolton

Photo by kind permission of Henry Bolton

L.Cpl. George Oversby (see 8^th December 1915) who had been appointed to the rank, unpaid, seven months earlier, was at last confirmed in his rank and awarded pay accordingly.

A/Sgt. John Bargh (see 5^th July), who had been wounded two days’ previously, was evacuated to England from 2^nd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau. He travelled onboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydell and on arrival he would be taken to the Edinburgh War Hospital.

L.Cpl. Tom Jackson Tindall (see 20^th June) was evacuated to England from 8^th British Red Cross Hospital at Paris-Plage; he had been suffering from influenza. On arriving in England he would be admitted to the City of London Military Hospital in Clapton and treated for “neuralgia and tonsillitis”.

Official notice was given to 2Lt. William Neville Dawson (see 26^th June), now back in England, that a decision had been made in the long-running investigation into his fitness to serve as an officer with 10DWR. The letter stated, “I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that in view of the reports submitted by the Military Authorities, under whom you were serving overseas, it has been decided that you should relinquish your temporary commission. The requisite notification confirming this decision will appear in an early issue of the London Gazette”.

2Lt. Arthur Poynder Garratt (see 29^th June), who had been serving with 9DWR but would later join 10DWR, appeared before a Medical Board convened at RAM Hospital, Millbank, London. The Board found that, “he was accidentally injured whilst wrestling on 22^nd June 1916 at Amiens, France. He sustained a simple fracture of left fibula. Admitted to this hospital 29^th June; has done well but requires further rest and treatment”. He was declared unfit for any service for two months.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald published a poem written in memory of Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw, DCM (see 1^st July), who had been killed a month earlier; the poem had been written by Rev. William Joseph Gomersall who had preached a sermon in support of Gilbert Tunstill’s original recruitment campaign in September 1914 (see 13^th September 1914).

Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw, DCM

Photo by kind permission of Sue Lugton

THE POET'S CORNER

SONGS OF THE GREAT WAR SERIES

No. XX11. - SON OF SCOSTHROP

(In memory of Sergeant Kayley Earnshaw, D.C.M., West Riding Regiment, of Scosthrop, Airton - Killed in action in France last month. He was the first to bring the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Malhamdale, but lost his life before being presented with it.)

Mourn, Scosthrop, mourn, thy gallant son-
His Craven hamlet's pride-
As brave a man behind the gun
As ever crossed the tide.

The medal, which he never wore
Upon his manly breast,

Was won amidst the cannon's roar,
In battle's sorest test.

His gun, which bursting shell 'dug in,'
He gallantly 'dug out'-

His only thought-how best to win,
And put the foe to rout.

Yet he was just as kind as brave
'Neath raking fire of shell,

Intent to bandage and to save
The wounded where they fell.

Brave, gallant son, we mourn him dead,
Who thus obeyed the call

To join the lads by Tunstill led,
Upon the fields of Gaul.

For country left he weans and wife,
To stand behind the gun-

Not loth to offer up his life
That freedom may be won.

Such are the men who've helped to earn
The peace we hope to see,

When battle's tide at length we turn
To final victory.

Such are the men who've helped to strike
The hour of great advance-

God speed that hour and all their like
Upon the fields of France.

(Rev.) W.J. Gomersall. Hampstead, July, 1916.
Gomersall had himself suffered the loss of his nephew in action on 1^st July when Lt. William Ellis Gomersall had been killed in the attack of 22^nd Manchesters at Mametz. Not only was he W.J. Gomersall’s nephew, but he was also engaged to be married to his daughter. May. Lt. Gomersall has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Thursday 6th July 1916

Becourt Wood

There was a pause in the British attacks on Contalmaison as the day was spent consolidating the new line established the previous day. The Battalion spent the fine, clear day resting, with men cleaning equipment and, in the words of the War Diary, “relating to each other their past recent experiences”. In the afternoon, the bodies of the four officers killed the previous day were buried at Becourt Military Cemetery, Becourt-Becordel. Capt. Carpenter, Lt. Hammond, Lt. Lavarack and 2Lt. Taylor (see 5^th July) were interred alongside each other, along with Pte. Field. A report given by Pte. Eber Sykes, was subsequently recorded: “Informant states that, at about 6pm on 5^th July, between Fricourt and Contalmaison, this officer was killed by a shell, just as he had consolidated the position and completed his preparations for an attack. He motioned to his men to go on, and died. “No finer fellow ever lived”. He had recently been home on extended leave; but no sooner had he heard that this advance was to be made than he hurried back and told the men how afraid he had been of being left behind. He was a most splendid officer, full of grit and pluck. His body was fetched in on the following morning and buried in the afternoon. Only a notification board marks his grave; a cross will be put up later. Informant was not actually at the burial, but witnessed it a little way off up the hillside where he was on watch duty. His statements will be corroborated, if necessary, by Pte. Edward Anderson (see 19^th December 1915) in B Company of the 10^th Battalion. The Captain was a well set up man with sparse hair, and came from London”.

