A New Officer

Lieutenant Haywood [X550/1/81]

Saturday 23rd February 1918

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the line near Saint-Quentin has received a reinforcement today. Lieutenant C Haywood has joined the battalion from the disbanded 8th Battalion.

Source: X550/3/wd

Quickly Killed

Sunday 17th February 1918

Second Lieutenant E C Webb was, until ten days ago, a member of 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was then transferred to 4th Battalion and has now been killed. 4th Battalion is currently in the counter-attack area at Ribecourt on the old Cambrai battlefield.

Source: X550/5/3

The End

Saturday16th February 1918

6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment have gone back into the front line near Ypres, headquarters being at Stirling Castle. All details of the 8th Battalion have today been posted to 5th Entrenching Battalion, with the exception of warrant officers and company quartermaster sergeants.  The Orderly Room has closed and this marks the final disbandment of the Battalion. The details which were posted to 5th Entrenching Battalion form Number 2 Company with 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, formerly of 6th Division and 8th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment formerly of 25th Division. Men from entrenching battalions are used as a source of reinforcements for any unit needing them, so the few remaining Bedfords will probably soon find themselves in another regiment.

Sources: X550/7/1; X550/9/1

Reinforcements for 6th Battalion

Tuesday 12th February 1918

Lieutenant H W Clark and ten other ranks today joined the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, having previously served in 8th Battalion. Major G W Courtney has left the Battalion for England.

Source: X550/7/1

Still Fighting Fit

Lieutenant Holbrook [X550/1/81]

Monday 11th February 1918

8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment may no longer exist as a fighting formation but its men are still fighting fit. A small group, referred to as details, are attached to 16th Brigade Headquarters. Today there was a cross-country run for all units in the Brigade and the 8th Bedfords had five men home in the first six - Sergeant Vivian being the winner in a time of fourteen minutes. Meanwhile Second Lieutenant Oakley and ten other ranks were despatched to join 4th Battalion.

7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is at Salency east of Noyon. Today the reinforcements from the disbanded 8th Battalion arrived. One of them was Second Lieutenant Arthur Pratt who died of wounds this evening. He had the misfortune to be posted to C Company and shortly after entering a billet it received a direct hit by bombs from enemy aircraft. Nine other ranks were killed outright, two more have subsequently also died of wounds and six more are wounded.

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently at Moyencourt, south-west of Ham. Lieutenant W J Holbrook has been struck off strength whilst on a six month tour of duty in England. Lieutenant W L Carpenter and six other ranks have joined from 8th Battalion. Today the Battalion was transferred from 89th Brigade to 90th Brigade, replacing 17th Battalion, Manchester Regiment which has transferred to 21st Brigade.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1; X550/9/1

7th Battalion Heads South

Sunday 10th February 1918

7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment marched today from Krombeke north of Poperinge south-west to Proven where they got on a train which has taken them south to Noyon. On arribal a route march has taken them to Salency a few miles east of Noyon. They are to move eventually to the front line near Saint-Quentin, we understand.

Second Lieutenant L E Agar of 2nd Battalion has been struck off the strength of the Battalion and a Medical Board ordered to judge his state of health.

Second Lieutenant Agar [X550/1/81]

Meanwhile the remains of the 8th Battalion have been repairing huts and making trenches around their camp. The adjutant has been undertaking the melancholy task of sorting out the Battalion’s correspondence and preparing to send the records and books back to 16th Brigade Headquarters.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1; X550/9/1

The Last Men Leave

Saturday 9th February 1918.

The 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment now no longer exists as a fighting force as today another 170 other ranks were despatched to join the 7th Battalion. The officers also joining the 7th Battalion are Captain McBride, Lieutenant Duplock, Second Lieutenant Pratt, Second Lieutenant Hughes, Second Lieutenant Smith and Second Lieutenant Poulter(1)

The details left paraded at 10.30 a.m. and proceeded by march route to Courcelles-Le-Comte via Fremicourt, Bapaume, Bihucourt and Achiet-le-Grand. They arrived in camp about 3 30p.m.and took over billets. The details are under the orders of the Officer Commanding IV Corps Surplus Reinforcements (Lieutenant-Colonel Finch DSO of 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment).

Source: X550/9/1

(1) Lieutenant Arthur Pratt would die two days later and would be buried at Noyon New British Cemetery; Captain Andrew Best McBride was killed at Cachy on 24th April and is buried at Longueau British Cemetery; Lieutenant Marten Cave Duplock was killed on 2nd April, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial

Disbandment Continues

Captain Pares [X550/1/81]

Friday 8th February 1918

Today 86 other ranks left the 8th Battalion to join 2nd Battalion. With them went Captain W T Pares NC, Second Lieutenant Whitbourn and Second Lieutenant Maddison. Meanwhile Second Lieutenant Williams and Second Lieutenant Webb took another 118 other ranks to join 6th Battalion.

