Trench Mouth.
A common disorder among the soldiers at the Front caused by lack of oral
hygiene, bad nutrition and emotional stress.
It caused destruction of the gums, bleeding and ulcers.
Sadly many conditions were not recognised at the time.
Soldiers reporting sick for genuine causes were often given
a "Number 9" strong laxative and sent back to duty.
[Photo retouched copy by this website.]
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The Diary remarks - "A Battalion after months in trenches requires for its rest, comfort,
ample and good accommodation, facilities for recreation and area available for training. None of these were afforded
in the area allotted."
28th, 29th APRIL.
21005 Pte Williams John, William. Born Stockton. Enlisted at Middlesbrough,
N Yorks. Died at home and buried at Gateshead, East Cemetery.
Time spent at Fletre resting and cleaning and making billets as sanitary as possible.
2nd Lieut Miller and 36 other ranks were received.
One man returned from dental treatment "To be supplied with soft diet and a mouth wash for 2 months until his gums
hardened.".
The Bn remained at Fletre until the 25th of May.
During that time the Bn Diary notes despite the poor quarters "the men became smarter and lost the tired look and
weary walk which 4 months of trenches through the worst part of the year had given them."
Training was started. An apparatus was examined by which telephone messages could be tapped. "The enemy has been
listening to our messages for some time and the Boche has removed his telephones from the front Line."
The men were inoculated, but the Diary does not give any reasons.
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The Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Instituted in 1854, the DCM is the oldest British award for gallant acts in the field.
It was awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Army.
It ranks second only to the Victoria Cross.
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The people of Cleveland held a Flag Day on April 17th and raised a sum of £750.
£150 was placed at the disposal of the Bn and the remainder was invested for the benefit of men who have been
or will be rendered unfit for service.
2nd Lt Tugwell and 22 more other ranks were received.
The Division was inspected by the Army Commander [General H.O. Plumer.] and Distinguished Conduct Medals presented
by him to Sgt McKay, Cpl Pinkney and Pte Street.
Battalion Sports were held and were a "great success".
26th MAY. The Bn returned to Locre on its way to Trenches and spent the night at Kemmel Shelters, where
they took over from 2nd Bn Gordons.
27th MAY. The Bn took over from the 8th Kings [Liverpool] in Trenches G1 to G5 and H.1.4, "Z" Company
remaining at Kemmel Chateau.
28th MAY. Fairly quiet, but Trenches G1 to G3 trench mortared and 1 other rank was killed and 4 wounded.
4862 Pte Burton Arthur. Home at Eston N Yorks and enlisted at Middlesbrough.
Killed in action. Buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.
3873 Pte Garniss John, William. Enlisted at Northallerton. Died of wounds. Buried at Bailleul Communal
[Base Hospital] Cemetery Extension Nord.
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2nd Lts C Hawdon, H M Hollingsworth, A Coates, M W Macnay and Richardson received by the Bn.
29th MAY. Quiet. 1 other rank wounded and 1 received in.
30th MAY.
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On the Left, General Herbert O. Plumer.
GOC Second Army, of which the 50th Division was a part.
He was placed in this position in May 1915 and apart from
a spell in Italy retained it to the end of the War.
It is said that, being from an Infantry background, he understood the War situation better than the Cavalry men, who
usually occupied such high rank, many of whom still believed they were going to make a charge of the Light
Brigade through a gap in the German defences.
He thus had more respect from the men at the front, for whom the Top Brass were a particular target of their
more ribald songs.
[Picture courtesy of - "Photos of The Great War".
].
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3201 Pte Beckley Lewis, William. Home at Boosbeck, N Yorks. Born in Skelton in Cleveland,
N Yorks. Died of wounds. Buried at Bailleul Communal [Base Hospital] Cemetery Extension [Nord].
Slight trench mortaring. 1 other rank wounded. 2nd Lts R S Forrest and A R Cawood received.
3rd JUNE. After 3 quiet days with only one other rank wounded, the 24th Division were expected to make a raid
and some German retaliation was expected.
It turned out to be light, but 1 other rank was killed and 7 wounded.
4918 Pte Hicks George. Home at Carlin How N Yorks. Enlisted at Northallerton, N Yorks. Killed in action.
Buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.
4th JUNE. Relieved at night by th 5th Bn D.L.I and the Bn moved to Kemmel Shelters. 19 other rank
reinforcements received.
5th to 11th JUNE. The Bn remained at the Shelters providing working parties as usual.
Miss Lena Ashwell's Concert Party gave a performance.
On the 8th in the Birthday List Lt Col M.H.L. Bell was made a Companion of the Order of St Micheal and St George,
[C.M.G].
2906 Pte Harrison. W.G was awarded the Military Medal.
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"X" Company Cook.
[Photograph kindly contributed by John Sheen, author of Tyneside Irish, Durham Pals, & Wearside Battalion.]
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4806 Pte Wilson James. Home at 16 Eve St, Middlesbrough, N Yorks. Died of wounds. Age 20. Buried at
Longuenesse St Omer Souvenir [Hospital] Cemetery.
12th JUNE. The Bn relieved 5th D.L.I. in the same trenches. The raiding party, Lt Batty, 2nd Lt Laing and
50 Other ranks were left at the Shelters.
The 4th East Yorks were on the right and the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers on the left.
13th to 15th JUNE. Fairly quiet with some trench mortaring and only 1 other rank wounded.
3241 Pte Gibbin Arthur. Of 3 South View, Warrenby, Redcar, N Yorks. Died of wounds age 19. Buried at Boulogne Eastern
Cemetery. Of "Y" Company.
16th JUNE. The Boche commenced a heavy bombardment of trenches G1, G2 and Support trench 10. There was also
a gas barrage from shells fired by trench mortars about 50 yds behind trenches G1 to 3.
Gas was also emitted by the Germans on the right of the Bn but the North East wind took it away.
No attack was made by the enemy and casualties were Major B H Charlton, Capt C Sproxton and 2nd Lt A D Scott
wounded. 1 other rank was killed and 1 wounded.
3841 Pte Hewitt Leonard, Donald. Enlisted at Loftus, N Yorks. Killed in action. Buried at Kemmel Chateau
Military Cemetery.
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