Capt. H.M.S. Carpenter

Photo by kind permission of Henry Bolton

It seems likely that it was on this day that CSM Hirst (I am currently unable to identify this man) wrote a letter home, extracts from which would subsequently (15^th July) be published in The Halifax Courier; “The Boche, when he found that we had him beaten, started to give themselves up in hundreds, but their own artillery and machine guns were turned on them, causing a lot of casualties. We searched the captured places and also had conversations with some of the prisoners who told us that they receive one loaf, weight about 1 ½ lbs., which looked very unwholesome and a small tin of bully beef every four days. You should have seen them wolf the biscuits we gave them. They went at them as if they hadn’t had anything to eat for a week. Of course we were bound to have casualties, but I am thankful to say we had very few killed and the majority of the wounded were only slight. I have belonged to the West Riding Regiment for 12 years but the day of our success was my proudest day and we were the talk of all the troops here. I am pleased to say that a lot of the lads belong to Halifax and district, including RSM Headings (RSM John William Headings, see 7^th June) and CSM Swan (CSM Alfred Swan, see 11^th January), the late Halifax footballer, who I am pleased to say got through it scathless. Well, if things go on as successfully as they are doing at present, I am looking forward to a speedy conclusion of the war. The facts are that the Boche is absolutely sickened of it all and our lads are only just beginning”.

At 7 pm, with a continuing threat of German shelling of Becourt Wood, the Battalion was ordered to move a little further to the rear to bivouac in fields south of Albert, where they arrived at 8.30 pm; on arrival, “A good square meal was provided for all ranks”. Though out of the firing line, the continuing difficult conditions experienced by the men were referred to in a subsequent letter from Brig. Genl. Lambert to the Lord Mayor of Bradford: “The troops were relieved, but the greater part found little comfort or rest in the sodden ground in front of the lines of our guns which remained day and night continuously in action”.

Following the recent losses among the officers of the Battalion, there was extra responsibility for others; among them appear to have been 2Lt. Frank Redington (see 23^rd May) of Tunstill’s Company and  Lt. George Reginald Charles Heale, MC (see 12th June); although formal promotion for both would only be confirmed some time later.

Capt. George Reginald Charles Heale

2Lt. John Redington (see 23^rd May) reported sick and left the Battalion; he had suffered with illness ever since joining the Battalion the previous November; it was reported that, “This officer has been suffering from extreme weakness for the past six months in France. He was unable to march without pain, which was chiefly located in the left inguinal region. The pain is attributed to adhesions in the appendicular region.” He was the younger brother of 2Lt. Frank Redington (see above).

L.Cpl. Fred Swale (see 27^th August 1915) was promoted (unpaid) Corporal. Pte. Reyner Sutcliffe (see 24^th December 1915) was appointed Lance Corporal.

L.Cpl, Fred Swale

Photo by kind permission of Joan Rigg and family

Pte. Robert Cresswell (see 26^th June ) was transferred from no.3 Convalescent Hospital at Le Treport to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, prior to being re-posted to active service.

Having spent less than a week with 11DWR, Pte. Robert Wilson Irving (see 1^st July), who had been under treatment for shellshock in England for the previous three months was posted to 83^rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead.

L.Cpl. Arthur Halstead, (see 25^th January) was commissioned Second Lieutenant; he would be posted to 10DWR. 

L. Cpl. Philip Howard Morris (see 24^th March) and  L.Cpl Fred Helliwell Baume (see 24^th April), having both completed their officer training at Denham, were commissioned Second Lieutenants; both would be posted to 10DWR and Morris would serve with Tunstill’s Company.

An Army Medical Board considered the case of Pte. James Hatton Kershaw (see 23^rd June) who had been posted back to England two weeks previously, suffering from tuberculosis. The Board found that, “Originated March 1916 in France. Began with a cold followed by cough and later shortness of breath on exertion. Losing weight. Sputum, 2ozs. mucoprevalent; TB present. Cough moderate irritating. No haemoptysis. Night sweats moderate. Crepilation at apex. Accepts sanatorium benefit”. The Board found him to be unfit for further service and totally incapacitated; he was to be discharged from the Army. He was awarded a pension of £1 7s. 6d. per week and would be admitted to the Cardigan Sanatorium in Wakefield.

Wednesday 5th July 1916

Becourt Wood

The Battalion objective was the German positions south-west of the heavily-defended village of Contalmaison. 

The main thrust of the attack was to be carried forward by C and D Companies, supported by B and with Tunstill’s A Company held in reserve. At 2.30 am the men of C and D Companies, under the command of Major Buckle (see 15^th May), moved forward to a position near Round Wood, some 1,500 yards south-west of Contalmaison, on the road to Fricourt. Simply making their way from there to their starting points was a nightmare; 

“These movements were carried out in heavy rain, which continued throughout the night. The relief in the front trenches, which were taken over after dark, was a trying experience for troops unaccustomed as yet to the aftermath of a great battle. The trenches, now battered to bits, had been the scene of terrible carnage. They were literally choked with dead bodies, which it was impossible to avoid treading underfoot, and the sensations of the young soldier, conscious that he was shortly to enter battle himself, can be readily realised … Frequent and heavy showers continued, and the ground over which troops were to operate, churned up by shellfire, was becoming hourly more unfavourable to infantry attack.”

