1/5TH   BATTALION
Alexandra,  Princess   of   Wales's   Own
YORKSHIRE   REGIMENT
THE 5TH YORKS BATTALION WAR DIARY - Page 19.
Somme - to River Lys - Second German offensive - Battle of Estaires.

APRIL 1918.
1st - At midnight on the 31st March, the 150th Inf Bde held a line across the Spur running out South East towards the village of Domart on the right of the main Amiens-Roye road, about 300 yards short of Domart.
On the Left, between the 150th Bde and the main road were troops of the 149th Bde and the Right flank was in the air.
Troops of 20th Div held the line of the River de Luce. The men dug in, forming a practically continuous trench.
At 9.00 am 3rd Cavalry Division made a successful attack on the ridge and woods South East of the River de Luce.
The 150th Inf Bde did not alter their dispositions, and passed into the Reserve.
At 6.00 pm the Brigade was treated as having been relieved and marched to Longeau and billeted there on the night.

17991 Pte Morris John. Home at Kimblesworth Durham. Born Haswell Moor, Lancs Enlisted Durham. Died of wounds on the 1st April 1918 aged 34. Awarded the Military Medal. Commemorated at St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen. Hospital.

2nd - 2.00 pm Brigade marched to Saleux and entrained there at 11.00 pm.
24340 Pte Adams Aubrey. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Adams of Aislaby Pickering, N Yorks. Native of Lingcroft York. Enlisted at Malton. Resided at Wrelton nr Pickering. Killed in action on the 2nd April 1918, aged 24. Buried at Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery.
[Photograph by kind permission of Roger Dowson and Edward Nicholl, Yorkshire Regiment Remembrance. Click here.]

243828 Pte Pittilla John Reay. Home at Washington Station, Durham, place of enlistment. Born Sunderland. Died of wounds on the 2nd April 1918. Commemorated at St Sever Cemetery Extension. Hospital.
3rd - Thence by train to Rue, where Brigade detrained and marched to rest billets in Machiel area, rejoining their Units.

265673 Pte Pollard George William. Enlisted Northallerton. Died of wounds on the 3rd April 1918. Commemorated at St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen. Hospital.
4004 W.O Radley William Home at North Driffield. Born and enlisted at Leeds. Died on the 3rd April 1918. Awarded the French Military Medal. Commemorated at St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen. Hospital.
4th - The Battalion embussed at Machiel and moved to Locon, where billeted at Mesplaux Farm. Training there until 9th.
241596 Pte Worthy James Ernest. Enlisted Middlesbrough. Died of wounds on the 4th April 1918. Commemorated at St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen Hospital,
203208 Pte Jones John. Home at 443 Newport Rd, Middlesbrough. Born Skelmersdale Lancs. Killed in action on the 8th April aged 27. Commemorated at Anzac Cemetery Sailly Sur La Lys.
35205 Pte Long Albert. Home at 54 Bowling Rd, Ware, Herts, place of birth. Enlisted Hertford. Killed in action on the 8th April aged 17. Ex 34643 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Croix du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
As the German offensive on the Somme ground to a halt on the 5/6th April another opened on the Front between Ypres and Bethune
Within days the 5th Battalion, exhausted and with many raw recruits were back facing the Storm troopers.

