I am Hanged if I Want to Go Through Any More Like That

Friday 20^th August: We have heard from Private E J Albon of Stotfold, 1st/5th Bedfords. “No doubt you will hear of us being in action on Sunday [15th], but don’t worry about me at all. Remember my initials are E. J. and Number 2815, so if you read anything don’t make any mistake. Our action proved a great success, but I am hanged if I want to go through any more like that … but all I can say is that I am not worrying at all until it is necessary. I will write more news when I get a fair rest, as I am not out of the trenches properly yet. I didn’t like to tell you at all on account of mother, but I guess I am made to come to England and die properly, as I have been grazed on the right arm and ribs and hit through the back of my coat with three different bullets”(1)

Source: Bedfordshire Times 10 September 1915

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(1) He does, indeed, seem to have survived the war.

The Bedfords and Poisoned Gas

Arlesey Station [Z1306-2-14-1]

Saturday 22nd May 1915: Mrs. Bland of Railway Tavern, Arlesey has received the following letter from her son, Private G. H. Bland, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment(1). His father is now serving with the 5th Battalion, currently stationed at Newmarket. The son, writing on 7th May said: “Dear Mother – just a few lines hoping you are all well, as it leaves me in a rather queer state, after the gas, which the brutes sent over to us on the 3rd and the 5th – the first we have had since the taking of Hill 60, which we are still holding, but we had to retire owing to gas(2). The Devons were forced to let them break through, but the good old Bedfords stopped them. We have had a rather hard time since Hill 60; only been out of the trenches three days, but we were relieved by the Irish Rifles on 7th, when we came back for a short rest. Our casualties are as great as Hill 60, but gas used in shells there had not half the effect of this which they pumped out of the bottom of their trench. I myselfam wearing a silver ring on my little finger which the gas cankered, but we gave them a horrible job to get that, which the Devons had to leave. Not a man could stand owing to the terrible stuff which streamed from their trench to ours, but the breeze changed and drove it back into their trench. Then our machine-guns got onto them, so they were forced to retire from their own trench. Then we laughed, you can bet”.

“We have named them “The Old Gas Bags” on Hill 60. They prayed for mercy but the boys all say “never no more”. Well I am sorry to say my old mate Harry Cox (Captain Gledstanes’ servant) who lived in Queen’s-street, Stotfold, was killed by one of our own shells that dropped short on the 5th during the recent battle(3). If possible, let Mrs. Cox know(4). I felt quite downhearted over it. I must draw my letter to a close but they tell me the 1st Rifles have regained the lost trenches on other side of Hill 60 (not losing the hill). Good-bye mother and all brothers and sisters. I omitted to say that Captain Gledstanes got wounded later in the day of Harry’s death(5). Good-bye mother. I will write more next time, Harry. P. S. I received letter and parcel. I hope you got my pc(6)”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 14th May 1915

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(1) 3/7450 Private George Henry Bland died with the 1st Battalion on 4th October 1917, he was just 20 and is buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery

(2) In fact the hill was lost on 6th May.

(3) He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial

(4) Like many women, she soon remarried

(5) He died of wounds on 9th May and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery

(6) Postcard.

Breaking the News

Netley Hospital Chapel

Monday 7th December 1914: How does one break the news of a brother’s death to one’s mother? Such a dilemma was, we understand, recently faced by Private H. Huckle of 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment. He is currently in Netley Hospital, Hampshire, and addressed a letter to his sister: “Am pleased to say I am going on splendidly. I was hit in the chest – just missed the heart by an inch. That was a fortnight ago, but I was unable to let you know before. Am leaving Netley on Friday – going somewhere to recruit my health”.

“With regard to Alfred, for heaven’s sake be brave and break the news to mother, for I dare not write to her. He is dead – was killed on October 26th – died in the fighting line, fighting for his King and country. No nobler death can a soldier die. Do try and be brave and comfort poor old mother. Remember greater love can no man show than lay down his life for his country (1). Do try and be brave and break the news to mother" (2)

Source: Luton News 26th November 1914

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(1) A distortion of a saying of Jesus – “greater love hath no man that he lay down his life for his friend”.
(2) 3/6130 Private Alfred Huckle from Stotfold was killed in action with 2nd Battalion on 31st October 1914 near Zandvoorde. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate. Harry himself would be killed in action with the same battalion on 12th October 1916 assaulting Gird Trench near Eaucourt l’Abbaye on the Somme. He also has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.