Of the 21st West Yorkshires (Pioneers) with the 4th Division, it is impossible to say much, the battalion narrative consisting three lines only: " B," ," C " and " D " (Companies) repairing roads and tramways, and laying duckboard tracks Sandy Farm to Ings (one killed, seven wounded). Division attacked from north of Poelcappelle. Four of our Lewis—gun teams went over with the Division. " A " Company attached to 7th York and Lancaster Regiment and camped at B.23.d.9.8.
"The 21st Battalion had but recently arrived in the Ypres Salient,having been at work for several months in the Arras area. On 7th September the Pioneers had handed over all work to a Pioneer Battalion of 15th Division, and on the 8th marched to camp at Blairville for rest and training. And they deserved a rest, for since 30th April the battalion had been at work continuously a hardlife.
Leaving Blairville on 20th September the Pioneers proceeded by rail to Peselhoek, and on arrival at the latter place marched to Camp Pheasant, near Proven. Four more days of rest and training, and then " C " Company of the battalion was sent of to the Yser Canal Bank for work with the 20th Division. On the 28th the whole battalion moved to the Canal Bank, relieving the 11th Battalion(Pioneers) D.L.I. From now onwards the 21st West Yorkshires were engaged in work on the roads and tramways in the Langemarck area.
Although not exposed to such intense fire as that suffered by battalions holding the front-line or support trenches, the gallant Pioneers none the less carried out their work, in the midst of a good deal of danger. The enemy’s guns were continually searching the back areas for working parties, whilst his aeroplanes bombed any spot which showed abnormal activity, or wherever a number of men presented a possible target. On the 2nd October the battalion had several men wounded. On this day "A" Company was at work on the railway, and " C " was engaged in extending the tramways from Steenbeke to Langemarck, necessitated by the successful advance which had been made. " B " and " D " Companies erected camouflage screens at Marsouin Farm and Gaity Farm. During this work the Pioneers had nine men wounded. During the Battle of Broodseinde, on 4th October, the Pioneers had eight killed and wounded, and it is probable that the four Lewis-gun teams, which" went over " with the 4th Division, suffered more casualties, but there are no records to confirm this. The pity is that there is narrative describing the actions of these gallant Lewis gunners.
On the 5th October, the day following the Battle of Broodseinde, the 21st Yorkshires (Pioneers) were again hard at work, " A " Company on light railway construction at Rudolph Farm, while " B," ,`" C" and " D " Companies were repairing roads and tramways and laying duck-board tracks up to the front areas. Several days were thus spent, casualties, fortunately, being small, though the Pioneers were by no means working in " safe " areas. Only twenty casualties (one killed) were sustained during this period. While the 4th Division (on the left of the 11th Division) was attacking Poelcappelle on 9th October, " B," " C " and " D " Companies of the 21st West Yorkshires were engaged in repairing the Schreiboom -Poelcappelle road, whilst " A" Company was still at work on the light railway at Rudolph Farm. Three other ranks killed and fifteen wounded were the battalion’s casualties from shell-fire on this day. On 10th October the C.O. (Lieut.-Colonel Sir E.H. St. L. Clarke, Bt.) was wounded in the leg and evacuated to hospital. For the remainder of October there is little to record. The 4th Division moved from the Ypres area to join the Third Army on 16th October, but the gunners and the Pioneers remained behind re1ief from the tortuous life in the Salient was not to be theirs just yet.
Bron: The West Yorkshire Regiment in the War, 1914-1918 vol.II 1917; door Wyrall E.
