Change of Personnel

Friday 5th July 1918

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire, now resting behind the lines, has appointed a new assistant adjutant - Lieutenant F F Lapper. Second Lieutenant A W G Smith has been appointed Lewis Gun Officer.

Sources: X550/3/wd

Wednesday 3rd April 1918

The attack planned by the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers took place last evening at Hangard. Progress was made, but owing to the overwhelming superiority of the enemy artillery and machine gun fire, the battalions were ordered to withdraw. Remember, this attack comes at the end of a long retreat by battalions at below half strength. One officer and two other ranks are reported killed, four officers and 48 other ranks wounded with four reported as missing. At ten o'clock last night the battalion moved back to Gentelles.

Today Lieutenant-Colonel Percival received the following letter from the brigadier, L W Sadleir Jackson: "I am enclosing you the result of the operation yesterday evening. I cannot express to you my admiration for the determination, and gallantry displayed by your Battalion. Although the attack made by your Regiment was unable to make headway in the face of overwhelming Artillery and Machine Gun Fire, the manner in which they held their ground is beyond praise and drew the whole of the enemy's strength, so that the troops co-operating on your left were able to get on to the objective. The Northamptonshire Regiment have pushed up on the right, and the whole objective is now in our possession. I mourn with you, for the loss of so many gallant Officers and men, which I fear was inevitable in so stiff an engagement. I hope you will convey to all ranks under your Command, the information that all the objective has been gained, and this is entirely due to their magnificent steadiness and behaviour in the face of overwhelming odds in artillery and machine guns. I hope you will convey the contents of this letter to all ranks in your Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment have now direct observation on Aubercourt".

The 2nd Battalion has maintained its tradition of having an American medical officer - Lieutenant Pomcrantz. A number of officers have rejoined the battalion from leave - Captain P J Reiss, Second Lieutenant F C Baldwin, Second Lieutenant A Baker, Second Lieutenant S H Smith, Second Lieutenant P A Page and Second Lieutenant Cecil Shekury(1). Their presence will be welcomed in this unit, so greatly reduced in strength.

The 4th Battalion as gone into the front line, relieving the Highland Light Infantry at Mesnil. Meanwhile we have learned that 5th Division and the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is on its way back from Italy to the Western Front.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/wd; X550/5/3; X550/8/1

(1) Frederick Charles Baldwin would die on 11th May, Cecil Shekury on 16th April.

The Last Men Leave

Saturday 9th February 1918.

The 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment now no longer exists as a fighting force as today another 170 other ranks were despatched to join the 7th Battalion. The officers also joining the 7th Battalion are Captain McBride, Lieutenant Duplock, Second Lieutenant Pratt, Second Lieutenant Hughes, Second Lieutenant Smith and Second Lieutenant Poulter(1)

The details left paraded at 10.30 a.m. and proceeded by march route to Courcelles-Le-Comte via Fremicourt, Bapaume, Bihucourt and Achiet-le-Grand. They arrived in camp about 3 30p.m.and took over billets. The details are under the orders of the Officer Commanding IV Corps Surplus Reinforcements (Lieutenant-Colonel Finch DSO of 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment).

Source: X550/9/1

(1) Lieutenant Arthur Pratt would die two days later and would be buried at Noyon New British Cemetery; Captain Andrew Best McBride was killed at Cachy on 24th April and is buried at Longueau British Cemetery; Lieutenant Marten Cave Duplock was killed on 2nd April, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial

Eighty Seventh Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Thursday 25th October 1917

The adjutant of the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, which is in support at Stirling Castle near Hooge, reports that they have been shelled at intervals throughout the day. A victim of this has been Second Lieutenant A E Croockewit who has been severely wounded and Second Lieutenant L J Hobson somewhat less so(1).

A number of men from the 6th Battalion have been awarded the Military Medal: Lance Corporal L Orpin, Lance Corporal F Lee, Lance Corporal R Grubb, Lance Corporal W Wright and Private B Smith.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/7/1

(1) Alexander Edward Croockewit died on 26th October and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, he was 31 and came from Dover [Kent] but had been educated at Bedford School. Hobson seems to have survived the war.

Twenty Second Day of the Battle of Ypres

Second Lieutenant W R Shaw [X550/1/81] 

Tuesday 21st August 1917

As I indicated yesterday, the rumours we hear of impending attacks are seldom to be trusted. Today is a case in point, action today was promised by the “millers” yesterday but has not come to pass. Still, I doubt Tommy Atkins minds.

