England v France

Tuesday 22nd January 1918

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently in billets at Beaulieu-les-Fontaines, south-east of Roye and south-west of Saint-Quentin. The adjutant informed me this evening that during the day they played 106th French Heavy Regiment of Artillery at football, winning by seven goals to two.

The 7th Battalion has also been playing football, in their case against 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. The team is as follows: Private Bidmead, Lance Corporal Sewell, Private Tingey, Sergeant Mears, Corporal Machin, Corporal Spring, Sergeant Reed, Second Lieutenant Donovan, Corporal Butler, Drummer Clarke and Drummer Skipper. Reserves were Private B Worrell and Sergeant Chapman, both backs, and forward Private Pudney.

To more serious matters - 8th Battalion are currently at Lebucquière, east of Bapaume. During the day officers reconnoitred assembly positions north and south of the Cambrai Road, which the battalion is to form up on in case of enemy attack. Nine officers and four hundred other ranks are being furnished by the Battalion to bury cables under direction of 6th Divisional Signals.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1; X550/9/1

Stand To, Stand Down

Thursday 13th December 1917

8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, after its exertions in the Battle of Cambrai is now at Courcelles-le-Comte, five miles north-west of Bapaume. We heard from the adjutant that as of six o’clock this morning they were standing-to in fighting order, ready to move as an attack was expected on 3rd Divisional front. The order to stand down was issued at 7.45 a.m.

Baths were then alloted to the Battalion from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 150 men managed to have a bath. Thee were the last ones to be bathed since the Battalion came out of the line on 9th December.  Companies played football in the afternoon and B Company are giving a concert tonight.

Source: X550/9/1

Another Full Day for the 1st Battalion

Wednesday 30th May 1917

Just because 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is in billets it does not mean they are idle. They have been finding working parties doing such things as road and railway construction and maintenance. They have also been drilling and practising other aspects of military skill. For example, at two o’clock this afternoon officers and non-commissioned officers have been trained in bayonet fighting. It is true every officer carries a pistol but they all use a rifle too, which is a far more effective weapon, more accurate and with a longer range. It is also more effective at close quarters on account of its bayonet - I know of no officer who still carries a sword into battle. Moreover, using a rifle does not distinguish an officer to the enemy, as using a pistol or a sword does and this means they are less likely to get picked-off by enemy marksmen, to the detriment of the men they lead.

As well as this activity, Lieutenant Hansen and one sergeant per company have spent the day reconnoitring No man’s land and the enemy positions east of Willerval, itself north-east of Arras. Second Lieutenant Everett and two other ranks have been to Wailly, south-west of Arras to see a display by tanks. These weapons are potential war-winners, certainly potential battle-winners, though it is fair to say that their performance is not always equal to their promise as they can be mechanically temperamental and they are difficult to operate - being inside a huge tin box, as hot as a furnace and as loud as a factory is a very disconcerting pastime and leads to officers commanding them becoming disorientated and losing their way. Nevertheless, tank design and the army’s understanding of how best to use them has come on leaps and bounds since they were first used only just over eight months ago and demonstrations like this are designed to help infantry units work out the best ways of co-operating with them to benefit the attack.

To round off  the day there was a football match. The Battalion played 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, winning by two goals to one.

Source: X550/2/5

Straight to the Front Line

Lieutenant Hobbs [X550/1/81]

Tuesday 29th May 1917

Just after midnight 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, arrived by train at Ypres. They will have no rest, however, as tonight they are to go into the front line in front of the ruins of Zillebeke, south-east of Ypres. Lieutenant W Hobbs has taken over the duties of acting adjutant from Lieutenant L A L Fink.

Meanwhile, 1st Battalion, in billets, has been finding working parties and training. At 4 pm the commanding officer gave a lecture to all officers and non-commissioned officers on their duties. After tea there was a football match in which D Company took on the rest of the Battalion. The day was rounded off nicely by an open-air concert at 7.30.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3WD

No More Woolly Vests

Second Lieutenant S H Smith [X550/1/81]

Friday 11th May 1917

We understand that Second Lieutenant S H Smith has re-joined the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment from hospital. Meanwhile the Bedfordshire Yeomanry gained a measure of revenge on the football field, beating the Battalion by two goals to one.

The 8th Battalion, meanwhile, have gone back into the line again after a time in billets. They are near Hulluch on the old Loos battlefield from 1915. The adjutant tells us that, now it is officially spring, leather jerkins and woollen vests have been withdrawn from the men.

Sources: X550/3/WD; X550/9/1.

