Minute Observations

Thursday 16th May 1918

The 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is near Jaffa in Palestine. This morning the adjutant was able to speak with me to tell me about the sort of patrol work they have been undertaking. On the night of 14th/15th, for example, whilst in no man's land, they spotted a patrol of ten Turkish cavalry and heard and saw Turkish picquets in their advanced posts along a railway line. These picquets seem to be eight strong and one was covering a working party of a dozen men who were cutting grass to enable a better view. Several wagons, each with six men, were seen coming forward to the front line. Three more cavalry patrols were seen. Such minute observations help to draw up a detailed picture of enemy positions and, over a number of nights, patterns of behaviour can be determined which may help in planning a raid. 

Captain R L V Doake [X550/1/82]

Meanwhile the 7th Battalion has been withdrawn from the reserve positions west of Albert to the village of Baizieux. They are pleased that Captain R L V Doake and Captain A B McBride have both been awarded the Military Cross, as has Captain Stevenson of the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached as Medical Officer. Captain McBride died on 24th April last(1). In addition Sergeant A Scott has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal - all four awards for actions in the recent fighting.

Sources: X550/6/8; X550/8/1

(1) He is buried at Longueau British Cemetery; Sergeant Alexander Scott would die on 1st October - he is buried at Vendhuile Communal Cemetery)

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