Despite this, the two Companies were in position by dawn. They were to be the right flank of a Brigade attack against the complex of German positions anchored on Horseshoe Trench and Lincoln Redoubt. Their objective was a 400 yard section of front astride the Fricourt-Contalmaison road.  East of the road a party from C Company, led by Lt. Hammond (see 24^th June) was to advance north-east down Birch Tree Trench, while west of the road a party from D Company, led by Lt. Lavarack (see 25^th June), was to advance north along Horseshoe Trench itself.

The attacks went in at 4 am as dawn was breaking and both immediately met with fierce resistance from the German defenders. Lt. Hammond was killed almost immediately, shot through the heart; as the Germans counter-attacked 2Lt. Snell (see 22^nd June) was severely wounded, shot through the base of the spine and all of the party became casualties. Far from advancing, C Company was hard-pressed simply to hold a temporary block in the trench to prevent a German advance. D Company fared no better and Lt. Lavarack was killed as he, along with Lt. Taylor (see 27^th December 1915), attempted to bomb his way down Horseshoe Trench. Taylor, badly wounded, died from his wounds even though he had been brought in by CSM Lodge (see 9^th March), who was himself severely wounded in the attempt. Just as in Birch Tree Trench, despite the courage and determination of the men no ground had been gained. L. Cpl. Christopher Leigh (see 19th October 1914) would be subsequently awarded the Military Medal for his courage in defending the position, and the subsequent report by Brig. Genl. Lambert gives some indication of the nature and ferocity of the fighting, “During operations east of La Boiselle on July 5^th, this NCO took part in the first bombing attack down Horseshoe Trench and after Lt. Lavarack had been killed took charge of the bombing party. He led with the greatest gallantry the second and third attacks when under heavy bombing, rifle and grenade fire. He continued to lead the bombing attacks until wounded, and the gallantry of this NCO may be gauged by the fact that out of one officer and twelve other ranks all but three men were killed or wounded”. Leigh was wounded in the back and leg and would be evacuated via 51st Field Ambulance to 36th Casualty Clearing Station and from there (details unknown) further evacuated to England (Leigh had been one of the men who had defended conditions at Frensham Camp in the Autumn of 1914, see 19^th October 1914).

By 6 am it was clear that reinforcements would be required and B Company was ordered forward from Becourt Wood; Tunstill’s Men were also ordered to ‘stand-to’ in readiness to be deployed if necessary. At 9 am, B Company was moved forward to support 11^th West Yorks on the Battalion’s left flank; the West Yorks had been forced, by a determined German counter-attack, to retire to Scotts Redoubt. The position then remained stable for the remainder of the morning, but no advances had been made. 

Fresh orders were issued for a renewal of the attack to begin at 6pm. The attack, involving 10DWR and 8^th and 9^th Yorkshires, was to be carried forward across the open, rather than by moving through the existing trench systems as had been attempted hitherto. In preparation for the advance it was necessary for a German machine gun position which could enfilade the line of attack to be eliminated. This was achieved by 2Lt. Donald Bell of 9^th Yorkshires in an action for which he was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross. With the vital machine gun neutralised, 10DWR and 11^th West Yorks were able to make some progress without waiting for the formal renewal of the attack timed for 6pm.  Fierce fighting had continued in Horseshoe Trench throughout the afternoon and Lt. Phillips (see 23^rd March) had led no fewer than four attempts by D Company to advance. At 5 pm he had been reinforced by one platoon of Tunstill’s Men, bringing with them another Lewis gun, and they again attempted to advance. C Company also at last began to make progress and they were able to advance down Birch Tree Trench to a point where, at 5.30 pm, they were able to attack across the open against the Germans holding Horseshoe Trench. Eventually, at 5.45 pm, with C Company now bearing down on them from the rear, the Germans in Horseshoe Trench sent a message that they were willing to surrender. More than 100 prisoners were taken and two machine guns captured.  Meanwhile a renewed artillery bombardment of German positions further north around the Triangle was called for to cover an advance by B Company, now also reinforced by Tunstill’s Company, northwards from Scotts Redoubt. Within minutes they had gained a foothold further north along Horseshoe Trench and almost 50 more Germans were taken prisoner.  The new positions were then consolidated but just as the positions were being established a stray German shell exploded in Horseshoe Trench, killing Capt. Herbert Montagu Soames Carpenter (see 25^th January), in command of B Company. It was reported that having been mortally wounded, Carpenter, “motioned to his men to go forward and then died”. By 7 pm Horseshoe Trench had been cleared of Germans and sappers from the Royal Engineers had begun the construction of new strongpoints in the trench.

In the evening the Battalion was relieved by 8^th Yorkshires, and once again bivouacked near Becourt Wood, with the relief complete by 10 pm.

The Battalion War Diary summed up the events of the day: 

“This is the first time that the Battalion has been employed on attack, and it is a great pleasure for me to say that all ranks worked magnificently. The Battalion is composed of the real material. The men worked well under the guidance of their officers. Many deeds of valour were performed by both officers and men … Discipline played an important part in the operations and the training of the past 10 months in this country has not been in vain. There was much individual effort and intelligence shown … The officers lost to the Battalion are greatly missed - they were popular with all ranks.”

