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

A Family at War

Monday 21st September 1914: Quartermaster-Sergeant F. Scott, who is a well-known figure in Luton, is one of nine relatives serving with the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Quartermaster-Sergeant Scott is in charge of the headquarters and stores of the South Beds Detachment at Park-street, Luton. On active service with the Battalion are Colour-Sergeant F. C. Scott, Sergeant F. Scott, Private E. Scott, Private F. Scott, Private McEwan, Private H. Scott, Private F. Rimmer and Private Holt. The younger men are chiefly nephews of the Quartermaster-Sergeant. About ten years ago there was a Scott occupying every rank in the 5th Beds”.[1]

Source: Luton News 1st October 1914

[1] The following members of the family died on active service: 4085 Private Frank Rimmer, killed 16th August 1915 and commemorated on the Helles Memorial; 200233 Quartermaster Sergeant Edward Scott, died 12th January 1918 and buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery