Postcard [Z1306/75/16/53]
Saturday 6th February 1915: Judging by the look of things the Bedford Squadron will soon be leaving the little Essex town [Hatfield Peverel] where it has been quartered for some months and be en-route for “somewhere abroad”(1). This conclusion has been arrived at on account of the deal of attention devoted to the Squadron lately. New rifles have been issued to the members and for the past two months patrol work has formed the chief part of their duties. This is probably what our Yeomen will have to do when acting as Divisional cavalry abroad.
At the end of last week the regiment was inspected by the Inspector-General of Cavalry (General Milner) and the following morning’s orders contained some complimentary observations. For instance: “The Inspector-General of Cavalry has intimated his complete satisfaction at the very smart appearance and steady drill of the Regiment. The Commanding Officer (Colonel Peel) wishes to congratulate all ranks on the high standard of efficiency which they have attained after several months of hard work”.
The gun team had a night out last Tuesday. The members left their headquarters at 11 a. m. on Tuesday and returned at 11 a. m. the following day. About six hours out they were joined by another regiment and the sham fight commenced at 1. About 5.30 rain poured in torrents and made matters unpleasant. The men are however, none the worse for their soaking, and are looking forward to another nocturnal outing. The people in the vicinity of the fighting said they really thought the Germans had come when they heard the guns at 2 a.m.
On Friday the town in which the Yeomen are quartered saw more soldiers than it had ever seen before on one day, for the inspection of the whole of the South Midland Division took place, the Inspecting Officer being General Sir Ian Hamilton. Between 20,000 and 25,000 troops were on parade. The “march past” was led by the Bedfordshire Yeomanry.
Source: Bedfordshire Times 12th February 1915
(1) In fact it did not arrive in
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