Business as Usual

Sunday 10th November 1918

It was business as usual on the Western Front today. There have been successful attacks in various places. One of these was at Asquillies, about a mile south of Mons. Here 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment took part in an attack by 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, seizing the village at nine o'clock this morning. The battalion then moved to the village of Harveng a mile or so to the east in preparation for a night attack tonight on Harmignies a mile or so to the north-east(1)

Source: X550/5/3

(1) the village would fall about one o'clock on the morning of the 11th, the last offensive action taken by the Bedfordshire Regiment during the war.

Those Blasted Woods Again

Tuesday 27th March 1918

Today has seen a number of attacks along the front. In the south 18th (Eastern) Division of Fourth Army has been renewing its acquaintance with Trones Wood, where it fought so long in 1916. and Bernafay Wood between Montauban and Ginchy. The enemy still held the village of Longueval at the start of the attack and 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment suffered many casualties as they struggled to get forward and were eventually pushed from Trones Wood to Bernafay Wood to the west. A few moments ago, however, a counter-attack has once more pushed the enemy from the wood, hopefully for good. The 38th (Welsh) Division has obtained a firm lodging now in the western remains of Longueval. 

Further north 63rd (Royal Naval) Division has once more been attacking Thilloy and Ligny-Thilloy to help the New Zealand complete its encirclement of Bapaume to the south. The 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has been to the fore in today's unsuccessful efforts at Thilloy and Ligny-Thilloy. Your correspondent has just heard from the adjutant with details of the attack, which began about eleven o'clock. The Bedfords were then in a sunken road variously called Chalk Cut or Red Cut as shown on the map above. Preceded by a rolling barrage then men went over the top but not before shells fell into the assembly positions which were thought to come from our own guns firing short. On leaving the sunken road heavy machine gun fire was encountered from the front and the left and especially from the right flank. It had been arranged that 21st Division would attack on the Bedfords' right, but their attack was cancelled at the last moment and so the right flank was exposed to extremely heavy machine gun fire from the high ground.

The line was held up and the positions occupied were then roughly as shown on the map above. No further advance was possible as machine gun fire from Thilloy and the ridges on the right was so heavy. Snipers were very active and claimed many victims.
An hour ago, at six o'clock after an hour's bombardment by heavy artillery and preceded by an 18 pounder barrage the advance was continued again. Just previous to zero a heavy shell fell in the midst of the centre company and did much damage. Despite this, some of C Company on the left entered Thilloy and went right through, with their right on the cross roads shown on the map by an X. The left of the centre company was met again by very heavy machine gun fire from the right and was unable to make much progress and the right company was unable to advance at all owing to the same reason. The enemy had a perfect defensive position which commanded the approach from in front and on the right flank.  

As regards those elements of the left company which passed through Thilloy, the situation is difficult to ascertain. No Officer by this time appears to have been left with the company. The enemy appear to have been surrounding them on the right flank and eventually they withdrew through the village, and back to the sunken road from which the attack had started, which they reached a few moments ago.  

Owing to the formation of the ground the only possible defensive line was then indeed the sunken road from which the battalion had started this morning, with posts pushed out to the edge of la Barque. The line joins up with the 7th Royal Fusiliers on the left. The Battalion hopes to be relieved tonight.  

The commanding officer then came on the blower to make his views known, saying: "I attribute the failure of the attack to the fact that the right flank was exposed as the Division on our right did not advance. It is possible that the first attack would have been held up in any case from machine gun fire from Thilloy, but I feel certain that if other troops had been pressing on our right and so engaging the machine guns on the ridges and neighbourhood, my right company would have been able to get forward at the second attempt. If the request for tanks to co-operate had been granted the task would have been easy and could have been accomplished by one Battalion instead of two".

Source: X550/5/3

The Fall of Montauban

Monday 26th August 2018

On 1st July 1916 the village of Montauban-de-Picardie was captured by the men from Manchester and Liverpool of 30th Division. A few hundred yards to the west the 18th Division took all its objectives. Today the 18th Division, of Fourth Army, has been in action here again, when 7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) assisted by 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers took the village. The main differences in today's attack were that two years ago the division was attacking south to north whereas today it has been moving west to east. Back then, although successful, roughly one man in ten was killed. mercifully, today's tally of the gallant fallen is nowhere remotely near that number.

Then it was the 7th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment in action. Today it was 2nd Battalion, which was part of 30th Division two years ago, and held in reserve in case the attack by the northern battalions, whose first major action this was, faltered. In the event the Bedfords were not needed then, nor were they today, simply holding the line in case of a counter-attack which did not materialise.

