Saturday 2nd June 1917
In the same
way that your correspondent felt it might give a flavour of life at the Front
to relay a daily intelligence report on 31st May, today the 7th Battalion,
Bedfordshire Regiment, not far from the site of their ordeal on 3rd May, has
forwarded a movement order to me for onward communication.
1. INTENTION
During the night of the 2nd/3rd the 54th Brigade will relieve the 55th Bde.
Relieving troops will take over dispositions of the 55th Bde. All Maps,
Aeroplane photographs, Intelligence Summaries, reports on work, trench stores
etc will be taken over on relief.
2. ROLE OF
UNITS 7th Bedfordshire Rgt will relieve the 7th Queens Rgt in support on the
Bde Front. A and B Coys will on completion of relief be situated in the Rookery
"C" Coy in Concrete Trench. "D" Coy in Earls Court and
Shaft Trench. B.H.Q. [Battalion Head Quarters] N.35.c.2.7. "A" and
"B" Coys will take over from A & C Coys. 7 Queens. Starting Point
Cross Roads at N.34.a.7.7.
3. ROUTE
H.Qrs, "C" and "D" Coys via Shaft Trench. "A" and
"B" Coy via Sussex Avenue.
4. GUIDES
From the 7th Queens on the scale of 1 per platoon and 1 for B.H.Q. will be at
the Starting Point at 3 p.m.
5. INTERVALS
East of Hénin-sur-Cojeul Units will move by platoons with 5 minute intervals.
West of this village 500 yards will be maintained between Coys. No movements
will take place outside Communication Trench until 10.15 pm.
6. ORDER OF
MARCH B.H.Q. "C" "D" "A" and "B" Coys.
7. BOX
RESPIRATORS Will be worn at the ALERT throughout the relief.
8. RELIEF
Coys will report relief complete by the word STORE.
9. DRESS Full
Marching Order.
10. TRENCH
STORES Copy of Trench Stores will be forwarded to Battn H.Q. on completion of
relief.
11. MEALS
Dinners 12 noon.
12. TRANSPORT
"C" & "D" Coy L.G.Limbers will move up with their Coy
as far as Starting Point. "A" and "B" L.G.Limber will move
up to N.30.c.7.1. after dark. "C" & "D" Ration Limbers
will move up as previously arranged, arriving about 10 p.m. "A" and
"B" Coy Ration Limbers will move to point N.30.c.7.1 after dark.
13. COOKING
Support and Reserve Bns can cook in Boilers or Kettles. Coy and Platoon
cook-houses to be dug in suitable places off the main trenches.
14. WATER
"A" and "B" Coys will have water brought up in Petrol Tins
on limbers each evening. Empty tins to be returned next evening. H.Q.
"C" and "D" Coys. 1 Water Cart will be permanently kept in
the Hindenburg Line. 2 Watermen will remain with the water cart.
15. MESSCART
Mess Cart (Maltese Cart as Ordered by M.O [Medical Officer]) will report at the
Mess at 1.30 p.m.
16. BAGGAGE
All Blankets (in Bdles of 10) Coy Stores Officers valises etc will be dumped at
Q.M. [Quarter Master] Stores by 11 a.m. Trench Kits etc to be dumped Q.M.Stores
by 12 noon.
17. BILLETING
CERTIFICATES A Certificate will be rendered to the R.S.M. [Regimental Sergeant
Major] by 11 a.m. certifying that all Regtl Lines are clean, all refuse removed
and Latrines disinfected.
18. ADVANCE
PARTY Each company will send 1 Officer and C.S.M. [Company Sergeant Major] to
take over from the 7th Queens leaving the Camp about 11 a.m. B.H.Q. will send
Lt.Chapman and R.S.M. to take over Dumps, Stores etc.
19. DUMP
DUTIES "C" Coy will supply 1
N.C.O. and 1 O.R. to take over and remain in charge of Dump at T.5.c.7.7. This
party will report to Staff Captain at B.H.Q. at 11 a.m. 2-6-17. Guide will be waiting to take him to his post.
20. TRAFFIC
CONTROL "A" Coy will find and take over traffic control post at
N.30.c.5.3. "B" Coy will find and take over traffic Control Post on
high ground N.29.d. These posts will compel troops to use Communication
Trenches and will prohibit movement which previously took place in view of the
enemy. They will take over the orders of the posts they relieve. These Orders
must be brought to the notice of all ranks and non-compliance will be dealt
with severely.
21. ANTI GAS
BLANKETS Anti-Gas Blankets must be hung at the entrance of all dugouts. Where
these are deficient indent for same will be sent at once.
22. S.O.S.
SIGNAL Succession of Red Very Lights till followed by Artillery Barrage.
23. 1st LINE
TRANSPORT Drummers, and 2 squads of the Untrained Draft.
(SGD)
W.J.W.COLLEY, CAPT AND ADJT.
7TH (S) BN BEDFORDSHIRE REGT.