9th - 7.00am placed under 1 hours notice to move.
9.00 am. Ordered to assemble at Trou Bayard. Moved off at 10.15 am.
On arrival found the town of Estaires heavily shelled and the main street impassable.
Also informed the enemy were in in Levantie and finally dug in at map position G.19.4.
2.00 pm received orders to move forward in support to 4th East Yorks taking up a line between farms De Bretagne and Quennelle.
3.25 pm In this position with 4 East Yorks in touch with 4th Yorks on Left, but not in touch with 5th DLI on Right.
Patrols sent out by 5th Yorks found the Left flank of 5th DLI and that there was a gap of some 250x.
7.00 pm A Coy under Captain Parker was sent forward and filled the gap, linking with 4th East Yorks on Left and 5th DLI on Right.
This Company was relieved by 4th East Yorks about 10.00 pm and kept in close support.
Casualties - 24 Other Ranks wounded.
10th - 3.05 am. A Coy left in close support to 4th East Yorks. Rest of Coys and Bn HQ moved back to position astride road about G.20.c.1.9,
Took over HQ from the 5th Northumberland Fus, who were then moving up to take over Front Line from 4th East Yorks.
A Coy was then relieved and rejoined the Battn.
4.05 am Orders were received to move up at once in support to 4th Yorks. The Battn moved at once and was in position astride the road at 6,30 am.
At about 11.00 a.m information was received that the enemy having crossed the River Lys at Bac St Maur was then occupying La Boudrelle.
3 Coys were immediately sent forward to form a defensive flank facing East iin G.15.6 [astride road] and through G.10,c. the fourth Company remaining in G.9.d.
The 3 Companies when forward came under direct and heavy Machine Gun and Light Field Artillery fire and suffered casualties.
The enemy advancing along the West bank of the Lys caused the Left flank of the 4th East Yorks at the bridge to give way.
The line fell back to the general line formed by the 3 Coys thrown forward.

Position at Estaires on the 10th April 1918.

On the Left the Royal Scots Fusiliers linked up, but the were very weak.
During the the heavy shelling and confusion one Coy became detached, being on the Left of the Middlesex, who were Left of the RSF detachment.
This necessitated moving up the Support Coy to fill the gap and reinforce the Line.
The Right of the Line gave also and a new line was established.
A sharp salient was formed in G.15.b. Here the Line held for the remainder of the day and all night.
There was continuous rifle fire and constant demands for small arms ammunition and heavy casualties were undoubtedly inflicted on the enemy.
Casualties. 6 OR killed, 29 wounded and Capt EW Robson MC, 2nd Lts GH Lawson, TA Williams and WH Allis missing.

20907 L/Cpl Davies Alfred. Home at 17 St Peters Rd, Stockton. Born Darlaston. Staffs. Enlisted at Stockton on Tees Co Durham. Died of wounds on the 10th April 1918 aged 36. Commemorated at Haverskerque British Cemetery.
204754 Pte Ellison J William Home at Cuthoons Gibside, Burnopfield place of birth. Enlisted at Gateshead. Died of wounds on the 10th April 1918 aged 28. Commemorated at Haverskerque British Cemetery.
242710 Pte Featherston Thomas Roddam. Home at 36 Thornfield Rd, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. Stockton on Tees, place of enlistment. Born Middlesbrough. Killed in action on the 10th April aged 32. A Schoolmaster. SDGW has Featherstone. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
19271 Pte Gill Robert. Home at 15 Rainton Bridge, Fencehouses. Born Wheatley Hill, Co Durham Enlisted at Houghton Le Spring. Killed in action on the 10th April 1918 aged 39. Commemorated at Anzac Cemetery Sailly Sur La Lys.
241657 Pte Lealman Fred. Home at Castle Bolton, Redmire, S O. Enlisted Layburn. Killed in action on the 10th April 1918 aged 29. Commemorated at Merville Communal Cemetery Extension.

265401 Pte Maddison Henry. Home at 4 Bower Rd, Starbeck, Harrogate. Born York. Enlisted Bridlington. Killed in action on the 10th April 1918 aged 20. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35242 Pte Scase Oscar Herbert. Home at Wilby by Brundish, Framlingham Suffolk. Suffolk. Born Wilby and enlisted Ipswich. Killed in action on the 10th April 1918 . Ex 35007 9th TR Battn. SDGW gives surname Scase. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.

A/LCpl Joseph William Scott.


