The Bravest Man in the Battalion?

Lieutenant Hurrell and Captain Wynne [X550/1/81] 

Wednesday 29th March 1916: the acting adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Second Lieutenant F A Sloan, at la Houssoye told us that yesterday there was a demonstration showing how effective the new smoke helmets are against gas. Captain R O Wynne and the adjutant Lieutenant J W Hurrell were admitted to hospital, sick, it is not believed that this was from the effects of the gas demonstration or the bug which seems to be running through the battalion.

The adjutant told us that a former commander of the Battalion who is now a general – R L Curteis, forwarded to his successor as commanding officer the sum of £5. This was to be awarded to the soldier of the rank of Sergeant or below who, in the opinion of all ranks, had performed the most gallant act of offense during the war without receiving official recognition. This excellent idea was taken up with alacrity and his comrades decided that the reward should fall to Corporal Freshwater, who comes from Willesden in London.

Accordingly at 2.30 pm yesterday Brigadier Stanley DSO, commanding 89th Infantry Brigade presented the money to Corporal G.Freshwater. It was a reward for the following act of gallantry: "At Neuve-Chapelle on the 12th March 1915, Captain C C Foss VC, DSO called for volunteers to capture a trench which the enemy had taken. Corporal Freshwater (then a Private) at once volunteered and called on others to follow his example and accompany Captain Foss. The party consisting of one officer and six bombers recaptured the lost trench and took 54 German prisoners. Corporal Freshwater showed exceptional courage and was the second man to enter the German trench". All the other men received gallantry awards, including the Victoria Cross for Captain Foss. By some oversight Corporal Freshwater had received nothing.

On the arrival of the Brigadier the Battalion presented arms and formed three sides of a square. Brigadier Stanley addressed the Battalion as follows: “Officers, NCOs and Men of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regt. Colonel Poyntz has done me the honour of asking me to present the sum of £5 to Corporal Freshwater” and addressed him as follows: “Corporal Freshwater it affords me the greatest pleasure to present to you the sum of £5, you have been chosen by your comrades as having performed the most gallant act during the war, without receiving any award or recognition and I am assured you thoroughly deserve it. It must afford you the greatest pleasure to know that you have been unanimously chosen by your comrades to receive this award as a brave man”.

After this ceremony the Brigadier made the following address to the Battalion.

“Some 3½ months ago I had the pleasure of welcoming you into my Brigade and I felt that I should be proud of you. I find that I have had just cause to be so, and anything I required doing in the Trenches I received immediate response from the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regt. Officers and Men carried out all duties with vigour and exactitude and I feel that I can rely on you under every circumstance. You have always shown a willingness which affords me the greatest pleasure - Colonel Poyntz I congratulate you on your fine battalion”(1).

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) Sadly Corporal George Freshwater did not have long to enjoy his reward, as he died of wounds on 8th July 1916. According to a historic inflation calculator (http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html) £5 in 1916 was worth just over £450 by 2016 standards.

The 2nd Bedfords in Action at Neuve Chapelle

Saturday 13th March 1915: yesterday morning we reported that the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was about to go into action. We can now report more fully what has happened since courtesy of the adjutant. “At 7 a.m. yesterday Major W. H. Denne prepared to make a counter-attack with part of A Company on a trench captured by the enemy shortly beforehand. Major Denne was severely wounded(1). Captain C. B. Cumberlege and Captain J. H. G. Baird commenced another counter-attack but the whole party was killed or wounded. Captain Baird and four men reached the trench which was the object of the attack and one man was killed and the other three wounded”.

“At about the same time it was noticed that the Royal Scots Fusiliers were suffering severely from our own shell fire. I was sent to report this to Brigade Headquarters and the Brigadier directed that the trench should be re-taken”.

“Captain C. C. Foss D.S.O., with men of our Grenade Section advanced along A Company Trench, behind the Northampton Trench, followed by a platoon to make good the trench and they attacked the Germans. These, after one or two grenades had been thrown, held up their hands and were captured. One Officer and 48 Germans surrendered of whom fourteen were wounded. A Company. was sent forward to consolidate the position won. Part of a Platoon of B Company escorted the prisoners back”.

We understand that the names of the brave men led by Captain Foss are as follows: 9078 Private W. Eade; 6215 Private S. Scrivener, 9822 Sergeant W. Peggs, 7270 Private P. Cogan, 6477 Private W. Smith, 9878 Private G. Freshwater, 5803 Private J. Lovett, 9797 Private H. Barnett and 16441 Private F. Brown.

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The battalion has lost four officers wounded, fifteen other ranks killed, sixty six wounded and five missing in yesterday’s action. It is understood that Captain Foss’ name is to be put forward for a singular honour and that the men who went with him may also receive gallantry awards in time(2). The Battalion held the same line overnight and continues to hold it this morning.

The battle as a whole now appears to be over due to lack of ammunition for our guns. Our troops have pushed the Germans back some way and shown that their trenches can be captured. The generals will, no doubt, study this limited success in hopes of achieving something even better next time.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He died on 21st February 1917, aged 40 and is buried in Brimpsfield churchyard in Gloucestershire.

(2) Charles Calveley Foss was gazetted with the Victoria Cross on 23rd August 1915. The citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery at Neuve Chapelle on 12th March 1915. After the enemy had captured a part of one of our trenches, and our counter-attack made with one Officer and 20 men having failed (all but two of the part being killed or wounded in the attempt), Captain Foss, on his own initiative, dashed forward with eight men, under heavy fire, attacked the enemy with bombs, and captured the position including the 52 Germans occupying it. The capture of this position from the enemy was of the greatest importance, and the utmost bravery was displayed in essaying the task with so few men”.