New Officers and Football

Second Lieutenant Page [X550/1/81]

Thursday 10th May 1917

There has been no fighting around Bullecourt today, nor over the rest of the Arras battlefield. Yesterday night the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment moved forward to occupy a line east of Willerval and Farbus Station to prevent any further advances by the enemy. The Battalion has only four hundred men (about forty per-cent strength). Overnight they were heavily shelled with gas and tear shells, a few men suffering minor discomfort.

Meanwhile 2nd Battalion, thirty miles west of Arras at Buire-au-Bois have had some reinforcements. 9357 Sergeant P A Page has been promoted from the ranks, as has been common with the battalion this year, and Second Lieutenant A D Greenwood and Second Lieutenant A D Barnetson have joined from England(1). C Company played D Squadron of the Bedfordshire Yeomanry at football and won by three goals to one.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3WD

(1) Greenwood would die on 30th August 1918.

Bullecourt Attacked Again

Monday 7th May 1917

A major attack has been made today on the troublesome village of Bullecourt, attacked, without success, by 62nd (West Riding) and 7th Divisions in the last few days. Today 7th Division were ordered into another, limited, attack, to try and seize the south-east corner and then push patrols to the northern edge. The south-west sector, known as The Red Patch, the highest point from which machine-gun fire could sweep any attack, was to be kept quiet by artillery barrage. 2nd Australian Division was to attack to secure the 7th Division’s right flank.

The two attacks went in just before dawn. The 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders took their first two objectives, taking about a hundred prisoners. The Australian attack was also a success, taking the Hindenburg Line immediately east of Bullecourt. Due to this success it was hoped that 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment would attack the Red Patch and clear it, however, a German counter-barrage seems to have dissuaded the commander from this attack and the Gordons even lost part of their second objective to it. We have heard that some men of the Honourable Artillery Company , who had attacked Bullecourt on 3rd May, were found still holding a small section of the ruins, completely cut-off from the rest of the British Army. One can only imagine their relief at being thus rescued. For the moment, we have a foothold in Bullecourt but no doubt German attacks to drive our men out will not be long delayed.

Yesterday we heard that 1st and 4th Bedfords had played each other at football. Not to be outdone, today the 2nd Battalion, at Buire-au-Bois, about thirty miles west of Arras played the Bedfordshire Yeomanry, the equitable result being two goals each. Second Lieutenant S H Smith was also admitted to hospital, sick, though the two events do not seem to be linked.

Source:  X550/3/WD

News from Palestine

Sunday 6th May 1917

We have heard from Palestine about the doings of the 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the aftermath of the unsatisfactory Second Battle of Gaza back in mid-April. They have been patrolling and salvaging. Yesterday a small party found six boxes of small arms ammunition, 71 sets of equipment, five Lee Enfield rifles and three identity discs from dead bodies. Another salvaging party recovered two discs from dead officers and thirty other ranks belonging to various units.  Patrols have found the Turks hard at work on defences against another attack on Gaza which both sides know will be coming at some point(1)

On a lighter note we have heard from the 1st Battalion. They are in tents near the village of Roclincourt, just north of Arras and a few miles behind the new front line. Today they played 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment at football, though the score, being, no doubt, top secret, was not divulged.  

On the Bullecourt battlefield today the Australians have been attacked by the enemy in the trenches they took a few days ago. The Germans employed flamethrowers, or flammenwerfers as they call them, and these proved highly effective, driving the 3rd Australians out of some of their line. However, reinforcements from 1st Australian Brigade halted the enemy and pushed him out, actually taking a little more trench than they had previously held in the process. Apparently the bravery of a man named Howell was instrumental in this German reversal and many are already saying he should receive a Victoria Cross for his actions(2).

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/6/8

(1) But not until 1st November.

(2) He did. Corporal (later Sergeant) George Julian Howell had dashed from cover and run parallel to the German advance, meaning he was in the open as the Germans advanced down the trench. He threw bombs at them until he was wounded, causing them to retreat and giving his comrades time to rally and to pursue the retiring Germans. Though wounded he survived the action.

Nineteenth Day of the Battle of Arras

Friday 27th April 1917

After the disaster at la Coulotte on Saint George’s Day the 1s Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has been withdrawn to a place called Gouy-Servins a few miles behind the lines. Here they have been training and today beat their fellow sufferers, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment at football by two goals to one.

Meanwhile another of our battalions looks as if it is on its way to the front at Arras. The adjutant of the 7th Battalion has spoken with me by telephone. They have been at Bailleul-les-Pernes ten miles or so west of Béthune. Today they have been taken by train and are on the way to Arras.

Meanwhile, fighting has been taking place not just here around Arras but elsewhere. After the failure of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force’s second attempt to take the city of Gaza in Palestine, 1st/5th Bedfords have been digging. They have helped in the construction of roads and deep dug-outs as well as the unglamorous but vital work of digging refuse and latrine pits. They are in a neighbourhood of precipitous slopes and have been terracing these the accommodate the dug-outs and aforesaid pits.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/6/8; X550/8/1

Spoke Too Soon!

