Monday 28th June 1915: Readers will recall that we mentioned on 5th June that the prospective Unionist candidate for Bedford, Lieutenant Hargreaves has gone to the Front with the Bedfordshire Yeomanry. He has contacted us today: “We are getting very little news, but a bulletin about the war is sent round with regimental orders”.
“I am quite comfortable in every way myself, but should be glad if there were more to do. The men are all very pleased to be in France and they enjoy the picnicking in the open as a change from ten months in billets. We are under a first-class brigadier and brigade with two good cavalry regiments(1) and, no doubt we shall see plenty of fighting before we finish”.
“This country is not good for either drilling or manoeuvring and compares very unfavourably in both respects with the country around Stansted. We were inspected, together with the rest of the Brigade by Sir John French(2) yesterday. The regiment turned out very smart. It has come on marvellously since we left Hatfield and should, I think, do well whenever it is called upon. Most of the officers of the squadron sleep in a barn. Holmes and I have made friends with an old couple, who have given us a room at their farm, and a big tub to bath in. We therefore live in the lap of luxury”.
Source: Bedfordshire Standard 25th June 1915
(1) 15th (King’s) Hussars and 19th (Queen Alexandra’a Own Royal) Hussars – together they formed 9th Cavalry Brigade.
(2) Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force.
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