Source: X550/9/1

4th Battalion Receives Reinforcements from 8th Battalion

Lieutenant-Colonel Thorpe [X550/1/82]

Thursday 7th February 1918

Lieutenant Colonel E I de S Thorpe DSO has joined 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in Italy as their commanding officer today. Meanwhile the disbandment of 8th Battalion got underway today as twelve officers and 299 other ranks marched from Lebucquière to Fremicourt whence buses took them to their new home - the 4th Battalion currently at Albuera Camp, Beaulencourt. The officers concerned are: Captain R B Knight; Captain N C F Nixon; Second Lieutenant R Bland; Second Lieutenant J W Bradfield; Second Lieutenant W H T Cottrill; Second Lieutenant R C Cowell; Second Lieutenant P W Everett DCM; Second Lieutenant H L Gudgeon; Second Lieutenant Hawkes MC; Second Lieutenant E Kinkead MC; Second Lieutenant Mallinson; Second Lieutenant Oakley and Second Lieutenant E C Webb(1)

Source: X550/2/5; X550/5/3; X550/9/1

(1) Captain Richard Brodnax Knight would die on 5th September and be buried at Saint-Sever Cemetery, Rouen; Captain Noel Charles Frederick Nixon would be killed on 24th March and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial; Second Lieutenant Ernest Charles Webb would die on 17th February and be buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt; 

8th Battalion Begins to Disband

Tuesday 5th February 1918

Major Allason has taken command of 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment as Lieutenant-Colonel P R Worrall has proceeded to assume command of 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, part of 14th Brigade of 5th Division.

 At Lebucquière near Bapaume the 8th Battalion has begun the mournful process of disbandment. Thirteen officers and four hundred other ranks are to be sent off to reinforce the 4th Battalion. To mark this the officers are holding a farewell dinner this evening. The adjutant noted the absurdity that Second Lieutenant Everett DCM and 36 other ranks joined the battalion during the course of the day from the Brigade Pioneer Company!

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/9/1

First Night at Rotonda Bidasio

Sunday 3rd February 1918

1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are in the front line on the River Piave at a village called Bidasio. Last night they suffered their first casualties as two other ranks were wounded by Austrian light artillery of 77 mm calibre. The night was spent clearing communication trenches.

The adjutant of 8th Battalion, at Lebucquière near Bapaume, tells us that Lieutenant Leonard Dolman has been posthumously awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre; he died of his wounds on the last day of 1917; 20454 Lance Sergeant W Cooper of A Company has been similarly honoured but is still very much alive.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/9/1

Life Carries On

Thursday 31st January 1918

Following the announcement of the impending abolition of 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, life carries on as normal. Today the battalion has been finding working parties as follows: one NCO and fifteen other ranks on Town Major’s fatigue, doing odd jobs in and around Lebucquière. Two NCOs and forty other ranks are working at the Brigade Grenade School; four officers and one hundred other ranks are working on strengthening the defences of the intermediate line; two other ranks have gone on a Third Army musketry course and one other rank is attending a pigeon course at 6th Divisional Headquarters.

Source: X550/9/1

End of the Line for the 8th Battalion

Tuesday 29th January 1918

8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed on the outbreak of war in August 1914 to receive some of the hundreds of thousands of volunteers ready to serve ther country. It mobilised on 21st August 1915 and arrived in France on 10th September. Most new battalions arriving in France or Belgium had time to “bed in”. The 8th Bedfords were not so lucky, going into action on the first day of the Battle of Loos on 25th September 1915. Since then they have taken part in a number of major actions: they lost 72 dead in a German attack on the Ijser Canal near Ypres in April 1916; they lost 128 dead at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette in September 1916; 24 men died in the Battle of Morval also in September 1916; 17 men fell in the Battle of Transloy Ridges in October 1916 and 21 men gave their lives in the Battle of Cambrai last November and December.

Today it has been announced that the Battalion is to be disbanded. The Battalion received a communication from Lieutenant-Colonel P Hudson, acting adjutant and quarter master general of 6th Division this morning as follows: “In forwarding the attached correspondence, the Major-General Commanding regrets that is has been found necessary to break up the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment, and he wishes to express to the Officers, N.C.Os. and men his high appreciation of the services rendered by the Battalion during the time it has been with the Division”.