1925/200353 A/LCpl Scott Joseph William. Home at 46 Marton Rd, Middlesbrough. Born and enlisted Middlesbrough. Son of Matthew and Margaret Jane Scott. Died of wounds on the 10th of April !918.
He was gunshot wounded in the arm, probably on or about the 22nd of March 1918. His arm being amputated on or about the 31st of March 1918 and he died of septicemia ten days later at the Third Western General Hospital, Penrhiwtyn, Glamorgan, Wales.
At the specific request of his parents his body was brought back to his home town of Middlesbrough and buried in Linthorpe Cemetery.
He was unmarried and only 22 years old at the time of his death. He had a sweetheart, Miss M.E.Smith.
He was awarded the rare Territorial Force War Medal, see below.
His brother Henry Charles Scott had been killed on the 31st January 1917 when the steam tugboat Ida Duncan struck a mine when half a mile east of the South Gare lighthouse, Redcar, N Yorks.
[Photograph and information kindly contributed by his Great Nephew, Mick Trainor of New Marske, N Yorks.]

The Territorial Force War Medal.
A rare medal, which was issued to men who had been Members of the Force at the outbreak of War, 4th August 1914.
Or those who had served for 4 years prior to that date and had rejoined prior to September 1914.
And had volunteered to serve outside the UK and had done so at some time during the course of the War, but for some reason were not eligible for the 1914 or 1914/15 Star.

35259 Pte Tatt George William. Home at Mere Side, Ramsey, place of birth. Enlisted Huntingdon. Killed in action on the 10th April 1918 aged 18. Ex 35000 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
11th - In the early morning of this day the enemy attacked the Left flank heavily.
The Middlesex on the Left withdrew, but the Coys holding the salient in G.15.b. held on till practically surrounded and many were captured or left wounded, it being impossible to get them away.
During the night, 10 to 11th, the 29th Div had dug in on a Line parallel with and on the West side of the road Trou Bayard to Le Pt Mortimer.
When the Line withdrew it fell back on the line of the 29th Div and the Battalion got badly scattered.
Many detachments remained with the 29th Div.
All others were collected and placed in a Support Line which was being dug by the 50th Division Royal Engineers, running South West from Le Cruseobeau.
At 1.00 pm orders from B.g.c of 150th Inf Bde were received from the joint HQ of the 4th and 5th Yorks to proceed to point L.4 Central and there form a stragglers post to collect all men of the 150th Inf Bde.
Men were collected and the 150th Inf Bde formed a Battalion under Lt Col Thomson, though a very weak Battalion.
The force collected was insstructed to move to Brigade HQ at Fierhouck.
At about 6.00 pm the amalgamated Battn with several stragglers from other Regiments were passing along the road L.7.a.b. to L.2.c.d. when they were
stopped by a representative from the 150th Inf Bde and informed that the enemy were in Neuf Berquin and told to form a parallel to and on the South East side of the road that they were on
This was done, but casualties were severe from a Light Field Gun of the enemy's.
Orders from 150th Inf Bde received about 7.00 pm instructed the force to hold on till darkness at alll costs and then if unable to hold withdraw and move to Vierhouck where 50th Div were forming a Line running towards Merville.
At about 8.30 pm the position having become untenable and both flanks being in the air, Col Thomson ordered the Battalion to move as directed by 150th Inf Bde.
The Battalion reported Brigade HQ at about 10.30 pm.
The B.G.C ordered the Battalion into the houses in K.16.b. there to remain for the night.
Casualties. 4 ORs killed. Capt FB Parker, 2nd Lt H Speight, 2nd Lt GW Brown and 50 ORs wounded.

