A Letter from Lord Ampthill

Lord Ampthill [X550/9/2]

Good Friday 2nd April 1915: Lord Ampthill, commander of the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment at Landguard Camp near Felixstowe has told us about things sent to the men by children from this county: “The comforts for the troops of which the Bedfordshire County Council Education Committee sent me such a large and generous consignment have now been distributed carefully to the men who were most in need of them and I am asked by all the recipients to express their grateful thanks to the donors. Many of the men who received articles which were ticketed with the name and address of the maker and often with charming little messages of good-will, are writing direct to those industrious little maidens to thank them. I think that all were very much touched at receiving these gifts from the little school-girls of the county, and the workmanship has been greatly admired”.

“Altogether the kindly thought of all those concerned has produced a very pleasant impression which will go far to knit the Regiment more closely to the county. The scholars who made the woollen garments will like to know that many of them have been given to men who have already been to the front and have returned here to recover from their wounds on being discharged from hospital. I have about four hundred wounded men in the Battalion and as many of them as are still able to march and shoot will go out as soon as they have regained their strength. The gifts therefore have for the most part been placed in the hands of men who have already shed their blood for out country and deserved well of the nation”.

“I hope also that it is well known throughout the county that few Regiments have done better or behaved more gallantly than the Bedfords. The comforts arrived at a very opportune moment, as we have had another spell of cold weather with ice and snow and this place is always windy. A large number of men have been on guard or on outpost night and day and it is then that the mufflers and cuffs are particularly welcome. The socks are always useful, as much marching soon wears out those supplied by the Government”.

“Finally let me say that we have all greatly appreciated that fact that the 3rd Battalion has not been forgotten. The 3rd Battalion is now completely blended with the two Regular Battalions at the front, for most of my men are with them and many of them are with me”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 9th April 1915