Sixty Seventh Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Friday 5th October 1917

Today has seen little fighting and we now enter the customary lull after a major assault, consolidating against counter-attacks and preparing for the next heave. Today the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment have entered the front line for the first time in this battle relieving the 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment south of Veldhoek and looking towards Gheluvelt, scene of the blooding of the 2nd Bedfords in October 1914.

The 2nd Battalion is also in the line not far away near Hollebeke. A stray shell, we hear, has killed Captain L A L Fink MC, who joined in March last year as a subaltern and fought with them through all the Somme campaign.  

6th Battalion is now in support to 111th Brigade south of the Menin Road. The new adjutant told me that they relieved three other battalions and that there was rather heavy shelling round the support company’s trenches and Battalion Headquarters. Second Lieutenant A R Jones and W B Collins have been wounded, two other ranks killed and eight wounded. He commented: “This relief was extremely difficult, and was much impeded by practice barrages”. Their position is now only a few hundred yards from the 1st Battalion as will be seen from the map above.

Today we have heard from the 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the front line at Gaza in Palestine. The adjutant informed us that the enemy fired heavily on the position and Lieutenant E C B Woodhouse was fatally wounded with as many as sixty other ranks also receiving wounds of differing seriousness. The Turks then attacked the battalion’s position and it is thought that some loss was inflicted on the enemy as they were prevented from coming to close quarters by the battalion’s rifle and Lewis gun fire. The day otherwise passed without incident.

At 6 o’clock last night three patrols left the front line at Subket Post. The first patrol's object was to advance into Fisher’s Orchard and draw the Turks to follow them back on to a line held by the second patrol. The Third patrol was to lie up and try to ambush patrols of Turks who might come along. The first patrol under the command of Second Lieutenant Dennis found the enemy and succeeded in drawing them towards the second patrol commanded by Second Lieutenant Gurney. Here the Turks discovered the trap and withdrew, followed by a heavy fire from the patrols’ Lewis gun and rifles. The third patrol, commanded by Second Lieutenant Mander did not encounter any enemy

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/wd; X550/6/8; X550/7/1

Straight to the Front Line

Lieutenant Hobbs [X550/1/81]

Tuesday 29th May 1917

Just after midnight 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, arrived by train at Ypres. They will have no rest, however, as tonight they are to go into the front line in front of the ruins of Zillebeke, south-east of Ypres. Lieutenant W Hobbs has taken over the duties of acting adjutant from Lieutenant L A L Fink.

Meanwhile, 1st Battalion, in billets, has been finding working parties and training. At 4 pm the commanding officer gave a lecture to all officers and non-commissioned officers on their duties. After tea there was a football match in which D Company took on the rest of the Battalion. The day was rounded off nicely by an open-air concert at 7.30.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3WD

A New Adjutant, A New Commanding Officer and A New Ally?

Lord Ampthill [X550/1/82]

Tuesday 3rd April 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, Lieutenant G A Anstee has been admitted to hospital, sick. The new acting adjutant is Lieutenant L A L Fink MC. This afternoon the battalion left its billets in Bailleulmont heading for Blaireville. This place is quite close to Agny, where the battalion has been for much of the year. Both Agny and Blaireville are south-west of the town of Arras.

The 8th Battalion are in the front line near Loos. They came under intense bombardment for about ten minutes at 10 o’clock this morning and braced themselves for an enemy raid or attack – but nothing happened. They lost one man killed and thirteen wounded. The adjutant noted wryly that it was as if it was a fanfare to welcome their new commanding officer, none other than Lord Ampthill, cousin to the Duke of Bedford. He is a thoroughly familiar figure to many of the men, who undertook their training at Ampthill Camp where he was commandant. It is understood that he has been desperate to command one of “his” battalions at the front and so one peer of the realm succeeds another (Lord Henry Scott) as the 8th Battalion’s commander. He is expected to assume his duties tomorrow once he has “learned the ropes”.

Undoubtedly the biggest news out here, however, comes from our former colonies in North America. Yesterday President Wilson requested Congress to declare war on Germany. The enemy’s arrogance in opening a campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare, posing a real and present danger to all American shipping, and their foolish suggestion of an alliance with Mexico against three of the USA’s southern states has rebounded on them in the fullest fashion. All fingers are firmly crossed that Congress backs their president.

Sources: X550/3/WD; X550/9/1

After Operations

Captain P C Cavan [X550/1/81]

Thursday 22nd March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has today moved back to Bretencourt after its operations around Mercatel, arriving at 8.30 am. In a reshuffle, Captain P C Cavan took over command of A Company from Lieutenant H de Buriatte, Captain R.Hopkins rejoined from hospital and took over command of B Company from 2nd Lieutenant A P Methuen and Lieutenant L A L Fink MC also rejoined from hospital.

Source: X550/3/WD

Training Goes On

Lieutenant L A L Fink [X550/1/81]

Wednesday 7th February 1917 from our correspondent in the field

As small attacks begin again on the Somme the rest of the army is still training ready for any big push to take place in the next month of two. 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is at Monchiet, south-west of Arras. Today Captain R E Oakley proceeded to the Third Army School, to which most of the senior officers of the Battalion have now been. In his absence Lieutenant L L Fink has taken over command of C Company(1).

