Monday 27th December 1915: A private in the 7th Battalion,
Bedfordshire Regiment, spoke to us today: “As you know if you have studied the
career of this Regiment [sic – Battalion] it is one of the smartest regiments
in the Bedfordshires or, I might say, in Lord Kitchener’s Army. We are in a
division second to none – the 18th(1) – yet when the Battalion leaves England
on active service it appears to have passed out of memory of Bedfordshire
people. Take for instance this Christmas. Other regiments of this Division have
had some good times for Christmas, but the 7th Bedfords have not been allowed
to enter a canteen. In fact they do not own such a place. Why is it? Don’t we
deserve it? Surely we have done our bit and hope to do it again. I am a
Bedfordshire man myself and I have one of your papers sent out weekly. I think
the people at home ought to wake up and realise the position we are in at
present. Surely we deserve a little comfort”(2)
Source: Bedfordshire Times 7th January
1916
(1) 18th
(Eastern) Division quickly came to be seen as an élite formation, particularly
after its performance in the Battle of the Somme.
(2) The
Battalion war diary for Christmas day simply says: “Football Tournament. 4.30pm
Christmas Dinner”.
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