Day One Hundred and Forty One on the Somme

Saturday 18th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

It has been very wet again today here on the Somme. There was even a heavy fall of snow at Berles-au-Bois where 2nd Bedfords are in the line.

The rain and snow has simply added to the misery of the troops in the front and support lines. The word here is that the Battle of the Somme has probably come to a close. This morning the Higland Light Infantry from 32nd Division attacked Frankfort Trench, east of Beaucourt, in a blinding sleety rain. Sadly their attack ran into heavy fire and, though a small number of men made it into the trench they were forced out again. The two battalions taking part have lost around 275 dead between them(1).

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) This was the last attack during the Battle of the Somme.

Day One Hundred and Thirty Eight on the Somme

Wednesday 15th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today Munich Trench (just east of Wagon Road, itself just north-east of Beaumont-Hamel) has been taken by 51st (Highland) and 2nd Divisions. Early this morning 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, including the 4th Bedfords, was relieved by 37th Division, including the 6th Bedfords. An attack on Frankfort Trench, east of Beaucourt, by part of 37th Division, including the Bedfords, was unsuccessful. The Battalion lost three officers killed – Second Lieutenant John Griffin, Second Lieutenant Cecil le Messurier and Second Lieutenant George McEwan. No other ranks were killed.

The adjutant of the 7th Bedfords has been in contact today. They have been in the front line at Regina Trench, waiting to attack Petit Miraumont and the bridge over the River Ancre. However: “The Battalion moved back to Huts in Ovillers. During this tour in the trenches all preparations were made for attack on Miraumont but the weather was very wet and it was not carried out before the Battalion was due for relief”.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/7/1; X550/8/1