Further north First Army today undertook an attack around Arras. Between the First and Fourth Armies, Third Army continues to undertake operations around Bapaume. The line has gone forward by another thousand yards during the day. The gallant New Zealanders have now encircled the north of the town, though to the south of the ruins the fighting has been severe where 63rd (Royal Naval) Division has been up against the strongpoint of Thilloy. The 4th Bedfords were to take part in the second wave of the attack on Thilloy and Ligny-Thilloy but never came into action as the initial attack could make no headway. Enemy resistance seems very patchy - in some places the troops are facing the tenacious German army of old, elsewhere the defenders seem to put up little fight. 

Meanwhile 5th Division has taken a troublesome hamlet north-east of Bapaume. There thus seems, despite the problems with Thilloy, every hope that the remains of the town may soon be in allied hands.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/5/3

The Advance Will Continue

Tuesday 20th August 1918

Word is that the great advance will begin again tomorrow, but it will be north of Albert and will be undertaken by Third Army. We understand that among the divisions taking part will 5th Division with 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment to the fore and 63rd (Royal Naval) Division with 4th Bedfords in the vanguard and 37th Division which contains 1st/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment which has absorbed 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3

German Attack Near Cambrai

Sunday 30th December 1917

With two days of 1917 to go, the enemy evidently felt some sort of show of aggressive intent was in order. 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is in the trenches near Villers-Plouich on the Cambrai battlefield. They moved up to the line at one hour’s notice owing to an enemy attack on 63rd (Royal Naval) Division’s front on Welsh Ridge.

The enemy attack was in some force and was assisted by the Germans being dressed in white, camouflage which was very successful in blending in to the snowy conditions. They managed to get into the front line trenches and they hold them still. These trenches were in something of a salient into the German lines so it is likely that the divisional commander will write them off.

Source: X550/5/3

Ninety Fourth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Thursday 1st November 1917

Today the only action of which we have heard at Ypres has been capture of a German pillbox by Nelson and Hawke Battalions of 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Lieutenant-Colonel C H de St P Bunbury of 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was admitted to hospital last night and so Major Reggie Wynne DSO is now in command of the Battalion.

The great news here today has not been actions here, however, but those in far-away Palestine. Yesterday British and Imperial forces attacked the Turks at Beersheba, 25 miles south-east of Gaza. The 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was not involved in this - the attacking units being 10th (Irish), 60th (London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions along with the ANZAC and Australian Mounted Divisions and the 7th Mounted Brigade of Yeomanry. Cavalry still play an important part in this war on more open battlefields with less trenches and machine guns.

The attack has been a great success. We understand that 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade performed a mounted charge which carried them right into the town of Beersheba, leading to its capture. Losses in the whole battle have been remarkably light by the standards of the Western Front, with less than two hundred of our men believed killed. Around a thousand Turks are believed to have perished with perhaps twice that number being captured.

Tibby Cotter

On a sad note, we hear that the Australian fast bowler Tibby Cotter has been killed. He was a stretcher bearer with 4th Australian Light Horse and, on entering Beersheba with his unit during the charge, he was shot at close range. He had a slinging action which generated great pace, though it is fair to say he was not always accurate. Nevertheless, on his day he was a fearsome opponent, and a fascinating site from the safety of the stands(1)

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He was 33. His action was reminiscent of Jeff Thomson of latter years and he was probably as fast. Between 1904 and 1912 he played in 21 test matches, taking 89 wickets at an average of 28.64. In first-class matches he took 442 wickets at 24.27. Trooper Albert Cotter is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery.

Eighty Sixth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Wednesday 24th October 1917

Today has been one of reliefs, with five divisions moving out of the line and five in. Amongst the newcomers are the Canadians for the first time in this battle, 3rd Canadian Division replacing the New Zealand Division. 63rd (Royal Naval) Division have also taken over from 9th (Scottish) Division, though the 4th Bedfords are not yet in the front line.

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are back in familiar territory near Hollebeke. About midnight last night the Germans raided their trenches without benefit of artillery in what is known as a “silent raid”. The raiding party were observed moving immediately to the Right of one of the advanced posts. They were fired at by the Lewis gun at this post, after firing one drum a German threw a bomb which fell on the Lewis gunners’ shelter blowing it in, the Lewis gunner continued firing however and killed the thrower. The remainder of the Germans made off towards another of the Bedfords’ posts, which fired on them and wounded one man who was captured. It is thought that at least two other of the enemy were killed by the Battalion’s Lewis gun fire. The hostile raiding party numbered about fifteen and was completely repulsed - a bloody nose for the enemy unit taking part.

