Reception for a Local Hero

Thursday 15th June 1916: Biggleswade did honour to its brave young townsman Private Chris Lincoln of the 2nd Bedfords on Tuesday evening, when, in connection with the fund opened by The Biggleswade Chronicle Mr H M Lindsell CB, Chairman of the Urban District Council presented the gallant lad with a watch, Exchequer Bond for £5, a cheque for £1 5s and a Treasury Note case.

The watch was a solid 9 carat gold half hunter with three-quarter movement and was supplied by Mr A H Blake. The inscription on the back of the case is as follows: “Biggleswade Chronicle Heroes Fund. Presented to Pte Chris Lincoln, 2nd Bedfords, by Mr H M Lindsell CB on behalf of fellow townsmen as a token of their appreciation of his bravery in the Battle of Loos May 1916”.

The recipient is still a mere boy, for he is only 19 years of age, but he had served two trainings in the Bedfordshire Regiment (Special Reserve) prior to the war. On mobilisation he went to Landguard Fort until December 1914 when he went to France to join the 2nd Battalion.

For nearly ten months and through five great engagements including Festered and Neuve-Chapelle he escaped without injury but at Hulluch-Loos on 25th September he was terribly wounded, so much so that he is permanently crippled. For his work at Loos he won the praise of his Colonel and of General Watt and their letters of commendation are as follows and in them is the official record of the deed

“7th Division 7114 Private C Lincoln 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment – Your Commanding Officer has informed me that you have distinguished yourself by bravery in the field on 25/9/15. I have read his report and although promotion and decoration cannot be given in every case, I should like you to know that your gallant action is recognised and greatly appreciated – H Watt, Major-General”.

“The Bedfordshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion 7114 Private C Lincoln has been brought to the notice of the Officer Commanding the Battalion for his good work in the field displaying great courage in the advance on 25/9/15 Hulluch-Loos, in making several openings in wire entanglements, which were serious obstacles to an advance and was subsequently wounded – H S Poyntz, Officer Commanding”.

Lincoln, we thought, deserved some tangible token of appreciation from his fellow-townsmen, hence the Chronicle Fund.

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle 16th June 1916

A Biggleswade Hero

Private Chris Lincoln 

Saturday 11th December 1915: The photograph which we produce above is that of Private Chris Lincoln of the 2nd Bedfords. Recently we were able to publish copies of the commendations of his Commanding Officer and of General H Watts(1) concerning this gallant lad’s act of conspicuous bravery in the great battle of Loos. The original cards are now on view at the Chronicle Office. Private Lincoln is the son of Mr Fred Lincoln of Sun Street and is only 19 years of age. He is now at Colchester Hospital suffering from a severe wound in the thigh which he sustained while performing the act of bravery which won him praise from those in high command.

The act which won the gallant lad such praise from his Commanding Officer and General Watts was going out under terrific fire and cutting down the barbed wire entanglements of the enemy in readiness for the great advance at Loos. General Watts says he “rendered great service”

HOW WE CAN SHOW OUR RECOGNITION OF LINCOLN’S BRAVERY

WE WANT YOUR HELP!

Doubtless all our readers are pleased to hear that this gallant lad’s heroic act has been recognised, but we believe that the people of Biggleswade would have liked to see it take a more tangible form. We are aware that, as General Watts says, decorations cannot be given in every case yet we think that Lincoln’s fellow townsmen would like an opportunity of showing their appreciation of the lad’s bravery. We therefore are promoting a scheme whereby all can help. It is as follows: we are having printed 2,200 postcards giving the young hero’s photo and a short story of his gallant act and these we want to sell at one penny each. The cost of producing these cards will be very small indeed and with the money which the sale of the cards brings in we want to purchase a gold watch to give to Lincoln as Biggleswade’s token of their appreciation of his work. We have approached, as the first citizen of our town, Mr H M Lindsell CB, Chairman of the Urban District Council and the scheme has his support and he has promised us that if the venture is a success he will make the presentation on behalf of the town. We want all the cards sold by New Year’s Day and if 2,200 is not enough then we can get some more, so please roll up Biggleswade and let us show this brave lad what we think of him.

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle 17th December 1915

(1) Commanding 7th Division.