Brig. Genl. Lambert reflected on the achievements of the Brigade as a whole, “Throughout the operations all ranks of the Brigade displayed remarkable coolness and intrepidity under difficult circumstances. The confused fighting was in unknown and broken trenches, the weather was very wet, counter attacks and bomb attacks continuous day and night and the enemy’s shell fire and machine gun fire at times very heavy. … The perseverance and tenacity shown by the 11^th West Yorkshire Regiment and by the 10^th West Riding Regiment in their ultimately successful efforts to gain ground displayed very high qualities and both Battalions, though physically exhausted, were in the highest spirits and full of devotion up to the time of their relief.   The losses in all Battalions were considerable but their energy in hunting out and destroying the enemy at the end of the long  and confused operations, in spite of their own physical exhaustion, was worthy of the highest traditions of the Yorkshire Regiments which they represented”.

69^th Brigade’s casualties as a whole during the actions around Horseshoe Trench were:

Killed                     10 officers and 50 other ranks

Wounded            26 officers and 453 other ranks

Missing                 1 officer and 57 other ranks

In total 10DWR had lost four officers killed (Carpenter, Hammond, Lavarack and Taylor) and two wounded (Snell and Merryweather). All four officers would be buried at Becourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt. 

2Lt. Snell’s wounds were serious and he was evacuated to England almost immediately.  Lt. Merryweather (see 27^th August 1915) on the other hand had suffered only a superficial wound after being struck on the right thigh by shrapnel and was treated locally for his injuries. Cecil Edward Merryweather was one of the Battalion’s original officers. He was the fifth child (born 9^th November 1889) of clergyman James Merryweather and his wife Constance. Cecil had been in the territorial force for almost three years between 1909 and 1911, serving firstly as a driver with the West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and later as a sapper with West Riding Divisional Engineers. He had applied for a temporary commission in November 1914 and been posted to 10DWR. 

Capt. H.M.S. Carpenter, pictured in England in May 1915

Photo by kind permission of Henry Bolton

Lt. Leonard Hammond

Lt. Adolph Keith Lavarack

2Lt. Christopher Snell

The Battalion suffered thirteen other ranks killed, a further sixty-six wounded and two men missing. Tunstill’s Men, kept in reserve for much of the day and spared the worst of the fighting, nonetheless suffered one man killed and one missing. Pte. Thomas Robinson Barwick (see below) was “shot through the head and died instantaneously” according to his fellow Keighley recruit, Pte. Claude Smith Slater (see below), who wrote to Barwick’s family with news of their son’s death. The missing man was Pte. Arthur Moore (see below).

Thomas Robinson Barwick had enlisted in Keighley at the age of 17 in September 1914; he was the second of two sons of Thomas and Mary Ann Barwick. His father had died when his two sons were very young and they had been brought up by their widowed mother. Thomas had been working in the local textile mills before enlisting. Arthur Moore, was a 22 year-old mechanic’s apprentice from Burley-in-Wharfedale. Both men have no known grave and are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. Claude Smith Slater was another of the Keighley volunteers; he had been 19 when he volunteered and, like Barwick, had been brought up by a widowed mother and was working in the local textile mills. 

Pte. Thomas Robinson Barwick

Pte. Claude Smith Slater

The other men killed, not from Tunstill’s Company, were: 

Sgt. Edward Smith (11769) (see 22^nd June). 

L.Sgt. William McLoughlin; he was originally from Belfast.

L.Cpl. Albert Henry Nutter; the circumstances of his death would be relayed to his wife by L.Cpl. James William Booth (see 7th October 1915) “he was a good soldier and faced the duties cheerfully and did them like a soldier and a man. He was killed by a bomb during the great advance. He was in charge of some of the bombers and visited the German trenches. He died without any pain”. She would also receive letters from an (unnamed) officer who would tell her, “I am sorry to have to tell you that your husband was killed on 5th of July. His officer was killed with him. We have lost many officers, NCO’s and men, but we have done what we were expected to do and your brave husband gave his all in doing it. Your husband was in my battalion until the battalion bombers were formed. I never wish to have a better man. You have my sympathy and anything you wish to know, let me hear of and I will do my best to tell you”. Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Wilfred Leveson Henderson (see 13^th June), would also write to Mrs. Nutter, “I am sorry to say that the news you have heard is only too true. Your husband was killed on 5th July in some severe fighting in which our battalion took part, but it has been impossible for me to write to everyone and unfortunately the bombing officer – Lt. Lavarack – was killed on the same day as your husband, or you would have heard from him. I had hoped to have written before, however, as I knew your husband well, and know how much his services were appreciated in the battalion. He will be missed by us all, and both officers and men wish to express to you their deep sympathy. I know how deep must be your sorrow, but it will be some comfort to you know how gallantly your husband died, and that he had no pain, and his death was instantaneous; nor can your sorrow have any bitterness in it; it must be mingled with feelings of pride at the splendour of the sacrifice he has made. Our prayers and sympathy go out to you in your great sorrow. The Lord bless and comfort you”.