Source: X550/3/wd

Eighty Second Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Lord Ampthill [X550/9/2]

Saturday 20th October 1917

Over the last two days Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Ampthill, formerly commanding officer of the 8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, and more recently Director of Indian Labour at Headquarters, has been with the 1st Battalion and today he inspected them on parade.

The 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 63rd (Royal Naval) Division is at Houtkerque on the border between France and Belgium west of Poperinghe. They have been training, specifically learning how to attack pill boxes and so it looks as if their introduction to the Third Battle of Ypres may not be long delayed.

The 6th Battalion is at Epsom Camp, Westouter. Three days ago an officer, Second Lieutenant S van der Linde was killed and another officer, Second Lieutenant A Foll as well as three other ranks were wounded when an enemy aircraft dropped a bomb on them whilst north-east of Ypres. Today Second Lieutenant A Stone MC, Second Lieutenant F J Smith and fourteen other ranks have joined as reinforcements.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3; X550/7/1

Sixty Fifth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Wednesday 3rd October 1917

5th Division, having relieved 23rd Division just north of the Menin Road, was attacked by the enemy today, as was 37th Division just south of the road. As far as we can tell both these attacks have been failures.

1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has reached the Ypres Salient. It is moving towards a position on the ridge between Tor Top and Stirling Castle. As reserve to the rest 5th Division it was not involved in repulsing the German attack. Nor was 6th Battalion involved in repulsing the enemy attack on 37th Division as it is resting, having preceded the rest of its division in the front line by five days.

63rd (Royal Naval) Division, including the 4th Bedfords, is also evidently coming to the party. The Battalion is currently a Zermezeele near Kassel, close to the Belgian border.

In far-away Palestine yesterday, two of the 1st/5th Battalion snipers captured a Turkish prisoner who had been picking grapes just outside the enemy trenches near The Orchard, south-west of Gaza.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3; X550/6/8

Thirty Second Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Friday 31st August 1917

This latest offensive by the British Expeditionary Force began on 31st July and so is now one month old. It has seen steady progress, even though greatly hampered by the poor weather which has resulted in a glutinous mess difficult to walk through, impossible for tanks to operate in and requiring superhuman efforts by gunners and gun teams to bring their pieces up following an advance.

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are presently in support south-west of Kemmel. The adjutant tells me that today one officer and nineteen ranks from the Royal Navy were attached to the Battalion and shown round Wytschsaete Ridge by company commanders. This strongly suggests that 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, in whose ranks can be found 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, may shortly be entering the line. They are currently in the vicinity of Oppy Wood near Arras(1)

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) In fact it would be October before the division was deployed at Ypres and then significantly further north than the Wytschaete Ridge.

Twenty First Day of the Battle of Arras

Sunday 29th April 1917

Last night at 7 o’clock 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and 2nd Division resumed their attacks of yesterday. 63rd Division was to advance far enough to form a defensive flank for 2nd Division’s attack on Oppy Wood and Oppy itself.

63rd Division’s included an attack by a composite battalion formed by 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. I spoke with the adjutant of the Bedfords at length today and he told me that the composite battalion achieved its objective, but was then counter-attacked and driven out. However, it rallied and then re-took the trench it was to occupy and had consolidated it by about 11 o’clock this morning.

99th Brigade of the Division achieved some success and, after similar vicissitudes to the Bedfords, eventually managed an advance of about one thousand yards. 2nd Division also managed an advance of about one thousand yards. Altogether, although Oppy Wood and Oppy itself remained in German hands the trench system defending them has been taken.

Sources: X550/5/3.

Sewage

Monday 27th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, tells me that they are at a hutted camp behind the lines near Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée, where they are training. He tells me that there has been an effort at improvement of sanitary conditions in these hutment camps.

It reminds me of a story told to me of an officer of the 4th Bedfords a few weeks ago. They are part of a brigade of four “Army” battalions whilst the other two brigades in their division (63rd) comprise Royal Marines and naval personnel, who all think of themselves as still sailors.

The new general officer commanding 63rd Division, Major-General Cameron Shute was less than impressed with the sanitary arrangements of the naval brigades under his command. On a ship there are certain facilities for disposal of effluent which are not present in the trenches. This has led to a rather casual attitude towards the disposal of waste. General Shute, quite rightly, took issue with this filthy behaviour as giving rise to dysentery. However, the fact that the “Navy” men had been reprimanded by an “Army” man did not go down well and consequently the general’s name was habitually changed by the substitution of the first vowel for another vowel in conversation within the naval elements of the division!

Source: X550/5/3

Day One Hundred and Thirty Eight on the Somme

Wednesday 15th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today Munich Trench (just east of Wagon Road, itself just north-east of Beaumont-Hamel) has been taken by 51st (Highland) and 2nd Divisions. Early this morning 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, including the 4th Bedfords, was relieved by 37th Division, including the 6th Bedfords. An attack on Frankfort Trench, east of Beaucourt, by part of 37th Division, including the Bedfords, was unsuccessful. The Battalion lost three officers killed – Second Lieutenant John Griffin, Second Lieutenant Cecil le Messurier and Second Lieutenant George McEwan. No other ranks were killed.

The adjutant of the 7th Bedfords has been in contact today. They have been in the front line at Regina Trench, waiting to attack Petit Miraumont and the bridge over the River Ancre. However: “The Battalion moved back to Huts in Ovillers. During this tour in the trenches all preparations were made for attack on Miraumont but the weather was very wet and it was not carried out before the Battalion was due for relief”.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/7/1; X550/8/1

Day One Hundred and Thirty Six on the Somme

Monday 13th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division made its first attack on the Somme. Together with 51st (Highland) Division, whose base of operations in 1914 was Bedford, as residents will well remember. Other divisions, too, have been involved in an attack which stretched from Hébuterne in the north to Grandcourt, the front forming a rough L-shape.

31st Division made the attack near Hébuterne. They easily took the German front line trenches and got into a hot fight at the enemy’s support line, many Germans being killed during one of their counter-attacks. This evening, we understand, the division has been ordered to return to its front lines, yielding ground gained. This is because 3rd Division failed completely in its attack on the village of Serre. This area was the site of terribly costly attacks on 1st July by many pals battalions from the north of England, forming 31st Division. Then the ground was rock hard, today it was waist deep in mud and it was this, more than the German defences, which caused the failure. 2nd Division attacked to the south of 3rd Division, advanding along the Redan Ridge. Here some ground, including the German front line was taken.

The Highlanders attacked Beaumont-Hamel itself together with Y-Ravine with the Naval Division attacking between Y-Ravine and the River Ancre. The Scots’ attack was aided by the explosion of a huge mine at Hawthorn Crater. The blast was terrific, the very mud beneath one’s feet quivering with the shock waves. We have been told that 30,000 pounds of explosive were used. The attackers were also aided by a low mist which hampered the Germans’ line of sight. It was some recompense for the deep mud through which the men had to stumble and slog. Their achievement in taking Beaumont-Hamel and Y-Ravine was thus a very notable one of which the men from the glens can be proud.

The Royal Naval Division attacked with its sailors and Royal Marines (188th and 189th Brigades), the “army men” of 190th Brigade, including the 4th Bedfords, being held in reserve. The German front line was taken, along with Beaucourt Station and Station Road, four hundred prisoners being captured into the bargain. The attack on the left, closest to Y-Ravine, suffered many casualties and 190th Brigade was inserted at that point.

The Bedfords suffered from fire from an enemy strongpoint between the German first and second lines. This had been by-passed by the leading brigade. Nevertheless the battalion got to the enemy second line and from there parties pushed on to Station Road and beyond. Thus, in their first action the battalion did itself great credit, though I understand that losses have been heavy, disproportionately so amongst the officers.

On the other side of the River Ancre, 39th Division met with considerable success, advancing over a thousand yards and taking Beaucourt Mill. The village of Saint-Pierre-Divion fell before eight o’clock this morning. 19th (Northern) Division formed the right-hand of the attack. The brigade on the left managed an advance but the brigade on the right, where it joined 18th (Eastern) Division failed to make any headway.

So although today’s attacks have met with mixed success, two more villages, Saint-Pierre-Divion and the much longed-for prize of Beaumont-Hamel have been added to the “bag” in this battle of 136 days. 

Day One Hundred and Thirty Five on the Somme

Sunday 12th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The atmosphere on the battlefield today has been strange, almost eerie. The day has been fine but very dull, with an almost yellow-grey light. Your correspondent slogged over to the village of Auchonvillers, close to the front line in front of Beaumont-Hamel where he met with the commanding officer of the 4th Battalion who was tight-lipped but from whom the impression was received that his men would be going “over the top” tomorrow to attack the area between Y-Ravine and the River Ancre.

4th Bedfords are part of 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and, as one might expect, there was a certain wry amusement about “sending in the navy” to attack an area under water from rain and the River Ancre which has overflowed its shell-scarred banks at this point.

This afternoon the battalion marched to its assembly trenches off the appropriately named Bedford Street. They have the 7th Royal Fusiliers on their right and the 10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers on their left.