At the moment the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is in camp, training. Today they have had a new recruit - Second Lieutenant W R Shaw. We have also had news from far-off Palestine where 1st/5th Bedfords find themselves still in front of the enemy-held town of Gaza. Yesterday they heard that five of their number previously simply listed as missing after the first raid on Umbrella Hill on 20th July are, in fact, prisoners-of war. While glad that they are alive, none of their fellows is under any delusion about how dreadful being a prisoner-of-war of the Turks is(1).

The men concerned are: 200497 Sergeant Cleaver; 200573 Private A. Cook; 201316 Private H A Miles; 201326 Private W Patterson and 200696 Private F D Smith.

Source: X550/3/wd; X550/6/8

(1) The Turks were reputed to routinely starve, beat and abuse their prisoners, including sexual abuse. 200573 Private G Cook died on 4th November 1918 and is buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. 201326 Private William Patterson, from Ely [Cambridgeshire], died on 30th October 1917 and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial.  

The Second Raid on Umbrella Hill

Map of Umbrella Hill from The History of the 5th Battalion Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment (TA)

Sunday 29th July 1917

1st/5th Battalion carried out a second raid on Umbrella Hill, south of Gaza on the night of 27th. We have today received their report of the action. The Zero hour was fixed for 21.00 (9 p.m.) as before. At dawn it was found that the gaps which had been cut by our guns in the enemy's wire had been mended in the night. During the afternoon their wire was again cut by the guns.

At 21.00 in accordance with the programme the artillery bombardment started then and the raiders and their support moved through the gap in our wire. Again our barrage seemed perfect but it did not have the same demoralizing effect as before on the Turks, who opened fire at 21.03 and kept it up till our men dashed into the work at 21.06. A machine-gun was on the Turkish parapet firing but it was rushed, captured and passed back to the supports, where the two men detailed to carry it lost it!

A stubborn resistance was met with everywhere, but the raiding parties were of a more handy size than before and there was no crowding or confusion but each dashed for its objective and, after a number of hard bombing duels, the Turks began to give way and everything appeared to be going in the raiders’ favour when a whistle was blown, it is thought by the Turks, and as this was taken for the evacuation signal, the raiders and supports withdrew.

There had been no time to collect prisoners or booty, but in all some fifty Turks had been killed. The raiders’ casualties were three killed, seven missing and twenty-three wounded including four who remain at duty. Second Lieutenants Coate and W H E Smith were also wounded.

As before the enemy put down a heavy barrage of high explosive on the Bedfords’ lines. Owing however to the more flexible arrangements for the return of the raiding party few, if any, casualties occurred and the enemy barrage was successfully negotiated.

At 11 p.m. a patrol went out to look for the lost machine-gun and returned about half-an-hour later.  The machine-gun was not found, but two Turks who fired on the patrol were killed.

Source: X550/6/8

Another Battalion Round-Up

Wednesday 11th July 1917

His Majesty The King has been at the Front again today.m The adjutant of 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, tells me that he visited their area near Écurie, the Battalion lined the road from Arras to Souchez to salute him. On their way back to camp, the Battalion did an exercise, “The Attack in the Open” to keep sharp the skills so successfully put to use in the recent attack at Oppy.

Second Lieutenant Warren [X550/1/81]

The adjutant of 2nd Battalion, in billets at Polincove, remarked, with a certain snide amusement that they have, nevertheless, had a casualty, Second Lieutenant D D Warren as been injured in a fall from his horse.

The 6th Battalion are behind the lines at Kemmel south of Ypres. They have been providing large working parties all day. The adjutant noted that enemy aeroplanes have been very active - four of our balloons having been brought down east of the Battalion’s position.

Captain Miskin

Not forgetting our men in far-off Palestine - 1st/5th Battalion is training for a raid on the Turks at a place called Umbrella Hill south of Gaza. Their planning has been assisted by Captain C H Miskin building a replica of the hill from aeroplane photographs and plans. Captain H S Armstrong has been training the raiders. The adjutant remarked by wire that, owing to the lengthy preparation of orders, due to the number of arms and units concerned - Royal Field Artillery, Royal Engineers and Machine Gun Corps - it was considered best to start the general training at once and to complete the details when orders are issued. A patrol of Captain Armstrong, Lieutenant B W Smythe and Second Lieutenant R H Smith with two other ranks spent about ninety minutes in No Man's Land between the front line trenches and Umbrella Hill to better reconnoitre the lie of the land.

