Good Friday

Friday 29th March 1918

Today is Good Friday. The enemy advance seems to have petered out altogether. Whether it is a coincidence that this has happened on such a holy day may be a matter for conjecture. Tommy Atkins is just glad that it has.

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has remained in billets all day today, resting, though Lieutenant-Colonel Poyntz has been admitted to hospital, sick. There aare many French troops in front of the Bedfords and this afternoon there was an alarm as it was reported that the Germans had seized the village of Moreuil. Fortunately, this news turned out to be fake.


The 4th Battalion has also remained in billets and the adjutant informed me that Private Slough has been awarded the Military Medal for his gallant conduct during the retreat. The 6th Battalion is also in billets, at Toutencourt near the old Somme battlefield.

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

2nd Battalion Nearing the Front Line

Colonel Poyntz [X550/1/82]

Thursday 21st February 1918

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has marched today from Aubigny-aux-Kaisnes to dug-outs in Savy. These are about two miles west of Saint-Quentin. Their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz has taken over temporary command of 90th Brigade as Brigadier G A Stevens is on leave.

Sources: X550/3/wd

Training

Captain F V Parker [X550/1/81]

Thursday 14th February 1918

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, after the excitement of yesterday’s inspection have been training today. Captain F V Parker has taken command of the Battalion in the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz who has taken command of 89th Brigade.

Today 7th Battalion moved from Salency a few miles north-east to Caillouël. This is the first step on a journey towards the front line south of Saint-Quentin.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1

Commanding Officer Again

Lieutenant-Colonel Poyntz [X550/1/82]

Thursday 17th January 1918

Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Stainton Poyntz has rejoined 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He went sick on 8th April last year, the day before the Battalion took part in the first day of the battle of Arras. He resumes his role as commanding officer in lieu of Lieutenant-Colonel E I de S Thorpe who has left to command the 1st Battalion in Italy. 51 other ranks also joined the battalion at Vauvillers today.

The 7th Battalion are in the front line at Houthulst where it is cold, with showers of snow. There is much water again in front line posts, which has to be constantly baled out. A considerable number of duck boards have been carried up and put into these floded posts in the hope that by raising the floor it may help keep the men’s feet dry.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1

The Regiment at Easter

Easter Sunday 8th April 1917

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment have spent Easter Sunday on the move. On Saturday they moved from Allouagne, west of Béthune to Bruay-la-Buissiere and this evening they have arrived in Cambligneul between Béthune and Arras. Here they are acting as part of a reserve to the Canadian Corps a few miles away to the east on Vimy Ridge. Major R le Huquet has joined the battalion as second-in-command.

The 2nd Battalion, meanwhile, had an exciting night. About 2.15 am the enemy tried to rush one of their advanced posts just west of the village of Saint-Martin-sur-Cojeul, shown by the blue cross on the map above, but were repulsed.Tonight, the adjutant reports, the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz is not at all well and will probably have to go to hospital. His brother is currently away from the Battalion, so Captain R O Wynne will assume command(1).

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

(1) This illness occurred a few hours before the Battalion went into action in the opening hours of the Battle of Arras

All Change in the 2nd Battalion

Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz

Thursday 1st March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are still in the front line at Agny, south-west of Arras. It has been a quiet day without casualties but with a few changes. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel H D Poyntz has taken over as commender of 89th Infantry Brigade in the absence of Brigadier-General F C Stanley. Captain H A W Pearse has gone to 89th Infantry Brigade Headquarters for instruction and Lieutenant H de Buriatte has taken over command of A Company.

Source: X550/3/WD

Enemy Still Near Arras

Second Lieutenant E E Bath [X550/1/81]

Tuesday 27th February 1917 from our correspondent in the field

For all that the Germans have pulled back quite some way on the Somme it seems that around Arras they have not gone very far. Second Lieutenant G A Anstee spoke with me this afternoon to tell me that from their positions at Agny, south-west of the city, they could hear and observe our artillery active throughout the day on enemy’s lines. Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz has returned from leave and once more taken command. A new officer has also joined the Battalion, Second Lieutenant E E Bath.

Source: X550/3/WD

Tit-for-Tat Captures

Second Lieutenant A W Joyce [X550/1/81]

Tuesday 23rd January 1917

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, have welcomed back 10353 Sergeant A W Joyce from England. However, he is no longer a sergeant. He was in England on a course for officers and has returned as a Second Lieutenant. He has been posted to D Company. Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz has also rejoined the battalion and resumed command.