Monday 2nd April 1917 from our correspondent in the field

Your correspondent yesterday mentioned that warmer, drier weather is now here. To confound his arrogance the adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment spoke with him earlier today and mentioned that the Battalion had just lost 3-1 at football to 19th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment at Bailleulmont. The game was played in a heavy snow storm!

The 6th Battalion are at a place called Estrée-Wamin, north of Doullens. The adjutant related proudly that the Battalion had won the Brigade efficiency competition.

Sources: X550/3/WD; X550/7/1

Best in Show

Saturday 27th May 1916: The adjutant of the 1st Battalion, now out of the line at Agnez-les-Duisans reports that the Battalion Transport took first place in the 15th Brigade Horse Show, which entitles it to compete in the 5th Division Horse Show. The Battalion also beat the 124th Battery, Royal Field Artillery in the 5th Division Football Competition.

Source: X550/2/5

Bedfords Fighting Amongst Themselves.

Thursday 13th April 1916: At the moment both the 2nd Battalion, of 30th Division, and the 7th Division of 18th Division are at Grovetown Camp on the Somme. To celebrate this, a boxing tournament was held yesterday, the senior battalion winning by three victories to two. However, at football the 7th Battalion proved more agile winning by three goals to nil (1)

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) In May 1918 the 7th Battalion would be disbanded and its soldiers added to the 2nd Battalion which had suffered severely in the German offensive, the 2nd Battalion moving from 30th to 18th Division.

Football and Sickness

 Lieutenant C G Tyler [X550/1/81]

Sunday 26th March 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion tells us that football matches are still going on now they are behind the lines at la Houssoye. Yesterday the Battalion defeated the 17th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment by one goal to nil. A new officer Lieutenant C G Tyler(1) also arrived. He also reported that during the week 25 men had gone sick; even though it is now, technically, Spring the weather remains cold.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He would be killed on 11th July 1916

Accidents, Arrivals and Games

2nd Lieutenants L A L Fink and L H Fox [X550/1/81]

Friday 24th March 1916: The 2nd Battalion have been on the assault course at la Houssoye and the adjutant told us that one man was wounded whilst training. Two officers have just joined - Second Lieutenants L A L Fink and L H Fox(1); and the officers beat the sergeants in a football match by 4 goals to 3. Even when out of the front line and at rest life can be pretty busy.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) Second Lieutenant Fox was killed on 11th July 1916 and Captain Fink on 5th October 1917

6th Battalion and Football

Count Gleichen

Thursday 2nd March 1916: Lance Corporal Stanbridge, 6th Bedfordshire Regiment, late Captain of the Ampthill Football Club, has sent home a report of a semi-final played “Somewhere in France”. He says: “We have played the semi-final which, I am sorry to say, we lost 1-0. We played the 9th Leicesters, not far from the firing line. It was a very bustling game, witnessed by about 1,500 spectators, including the Divisional General(1) and officers. For the greater portion of the first half we were outplayed and their inside right scored the only goal of the match from four yards out, hitting the underneath of the cross-bar and then going through. Just before half-time, during a charge, our outside left had to leave the field for good. During this half we kicked up hill with the wind at our backs. In the second half we played our opponents practically to a standstill, but could do everything but score, our opponents for once not being able to shoot. I should like to say we were beaten but not disgraced, as the score readily suggests. Our team, which was at full strength with one exception, was as follows: Lance Corporal Stanbridge, goal; Private Smith and Sergeant Bilsborrow, backs; Privates Rance, Wiggs and Iremonger, halves; Lance Corporal Hunter, Private Hawkes, Private Chambers, Sergeant Abbott and Private Munro forwards”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 14th April 1916

(1) Count Gleichen

A Suspension of Football

Friday 28th January 1916: We have heard from Lance Sergeant Fred Blakeman of A Company, 7th Battalion, a Bedford lad who is well-known on most of the football grounds of this county: “I am pleased to inform you that I remain first class but we are in the trenches once again and have had it a bit rough this time and won’t be sorry to get back for a rest; but all the boys are as cheerful as one could expect under the circumstances. The last time we were resting we managed to arrange a few games of football, my company beating B by 3 goals to 2. During this match(1) “Fritz” got the range nicely and planted several shells within forty yards of our pitch; no one was hurt, but I have never seen a footer ground cleared so quickly. Eventually we returned and completed the game. The following day I played in a Rugby match against a team of Fusiliers(2), whom we beat by 23 points to nil, your humble scoring a couple of tries. You know a little bit of sport of this kind helps to keep up the boys’ spirits, but our greatest regret now is that the ball you sent us is about played out so should you know of anyone with an old football, no matter what condition it may be, ask them to send it over here”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 11th February 1916

(1) On 26th January – the war diary states: “Enemy sent over one round battery fire at men playing football North Road end. No damage done”.