Lieutenant Smythe

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/WD; X550/6/8; X550/7/1

No More Woolly Vests

Second Lieutenant S H Smith [X550/1/81]

Friday 11th May 1917

We understand that Second Lieutenant S H Smith has re-joined the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment from hospital. Meanwhile the Bedfordshire Yeomanry gained a measure of revenge on the football field, beating the Battalion by two goals to one.

The 8th Battalion, meanwhile, have gone back into the line again after a time in billets. They are near Hulluch on the old Loos battlefield from 1915. The adjutant tells us that, now it is officially spring, leather jerkins and woollen vests have been withdrawn from the men.

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

Bullecourt Attacked Again

Monday 7th May 1917

A major attack has been made today on the troublesome village of Bullecourt, attacked, without success, by 62nd (West Riding) and 7th Divisions in the last few days. Today 7th Division were ordered into another, limited, attack, to try and seize the south-east corner and then push patrols to the northern edge. The south-west sector, known as The Red Patch, the highest point from which machine-gun fire could sweep any attack, was to be kept quiet by artillery barrage. 2nd Australian Division was to attack to secure the 7th Division’s right flank.

The two attacks went in just before dawn. The 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders took their first two objectives, taking about a hundred prisoners. The Australian attack was also a success, taking the Hindenburg Line immediately east of Bullecourt. Due to this success it was hoped that 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment would attack the Red Patch and clear it, however, a German counter-barrage seems to have dissuaded the commander from this attack and the Gordons even lost part of their second objective to it. We have heard that some men of the Honourable Artillery Company , who had attacked Bullecourt on 3rd May, were found still holding a small section of the ruins, completely cut-off from the rest of the British Army. One can only imagine their relief at being thus rescued. For the moment, we have a foothold in Bullecourt but no doubt German attacks to drive our men out will not be long delayed.

Yesterday we heard that 1st and 4th Bedfords had played each other at football. Not to be outdone, today the 2nd Battalion, at Buire-au-Bois, about thirty miles west of Arras played the Bedfordshire Yeomanry, the equitable result being two goals each. Second Lieutenant S H Smith was also admitted to hospital, sick, though the two events do not seem to be linked.

Source:  X550/3/WD

Night Manoeuvres

Tuesday 1st May 1917

We understand from the adjutant of the 1st Battalion that they are billeted at the village of Cambligneul, a little over five miles north-west of Arras. They have been practising night operations including attacking over open ground. Special attention has been paid to the training of scouts and specialists such as machine-gunners, signallers and so on.

 Lieutenant Jacob [X550/1/81]

The 2nd Battalion is at Nuncq around twenty five miles west of Arras and five and a halfd miles south-south-west of Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise.  They have been joined today by five new officers - Lieutenant G R Jacob and Second Lieutenants E L Marsden, K C J Jones, S G Hague and S H Smith.

Second Lieutenant Marsden [X550/1/81]

Sources: X550/2/5; 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.

Day Sixty One on the Somme

Lieutenant H F Graves

Wednesday 30th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

As 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment contemplates going into action near Guillemont sometime in the near future, the adjutant has contacted me with the names of new officers who have joined the battalion during August to take the places of those who have fallen in the fight. The officers are:

• Second Lieutenant E. A. Hague (joined on 14th August)
• Second Lieutenant P. A. Gibbons (joined on 14th August)
• Lieutenant H. F. Graves (joined on 15th August)
• Second Lieutenant H. C. Covell (joined on 15th August)
• Second Lieutenant  V. S. Sanders (joined on 16th August)(1)
• Second Lieutenant J. H. Banyard (joined on 18th August)(2)
• Second Lieutenant D. A. Lardner (joined on 18th August)
• Second Lieutenant H. J. Everett (joined on 18th August)
• Second Lieutenant A. J. Howard (joined on 27th August)(4)
• Second Lieutenant P. G. Smith (joined on 27th August)

Second Lieutenant Addison Howard

Sources: X550/2/5

(1) Vincent Stanton Sanders, from Hornsey [Middlesex], would be killed on 4th September, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

(2) James Hirst Banyard would be killed on 3rd September, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

(3) Dion Albert Lardner, from Streatham [London], would be killed on 4th September, he is commemorated in the Thiepval Memorial.

