Forty Ninth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Monday 17th September 1917

Those cheery slackers, as the adjutant called them, the 7th Bedfords have been idling at the sea again today. This time, the other five officers and two hundred other ranks. Have enjoyed themselves at Dunkirk. One bar to the Military Medal and twenty nine other Military medals have been issued for bravery shown between 9th and 16th August. One of the recipients is Private George Deacon of 34 Turnpike Road, Husborne Crawley, known personally to your correspondent. George is a stolid but self-effacing man and played down his award as “being dished out with the rations”, others in his Battalion tell a different story.

34 Turnpike Road, Husborne Crawley

Here at Ypres the 1st and 2nd Australian Divisions have gone into the line for the first time in this offensive, taking the place of 47th (1st/2nd London) Division. The replacement of this one division with new divisions suggests, to some of the older hands out here, that something special is being planned in this sector.

Source: X550/8/1

Forty Eighth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Sunday 16th September 1917

Today it has been the enemy’s turn to attack. Advances were made against 20th (Light) Division, the Guards Division and 47th (1st/2nd London) Division, the latter against the strong-point in Inverness Copse taken on yesterday. All three attacks have been beaten off with some loss.

Following their seaside holiday on 23rd August the five officers and three hundred other ranks which, at present, form just over half the strength of the Battalion, went to the sea again today. They had a nice time at Mardyk, near Dunkirk, the adjutant remarking to me: “Weather good and all ranks much enjoyed themselves”.

Source: X550/8/1

Twenty Fourth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Thursday 23rd August 1917

It has been raining again today, though, in truth, much more of a drizzle than a downpour. It has also been warm, so the stickiness of recent times has not abated. There has only been action today at a place known as Gallipoli Farm, which was attacked, without success, by 15th (Scottish) Division.

We have heard from the adjutant of the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who have not long been out of the line after a grueling spell including a major attack on 10th August. At 6.30 this morning they all got on a fleet of buses and went off to Dunkirk to spend the day at the seaside for a holiday. Such a simple delight must be met with relish by men who have endured Hell.

Source: X550/8/1