Pte. Tom Ball; he was 23 years old, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.

Pte. Tom Clarkson; he was a 32 year-old married man with a young son, originally from Preston but had lived for some time in Barnoldswick. He had originally served with 8DWR and had been wounded at Gallipoli. He had recuperated in England before returning to France in the Spring of 1916 (in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish more detail about his service with 10DWR).

Pte. David Kendric Collins; he was 24 years old and originally from Peterborough. In 1914 he had been working as a gardener at Broughton Hall near Skipton and had been a member of the Skipton Baptist Church.

Pte. James Field; he was 34 years old and originally from Newcross, County Cork, but had lived many years in Manningham, Bradford where he had worked as a bolier stoker for Messrs. Ackroyd and Grandage. He was married with three children and his wife, Beatrice, was expecting their fourth child. He had been officer’s servant to 2Lt. Robert Clement (Bob) Perks (see 3^rd July).

Pte. Dick Hirst; he was a 21 year-old teamer from Brighouse and had joined the Battalion having been drafted to France in May. News of his death would be sent to his widowed mother in a letter from 2Lt. Geoffrey Raymond Palmer (see 1^st July); “It is with great regret that I have to inform you that your son, Dick, was killed this morning. The Battalion was undertaking a hazardous exploit which succeeded completely and we received highest commendation from the General. It was Dick’s first time under fire of any sort and he conducted himself with great coolness and bravery. He was one of the best of soldiers and his death is a great loss to me. He was liked by everybody and made many friends during his short stay. His death was instantaneous. His death is a great loss to me personally as he was most willing and painstaking”.

Pte. Charles Henry Jackson; he was 21 years old and from Sheffield.

Pte. Cyril Gilbert Perkin; he was a 21 year-old piecer from Guiseley.

Pte. Henry Taylor; he was a 20 year-old wool sorter from Sutton-in-Craven. It would fall to CQMS Frank Stephenson (see 13^th June) of Tunstill’s Company to convey the news to Pte. Taylor’s family; he wrote to Taylor’s mother: "I am very sorry to inform you that your son, Private Taylor, was killed in action on the 5th inst. If it is any consolation to you, I might say that your son was killed whilst heroically attacking the German trenches, and his regiment covered itself with glory. Although he was not in my Company, coming from the same district, and knowing him personally, I thought it best to write you, as it might be a few weeks before you are officially notified through the War Office. Wishing you all sympathy in your sudden and sad bereavement."

Pte. Henry Taylor

Pte. Harry Towell; he was a 25 year-old labourer from Kendal. 

The other man reported missing was Pte. William Mitchell (see 25^th May).

Pte. William Mitchell

Pte. Field would be buried alongside the four officers at Becourt Military Cemetery but the other men have no known grave and are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. 

The majority of the wounded men have been identified, although in many cases the nature and extent of their wounds and the details of their treatment are unknown.

CSM Alfred Lodge (see above) who had made an heroic attempt to bring in the wounded Lt. Taylor, was severely wounded and treated locally in the first instance.

CSM Alfred Lodge

A/Sgt. John Bargh (see 24^th May), D Company, suffered bomb wounds to his face and head; he would be admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly and from there, two days later, to 2^nd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau.

A/Sgt. Joseph Bona; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. He was the fifth son of Thomas and Elizabeth Bona; the family lived in Otley, where Thomas worked as a poultry dealer. He had been an original member of the Battalion and had been promoted Lance Corporal whilst the Battalion was in training in England and further promotions had followed (dates unknown). 

Cpl. Percy James Dawson; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. He had been an original member of the Battalion, although, in the absence of a surviving service record, it has not been possible to establish when he had been promoted to his current rank. He had enlisted aged 22 and was married with three children. The family had in Listerhills, Bradford; he had been working at Dennison’s dyeworks.

A/Cpl. Frank Bounds (see 9^th July 1915); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be discharged on account of his wounds.

L.Cpl. Herbert Bowker (see 23rd October 1915) HQ Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his back; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 22^nd Casualty Clearing Station at Bruay. The further details of his treatment and recovery are unknown, but he would subsequently (date and details unknown) be transferred to the Durham Light Infantry.

L.Cpl. Lewis Brazey; the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred (date and details unknown) to 2DWR. He was 21 years old and from Halifax and had been an original member of the Battalion.

L.Cpl. James Henry Jolly of the Machine Gun Section, suffered a gunshot wound to his right shoulder; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. 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 service beyond the fact that he would be transferred (date and details unknown) to 7^th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.

L.Cpl. Christopher Leigh (see above), C Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs and back; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He would be evacuated to England and admitted to East Dereham (Norfolk) Red Cross Hospital.

L.Cpl. Gerald Tate (12690); the details of his wounds and treatment are unknown, but he would re-join the Battalion. He had been an original member of 10DWR, having enlisted aged 28 and working as a worsted spinner in Halifax. He had served five years with the Royal Marines between 1903 and 1908, but, in the absence of a surviving service record, I am unable to establish any further details of his military career.