14355 Pte Smith John William. Home at 41 Diamond St, Middlesbrough.Born and enlisted Middlesbrough. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 24. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35396 Pte Aldred George. Born Flixton, Lincs. Enlisted Wood Green N Finchley Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 40. Ex 24893 Manchester Regt. Commemorated at Croix du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
Second Lieut Brown John William. Military Medal. Died of wounds aged 30. Home at 151 Pasture Rd, Goole, Yorkshire.
10th Battalion attached to the 5th Battalion. John Brown first served in the ranks with the 4th battalion until he received his commission. He was then with the 19th battalion until it was disbanded in February of 1918 when he was attached to the 5th battalion who at the time were in the Serques area and he was involved in the fighting in the Somme area in March.
On April 9th they moved up to the front again and dug in just in front of Laventie which the enemy had just occupied. 2nd Lt Brown was wounded in this action and died two days later on April 11th 1918.
Buried in Croix Du Bac British Cemetery at Steenwerck.
241037 Pte Carling John. Home at 20 Moorcock Row, Lingdale Yorks. Enlisted at Saltburn. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 24. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
33204 Pte Cornwell Joseph Tuman. Home at 39 Scarborough Rd Driffield.Born and enlisted at Driffield. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 35. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35433 Pte Eaton Joseph. Home at Southport place of birth. Enlisted at Ashton under Lyne. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 . Ex 5583 Manchester Regt. Commemorated at Croix du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
13097 Cpl Eltringham Henry. Born at Ryhope. Enlisted at Durham. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 . Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35409 Pte Faricy John. Home at Oldham. place of birth. Enlisted at Ashton under Lyne. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Ex 48941 Manchester Regt. Commemorated at Croix du Bac British Cemetery Steenwerck.
201872 Pte Hodgson Leslie. Born Picton Yorks. Enlisted Redcar. Died of wounds on the 11th April 1918. Awarded the Military Medal. Commemorated at Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension.
34646 Pte Jarvis Clarence. Home at Dunnington. Born Stockton on Forrest, Yorks. Enlisted Yorks. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 22. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
24918 Pte Jefferson Maurice Raymond. Home at Breeze Rd, Beeford. place of birth. Enlisted at Hull. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 21. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35197 Pte Jones Arthur. Home at 45 Buxton St, Sneyd Green, Stoke. Born at Hanley Staffs place of enlistment. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 19. Ex 35145 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35200 Pte Lane Harry Stanley. Home at 84 Blue Bell Hill, Nottingham. Born and enlisted at Nottingham. Killed in action on the 11th April aged 18. Ex 35455 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
235253 Pte Lansdell Frederick William. Home at 172 Northumberland St, Norwich place of enlistment. Born Great Melton. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 38. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
13498 Sgt Laws Edward Harrison. Home at 42, 11th Street, Blackhall Colliery, Castle Eden, Co Durham. Ryhope, place of birth. Enlisted Sunderland. Died of wounds on the 11th April aged 24. Awarded the Military Medal. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
2nd Lt Lawson George William. Home at Danes Cote, Flamborough, East Yorks. Served as an OR with the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 25. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35202 Pte Lees Fred. Home at 7 Grange Ave, Marsden, Yorks place of birth. Enlisted Huddersfield. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 18. Ex 35658 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
20180 Pte Lowes Charles. Home at Thornaby on Tees. Born Stillington Durham. Enlisted Middlesbrough. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Commemorated at Croix Du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
35207 Pte Marshall Edwin. Home at Stockton on Tees, place of birth and enlistment. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Ex 96244 85th TR Battn. Commemorated at Croix Du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
35211 Pte Millwood Arthur Kenneth. Home at 19 Alwen St, Wordsley Nr Stourbridge. Born Kusglon Hereford. Enlisted Brierley Hill. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 18. Ex 35708 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Croix Du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
46669 Pte Morpeth H. Home at The Square, Blanchland, Shotley Bridge, Co Durham. l. Born Sholey High Quarter Northumberland. Enlisted Hexham. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 22. Commemorated at Croix Du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck
35217 Pte Nicholls Charles. Home at West Head. Born West Head Downham Market. Enlisted Attleborough. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Ex 35210 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35222 Pte O'Hare William Herbert. Born and enlisted at Bradford. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 18. Commemorated at Croix du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
240390 Sgt Parnaby Raymond. Home at Norton. place of birth. Enlisted Malton. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35345 Pte Peters Alfred. Born and enlisted Eccles. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Ex 39711 71st TR Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35286 Sgt Prescott Leonard. Home at 3 Walford St, Redditch place of birth. Enlisted Birmingham. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 25. Ex 14646 S Staffs Regt. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
21347 Pte Prest Frederick. Home at 10 Robinson St, Middlesbrough. Born and enlisted at Middlesbrough. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 33. Commemorated at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck.
Capt Robson Edward Moore. Home at Pembroke Lodge. Pocklington, Yorks. Born at Pocklington in East Yorkshire in 1890. He followed a legal career and was admitted to the bar in October of 1912 and before the war worked as Managing Clerk with the firm of Rider, Heaton and Co of New Square, Lincolns Inn in London. As a 2nd Lt he joined with the 5th battalion at Pont de Nieppe near Armentieres on July 19th 1915 and had fought in all the actions since.. He was the brother of Lt Col William Robson who had served with the 5th Battn and had been killed shortly before this on 28th March in the fighting on the Somme. "On April 11th with the battalion holding a pronounced salient in the line the enemy attacked strongly and the battalion were very nearly surrounded and cut off. They suffered many casualties with many prisoners taken and the wounded having to be left behind as the men fell back."
He was killed in this action aged 28. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35435 Pte Rowlands Joseph. Home at Coundon Grange Co Durham. Born Eldon. Enlisted Bishop Auckland. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Ex 15568 Royal Field Artillery. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35363 Pte Smith Samuel. Home at 37 Leader St, Wigan. Born and enlisted at Wigan. Killed in action on the 11th April aged 18. Ex 39714 72nd TR Battn. Commemorated at Croix du Bac British Cemetery. Steenwerck.
35254 Pte Stemp Charles Henry William. Born and enlisted Ealing Middlesex. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Ex 35067 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension.
240518 Cpl Taylor Reginald Robertson. Born Brightlingsea and enlisted Scarborough. Died of wounds on the 11th April 1918 aged 23. Commemorated at La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck.
35436 Pte Taylor James. Home at 153 Harrowby St, Queens Rd, Miles Platting, Manchester. Born Bradford, Lancs and enlisted Manchester. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 24. Ex 3397 Manchester Regt. Commemorated at Croix Du Bac British Cemetery,Steenwerck.
35624 Pte Thompson Robert. Home at 8 Albert St, Field Lane, Batley. Born Harrogate. Enlisted Dewsbury. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 18. Ex 35173 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35265 Pte Tinsworth Frederick. Born and enlisted Cambridge. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Ex 34683 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Croix du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.