Source: X550/3/WD

(Lawrence Fink MC would die on 4th October 1917 - he is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery)

Changes in the Second Battalion

Second Lieutenant Pitts

Thursday 14th December 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today your correspondent decided to leave Albert and catch a lift on a General Service lorry to go and visit the 2nd Battalion at Berles-au-Bois. On arrival he found that Second Lieutenant J P Pitts, who had been attending 3rd Army School, had returned and taken command of D Company. Second Lieutenant R E Oakley has taken over command of C Company from Second Lieutenant L A L Fink.

Second Lieutenant Oakley

Whist I was there a draft of ten other ranks arrived from base. They were all men who had served in France and Flanders earlier in the war with a number of different regiments, had been wounded and sent back to “Blighty” as the troops out here call home. Now recovered they have been posted to the 2nd Bedfords.

Source: X550/3/wd

8th Bedfords in the Trenches at Givenchy

Monday 4th December 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

In the last few days the adjutant of the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has been keeping me informed about their situation at Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée. This evening he told me that just after dark the Battalion’s Lewis gunners caught an enemy working party in the open. As he remarked matter-of-factly: “Cries of pain denoting casualties were heard”. Earlier in the day a German was seen peering over the parapet. It was his last act as one of the Battalion snipers made sure.

Lieutenant L A L Fink

The 2nd Battalion are still at Berles-au-Bois to the north of the Somme battlefield, having relieved the 20th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment this afternoon. The adjutant heard today that Second Lieutenant L A L Fink has been awarded the Military Cross(1)

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/9/1

(1) Captain L A L Fink MC would be killed on 5th October 1917 and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery

Second Bedfords' Officers Command Other Battalions

Lieutenant Mudford

Sunday 26th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, mentioned to me when I rode up to the rear areas at Berles-au-Bois today that they have temporarily lost three of their most experienced officers. 

Major J W H T Douglas

Lieutenant H E Mudford has proceeded on leave whilst Major J W H T Douglas has taken temporary command of 20th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment and Captain R O Wynne temporary command of 17th Battalion of the Liverpools. 

Cptain R O Wynne

A Second Lieutenant (L A L Fink) has had to take over command of C Company.

Second Lieutenant Fink

Source: X550/3/wd

Day Twelve on the Somme

Wednesday 12th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The 2nd Battalion’s ordeal in Trônes Wood has continued today. About 10 pm last night the enemy surrounded the force formerly led by Captain Tyler, bombing it from three sides. In the circumstances Lieutenant L H Walker ordered the men to fall back to the old brickworks on the other side of Bernafay Wood where they joined the Battalion’s headquarters. C and D Companies, entrenched in the south-west of the wood managed to retain their toe-hold all night despite frequent attacks.

Lieutenant Walker

This morning Lieutenant W White and Second Lieutenant L A L Fink were sent from the reserve of officers at the Battalion’s transport lines to replace those officers who were lost yesterday. Lieutenant White took over command of A Company from the unfortunate Captain Tyler who is either dead or a prisoner.

Lieutenant White

Just after midnight two companies of 17th Battalion King’s (Liverpool) Regiment occupied the southern edge of the wood and linked up with C and D Companies of the Bedfords. Through the day this line has been held despite many determined attacks with bombs by the enemy. Second Lieutenant H J Bricknell was wounded during the day.

Second Lieutenant Bricknell

We understand that 55th Brigade of 18th Division (7th Bedfords are in 54th Brigade of that division) has been temporarily attached to 30th Division because, although the division now holds the southern part of the wood, it has suffered many casualties over the last four days and is exhausted. I can vouch that the lined faces of the officers and men I have seen today attest to their expenditure of strength and courage over the last day or more.

Source: X550/3/wd

Attack Postponed

Second Lieutenant Fink [X550/1/81]

Thursday 29th June 1916: Something the adjutant of the 2nd Battalion let slip today tells us the great push on the Somme should have begun this morning. However, it has been very wet for the past two days, so the ground was not optimum for a speedy advance. This suggests a couple of days will be allowed for the ground to dry which further suggests that the attack may begin on or around 1st July.

Second Lieutenant L. H. Walker and ten men carried out a very successful reconnaissance of the enemy lines during the night. The patrol penetrated into enemy support line and returned with very useful information. Second Lieutenant  L. A. Fink and twelve men also reconnoitred then enemy front line trenches. Unfortunately Corporal Thurgood and six men lost touch and did not return which probably means they have been captured.

Source: X550/3/wd

Second Lieutenant L. H. Walker [X550/1/81]

Accidents, Arrivals and Games

2nd Lieutenants L A L Fink and L H Fox [X550/1/81]

Friday 24th March 1916: The 2nd Battalion have been on the assault course at la Houssoye and the adjutant told us that one man was wounded whilst training. Two officers have just joined - Second Lieutenants L A L Fink and L H Fox(1); and the officers beat the sergeants in a football match by 4 goals to 3. Even when out of the front line and at rest life can be pretty busy.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) Second Lieutenant Fox was killed on 11th July 1916 and Captain Fink on 5th October 1917