L.Cpl. Herbert Thornton (see 14^th January) suffered severe wounds to the chest and leg and was transferred to the hospital of St. John in Etaples.

L.Cpl. Herbert Thornton

Pte. Frank Bates, B Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his right arm; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. 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 service beyond the fact that he would be transferred (date and details unknown) to the Labour Corps.

Pte. Harry Gordon Binns (see 11^th September 1915), D Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his left hand and back; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly and would be evacuated to England two days later.

Pte. Oswald Bolton suffered severe shrapnel wounds which would result in the amputation of his right arm. He was a 31 year-old insurance agent from Skelton-in-Cleveland and had been an original member of the Battalion.

Pte. Michael Bowen (see 8^th March) suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder; he would be evacuated to England (details unknown) and would subsequently be transferred to the Royal Defence Corps.

Pte. Amor Green Brooke, A Company, suffered a gunshot wound to the left hand; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He was a 25 year-old textile worker from Honley and had been an original member of the Battalion.

Pte. Garforth Brooke, B Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm and leg; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. The details of his treatment are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred to 2DWR. He was a 28 year-old house painter from Liversedge and was married with three children.

Pte. John Burke; in the absence of a surviving record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or to establish any details of his military career, beyond the fact that he would subsequently be transferred to 6^th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

Pte. George Edward Bush (see 12^th February) suffered severe wounds (details unknown) and was evacuated to 38^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly.

Pte. Arthur Butterfield would be evacuated to England and subsequently (date and details unknown) transferred to 2/6^th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. It has not been possible to make a positive identification of this man, beyond the fact that he was a single man who had enlisted whilst living in Fell Lane, Keighley.

Pte. John William Henry Bower Clark, B Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to the thigh; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly; once recovered he would be posted to 8DWR. He was 45 years old and from Hunslet.

Pte. Bennet Clarkson suffered gunshot wounds to his right buttock; he would be evacuated to 8^th Stationary Hospital at Wimereux and from there, on 9^th July, evacuated to England and admitted to 1^st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Section, in Birmingham. He was a 29 year-old driver from Wakefield; he was married and had four children.

Pte. Joseph Clayton (see 1^st February), D Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his back and right shoulder; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance and 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly to 8^th Stationary Hospital and Wimereux. On the following day he would be evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship Cambria and on arrival transferred to Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham.

Pte. Alfred Cragg, C Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his right thigh; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. 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 military service, beyond the fact that, once recovered, he would re-join 10DWR.

Pte. Stanley Dixon suffered gunshot wounds to the chest which resulted in the fracture of six ribs; he would be treated in France (details unknown). He was a 20 year-old millhand from Elland and had enlisted in September 1914.

Pte. Irving Gledhill; the details of his wounds are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred, via 2DWR, to 9^th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 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 (17998) (see 17^th June), B Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his right thigh and buttock; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly, and from there transferred to 2^nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport.

Pte. Robert James Greenwood, A Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to the face; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He was 20 years old and originally from Gorton, but had been living in Keighley and working in a woollen mill when he enlisted; he had originally served with 2DWR before being transferred (date and circumstances unknown) to 10DWR.

Pte. William Greenwood; the details of his wounds are unknown. 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 military career beyond the fact that he had originally served with 8DWR and would subsequently be transferred to 2DWR.

Pte. John Hartley (18665); the details of his wounds are unknown. 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 military career beyond the fact that he would subsequently be transferred to the Labour Corps.

Pte. Willie Hey (14647), D Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his face and back; he would be admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He had originally served in France with 2DWR before at some point (date and details unknown) being transferred to 10DWR; in the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to make a positive identification of this man or establish any further details of his service.

Pte. Harold Hill suffered a gunshot wound to the left hand; he would be admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. 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 military career beyond the fact that he had been an original member of the Battalion and would subsequently serve with 9DWR, 2DWR, 2^nd/5^thDWR and 1^st/6^thDWR.

Pte. Ernest Holmes; the details of his wounds are unknown. 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 military career beyond the fact that he would subsequently be transferred to 2DWR.

Pte. Percy Houldsworth; the details of his wounds are unknown, but he would subsequently be transferred to the Labour Corps. He had enlisted aged 30 when married and living in Keighley, where he worked as a butcher.

Pte. William Hutchinson who suffered relatively minor contusions to his face; he would re-join the Battalion five days later following treatment locally. He was a 22 year-old miner from Castleford and had been an original member of the Battalion, having enlisted in Leeds on 7^th September 1914.

Pte. James Keegan, C Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his left hand; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He had been an original member of 10DWR, having enlisted aged 23 in 1914 while working as a cabinet maker in Halifax; he would subsequently be transferred to 9DWR.

Pte. Walter Lee (see 11^th September 1915) suffered multiple shrapnel wounds to his legs; he was evacuated via 64^th West Lancs Field Ambulance at Mericourt to 14^th Stationary Hospital at Wimereux. On 7^th July he would be evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship Cambria and admitted to the Military Hospital in Chatham.