240030 Sgt Towse Joseph Sydney. Awarded the Military Medal. Born at Bempton. Son of Mrs. S. Towse and the late Mr. G. H. Towse, Bempton; husband of Florence L. Towse, 54 St. John’s Walk, Bridlington. Killed in action in France on the 11th. April 1918, aged 32. Buried at Croix-du-Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
Annals of Bridlington - Killed after being recommended for decoration. Mrs Towse has received news that her husband has been killed Capt. E. R. Saltonstall, writing to her on April 20 says he regrets to have to inform her that her husband was killed in action on April 11.
‘We who knew him well, feel his loss very much, as he was an excellent NCO and was at the time of his death acting as my Company Sergeant Major, a rank which, had he lived, would have been made permanent. No praise can be too high for the work he did during the past fighting, and I personally had sent his name forward for a decoration in recognition of his fine work.” He was formerly a member of the Bridlington Volunteers, and afterwards enlisted with the Territorials. There are many of his former comrades now at the Front, and some have made the supreme sacrifice. He leaves a widow and three children. Sgt Towse was very popular both with the Officers and men of his company.”

[The Photograph which shows Sgt Towse in the uniform of the Volunteers who preceded the Territorial Force was kindly contributed with all the personal information on Bridlington men by Mike Wilson, also of that town.]