(4) Addison James Howard, from Kempston Grange, would be killed on 4th September and is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery; Addison Howard Park in Kempston was given to the people of Kempston and dedicated to his memory by his mother in 1937, having formed the grounds of Kempston Grange.

A Good Raid

Dennis P Cross [X550/1/81]

Monday 26th June 1916: The 2nd Battalion are at Maricourt on the Somme. All day yesterday our guns were bombarding enemy positions ahead  of the big push which everyone realises is coming. At 11.15 last night a party of two officers and forty nine other ranks carried out a raid on the enemy's lines opposite. It was quite a success, all the party returning to our lines safely and capturing one wounded prisoner. Six of our men were wounded, one has been temporarily blinded by the flash of a shell and one was given a nasty gash by getting tangled up in barbed wire.

The divisional commander, Major-General Shea has sent the following message: “Hearty congratulations on your success of last night due to careful and thorough preparation. I am very pleased. Please thank Officers and men”. The names of the raiding party are as follows:

• 2/Lieutenant G. A  Anstee
• 2/Lieutenant D. P. Cross 24th August 1918
• No 10270 Pte Barker W. "B" Company 11th July 1916 kia
• No 20905 Pte Bean A. "A" Company 12th October 1916 kia
• No 4/4964 Pte Bennett J. "C" Company
• No 9387 L/Cpl Boyce F. "A" Company 11th August 1916 dow
• No 18639 Pte Bristow W. "C" Company
• No 9646 Pte Cann F. "D" Company
• No 3/7234 A/Cpl Cannon E. "A" Company
• No 17572 Pte Church W. "B" Company
• No 10731 L/Cpl Clark C. "D" Company
• No 13082 Pte Cleaver W. "D" Company
• No 18600 Pte Cleeve J. "D" Company 12th October 1916 kia
• No 9931 Sergt Compton P. "A" Company 21st September 1918 kia
• No 18550 L/Cpl Dawson F. "A" Company
• No 20973 Pte Dawson W.A. "C" Company 4th July 1916 dow
• No 10060 Pte Fairweather C. "D" Company 11th July 1916 kia
• No 18817 L/Cpl Fynn D. "A" Company
• No 9178 Pte Fynn L. "C" Company 30th July 1916 kia
• No 9726 Pte Gilbey A. "D" Company
• No 18180 Pte Gray H. "C" Company
• No 6584 Pte Gurdler A. "A" Company
• No 17754 Pte Hall C. "B" Company
• No 17590 Pte Hands T. "C" Company
• No 21156 Pte Henry J. "A" Company
• No 7198 Pte Higgins H. "B" Company
• No 9700 Pte Hoval J. "B" Company
• No 10016 A/Cpl Howard A. "B" Company
• No 17738 Pte Jarman H. "B" Company
• No 21168 Pte Kidd J. "A" Company 25th June 1918 kia
• No 6542 Pte Marrables J. "C" Company
• No 9578 L/Cpl Mason A. "D" Company
• No 9891 L/Cpl Mee A. "B" Company
• No 9022 Pte Milliard A, "B" Company
• No 9212 Sergt Nicholls.H. "D" Company
• No 4/6813 Pte Osborne E. "A" Company
• No 4/7476 Pte Osborne P. "D" Company
• No 3/7372 Pte Poole G. "C" Company
• No 4/6655 Pte Reed H. "B" Company 11th July 1916 kia
• No 13050 Pte Sams A. "D" Company 23rd October 1918 kia
• No 9818 L/Cpl Seagrave H. "A" Company
• No 10226 Pte Senior F. "D" Company
• No 21090 Pte Sharp E. "C" Company
• No 9759 L/Sgt Simons S. "C" Company
• No 17923 Pte Sinfield A. "D" Company
• No 9909 L/Sgt Smith L. "B" Company 30th July 1916 kia
• No 14429 Pte Staughton E. "D" Company
• No 10797 Pte Stratton F. "A" Company
• No 9757 L/Cpl Thorogood A. "C" Company
• No 3/7644 Pte Waldock D. "C" Company
• No 21050 Pte Walker A. "A" Company
• No 7017 Pte Wood B "C" Company(1)

