Scores of Tanks

Monday 19th November 1917

The adjutant of the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment tells us that Military Medals have been awarded to the following men for gallantry in action:

• 12282 Sergeant N C Scruby(1);
• 22008 Sergeant A J Turner;
• 8179 Corporal J Mason;
• 30292 Private G Ruggles;
• 23499 Private G A Holdom;
• 40629 Private C Cooper

The 8th Battalion are in the trenches at Fifteen Ravine near Gouzeaucourt. In the last hour they have, however, been moving forward to the front line. The adjutant was somewhat terse in his telegram but did mention seeing “scores of tanks”.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/9/1

(1) Sergeant Norman Scruby MM died on 27th April 1921 aged 34, presumably of wounds

Where is Montenegro?

Second Lieutenant Norrish

Sunday 17th December 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

One of our allies in this war is the little known Kingdom of Montegenro in the Balkans(1). Little known it may be but it knows of our struggles in France. The adjutant of the 1st Battalion told me on the telephone this morning that a number of Montenegran orders and medals were dished out to deserving cases at a Church Parade in the Municipal Theatre at Béthune by General-Officer-Commanding 1st Army, Sir Henry Horne. Brigadier-General M Turner CB, commanding 15th Infantry Brigade received the Order of Danilo 2nd Class.

Perhaps of more interest to the Battalion was the issue of the Distinguished Service Medal to Private H W Fish, late of the 7th Bedfords and of the Military Cross to Second Lieutenant S Norrish. In addition the Miliary Medal has been given to Corporal McHugh and Private Cross.

Source: X550/2/5

Decorations for the Seventh Bedfords

Thursday 30th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Captain Bridcutt tells me that some offciers and men of the 7th Bedfords have received decorations for their actions on the Somme. The following officers have received the Military Cross:

• Captain L H Keep
• Captain W J W Colley
• Lieut. D S H Keep
• Captain J W Turner of the Royal Army Medical Corps, the Battalion’s Medical Officer
• Second Lieutenant H A Reaney

These men have received the Distinguished Conduct Medal:

• 3/8402 Regimental Sergeant Major F Antliffe
• 16176 Company Sergeant Major R M Brand
• 6466 Company Sergeant Major Charles Hall
• 43340 Sergeant A Wyatt
• 15080 Lance Corporal W Harris
• 16540 Private G Goldhawk

The following men have received the Military Medal:

• 14626 Lance Sergeant A Turville
• 15318 Private A Pratt
• 17423 Private W Crawley

Source: X550/8/1

Day One Hundred and Twenty Four on the Somme

Wednesday 1st November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Captain Morris and his intrepid men carried out their raid on the German trenches near the ruined watermill north of Quinque Rue(1) and just east of Festubert. The raid began at eight o’clock last night. Captain Morris told me today, by telephone, that the party on the right found very heavy wire and came under machine gun fire from a point in the front line trench and, owing to bomb and rifle fire, were unable to get into the trench. They remained in position and later were able to effect an entry and join the Left Party, which had quickly penetrated the enemy trench and completely surprised a patrol of Germans, killing five and taking three prisoner. It was not found practicable to continue over the open to the support line, owing to the rough nature of the ground.

When a counter-attack appeared imminent a withdrawal was ordered and carried out, covered by Lewis guns, the wounded being first evacuated. The trenches were found empty except for the patrol, and no material was found. Second Lieutenant Wright was wounded with one other rank killed, seventeen wounded and two missing, these were seen helping each other back. Sadly it is probable that they were buried by a Minenwerfer which opened fire at the end of Shetland Trench.

Captain Morris commented that the enemy trenches are very similar to our own - floorboarded and with a low parados (bank at the rear to prevent silhouetting of men looking over the parapet at the front).. Several dug-outs were entered and were very similar to those in our lines. The Salient does not appear to be held, but only patrolled.

The captain added that electric torches fixed to the rifles near the hand grip proved exceedingly useful. The fact that the men had their faces blacked raised the morale of the men enormously.

Early this morning a patrol went out from our lines and searched the whole of the ground over which the raiding party had passed. They failed to find the two missing men. The body of the man killed was recovered

The commanding officer of the battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Allason, told me that the two companies which had been holding that sector were ordered to submit names of men who could be considered fit to take part in the raid. Owing to casualties on the Somme, he said, the choice was very restricted, and arrangements had to be made to give further instruction in live bomb throwing to the majority of those selected.

Enlargements of an aeroplane photo were made and issued to group leaders. The trenches were also staked out on the ground and the attack practised, first by the demonstration method, then by the whole party. This was done twice by day, and when all the groups understood their role, by night also. Thus the raid was very thoroughly planned.

Apparently the raid has been judged a success. Brigadier Turner has been asked by the Corps commander, Lieutenant-General Haking “to convey to Lieutenant Colonel Allason DSO and the officers and men of 1st Bedfordshire Regiment, my appreciation and thanks for the successful raid carried out by them last night. The operation was skilfully planned, and carried out with a fine fighting spirit, and the damage done to the enemy and the capture of the prisoners was most commendable”.

Source: X550/2/5

(1) Now called Rue de Lille (D72)

Memorial Service at the Front

Good Friday 21st April 1916: This Good Friday it seems fitting to quote from a letter written by Corporal Runham of the 1st Bedfords(1): “On Sunday April 16th we had a commemoration service for officers and men of the 1st Norfolk and 1st Bedford Regiments who were killed in action between March 8th and April 16th(2). The service was choral, the choir and divisional band supplying the music. Brigadier-General Turner, commanding the brigade, was present, as were also his staff. Both regiments were well represented, nearly every officer being present, and the hut was packed to its utmost limit. The service was taken by our chaplain and commenced with the singing of Hymn 223(3) “Pilgrims of the Night”. Then came the sermon, the chaplain especially reminding his audience how suddenly the call came to some of them and urging them to repent, pointing out “in the midst of life we are in death”. The whole sermon was followed with rapt attention by everybody. Hymn 231 followed “For ever with the Lord” and then the Gloria. After this came the hymn “Abide with Me”. Immediately the names of those commemorated were read out by an officer of each regiment, the list including the late Corporal Wheatley, well-known to many in Biggleswade and the villages around. The band rendered the Dead March, all standing, and the service ended with the National Anthem. The service was the first of its kind we have had out here and will long live in the memory of some of us, especially as the day was the anniversary of one of our struggles with the enemy, the fight for Hill 60, also a casualty list for both regiments”.

“We are all confidently awaiting the end as we are sure of victory. By no means are we fed up. Neither do we want a patched-up peace, as we know this will mean a repetition of all we have had to contend with”.

(1) Corporal Chris Runham, from 30 Saint John’s Street, Biggleswade, would be killed in action at Arras on 23rd April 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial

(2) Two officers and two other ranks in the case of the Bedfords

(3) Presumably in Hymns Ancient and Modern