Saturday, 16 December 2017

1st Bedfords Arrive in Italy



Sunday 16th December 1917

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment have arrived in Italy after their long train journey from Anvin. As you can imagine we have been desperately trying to get hold of maps of northern Italy in preparation for this event, so that we can give you an idea of where the boys end up.

It turns out that they are in the province of Padua. B and D Companies left their train at Fontaniva and marched to San Giorgio in Brenta where they rested for a few hourse before resuming their march eleven miles south-east to San Giorgio delle Pertiche, where they are billeting for tonight - about thirty miles north-west of Venice. A and C Companies are billeted in San Giorgio in Brenta. Emboldened by his efforts with a sketch map of Palestine your correspondent has done something for northern Italy.

The 7th Battalion, meanwhile, are in the vicinity of Roesbrugge-Haringe north-west of Poperinge at a place called Claude Chappe Camp. They are due a rest period. Brigadier-General Lionel Sadleir Jackson, commanding 54th Infantry Brigade, took a march-past today and was pleased with the general turn-out of the Battalion.

The Battalion arrived in the new area in time for dinner; each company being billeted in a separate hut, and one detached company in Northampton Lines. There is a cinema hall in the centre of the camp.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/8/1

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