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) Of these the following twelve did not live to see the end of the war: Private W Barker was killed in action on 11th July 1916 ; Private A Bean was killed in action on 12th October 1916; Lance Corporal Boyce died of wounds on 11th August 1916; Private J Cleeve was killed in action on 12th October 1916; Sergeant Compton was killed in action on 21st September 1918; Private Dawson died of wounds on 4th July 1916; Private Fairweather was killed in action on 11th July 1916; Private L Flynn was killed in action on 30th July 1916; Private Kidd was killed in action on 25th June 1918; Private Reed was killed in action on 11th July 1916; Private Sams was killed in action on 23rd October 1918; Lance Sergeant Smith was killed in action on 30th July 1916.

The Death of Lieutenant-Colonel Younghusband

Saturday 22nd April 1916: We have learned with regret that Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Younghusband DSO was killed yesterday in Mesopotamia. He came from an old Northumberland family who have always given their sons for service in the army or navy. Owing to the early death of his father, it was thought best that he enter civilian life. This idea not suiting him, he insisted on enlisting in his uncle’s (who had been killed in South Africa) old Regiment, the South Wales Borderers, giving his age as 18 when he was only just 17 years old. A commission was offered him in two years’ time, but he did not see his way clear to accepting it. However, four years later, in 1900, he was gazetted as Second Lieutenant in the Bedfordshires. He saw active service in Jabaland and Somaliland with the King’s African Rifles and in 1901 he distinguished himself by his coolness and resource and management of a maxim-gun in Sanala Zariba. From Somaliland he joined his own regiment, the Bedfords(1), in South Africa. In 1905 he married the eldest daughter of Mr E Thompson-Smith JP, of Colchester (cousin of Mr Geoffrey Howard of Bedford). He again joined the King’s African Rifles in British East Africa(2). In October 1908 he was given his captaincy, while his majority was gazetted September 1st, 1915.

When war broke out he was adjutant of 5th Battalion, Bedfordshires, with which, after a year’s training, he went to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the 1st/5th Bedfords did so well and earned the name of the “Yellow Devils”. There he won his DSO, for conspicuous bravery on the field of battle and was mentioned in despatches. Having recovered from a wound he took over command of the 7th Gloucesters, being gazetted Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on January 24th of this year and with them went to Mesopotamia, where he has just been killed in action(3). Twice Major Younghusband has been stationed in Bedford, where all those who knew him loved and respected him. He was a great favourite with his brother officers in all the battalions with which he has served. He leaves a widow and a little girl.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 5th May 1916

(1) 2nd Battalion

(2) Now Kenya

(3) Part of 39th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. They were trying to relieve the Turkish siege of Kut-el-Amara but failed and Kut surrendered on 29th April. Younghusband has no known grave and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial. His widow Ethel lived at “Tuggall”, Burke’s Road, Beaconsfield [Buckinghamshire]. He was 39.

Killed in a Cellar

Wednesday 15th March 1916: Last night Corporal Lewis Hill, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, one of three soldier sons of Mrs Hill of 12 New Town-street, Luton and formerly of 17 Cobden-street has been killed in France, fragments of a shell entering a cellar in which he and other men were taking shelter and killing two while the others escaped unhurt(1). Corporal Hill, who was 24 years of age, joined the Bedfords four years ago and was with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa when war was declared. He had been in France since October 1914.

Private H Bacchus(2) broke the bad news to Mrs Hill: “We were in defence billets and were shelled out. One shell burst into the place where we were lying and killed poor Lewis straight out. He died very peacefully and never spoke. We buried him respectfully this afternoon in a little cemetery just behind the firing line”(3).

The chaplain of 30th Division has sent a photograph of the cemetery to the grieving mother explaining: “When the war is over the cemetery will become the property of the British Government, who will arrange for its preservation and erect a permanent memorial over those buried in it”(4).

Source: Luton News 30th March 1916

(1) The war diary of the Battalion says one man was wounded in addition to the two killed – the other being Sergeant Walter Smith of Sandon [Hertfordshire]. They are buried beside one another.

(2) Himself killed on 29th June 1916.

(3) Cérisy-Gailly Military Cemetery.

(4) The Graves Registration Commission, which became the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, was established by Sir Fabian Ware (1869-1949), later a Major-General, whilst commanding a Red Cross mobile ambulance unit  in 1915, becoming the Imperial War Graves Commission in 1917.

