Musical Turks

Monday 13th May 1918

The 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently in the front line near Jaffa in Palestine. Last night about 7.30 a patrol of one officer and seven other ranks went out into no man's land trying to get intelligence on the Turks opposite. What they did not expect was music, but they distinctly heard a band playing about a mile or so to the north of them. Sadly they did not recognise ant of the tunes!

Source: X550/6/8

1st/5th Bedfords Form a Band

Bedford High Street [Z1306/10/33/13]

Sunday 4th June 1916: From far-away Egypt Alfred Wood, at Biggleswade, has had a letter from his son Sergeant M T Wood, of 1st/5th Battalion, who writes: “We have just formed a band, and it is a treat to work and hear the band practising. They are doing well and we are looking forward when the time comes to march down Bedford High Street behind them”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 9th June 1916