Moving Divisions

Wednesday 22nd May 1918

The bulk of the officers and men of the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment have now been absorbed by 1st/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment, which has left 39th Division for 37th Division, the home of the 6th Bedfords. The training cadre of officers and men took a train to Audruicq, roughly half way between Calais and Saint-Omer. They then marched to Nielles and any feelings of apprehension were assuaged by the welcome they received from 39th Division - the band of the 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment accompanying them on their march and playing them in with style.The adjutant noted that they had been "very cordially received" and have "very comfortable billets"

Source: X550/7/1

The Trainers for the Americans

Tuesday 21st May 1918

Today we learned the officers of the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment comprising the training staff for the Americans. Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. Edwards M.C. will be commanding officer.His staff will comprise Acting Captain D.M.Saunders (adjutant) Captain J. A. M. Hislop (Quartermaster), Captain A. W. Elliott M. C., Acting Captain O. E. Hobson, Lieutenants D. J. Greig (Lewis Gun Officer), and C. C. Clifford (Intelligence Officer) and Second Lieutenants W. Johnson, A. E. Iliffe  E. E. Ashby, (Signals Officer) as well as Regimental Sergeant Major, four Company Sergeant Majors, a Company Quartermaster Sergeant and forty eight other ranks. They proceeded to Mondricourt and caught a train to Audruicq.

Source: X550/7/1

2nd Battalion on the Move

Saturday 7th July 1917

2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment have moved quite some way today. They have been at English Wood near Ypres and at ten o’clock this morning entrained for Watten, a town a few miles south-east of Calais. They arrived at 4.10 pm and then marched to Polincove, a village to the north-west, two miles south-east of Audruicq 

X550/3/WD