Frost

Captain O A R Beale [X550/1/82]

Sunday 28th January 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The new adjutant of the 1st Battalion, Captain O A R Beale tells me that it has been frozen so hard that training has been very restricted, mostly route marches, drill and a certain amount of shooting being all that can be done.

Meanwhile C Company of 8th Battalion has moved into the front line at Loos. They are keyed up for a raid to be conducted early tomorrow morning. Earlier today Sergeant Jarvis was wounded when Private Fall discharged his rifle whilst cleaning it. One wonders how many other private soldiers might contemplate shooting their sergeant, though the adjutant assured me it was an accident. Such a dangerous breach of discipline is likely to have fairly severe repercussions.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/9/1

Bedfordshire Yeomen at the Front

Bedfordshire Yeomanry cap badge

Saturday 24th April 1915: Trooper R G Jarvis, Bedfordshire Yeomanry, is attached to Headquarters of the 48th (South Midland) Division. He was in business in Bedford before the war and has told us: “Perhaps it would interest your readers to know that there are 25 Bedfordshire Yeomanry out here attached to the division. We have now been out here over a fortnight and haven’t had such a bad time up to now. We are quite near the firing line and are slowly working our way up. We saw an aeroplane fight last night and one was brought down. Also saw another brought down by shrapnel. The living is not so bad, and we reside in barns. Our present residence is a loft, which we have made quite comfy. Should be glad if you could send us a “Times” weekly so that we can have some news”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 23rd April 1915.