I am Lucky to be Alive

Shortmead Street, Biggleswade [Z1306/16/18/1]

Tuesday 16th May 1916: In the above terms of Private Dick Bryant of the 8th Beds, writes to his chum, Mr G Boness, at Biggleswade, from Herne Bay Hospital. Bryant was formerly an Ampthill Camp recruit and in the big scrap on April 19th he sustained 13 wounds and narrowly escaped with his life, a Bible and a tobacco box in his breast pocket being much damaged. He says: “I am lucky to be alive. Sometimes out there you wish anything, but I have wished ever so many times they had not hit me, for I have been very queer two or three days. I began to think my leg was going the wrong way, but I am going on alright today. It is lovely weather here and I long to get out in the air. I asked the doctor if I could go out and they are going to wheel me out this afternoon. I have got to be operated on, a bit of bone has to come out. He said if he did not do it I shall be six or seven months and then not right. I am glad F C Wells is not killed. His brother Herbert, poor chap, would be with me(1), he claimed me for a mate the first night I joined them. I had got no rent (money) so he said “Come on, I have plenty”. He took me out every night until we went into the trenches. He was a bomber in the same lot as Brown of Hitchin and I see he is missing”(2).

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle 26th May 1916

(1) See 13th May.

(2) 17027 Private Francis Frank Brown of B Company was killed in action and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.

Keeping Up Morale

Ickwell maypole and war memorial

Monday 1st May 1916: Readers will remember that on 19th April the 8th Battalion lost part of their position on the canal bank near Ypres to a determined German attack, following a two hour bombardment, as it was reported at the time. The parts of the position which had been lost were retaken by another battalion two days later. The Battalion lost heavily in the attack and we have heard from one of the Battalion’s number, Private Archie Boness, from Biggleswade, who received a minor wound but is now back at the Front.

“We have been inspected by Sir Douglas Haig on 28th and also by the Army Corps Commander, who congratulated us on the Battalion’s steadiness and for holding on to the ground during recent operations. War, not half, and I wasn’t sorry to get a rest. They bombarded us all day and then came over at us, but they are no more forward for it. We are out of the trenches for a few days. It’s very hot here. They won’t want to waltz round the May-pole much at Ickwell if it’s like it is here”(1).

Source: Bedfordshire Times 12th May 1916

(1) Maypole dancing still takes place at Ickwell each May 1st. Archie Boness was killed in action on 15th September in a failed attack on the Quadrilateral near Morval on the Somme. He has no known grave.