28183 L/Cpl Turner William. Home at 29 Durham Rd, Blackhill Co Durham. Born Benfieldside Co Durham. Enlisted Consett. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918 aged 37. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35270 Pte Velvick Charles Frank. Home at Tenterden, Kent, place of birth. Enlisted Ashford. Killed in action on the 11th April 1918. Ex 35141 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35277 Pte Webster Stanley. Home at 1 Halfway Houses, Derby Rd, Belper, place of birth. Enlisted Derby Died of wounds on the 11th April 1918 aged 18. Ex 35373 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck.
35381 Pte Wray James. Home at 11 Copeland St, Everton, Liverpool. Died on the 11th April 1918 aged 19. Ex 3/45894 74th TR Battn. Commemorated at Croix Du Bac British Cemetery, Steenwerck.
12th - At 5.00 a.m a representative of the 150th Inf Bde arrived and ordered the Battalion to take up a Line parallel to the road running through K.16.b and d.
This line was taken up at once. At about 5.45 am, the Guards Brigade, 31 Div [3rd Coldstream Guards] arrived in rear of position and began to dig in on the line of the road K.15.e - Pt Tourant - K.11.d.
The enemy advancing caused our line to withdraw on the C Guards. The Battalion was assembled and took up a position on the Right of the Guards, where it linked up with some men of the 7th DLI under Capt Mackkentyre, who then came under Col Thomson's orders.
In this position the mixed Battalion held on until about 4.00 pm.
At about this hour some detached posts of the Guards were surrounded and had to surrender.
This and constant Machine Gun fire and sniping started a withdrawal of the mixed men.
These were rallied and reformed on a Line about 200x in rear of the road above mentioned.
The situation on the Right was obscure, as troops were seen both advancing and retiring.
At about 8.00 pm the 1st Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry of 5th Div came up and dug in on a line Arrowage towards the River, relieving the Battalion, which moved back to the Chateau, La Motte where the Division was concentrating.
Casualties. 1 OR killed, 1 died of wounds, 20 wounded and 155 missing.

202039 Pte Fenwick John Charles Cuthbertson. Home at 50 Moses St, North Ormesby, place of birth. Enlisted Middlesbrough. Killed in action on the 12th April 1918 aged 43. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
35195 Pte Jeffries Frank Edward. Born at Worcester and enlisted Walsall. Killed in action on the 12th April 1918. Ex 35703 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Anzac Cemetery Sailly sur la Lys.
35212 Pte Mitchell Gilbert. Home at 49 Huddersfield Rd, Dewsbury. Born and enlisted Dewsbury, Yorks. Died of wounds on the 12th April 1918 aged 18. Ex 35170 9th TR Battn. B Coy of 5th Battn. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial.
13th - At 7.00 am, the Battalion was ordered to move to cross roads at J.3.d.95.15 where 150th Inf Bde was concentrating.
The Battalion arrived here at 9.30 am where it was met by Transport and bivouacing, was fed and remained till 5.00 pm, when it was ordered to occupy billets in the vicinity and remained the night.

Lt Hepton Arthur. Home at Kellythorpe, Driffield, Yorks. Born Birdsall, Yorks in 1897. He had served with the Army Service Corps before being commissioned. He had been wounded on March 22nd 1918 in the retreat on the Somme and was captured by the Germans. He died of his wound on this day the 13th aged 21. Commemorated at Ennemain Communal Cemetery Extension.
14th - Working Parties were ordered to report to REs at 9.30 at footbridge J.4.d.95.95.
They were then set to work to dig a Reserve Line in front of the Bois de Vache, assisting the 5th Div.
The Battalion was then held for digging purposes, but the tactical position was such that if the enemy broke through, the Battalion would hold the Line they were digging.
The Brigade reorganised and each Battalion formed a Coy, the whole 150th Bde under Col Thomson.
Casualties. 1 OR died of wounds.

