Wednesday 31st July 1918
1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, near Merville, are currently training behind the lines at Villorba Camp, named after one of the places they encountered in Italy. Even though behind the lines the camp is occasionally subject to the enemy's big guns. Therefore some of the battalion have been ordered to build buttresses against the huts to prevent splinters from blasts flying around inside.
Source: X550/2/5
Friday 28th June 1918
We heard a few moments ago that the charger of the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, Colonel Hugh Courtenay, has been badly wounded by an enemy shell at Villorba Camp near Tannay. Meanwhile 4th Battalion has gone into the front line north of Albert.
Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3
Monday 24th June 1918
1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment today moved back from the front line near Merville to reserve at Villorba Camp. Normally this would be a cause for celebration. Today, however, the men might be forgiven for wishing themselves back in the front line, where, in the last few days, things have been much quieter than of late.
As the battalion reached the camp the enemy shelled it with gas shells. The Brigadier of 15th Brigade and his staff captain both received a good dose of the gas as well as many other ranks.
The cadre of 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, training the American 120th Infantry Regiment reports a great shortage of American officers. Given this fact the Americans are likely to seek leadership advice from British soldiers, experienced from long years of this war.
Sources: X550/2/5; X550/7/1