6th Battalion, at le Touret, near Neuve-Chapelle have been laying barbed wire in their front line. Whilst doing this they captured two German prisoners who were patrolling. Thus the Battalion have avenged Second Lieutenant Mattey and Sergeant Hunter who seem to have been captured on patrol three days ago. At another time and in another place the two might have been exchanged for the two Germans newly taken prisoner but such things do not happen much in this war.

Sources: X550/3/WD; X550/7/1

Instant Promotion

Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz [X550/1/82]

Sunday 14th January 1917

Yesterday Captain Massey Poyntz was promoted to major and became second-in-command. He has received an instant promotion. His brother, Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Poyntz has departed 2nd Battalion for 3rd Army School, so Major Poyntz is now commanding officer, albeit only on a temporary basis until his brother’s return.

Source: X550/3/WD

One Captain Leaves, One Captain Takes Over

Major J W H T Douglas [X550/1/81]

Saturday 13th January 1917

The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, in billets at Mondicourt, tells me that one cricketing captain has been replaced by another. Major J W H T Douglas, captain of Essex and England has left the battalion this morning to command 1st/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, part of 46th (North Midland) Division, which was based in and around Luton from August 1914 to February 1915.

Major E S M Poyntz [X550/1/81]

Major Douglas’ successor as second-in-command is the captain of Somerset, Captain E S M Poyntz, who has been promoted to major. Major Poyntz is, of course, brother of Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz the battalion’s commanding officer.

Source: X550/3/WD

More Awards

Friday 5th January 1917

The New Year is a time when awards are granted to outstanding soldiers in the army. We heard of a number of awards to 2nd Battalion on New Year’s Day; yesterday we heard of seven members of the battalion mentioned in despatches: Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz, DSO; Captain R O Wynne, DSO; Lieutenant J W Hurrell; 2nd Lieutenant G A Anstee, MC; 2nd Lieutenant L H Walker; 9009 Company Quarter Master Sergeant H Maidment and 9675 Lance Sergeant G Wilson(1)

Lieutenant J W Hurrell [X550/1/81]

Meanwhile, 8th Battalion has been informed that their regimental sergeant major has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In addition the commanding officer (Lord Henry Scott), Captain Steyn, Captain Pares and Second Lieutenant Smith have been mentioned in despatches(2) .

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

(1) Second Lieutenant Walker was killed in the attack on Gird Trench on 12th October 1916 and is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval.

(2) Second Lieutenant W T Smith would be killed on 3rd March and is buried at Cambrin Military Cemetery.

How Happy is Your New Year?

Monday 1st January 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 1st Battalion have not been celebrating the New Year today. They have moved into the front line again at Cuinchy, north of Arras and east of Béthune. The adjutant informed me on the telephone that: “The trenches are in a very poor state owing to recent heavy rain and accommodation for men in Trenches is very poor and scanty”.

The other regular battalion of the Regiment - 2nd Battalion - is also in the front line. They are at Berles-au-Bois, some miles south-west of Arras. Second Lieutenant G A Anstee has returned to the unit from leave and fifty new men have joined from base. Second Lieutenant Anstee is celebrating the granting of a Military Cross, announced in today’s London Gazette.

Honorary Major Cressingham [X550/1/81]

The Gazette has also announced that the battalion’s commanding officer, Second Lieutenant H S Poyntz has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order, as has Captain Reggie Wynne. Meanwhile the battalion’s long-serving quartermaster, Captain H M Cressingham has been promoted to Honorary Major.

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

One Cricketer Succeeds Another

Lt Col Poyntz

Monday 3rd April 1916: The 2nd Battalion are in Grovetown Camp on the Somme and, though officially resting and finding working parties to labour for the Royal Engineers. Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz, commanding officer of the battalion today takes over temporary command of 89th Infantry Brigade, He is replaced by Captain J W H T Douglas, thus one cricketer succeeds another.

Source: X550/3/wd

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.

A New Commander

Hugh Stainton Poyntz [X550/1/82]

Monday 31st January 1916: The 2nd Battalion are still at Suzanne which was still being shelled yesterday, though not so violently. The adjutant tells us that in the last three days twelve men have been wounded commenting that this is: “a remarkably small number considering the very bad fortifications found in this village”.

Lieutenant-Colonel Onslow left to command the 1st Bedfords and Major Hugh Stainton Poyntz has assumed command. Major Poyntz was, before the war, a cricketer of some note. He played for Somerset and brother, Massey Poyntz captained the eleven in 1913 and 1914. Major Poyntz has played 39 times for Somerset making 1,148 runs at an average of 19.46.

Source: X550/3/wd