Ampthill Camp [Z1306-1/34/2]
Saturday 3rd
July: We have just heard from Private P J Dawson of C Company, 2nd Battalion
Bedfordshire Regiment concerning the first draft of men sent from Ampthill
Training Camp (commonly known as The Duke of Bedford’s Regiment as he is
commander-in-chief of the camp) as replacements to the front. He writes of
their conduct at the Battle of Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée last month: “I am writing
now I have the chance to let you know of the splendid way in which the first
draft conducted themselves in their first engagement. Although they went into
the charge amidst a hail of bullets and bombs, also a very heavy bombardment,
the next day there was not the slightest sign of fear amongst them and they one
and all behaved as though they were quite used to being under fire. Taking them
all through, I am proud to have been trained with such a splendid lot of
fellows. We were only at the Base a day or two and then a party of us were
picked out to make up another draft. We went up the line, arriving at
Headquarters on Sunday and were in action the following day, so that we did not
lose much time. I wish to thank you on behalf of the first draft for your
kindness to us during our training at Ampthill Park. I can assure you, we all
appreciate it, now we are under real active service conditions and we wish to
express our gratitude for same. The boys are all cheerful out here, but we all
long to be back in England again and we are hoping the war will end shortly so
that we can return”.
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