“The splendid gallantry with which it has fought and the loyalty with which it has served has been in keeping with the highest traditions of the British Army”. The brigadier, H T Walker, added: “After serving with the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment for 26 months the other units of the Brigade will sadly miss the Battalion. Its conduct in action and in the line has taught them to have every confidence in it. The Battalion did practically all its fighting in the 16th Infantry Brigade and it leaves a record of which the Brigade is proud”.

With the strength of the army being reduced by about a quarter it remains to be seen how many other battalions the Regiment will lose over the next little while.

Source: X550/9/1

Still Flat

Thursday 24th January 1918

The 1st Battalion has been marching today to Paese, a small town west of Treviso. The adjutant mentioned in his wire that the countryside is still as flat as Flanders.

The adjutant of the 8th Battalion, at Lebucquière, east of Bapaume spoke to me on the blower this evening. There has been a commanding officers conference as regards the defence scheme for the area. Company commanders had a parade for training from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Nine officers and four hundred other ranks are still being found for work burying signals cables.  

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/9/1

England v France

Tuesday 22nd January 1918

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently in billets at Beaulieu-les-Fontaines, south-east of Roye and south-west of Saint-Quentin. The adjutant informed me this evening that during the day they played 106th French Heavy Regiment of Artillery at football, winning by seven goals to two.

The 7th Battalion has also been playing football, in their case against 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. The team is as follows: Private Bidmead, Lance Corporal Sewell, Private Tingey, Sergeant Mears, Corporal Machin, Corporal Spring, Sergeant Reed, Second Lieutenant Donovan, Corporal Butler, Drummer Clarke and Drummer Skipper. Reserves were Private B Worrell and Sergeant Chapman, both backs, and forward Private Pudney.

To more serious matters - 8th Battalion are currently at Lebucquière, east of Bapaume. During the day officers reconnoitred assembly positions north and south of the Cambrai Road, which the battalion is to form up on in case of enemy attack. Nine officers and four hundred other ranks are being furnished by the Battalion to bury cables under direction of 6th Divisional Signals.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1; X550/9/1

The Army to be Reduced in Strength

Monday 21st January 1918

8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has been in the vicinity of Bailleulmont, south-west of Arras. Yesterday it moved south-east to Courcelles-le-Comte via Bailleulval, Basseux, Ransart, Adinfer and Ayette. The billets taken over were in a good condition. The adjutant merntioned that the marching of the Battalion was good throughout.

Today the Battalion moved out of Courcelles and marched south-east to Lebucquière via Achiet-le-Grand, Bihucourt, Bapaume and Fremicourt. The battalion marched by companies at intervals of 100 yards. Transport moved in the rear of Battalion in two portions. The marching, again, was good throughout and very few men fell out.

Yesterday Field Marshal Haig, commander-in-chief of the British Expeditionary Force wrote to General Byng commanding 1st Army, as follows: “The situation with regard to man-power has rendered it impossible to maintain all the units now in the field, and in consequence the Army Council have issued orders that a large number of battalions must be broken up. I wish, through you, to convey to the Commanders and all ranks of the battalions about to be disbanded my great regret that this step should have been found necessary”.

“I know how deeply officers and men will feel the severance of the ties binding them to the units in which they have served and fought with such splendid gallantry and success and with which they had hoped eventually to return home after the great struggles had been won and their task achieved. But I know also that since this reorganisation has to be it will be accepted with the loyalty and devotion with which every trial has been met by British officers and men throughout the war”.

“Please convey to the officers and other ranks concerned, with my deep appreciation of their services in the past, my confidence that they will accept this disappointment in the right spirit and will give to the new units to which they are transferred the same devotion and espirit-de-corps that they gave to those they have been with until now”.

If this situation applies to 1st Army it will obviously apply to the other four armies on the Western Front, too. Given that it seems likely that some of the battalions of the Bedfordshire Regiment may be disbanded in the weeks and months to come(1)

Source: X550/9/1

(1) Each of the three service battalions of the Bedfordshire Regiment, 6th, 7th and 8th would be disbanded between February and May. The lack of manpower was due, in large part, to a political decision to withhold younger men from being sent as reinforcements to France. This was due to the high casualty rate in battles such as the Somme and Third Ypres and the belief in certain parts of the government that the generals were profligate with the lives of their men. It resulted in brigades being reduced from four to three battalions and divisions from twelve to nine. Despite losing a quarter of their strength the BEF was told by the same government that it had to take over an increased frontage by replacing French divisions south of the River Somme down to Saint-Quentin. This front was thus held too thinly to stop the great German offensive which would begin on 21st March.

