More Action for the 8th Battalion

Major F H Edwards [X550/1/82]

Saturday 22nd December 1917

The adjutant of 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment informs us that Major F H Edwards MC has taken over command of the Battalion. Meanwhile the 8th Battalion, in the front line near Riencourt on the old Arras battlefield, has been in action again this morning.

At around the same time as yesterday the enemy attacked the block in the trench separating the two trench systems. Whereas yesterday was a patrol with rifles, this morning they used bombs, ten being thrown and wounding two men, though Lewis gun fire again sent the enemy packing. The Battalion is being relieved as I write these lines and they will march back to billets at Mory.

Source: X550/9/1

Confusion over Billets

Monday 17th December 1917

The 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are at Mory, behind the lines north of Bapaume. This morning they marched the five miles from Courcelles-le-Comte, via Gomiecourt. They arrived at 11 a.m. but did not get into their billets until 12.30 as they were occupied by 7th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantryt from 3rd Division. Things like this are commonplace and annoying to the men involved. This was especially so as snow fell during the whole of the march and the men were wet and cold when they arrived. Tonight four officers and two hundred men have the pleasure of going up to the front line again to carry out the dangerous job of putting up barbed wire.

Source: X550/9/1