Pte. John Longfellow (known as Jack) (see 6^th June) suffered gunshot wounds to his left shoulder; he would be evacuated to England on 8^th July and admitted to Yarrow Military Hospital in Broadstairs.

Pte. John Henry Markham, D Company, suffered chest wounds; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He was a 30 year-old married man, originally from Bradford, but had been living in Keighley. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish any details of his military career beyond the fact that he would subsequently be transferred to the Labour Corps.

Pte. William Moore; the details of his wounds are unknown. 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 military career beyond the fact that he had originally served with 9DWR, going to France in July 1915 and would subsequently be discharged from the Army on account of his wounds.

Pte. Matthias Nowell, C Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to the back; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly and would be evacuated to England (details unknown) two days later. He was 26 years old and from Greenfield, near Oldham.

Pte. John Onion (see 14^th January) suffered shrapnel wounds to his wrist; he would be evacuated to England on 10^th July and admitted to hospital in Birmingham.

Pte. Thomas Procter (see 8^th September 1914) would be evacuated to England and would subsequently be transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

Pte. Herbert Rooke suffered only relatively minor wounds and he soon returned to duty. He had been one of the Keighley contingent of volunteers who had been added to Tunstill’s original company in September 1914. He had enlisted, aged 24, having been working in the combing room of Messrs. R. Clough & Sons, Grove Mills, Keighley. He was one of the relatively few married men among Tunstill’s Company; he had married Annie Holmes in 1909 and the couple had three children.

Pte. Herbert Rooke

Pte. Harry Shaw (18277) (see 25^th May), B Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly and on 8^th July would be transferred to hospital (details unknown) in Boulogne.

Pte. James Edward Simpson (see 27^th April), D Company, suffered contusions to his left shoulder; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance and 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly to 3^rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne. He would be evacuated to England on 7^th July onboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis and admitted to Wharncliffe War Hospital in Sheffield.

Pte. Edward Smith (12262); the details of his wounds are unknown, but he would be evacuated to England on 11^th July. He had been an original member of the Battalion. He was a 32 year-old labourer, originally from Windermere, but had been living in Bradford.

Pte. Fred Smith (15149) (see 11^th September 1915) suffered shrapnel wounds to his face; he would be evacuated to 13^th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne and from there, on 10^th July, evacuated to England and admitted to Kingswood Park Hospital, Tunbridge Wells.

Pte. Johnny Smith (see 9th April) would be evacuated to England and treated in hospital in Oxford.

Pte. Johnny Smith

Pte. Joseph Smyth; the details of his wounds are unknown. 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 military career beyond the fact that he would subsequently be transferred to 9DWR.

Pte. Eli Taylor (see 18^th December 1915) suffered severe head wounds, including a compound fracture of the skull; he would be evacuated to England on 9^th July and admitted to 3^rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford.

Pte. Walton Thomas (see below), D Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his left wrist; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance and 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He would be evacuated to England and treated in hospital at Nottingham. Having recovered (date and details unknown), he would be posted to 1^st/7^th Battalion DWR. Walton Thomas, born 14^th November 1894, was an ex-pupil of Bradford Grammar School. His father, John Mason Thomas, was Company Secretary to worsted spinners William Fison & Co. at Greenholme Mills, Burley-in-Wharfedale; and Walton had also worked in the Company offices before enlisting in Ilkley in September 1914.

Pte. Sam Tinkler (see 31^st August 1915) suffered a fairly minor wound to his left hand and was treated at no.38 Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly before being sent on to 2^nd Canadian Hospital at Le Treport.

Pte. Sam Tinkler

Pte. Frank Turner, D Company (see 6^th November 1915), suffered shrapnel wounds to his right side; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He would subsequently be transferred to 9DWR and 5DWR.

Pte. Kenealy Wainscoat, C Company, suffered a gunshot wound to the head; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He was a 37 year-old quarryman from Denby Dale. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable establish any details of his military career beyond the fact that he would subsequently be transferred to the Labour Corps.

Pte. Herbert Walker (17976), D Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to the head; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. 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 military career beyond the fact that he would subsequently be transferred to the Durham Light Infantry.

Pte. James F. Walsh, B Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his back; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. 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 military career beyond the fact that he would subsequently be transferred to the Royal Engineers.

Pte. John Wimpenny, B Company, suffered shrapnel wounds to his left buttock; he was admitted via 51^st Field Ambulance to 36^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly. He was a 26 year-old woollen fettler from Huddersfield.

Pte. Frank William Rabjohn (see 6^th April), on attachment with 176^th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, was admitted via 6^th Field Ambulance and 23^rd Casualty Clearing Station to 4^th Stationary Hospital at Arques; he was suffering from “P.U.O” (pyrexia, or high temperature, of unknown origin).

Pte. Albert Armitage (18048) (see 1^st July), who was at 3^rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen, having been admitted suffering from shellshock, was evacuated to England; he would be admitted to 1^st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham.

Pte. Tom Nixon (11904) (see 8^th June) was discharged from a military hospital in England (details unknown) and transferred to a convalescent hospital in Eastbourne.