22491 Pte Gowan Frank. Home at 9 Clarendon St, South Bank, Yorks. Born Bathgate, Scotland. Enlisted Middlesbrough. Died of wounds on the 14th April 1918 aged 21. Commemorated at Anzac Cemetery Sailly Sur La Lys.
240384 L/Cpl Watson John Reginald. Home at Norton, Malton place of birth and enlistment. Died of wounds on the 14th April 1918. Commemorated at St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen. Hospital.
15th - As for the 14th but Col Thomson handed over to Col Pike of 4th East Yorks.
16th - Battalion moved to La Lacque, the Division now being in Corps Reserve.
2 ORs died of wounds.
35204 Pte Loakes Charles. Home at 3 Collins St, Wellingborough Rd, Northampton. Born and enlisted at Northampton. Died of wounds on the 16th April 1918 aged 18. Ex 35397 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Hospital.
17th to 25th - Bn in Corps Reserve at La Lacque. Resting and training.

25156 Pte Featonby William. Born and enlisted at Middlesbrough. Died of wounds on the 18th April 1918 aged 180418 Commemorated at Ham British Cemetery Muille Villette
35407 Pte Fernley Arthur James Rupert Home at Redcroft, Rochdale Rd Middleton Lancs. Born and enlisted at Manchester. Died on the 18th April 1918 aged 23. Ex 13477 11th Bn Manchester Regt. Commemorated at Les Baraques Military Cemetery. Sangatte Calais. Hospital.
35284 Pte McClure Kenneth Malcolm. Home at The Pear Tree, Hillingdon, Goulds Green Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex. Born Hessle Yorks Enlisted Uxbridge. Died of wounds on the 20th April 1918 aged 18. Ex 35255 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Hospital.
12192 L/Cpl Price Thomas. Born Huddersfield. Enlisted Leeds. Died of wounds on the 20th April 1918. Commemorated at Leeds Roman Catholic Cemetery.
243468 Pte Goodway John William. Home at 137 Fortunegate Rd, Harlesden London. Born Hampstead. Enlisted Leicester. Died on the 21st April 1918 aged 33. Ex 45210 Leicester Regt. Commemorated at St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen. Hospital.
35276 Pte Waterfield Frederick Charles. Home at North Walsham, Norfolk, place of birth. Enlisted Wroxham. Died on the 21st April 1918. Ex 35213 9th TR Battn. Commemorated at Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension.
25th - Bn embussed at Lambres and debussed at Calonne Ricouart.

Area of Retreat April 1918.

26th - Entrained at Calonne Ricouart and detrained at Fismes on 28th. Marched to Unchair. Stayed here training until 30th.
25041 Pte Curzon Francis. Born in Cheshire. Home at 5 Selbourne St, Middlesbrough, N Yorks. Enlisted 26th October 1915. Transferred to the 1st Battn of the East Yorkshire Regiment as 30030. Wounded and hospitalised at some time. Killed in action 25th April 1918 inKemmel area during battle of the Lys. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
2nd Lt Crapper Charles Home at 8 Cavendish Rd St Johns Wood London. He had been wounded during the German offensive of March 1918 on the Somme and died in the UK of these wounds on the 26th April 1918 aged 31. Ex Sgt Royal Army Medical Corps. Commemorated at Bradfield St Nicholas Churchyard nr Sheffield.
243379 L/Cpl Smith John William. Home at 11 Alma Tce, Pocklington, Yorks. Enlisted Pocklington. Died of wounds on the 29th April 1918 aged 27. Commemorated at Ham British Cemetery Muille Villette.
241255 Pte Trewick Daniel. Home at 33 Lincoln St, Middlesbrough.Born and enlisted Middlesbrough. Died of wounds on the 29th April 1918 aged 18. Commemorated at North Ormesby St Josephs RC Cemetery.
30th - Moved from Unchair to St Gilles by march route.
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