Source: X550/5/3

Day Thirty Eight on the Somme

Monday 7th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, the seventh battalion of the regiment to go into action in this war, that they are now in France, having kanded on 26th July, based behind the lines in the area around the town of Souchez, between Béthune and Arras. They are part of a most interesting Division called 63rd (Royal Naval Division). The Bedfords’ own Brigade (190th) consists of two other battalions from line regiments (7th Royal Fusiliers and 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers) as well as a Territorial Army battalion, 1st/1st Honourable Artillery Company (an infantry battalion, not an artillery company, despite its name!).

The other two brigades are made up of two battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry and six battalions made up of surplus sailors who have been turned into infantrymen. These six battalions are named after great British admirals – Drake, Nelson, Hawke, Hood, Anson and Howe. The exploits of Drake and Nelson are well-known. Edward, Baron Hawke (1705-1781) defeated the French at the Battles of Cape Finisterre in 1747 and Quiberon Bay in 1759. Samuel, 1st Viscount Hood (1724-1819) took part in the American and French revolutionary wars, distinguishing himself against the French in defending British possessions in the West Indies. Admiral Richard Howe (1726-1799) defeated the French on the Glorious First of June (1794) and relieved the siege of Gibraltar in 1783. George, 1st Baron Anson (1697-1762) sailed round the World in 1741-1742, oversaw the navy’s actions in an abortive invasion by the French in 1759 and commanded in successful actions against them in Canada and the West Indies. None of these men ever seem to have fought a German enemy!

7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has re-entered the front line today. It is near Armentières, well to the north of here.

Lieutenant Jacka

Around 4 am this morning the Germans launched another attack on Pozières and quickly defeated and overran the Australians in the front line. However, we understand that a small counter-attack by Lieutenant Jacka VC and seven men inspired his compatriots to stiffen resistance and finally defeat the German attack(1)

Another attack has been made today by 17th (Northern) Division at Delville Wood following their failure on August 4th. This attack was launched at 4.30 this afternoon. Again German artillery stopped the advance whilst it was still in the remains of this accursed wood.

Overnight the German artillery proved positions held by 34th Division, which is in reserve in and around Mametz Wood. 6th Bedfords are part of this division and lost eight other ranks killed and one officer and twenty four other ranks wounded.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/7/1; X550/8/1

(1) Albert Jacka had won the Victoria Cross at Gallipoli. He commanded 14th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. The fact that he was awarded a Military Cross for this action, rather than a bar to his Victoria Cross, was one of many sources of Australian discontent both during and after the war. 

With the Royal Naval Division

Royal Naval Division recruiting poster

Thursday 4th March 1915: A letter has been received from Frederick Newman, recruit, Collingwood Battalion, Naval Brigade [sic Royal Naval Division], interned at Groeningen, Holland, to his parents at Campton under the date 19th February 1915 giving his experiences with the Naval Brigade, which made such a gallant stand at Antwerp against a superior force of the enemy. After describing the routine of the Naval Brigade's arduous work in helping to restrain the German efforts, the writer goes on to say: "The enemy were close on us and we were outnumbered, so there seemed nothing for us to do but cross the frontier into Holland and lay down our arms rather than be made prisoners of war by the enemy. We were marched to Hulst, under Dutch escort, and sent by train to Ternewzen, where we spent the night. We were then shipped to Dordrecht and from thence sent by train to Lewwarden arriving at about 5 o'clock on Sunday 11th [October 1914], just a week after leaving England. After a week at Lewwarden we were sent to Groningen, arriving the same day"(1).

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 5th March 1915

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(1) The 63rd (Royal Naval) Division was formed on the outbreak of war from Royal Naval reserves who had no ship to go to nor any conceivable duties on land. It included eight battalions of naval personnel, named after famous admirals (Drake, Collingwood, Benbow, Hawke, Anson, Nelson, Hood and Howe) in two brigades as well as four battalions of Royal Marines in another brigade. The division was sent to help defend Antwerp due to its strategic importance as a major port on the English Channel. It arrived on 4th October and, realising it was outnumbered and the situation hopeless, was evacuated on 10th October. Netherlands remained neutral in 1914 doing a healthy trade with Germany, which is why the Germans saw no reason to occupy it. Around 1,500 men of the Royal Naval Division crossed into Netherlands to avoid capture. The division took part in the battles at Gallipoli in 1915 and in 1916 was sent to the Western Front. By this time it had been reorganised into two brigades of naval and royal marine battalions and one of army battalions: 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers; 1st/1st Battalion, Honorable Artillery Company (infantry not artillery!); 10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers and 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.