Tuesday 4th July 1916

Becourt Wood

Heavy downpours continued throughout the day, and the Battalion remained in their bivouacs in and around Becourt Wood. The War Diary, in its usual understated terms, described conditions as ‘not comfortable’. Meanwhile attempts by 11^th West Yorks and 9^th Yorks to advance the British line towards Contalmaison met with only limited success, with constant bombing attacks by both sides throughout the day.

At 6.45 pm orders were received for the Battalion to be readied to make an assault on the German lines at dawn on Wednesday 5^th July.

Pte. James Pickering (see 10^th June), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs., was reported as “absent off special pass”; he would be “apprehended by Civil Power at Sheffield on 7^th July”. He would forfeit four days’ pay, but incur no further punishment.

L.Sgt. Mark Allan Stanley Wood, (see 4^th  July) who had been serving with 16^th West Yorkshires, having arrived in England, onboard the hospital ship St. David, was admitted to Salisbury Infirmary, suffering from nephritis (inflammation of the kidney). He would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR.

Pte. Edgar Frederick Foster, serving with 1^st/4^th Dukes, was killed in action on the Somme. His body was originally buried at Paisley Hillside Cemetery, on the south side of Thiepval Wood, but he was re-interred (in 1920) at Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval. He was the third son (of nine children) of Lt. Daniel William Paris Foster (see 23rd December 1915) Quartermaster, 10DWR. Daniel Foster’s second son, Pte. Lawrence Richard Foster, had been killed in action on 24^th August 1914, while serving with 2DWR; he is buried at Hautrage Military Cemetery, west of Mons.

Monday 3rd July 1916

North-west of Albert

After another short night a further move was made; this time to just behind the front lines, at Becourt Wood. The men were duly formed up and moved off at 11 am; although the day was warm there was the threat of thunderstorms and by the time they arrived at 4 pm rain was pouring down.

2Lt. Robert Clement (Bob) Perks (see 27^th August 1915) later told his Mother that, “we bivouaced for the third time without coats or anything but waterproof sheets”.

Eventually the British had been able to gain a foothold in the village of La Boiselle and some progress had been made towards Contalmaison, but the German line continued to be strongly-held south-west of the village.

At 5.30pm 69^th Brigade was ordered to take over part of the line currently held by troops of 34^th Division south-west of Contalmaison; 11^th West Yorks took over the right sector of the front and 9^th Yorkshires the left, with 8^th Yorkshires in reserve. 10DWR remained in Becourt Wood, where the men bivouacked for the night and made themselves as comfortable as could be managed, however heavy downpours continued through the night. 

L.Cpl. John William Dickinson (see 12^th June) was discharged from 18^th Casualty Clearing Station at Lapugnoy and re-joined the Battalion.


Pte. Harry Shaw (12316) (see 6^th April), serving with 176^th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, was admitted, via 6^th London Field Ambulance and 18^th Casualty Clearing Station, to the Australian General Hospital at Wimereux, suffering from “bronchitis and inflammation of the myocardium”. He would later recall how he, “kept getting one cold on top of another and finally a wheezing cough developed. I kept reporting sick and being treated”. Three days later he would be evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship St. Patrick. On arrival in England he would be admitted to the St. John VAD Hospital in Chester.L.Sgt. Mark Allan Stanley Wood, (see 3^rd July) serving with 16^th West Yorkshires, was sent back to England, onboard the hospital ship St. David; he was suffering from nephritis (inflammation of the kidney). He would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR.

L.Cpl. John William Cooper (see 16^th April; he had apparently regained his rank after a previous misdemeanour), serving with 11DWR at Brocton Camp, Staffs., was reportedas “absent from tattoo”; he would report back at 9.30pm next day and would, again, be ordered to be deprived of his Lance Corporal’s rank.

Sunday 2nd July 1916

Baizieux

At 7.30am orders were received that the Battalion would move a further eight miles forward to a position north-west of Albert. As there was considerable uncertainty about the availability of small arms ammunition in their new location, each man was ordered to carry 220 rounds. This move began at 8.25pm and was completed around midnight when the men bivouacked in fields about three quarters of a mile from the town.

In the early hours of 2^nd July Fricourt had been attacked again and the village had been taken and secured by noon. Further attempts were also made to capture La Boiselle to the north-west but these were again repulsed by the German defenders, although the British line was advanced somewhat between the two villages and towards Contalmaison.

A supplementary order was issued in the case of Pte. Tom Darwin (see 22^nd June) who had been found guilty of “losing his equipment by neglect”. It was now ordered that the sentence, and all associated stoppages of pay, should be suspended (perhaps in anticipation of the imminent return to action).

Cpl. Arthur Edward Hunt (see 26^th April), serving at 23^rd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, was posted to 3^rd Army Headquarters; two dalys later he would be posted for duty at VI Corps HQ.

L.Sgt. Mark Allan Stanley Wood, (see 27^th June) serving with 16^th West Yorkshires, was transferred from 93^rd Field Ambulance to no.9 General Hospital, Rouen. He had originally been admitted suffering from suffering from dyspepsia but his condition was now diagnosed as being nephritis (inflammation of the kidney). He would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR.