Retaliation for Mines and a Re-organization

Thursday 4th January 1917

The land around Cuinchy and its northern neighbour Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée is somewhere that presents a face similar to the moon or to the face of an adolescent suffering with acute acne. The ground is covered with craters as the plan above shows. This assemblage was added to today when the army blew another mine close to positions occupied by the 1st Bedfords. With a certain gloomy detachment the adjutant told me: “The enemy retaliated very promptly with his artillery and eventually bombarded our left support trenches with 77 mm high explosive and shrapnel, blowing in a trench and causing ten casualties (three killed and seven wounded)”. He also mentioned that Lieutenant-Colonel F N Butler has gone on leave and that Captain C A S Morris has assumed command of the Battalion(1).

The adjutant of the 7th Battalion mentioned to me today that tey have set up different arrangements for specialist within the battalion: “Major J. H. Bridcutt was appointed officer commanding all specialists with other officers being in charge of their respective detachments such as signallers, Lewis gunners, snipers, scouts and so on. This organisation was started to keep under proper control men who were always away from their own Companies. The Companies continue to pay these men but all other administration is carried on independent of their Companies”.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/8/1

New Colonel for the 1st Battalion

Monday 18th December 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are currently at Béthune. Today they have been joined by Lieutenant-Colonel F N Butler from the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment and he has assumed command of the Battalion. He was previously commander of 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. They have also been joined by Second Lieutenant J M Stantan from 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Source: X550/2/5

Butlers, Fed-up Tommies and Prisoners

Clifton Road, Shefford [Z1306/101/5/3]

Thursday 1st July: A letter received by the Vicar of Bromham from Bombadier H Waller, Royal Horse Artillery, says: “I should like to tell you what a grand lot of fellows our County Regiment are. We have supported the (the 2nd Bedfords) from the awful days of October at Ypres up to now; they have always been picked for the most difficult work and have always covered themselves with glory”. Previous to mobilization Gunner Waller was butler to Mr. W. H. Allen of Bromham House

“Private A Breed, 1st Bedfords, writes home to Shefford: “I am longing for the time to come when I shall be able to come home Clifton Road, Shefford. I have had quite enough of it and so have all my chums. Still we are here to do our duty and our duty will be done. I think the Germans must be nearing the finish. They have tried all the fakes they can to kill us and to save their own men but it has not come off as they expected, They are now trying to blow us out of our trenches by coming under the ground, because they dare not come on the top to blow us out. But they are often caught napping in that, for we have got some good handy men. For my 23rd birthday I was in the trenches near the hill [Hill 60]. Still, I was glad to see it, for a good many men out here will never see another. It was this day the Germans tried to blow us up, but it did not take much effect on us, as they did not get far enough, though they tried hard. They exploded two mines, but no good – too short both times, although it killed two of our RE(1) men. It is very quiet here now. It seems as though there is no war on”.

Lieutenant Pope of the Bedfordshire Regiment is one of a number of officers who are prisoners of war at Danholm, a camp which consists of two small islands (connected by a bridge) between Stralsund and the island of Rugen in the Baltic. The British officers who are at this camp were sent there from Mainz about six weeks ago and are stated to find their island camp much more agreeable than their former quarters.

Of the Bedfordshire Regiment, 180 men are known to be prisoners-of-war in Germany. They are receiving fortnightly parcels of necessaries and comforts, provided by subscriptions, organised by a Bedfordshire Committee, of which Miss Gurney of Henlow is Honorary Secretary(2)

Source: Bedfordshire Times 9^th July 1915

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(1) Royal Engineers

(2) The 1st Battalion had been at the front since August and the 2nd Battalion since October 1914 – a total of 22 months so about 8 men per battalion per month had become prisoner.

1st/5th Bedfords' Christmas and War Returns to Wulvergem

Saint Edmundsbury Cathedral

Saturday 26th December 1914: the 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is currently stationed at Bury Saint Edmunds [Suffolk]. It is stationed at the ice rink in the town, a spacious building which admirably served the purpose of a dining hall. A special church parade was held in the morning when the Battalion paraded with the bans and marched to the Saint James' Cathedral Church[1] where a special military service was held. With the one exception of this parade the men were given leave for the entire day, and at one o'clock Christmas dinner was served. The menu consisted of roast turkey, sausages, potatoes, greens, plum-pudding etc. The usual Christmas desert was also provided, as well as beer and mineral waters. The welfare of the men was well attended to by the mayor (Alderman Owen A Clark), the mayoress and the Brigadier-General C de Winton, Colonel F N Butler and a large company of officers[2]. The Mayor congratulated the men on their good behaviour during their stay in Bury Saint Edmunds.

All the arrangements were carried out under the direction of the Quartermaster (Lieutenant Kiddle). Gifts of cigarettes and tobacco were distributed, a large number of those being given by the inhabitants of the town. The band, under the able conductorship of Bandmaster Goodyer, gave a selection of patriotic airs. The afternoon was spent in general jollification and in the evening the Battalion spent an enjoyable time at the Royal Colisseum where a special concert was given, the arrangements having been made by the management and the Quartermaster. The day, which is sure to be remembered with pleasure for years to come by all now serving in the Battalion, closed with the singing of the National Anthem and cheers for the Mayor of Bury Saint Edmunds. There will also be special celebrations on New Years Day.

The adjutant of the 1st Battalion tells us that some of the Germans in the front line opposite his unit seem to be under the impression that the suspension of hostilities and the fraternisation, undertaken by some British and German units yesterday, might still be in force. Some of them came forward into no man's land, apparently "with a view to friendly intercourse. A few shots were fired in their direction as a hint to withdraw". later in the day the Germans shelled the trenches and the ruined village of Wulvergem behind, several rifles were damaged and one man wounded.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 1st January 1915

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[1] The former parish church, upgraded to a cathedral in that year.

[2] It is the custom in the British Army for the officers to serve the other ranks on Christmas Day when not in the face of the enemy.