Officers

 Second Lieutenant C Shekury [X550/1/81]

Friday 30th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

Two officers of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, have been awarded the Military Cross for their actions in the recent advance from Agny to Mercatel and for patrols undertaken on 16th March. The two men concerned are Second Lieutenant A Stone and Second Lieutenant C Shekury(1).

Second Lieutenant A Stone [X550/1/81]

Over the last few days two more officers have joined 4th Bedfords. Second Lieutenant Bloodworth arrived on 28th and Second Lieutenant Scott arrived today.

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

(1) Lieutenant Cecil Shekury MC would be killed on 16th April 1918, he is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery near Ypres. 

After Operations

Captain P C Cavan [X550/1/81]

Thursday 22nd March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has today moved back to Bretencourt after its operations around Mercatel, arriving at 8.30 am. In a reshuffle, Captain P C Cavan took over command of A Company from Lieutenant H de Buriatte, Captain R.Hopkins rejoined from hospital and took over command of B Company from 2nd Lieutenant A P Methuen and Lieutenant L A L Fink MC also rejoined from hospital.

Source: X550/3/WD

Day Three of Operations

Tuesday 20th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

Operations by 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment between Agny, Mercatel and Neuville Vitasse continued today. Last night passed off quietly, with desultory shelling throughout. Heavy rain continued all night. A patrol under Second Lieutenant G Lenton went out to Hénin-sur-Cojeul at 4.30 a.m., but found it occupied.

Second Lieutenant G Lenton [X550/1/81]

The Battalion’s main position along the road from Beaurains to Boyelle was shelled at intervals throughout the day and night but no casualties occurred. The village of Mercatel was also shelled but the battalion had entirely avoided it in its dispositions.

Source: X550/3/WD

2nd Battalion Advance Continues

Monday 19th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 2nd Battalion near Agny south-west of Arras advanced yesterday into trenches vacated by the enemy. Last evening they were ordered to see if the village of Mercatel was occupied, which it was. Patrols were again pushed into the village about 9 pm last night and found that the enemy patrols had withdrawn and that the enemy were now shelling the village.

About 2.30 this morning Second Lieutenant A F Aldridge with a platoon of C Company joined Second Lieutenant A W Joyce and they both pushed forward, Second Lieutenant Joyce with his platoon to the eastern edge of the village and Second Lieutenant Aldridge to the high ground shown on the map above in blue. About 7 am a German cavalry patrol of six men was fired on by Second Lieutenant Aldridge’s party, but no casualties were seen.

Second Lieutenant Aldridge [X550/1/81]

So far Mercatel and the high ground beyond had been taken by patrols. It was now time for a major advance. At 7.30 am orders were received for an advance on Mercatel in conjunction with 2/10th Battalion, London Regiment on our right and the 20th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment on the left.

The Battalion was formed up ready for the attack, C and D Companies forming the attacking waves, A Company in support, and B Company in reserve in Malplaquet Trench and headquarters near the railway and le Chat Maigre (both also shown in blue).

The advance did not take place until 10.30, as the 2/10th London Regiment did not come up until then. Mercatel was reached without opposition and a little shelling. About 12 noon the leading Companies got as far as the high ground previously occupied by Second Lieutenant Aldridge and dug in here, as the Londoners had not come up on the right.

At 3.30 pm orders were given for C and D Companies to push on and dig in along their objective on the Beaurains to Boyelle Road which they did under considerable shell fire, as they were digging in full view of the enemy who were in Neuville Vitasse and the ridge south-east of it. On seeing our men advancing the 2/10th London Regiment advanced shortly after and joined up on the right along the Road. Touch was also at once gained with the 20th King’s (Liverpool) Regiment along the road on the left (shown in green on the map). This formed the main position and small posts were pushed out about 150 yards in front of it, forming an outpost line. By dusk the men were well dug in.

Source: X550/3/WD

2nd Battalion Advances

Lieutenant de Buriatte [X550/1/81]

Sunday 18th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

During last night and early this morning the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, at Agny south-west of Arras observed a number of fires behind the German lines and also loud explosions were heard. At 7.30 this morning they received information that the Brigade on their Right (175th Inf.Bde of 58th (2nd/1st London) Division) had advanced and occupied the German Trenches.

Second Lieutenant Methuen [X550/1/81]

At about 8 am orders were received from Brigade Headquarters to send over patrols to ascertain if the Germans in front of the Battalion had gone. One Platoon of A Company under Second Lieutenant T G Searle and one platoon of B Company under Second Lieutenant F T Matthews (both men recently promoted from the ranks) entered the German lines and found them unoccupied.

At about 9.30 A and B Companies under Lieutenant H de Buriatte and Second Lieutenant A P Methuen respectively advanced and occupied the German front and support line. During this occupation of the Battalion was subject to a little artillery fire, chiefly 77 mm and some 4.8 howitzers. Quite a number of traps were encountered, 2nd Lieutenant R H Hose, who only joined the battalion two days ago, and 21111 Private T.Pearson being both killed by bomb traps. The advance was continued and about 1 pm patrols were next pushed on to Malplaquet Trench, also unoccupied by the enemy.

Second Lieutenant R H Hose [X550/1/81]

At 5.45 pm one platoon of "D" Company under Second Lieutenant A W Joyce was ordered to reconnoitre towards Mercatel and ascertain if it was occupied. We have just heard from the adjutant that the village is occupied.

Source: X550/3/WD