(2) Probably 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers who were in the same brigade

6th Bedfords Football Record

Tuesday 11th January 1916: The various battalions of the Bedfordshire Regiment continue to add fresh laurels to their football honours. Lance Corporal W A Powell told us: “We are now resting after spending Christmas and New Year’s Day in the trenches. During this little spare time we get, football matches are played with the object of winning a cup which is presented by the Divisional Commander. Already the battalion is on the way to victory, as is shown by the following: - since November last, played 8, won 7, drawn 1, 30 goals for, 6 against”.

“A great match was played yesterday by this battalion and the 8th East Lancashire Regiment, which was witnessed by about 1,000 spectators including the Divisional Commander(1). Great excitement prevailed throughout the game, which was due to the grand footwork displayed by both teams. The game ended in a win for the 6th Battalion by 4 – 1. The team consisted of the following, some of whom are no doubt well known: Lance Corporal Stanbridge; Private N Smith; Sergeant Bilsborrow; Lieutenant Hitch; Private Wiggs; Private Ironmonger; Lance Corporal Hunter; Private Hawkes; Private Chambers; Sergeant Abbott; Private Munro(2). The evening was then brought to a successful close by a good two hours continual laugh in the Divisional Theatre, where the ‘Barn Owls’ (who are singers and dancers selected from the division) gave us a delightful time”.

Source: Luton News 27th January 1916

Inspecting Wire and Rough Football

Monday 3rd January 1916: The adjutant of the 7th Battalion tells us that early this morning a patrol was sent out to obtain specimens of the enemy’s barbed wire for analysis by headquarters. This dangerous task was undertaken by Second Lieutenant Rawes and a group of men he is training to be patrol leaders in their own right(1).

Yesterday the 1st Battalion was resting behind the lines at a place called Ribeaucourt. They played football against 17th Battalion King’s (Liverpool) Battalion and lost two goals to nil. The defeat was made worse in the closing minute of the game when Second Lieutenant A Grover had an accident and broke his leg in two places.

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

(1) Sadly Rawes was killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme – 1st July 1916. 

Unhappy Christmas

Monday 27th December 1915: A private in the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, spoke to us today: “As you know if you have studied the career of this Regiment [sic – Battalion] it is one of the smartest regiments in the Bedfordshires or, I might say, in Lord Kitchener’s Army. We are in a division second to none – the 18th(1) – yet when the Battalion leaves England on active service it appears to have passed out of memory of Bedfordshire people. Take for instance this Christmas. Other regiments of this Division have had some good times for Christmas, but the 7th Bedfords have not been allowed to enter a canteen. In fact they do not own such a place. Why is it? Don’t we deserve it? Surely we have done our bit and hope to do it again. I am a Bedfordshire man myself and I have one of your papers sent out weekly. I think the people at home ought to wake up and realise the position we are in at present. Surely we deserve a little comfort”(2)

Source: Bedfordshire Times 7th January 1916

(1) 18th (Eastern) Division quickly came to be seen as an élite formation, particularly after its performance in the Battle of the Somme.

(2) The Battalion war diary for Christmas day simply says: “Football Tournament. 4.30pm Christmas Dinner”.

Rain at Christmas

Sunday 26th December 1915: We have heard how two of the battalions of the Bedfordshire Regiment spent their Christmas. The 1st/5th Battalion, in camp at Sidi Bishr, a suburb of Alexandria, are closest to the place of the Nativity. Their Church Parade was cancelled owing to rain. It may surprise us to hear of rain in Egypt but we understand that around two inches falls in Alexandria in December, it is the regions further south where rain is practically unknown – in Luxor, for example, where the famous Valley of the Kings lies they experience less than one tenth of an inch in the average year! The Yellow Devils, however, rain or no rain, enjoyed their Christmas dinners to which every man was invited, even if on detachment away from the camp.

The 2nd Battalion, in billets at Ribeaucourt, west of Doullens in the Somme country, enjoyed a football match in the afternoon in which the officers beat the sergeants 9 goals to 1! Nowhere have we heard of incidents of fraternisation with the enemy such as occurred last Christmas. Perhaps the Germans’ use of such horrific weapons as liquid fire and poisoned gas have put them beyond the usages of civilization. Perhaps too much blood has flowed on both sides and, no doubt, the top brass will have been keen to prevent any repeat.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/6/8