Barbed Wire

Saturday 12th January 1918

Over the next two nights 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are going to be busy, laying barbed wire across the frontage of their brigade (54th Brigade), east of Sint-Janshoek, which is north-west of Langemark.

The Wiring Party will be found by C Company and will consist of 3 Officers 8 Non-Commissioned Officers and 72 men. This party will be sub-divided into 4 platoons, each platoon consisting of two squads of one N.C.O. and nine men each. The whole party will be under the command of Second Lieutenant N C E Cockburn.Each squad will put up 100 yards of Double Apron wire. Work will commence at 9.30 p.m. and will be carried on until completed. As soon as the work has been passed as satisfactory by an Officer of the 92nd Company, Royal Engineers, each platoon will return to Baboon Camp.

A covering party will be found by A Company under Second Lieutenant W Carter. Stretcher bearers on the scale of one per platoon will be taken by both wiring and covering parties. If the enemy attacks, the covering party are under orders tol hold to their ground at all costs and under no circumstances are they to withdraw. The wiring party are to lie down directly fire is opened and await orders from their platoon commander.

8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment have marched to Bailleulval today for a ceremony at which the commanding officer of 6th Division, Major-General Thomas Marden presented Military Medals for the Battle of Cambrai to: Company Sergeant Major P Walker of A Company; Lance Corporal A J Mills of A Company and Sergeant R Freer of D Company.

Source: X550/8/1; X550/9/1

Front Line, Reserve Line, Billets

Thursday 10th January 1918

4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has relieved the Nelson Battalion in the front line near Villers-Plouich. 6th Battalion, meanwhile, have followed in the footsteps of 2nd Battalion, entraining at Dickebusch and detraining at Ebblighem whence they have marched to billets at Sercus, six miles or so from the 2nd Bedfords at Wardrecques.

Fresh from their training 7th Battalion have gone north to the envions of Houthulst Forest. They are in brigade reserve at a place rejoicing in the name of Baboon Camp. 8th Battalion are out of the line and were allotted baths today at Bailleulval. A boxing bout was held in afternoon which was very well attended and some excellent boxing was out up by the men taking part.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/7/1; X550/8/1; X550/9/1

New Year Round-Up

Tuesday 1st January 1918

On this fourth New Year at war your correspondent has received messages from each of our local units serving at the front, including the Bedfordshire Yeomanry and the East Anglian Royal Engineers, now renamed 483rd Field Company, Royal Engineers. They are stationed as follows:

• 1st Battalion: at San Giorgio delle Pertiche in Italy, undertaking training;
• 2nd Battalion: in a support area near Stirling Castle outside Ypres;
• 4th Battalion: in front line trenches near Villers-Plouich on the old Cambrai battlefield; it has had the dubious honour of having the regiment’s first casualty of 1918 - Private Arthur Woodham from Northampton having been killed;
• 1st/5th Battalion: marching to Selmeh in Palestine, three miles east of Jaffa, to occupy bivouacs;
• 6th Battalion: in trenches near Hollebeke south-east of Ypres;
• 7th Battalion: training at Claude Chappe Camp at Roesbrugge-Haringe, north of Poperinge;
• 8th Battalion: has marched to billets in Bailleulmont from the front line trenches near Ayette. The adjutant reports “the roads were in a bad condition owing to frost. The march was done in good time by the battalion and no men fell out during the march”;
• Bedfordshire Yeomanry: at Mesnil-Bruntel on the east bank of the River Somme directly west of Saint-Quentin working on the camp, erecting stabling, hutments etc.;
• 483rd Field Company, Royal Engineers: at Bertincourt, east of Bapaume, working on defences

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/wd; X550/5/3; X550/6/8; X550/7/1; X550/8/1; X550/9/1; WW1/WD2; WW1/WD3

(1) a now depopulated Arab village called Salama, today represented by Salameh Street in the Kfar Shalem neighbourhood of Tel Aviv)

Fighting at Welsh Ridge Continues

Second Lieutenant Dolman [X550/1/81]

Monday 31st December 1917

In continuing fighting on Welsh Ridge near Villers-Plouich, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the front line have had one officer wounded, two gassed, five other ranks killed, nine wounded and eight gassed. It looks, however, as if the situation has stabilised as darkness approached this afternoon. Captain Spicer, who has been in the thick of the fighting has promised me his memoranda and orders to do with this fighting, showing how a situation can develop and it is hoped to publish them when the fighting is over.

8th Battalion, at Courcelles-le-Comte heard the sad news today that Second Lieutenant Dolman, wounded ten days ago, has died at 45th Casualty Clearing Station in Boulogne.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/9/1