6th Battalion and Football

Count Gleichen

Thursday 2nd March 1916: Lance Corporal Stanbridge, 6th Bedfordshire Regiment, late Captain of the Ampthill Football Club, has sent home a report of a semi-final played “Somewhere in France”. He says: “We have played the semi-final which, I am sorry to say, we lost 1-0. We played the 9th Leicesters, not far from the firing line. It was a very bustling game, witnessed by about 1,500 spectators, including the Divisional General(1) and officers. For the greater portion of the first half we were outplayed and their inside right scored the only goal of the match from four yards out, hitting the underneath of the cross-bar and then going through. Just before half-time, during a charge, our outside left had to leave the field for good. During this half we kicked up hill with the wind at our backs. In the second half we played our opponents practically to a standstill, but could do everything but score, our opponents for once not being able to shoot. I should like to say we were beaten but not disgraced, as the score readily suggests. Our team, which was at full strength with one exception, was as follows: Lance Corporal Stanbridge, goal; Private Smith and Sergeant Bilsborrow, backs; Privates Rance, Wiggs and Iremonger, halves; Lance Corporal Hunter, Private Hawkes, Private Chambers, Sergeant Abbott and Private Munro forwards”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 14th April 1916

(1) Count Gleichen

Football Wanted

Friday 2nd July: E. M. Smith, Headquarters Staff, 1st/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry at the front writes: “I’m on the cadge for the boys at Headquarters. We want a football and can’t buy or steal one in this neighbourhood. Have any of our local clubs got an old one to spare? If so please ask them to send it along, as we badly want something to do in the evenings and cricket is absolutely impossible. We are having a fairy easy time at present; half the Regiment are up trenching, so those left here will have their turn later. Remember me to any of the BMCC that are left(1). Don’t suppose any runs are on now”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 9^th July 1915

---

(1) Obviously a Bedford cricket club.

A Prisoner Wants Food

Houses in North Street

Friday 16th April 1915: Private W. Smith of the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, whose father and mother live at 73 North-street, Luton, a prisoner-of-war in Germany, writes asking for food. He is at Munster, Westphalia, and on a postcard recently received by his sister, Mrs Virgin, of 62 North-street he says: - "Please send me some bread, lard, cheese or good old bread pudding. You can send up to 11 lbs free of charge - no stamps or anything".

His father and mother have since received a letter in which he says: "I got the last parcel on March 5th. We get parcels quicker than letters or cards. If you can get me anything else I should be very pleased, as we can do with it, or I should not keep sending to you for stuff. I will pay you for it, and a bit more besides, when I get home, which I hope won't be long. When I do get home I shall never forget I have got a good mother and dad, who have looked after me at the right time … Send me some tinned bread, margarine, cheese, or anything like that for the cheapest - not because I shall be afraid to pay for it, but because it is most filling. And send me a pair of socks if you can as I have not got any. You have sent me some nice parcels and I think I am asking you to do too much, but I can't help it. Lord help them, sausages for breakfast tomorrow (Sunday) … the fag papers are useful, and if I don't want them I can make 2½d. per packet and buy bread with the money"(1).

Source: Luton News 22nd April 1915

---

(1) This letter points to shortages of food already in Germany. This was due to the blockade imposed by the Royal Navy which went a long way to winning the war. By 1918 German civilians were on starvation rations, fuelling such discontent that uprisings began to take place. Rationing had been introduced in January 1915.

The 2nd Bedfords in Action at Neuve Chapelle

Saturday 13th March 1915: yesterday morning we reported that the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was about to go into action. We can now report more fully what has happened since courtesy of the adjutant. “At 7 a.m. yesterday Major W. H. Denne prepared to make a counter-attack with part of A Company on a trench captured by the enemy shortly beforehand. Major Denne was severely wounded(1). Captain C. B. Cumberlege and Captain J. H. G. Baird commenced another counter-attack but the whole party was killed or wounded. Captain Baird and four men reached the trench which was the object of the attack and one man was killed and the other three wounded”.

“At about the same time it was noticed that the Royal Scots Fusiliers were suffering severely from our own shell fire. I was sent to report this to Brigade Headquarters and the Brigadier directed that the trench should be re-taken”.

