All Change in the 2nd Battalion

Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz

Thursday 1st March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are still in the front line at Agny, south-west of Arras. It has been a quiet day without casualties but with a few changes. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel H D Poyntz has taken over as commender of 89th Infantry Brigade in the absence of Brigadier-General F C Stanley. Captain H A W Pearse has gone to 89th Infantry Brigade Headquarters for instruction and Lieutenant H de Buriatte has taken over command of A Company.

Source: X550/3/WD

One Cricketer Succeeds Another

Lt Col Poyntz

Monday 3rd April 1916: The 2nd Battalion are in Grovetown Camp on the Somme and, though officially resting and finding working parties to labour for the Royal Engineers. Lieutenant-Colonel H S Poyntz, commanding officer of the battalion today takes over temporary command of 89th Infantry Brigade, He is replaced by Captain J W H T Douglas, thus one cricketer succeeds another.

Source: X550/3/wd

All Change Again for the 2nd Bedfords

Saturday 8th January 1916: The 2nd Bedfords are currently leaving Naours in France for Pont-Noyelles. Since 19th December they have been part of 89th Infantry Brigade of 30th Division, having previously been part of 7th Division. From today, however, they will form part of 90th Infantry Brigade, still part of 30th Division. Their division has also changed corps, now forming part of X Corps.

Changes of corps are relatively routine but changes to the brigade (which contains four battalions) and division (which contains three brigades) are much less so. Divisions are the major building block comprising our armies in France and it is to these, almost as much as their regiment and battalion, that a soldier looks for a sense of identity.

Source: X550/3/wd