Bedford Police Station in 1965 [BP65/54/3b]
Thursday 1st June 1916: An interesting ceremony was
performed in the Police Station yard, Bedford yesterday morning when Major
Lightfoot, of the Bedfordshire Regiment, handed to the Mayor of Bedford (Mr F R
Hockliffe) the gun which was in November 1915 lent to the Bedfordshire Regiment
in recognition of their gallantry in France when forming part of the 7th
Division at the time the gun was captured from the Germans. The trophy was
conveyed by a fatigue party of the Bedfordshire Regiment (amongst whom were
several of the soldiers present at the capture), headed by the fine band of the
Regiment, playing stirring tunes, and in formally presenting the gun Major Lightfoot
said he had the honour of handing it over as a loan to the Regiment and hoped
it would serve to remind those who saw it of the gallant conduct of their
county regiment. They all, he knew, as he did, regretted that many gallant
lives had been lost.
The Mayor
thanked Major Lightfoot and the regiment for the honour done done to the
Borough and said he had pleasure in taking the gun into safe keeping. He hoped
that shortly they would have erected a suitable enclosure that would be worthy
of the deeds done by the “Brave Bedfords”. He called for three cheers for the
Bedford Regiment, which were heartily given and the brief proceedings concluded
with the National Anthem.
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