Creeping Forward

Tuesday 30th April 1918

The composite battalion including 2nd Bedfords moved forward again today to trenches in the vicinity of Dickebusch Huts. Meanwhile 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has given up a working party of ten officers and four hundred other ranks to work for XVIII Corps at Varesnes. Their quartermaster R J Barry is sick and has been sent to England to recuperate.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/5/3

1st Battalion in Arcade

Monday 11th March 1918

1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is leaving the front line this evening and, by coincidence, tracing the journey of the late Second Lieutenant Perham to Arcade. Brigadier-General R D F Oldman is temporarily absent and so the Bedfords’ commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel E I de S Thorpe has taken command of the brigade, with Major W Allason taking charge of the Battalion.

Lieutenant-Colonel Thorpe [X550/1/82]

The drummers of the 2nd Battalion have left Villers-Saint-Christophe for the XVIII Corps School. Here they will give a performance for a week.

Source: X550/2/5; X550/3/wd

Eighty Fifth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Sir Ivor Maxse

Tuesday 23rd October 1917

The adjutant of the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, tells me that the commander of XVIII Corps, Lieutenant-General Sir Ivor Maxse, has issued a congratulatory telegram to 18th (Eastern Division) after the success by 53rd Brigade yesterday. It reads: “The XVIII Corps Commander sends his hearty congratulations on the success of the 18th Division on the 22nd instant. He adds that this success was gained in spite of bad weather, bad mud and hot artillery fire, and that all concerned deserve great credit from highest to lowest”. It was issued via Major Arthur Percival, ex-7th Bedfords, now Acting Brigade Major of 54th Infantry Brigade.

The adjutant remarked wryly that he was not sure what Sir Ivor was congratulating the Bedfords about, possibly on resting, refitting and bathing, which was their part in yesterday’s attack! Of course, Sir Ivor was commander-in-chief of 18th Division until his promotion in January this year.

Source: X550/8/1

Eighty Third Day of the Third Battle Ypres

Sunday 21st October 1917

The casualties incurred by the army during the present battle have made an impact on 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Today fifteen officers and ninety other ranks have been struck off strength as they have been transferred to XVIII Corps Reinforcement Camp to provide reinforcements to the divisions in that corps(1). Second Lieutenant T R G Cooke has also left the Battalion as he has joined the Royal Flying Corps.

Source: X550/5/3

(1) During the Third Battle of Ypres the divisions forming part of XVIII Corps fluctuated but included the following: 9th (Scottish) Division; 11th Division; 18th (Eastern) Division; 39th Division; 48th (South Midland) Division; 51st (Highland) Division; 58th (2nd/1st London) Division and 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.