“Captain C. C. Foss D.S.O., with men of our Grenade Section advanced along A Company Trench, behind the Northampton Trench, followed by a platoon to make good the trench and they attacked the Germans. These, after one or two grenades had been thrown, held up their hands and were captured. One Officer and 48 Germans surrendered of whom fourteen were wounded. A Company. was sent forward to consolidate the position won. Part of a Platoon of B Company escorted the prisoners back”.

We understand that the names of the brave men led by Captain Foss are as follows: 9078 Private W. Eade; 6215 Private S. Scrivener, 9822 Sergeant W. Peggs, 7270 Private P. Cogan, 6477 Private W. Smith, 9878 Private G. Freshwater, 5803 Private J. Lovett, 9797 Private H. Barnett and 16441 Private F. Brown.

.

The battalion has lost four officers wounded, fifteen other ranks killed, sixty six wounded and five missing in yesterday’s action. It is understood that Captain Foss’ name is to be put forward for a singular honour and that the men who went with him may also receive gallantry awards in time(2). The Battalion held the same line overnight and continues to hold it this morning.

The battle as a whole now appears to be over due to lack of ammunition for our guns. Our troops have pushed the Germans back some way and shown that their trenches can be captured. The generals will, no doubt, study this limited success in hopes of achieving something even better next time.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He died on 21st February 1917, aged 40 and is buried in Brimpsfield churchyard in Gloucestershire.

(2) Charles Calveley Foss was gazetted with the Victoria Cross on 23rd August 1915. The citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery at Neuve Chapelle on 12th March 1915. After the enemy had captured a part of one of our trenches, and our counter-attack made with one Officer and 20 men having failed (all but two of the part being killed or wounded in the attempt), Captain Foss, on his own initiative, dashed forward with eight men, under heavy fire, attacked the enemy with bombs, and captured the position including the 52 Germans occupying it. The capture of this position from the enemy was of the greatest importance, and the utmost bravery was displayed in essaying the task with so few men”.

Another Clapham Casualty

Sapper Smith

Monday 8th February 1915: Just over a week after his death, on 31st January, we have learned that, for the fourth time since the war broke out, the sad news arrived of a Clapham man falling at the Front. The latest soldier to lay down his life for his country is Sapper Frank Smith, eldest son of Mr and Mrs F Smith of Fairfield Cottages, Clapham, and eldest grandchild of Mrs R Smith, who has for so many years kept the "Fox and Hounds" at Clapham Folley. He was also a grandson of Mr Bailey of Park Hill, Ampthill. A comrade who writes to Sapper Smith's parents on February 3rd says: "Dear Mr Smith - I am writing to say how very sorry I am to tell you that your son was killed in Saturday last, while doing his duty. He was the best man in my Section and I am sure everyone in the Company will miss him. I am sure you must have been proud of him as a son, and more so now he had died for his King and country - Yours sincerely A. J. Berry".

"A second letter, from his cousin, William Smith, to his parents, says: "Cousin Frank has been killed by a shot through the head and died instantly; he did not even murmur. We were carrying sandbags at the back of the trenches at the time of his death, walking in single file. I was third, and as soon as I saw him and the next two drop, I dropped. Then I thought I saw a flare go up. I looked, and when I saw how he laid I know in a minute what was the matter. I ran to him but he was quite dead. Poor Frank! Everybody in the Section thought such a lot of him; he was such a nice chap, and the sergeant said he would rather have lost any one man than Frank, because he was a chum of his. We lost an officer on the same night; he was shot through the head too".

Parishioners of Clapham and friends have shown the greatest sympathy with Mr and Mrs Smith and family in their sad trouble. The deceased soldier, who was twenty two years of age, was a member of the Church choir for several years and also a bell-ringer. Very fond of cricket and football, he was always respected by his comrades in sport and was elected captain of the cricket team for two seasons. Kind hearted, yet firm in his manner, he was one of those young men a parish could ill afford to lose. After he had finished his education work at the Modern School, Bedford, he was apprenticed to Messrs Kilpin and Billson, High Street, Bedford(1) and joined the East Anglian Royal Engineers about four years ago, leaving with them for the Front on Christmas Eve. Under the leadership of Mr. R. Shimmans, a muffled peal was rung on Tuesday in honour of their late comrade by the Clapham team of bell-ringers(2).

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 12th February 1915

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(1) Wholesale, retail and furnishing ironmongers, electric light and hot water engineers, according to Kelly's Directory for 1914.

(2) He is buried at le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l'Avoué.