The Perils of Gathering Brushwood

Saturday 23rd January 1915: Private S. Lovell of the 2nd Bedfords, who lives at 38 Sandhurst Road, Bedford(1) tells us: “The 6th Gordons occupy the trench on our right(2) and I don’t think I shall ever forget them. I will tell you why. Two days ago one of our officers told six of us to go  and collect brushwood for the bottom of the trench (also some planks) We proceeded to the rear of 6th Gordons where a farm had been heavily shelled by German artillery, when we were fired at by German snipers. We all made a belt for the farmhouse, at least five did, myself being too far away in a field adjoining. I had to make the best cover possible so I chose the side of a ditch with large trees along it. I lay down behind one and four shots wee fired at me, three hitting the tree and one miss. Where I was lying I could see my comrades in the farmhouse. They told me to crawl round the ditch and then make a run for it, about fifty yards. I did so and reached them safely. The 6th Gordons’ trench is immediately in front of the farm, so four of the party went through into ours. I and another fellow, not to be done out of our brushwood, waited until dark, and then dragged it home.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 22nd January 1915

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(1) This may be 9095 Sergeant S Lovell MM, 32, whose wife lived at 23 Eastville Road, who died with 2nd Battalion on 23rd August 1918 and is buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension.

(2) 1st/6th Gordon Highlanders were part of 20th Brigade, 7th Division (the same division as the 2nd Bedfords) from 5th December 1914. 

First Casualties for the 2nd Bedfords

Geluveld church

Sunday 18th October 1914: Private T. Farmer of 2nd Bedfords tells us that the battalion has left Geluveld in a hurry: "I never had time to collect washing that I had drying, or draw rations". We spoke with the adjutant who informed us that the Battalion formed up on the Menin Road between the villages of Geluveld and Geluwe further to the south-east and advanced on the latter village.

On coming over a rise they were hit by rifle fire. As they went on they also came under shrapnel fire from artillery. Twenty one other ranks were wounded and two were killed – Private Sidney Dickens from Upper Dean and Private Leonard Livett from Little Staughton. Two other ranks are missing. The order came for the battalion to draw back a little and entrench on the left flank of 20th Brigade.

Sources: X550/3/wd