4th Battalion Reinforcements

Friday 23rd March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

Today the 4th Battalion marched to Framecourt south of Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise and many miles behind the front line at Arras. They have been joined by four new subalterns in preparation for the year’s campaigning - Second Lieutenants Thomas, Lewis, Mogridge and Marshall.

Source: X550/5/3

Counting the Cost

Friday 16th February 1917 from our correspondent in the field

Today the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment completed its move back from the front line north of Beaucourt-sur-Ancre to Mackenzie Huts at Martinsart, having been relieved by 1st Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry. The battalion has been in the line since 6th February and made a successful attack on the night of 11th/12th.

The adjutant informs me that the cost of the last ten days has been 68 killed, 90 wounded, 3 missing and 45 missing, believed killed. This is the equivalent of about a company of men, nearly a quarter of the battalion’s strength. Among the casualties were eight officers - three killed (Lieutenant Despicht, Second Lieutenant McKirdy and Second Lieutenant Shott) and five wounded (Second Lieutenant Stimson, Second Lieutenant Smart, Second Lieutenant R S Thomas, Second Lieutenant A W Thomas and Second Lieutenant Berry)

Meanwhile 7th Battalion are just about to go into the fray. It is in support for an attack planned at Miraumont tomorrow. Two companies are at Farback Trench between Thiepval and Miraumont and two in reserve at Mouquet Farm between Thiepval and Pozieres.

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

8th Battalion Sports

Saturday 31^st July: The 8th Battalion held its sports on the cricket field at Blackdown Camp [Hampshire], when several good performances were recorded, although the men had very little opportunity for training. Private H M Card, who did so well in cross-country runs while the Battalion was at Shoreham [Sussex], won the three miles, one mile and half mile, in good times on a rain sodden track. Private Goldstone won the principal sprinting events. Results(1):

·       100 yards – Private Goldstone: time 11 3/5 seconds

·       220 yards – Private Goldstone: time 27 1/5 seconds

·       Sack race – Private Poulter

·       High jump – Lance Corporal W. G. Thomas; 4 feet 8 inches

·       Long jump – Lance Corporal W. G. Thomas; 15 feet 4 inches

·       3 miles – 1. Private H. M. Card, 2 Lance Corporal W. G. Thomas: time 16 minutes, 20 seconds. A good race won by about 8 yards

·       1 mile – 1. Private H. M. Card, 2 Private C. Scripps: time 5 minutes, 23 seconds

·       Sergeants’ Race – Sergeant Taylor

·       Corporals’ Race – Corporal W. Barker

·       ½ mile – 1. Private H. M. Card, 2 Private Ward: time 2 minutes, 23 4/5 seconds

·       Obstacle Race – Private Cartwright Wells

·       Wheelbarrow Race – Private Fleet and Private Hurry

·       Rely Race (1 mile) – 1. A Company, 2. B Company: time 4 minutes 31 4/5 seconds. Each team consisted of four runners, who ran 220 yards, 220 yards, 440 yards and 880 yards successively.

·       Individual Champion (winner of gold medal) – Private H. M. Card

Source: Bedfordshire Times 30th July 1915

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(1) The following successful competitors died during the war: Private George Benjamin Poulter from Hitchin was killed in action on 15th September 1916; Lance Corporal William George Thomas from Swansea (Glamorgan) died of wounds on 31st January 1916, Sergeant Harry Taylor from Saint Albans [Hertfordshire] was killed in action on 15th September 1916, Corporal William Barker from Fulham [London] was killed in action on 15th September 1916, Private Herbert Hurry from Chipping [Hertfordshire] was killed in action on 19th April 1916. Poulter, Taylor and Barker are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Hurry on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres and Thomas is buried in Étaples Military Cemetery.