Thursday, 27 July 2017

Raid Practice and a Solemn Dinner


Friday 27th July 1917

The adjutant of the 1st/5th Battalion has wired with news of practise for the next raid on Umbrella Hill. He noted that, profiting by the first raid the dug-outs were on ground unregistered by enemy artillery - as evidenced by no shell holes being about. They are also smaller and fitted with overhead cover to a depth of about 4 feet 3 inches of sand. The dump for supplies, too, has been made unostentatious and concealed by sand bags.

Captain Oliver Kingdon [X550/1/82]

The adjutant of 7th Battalion, Captain Colley, notes that today is the second anniversary of the Battalion’s arrival in France. A celebratory dinner is to be held in Steenvoorde and which the following, who landed with the Battalion in 1915 will be present: Brigadier-General G D Price (the former commanding officer, now commanding 55th Brigade, in the same Division as 7th Bedfords), Lieutenant-Colonel G P Mills, now commanding 7th Bedfords, Major J H Bridcutt (as a guest), Major A E Percival, Captain W W Colley, Captain H Driver, Captain O Kingdon, Captain H Ramsbotham, Lieutenant S R Chapman, Lieutenant and Quarter Master F Corner. Captain L H Keep will not attend, so soon after the death of his brother, which will cast something of a pall over proceedings.

Sources: X550/6/8; X550/8/1

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