Wednesday 13th June 1917
In far-off
Palestine 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, went into the line again
last night in a support line. They are now in a different position, holding
three strongpoints - Merioneth Redoubt, Flint Redoubt and Welch Redoubt all, as
can be gleaned, formerly in the sector held by 53rd (Welsh) Division. They
moved off at seven o’clock yesterday evening and arrived without incident.
Rations, water and light kit were brought by camels during the night to
headquarters where the companies sent the necessary guides. The relief was
complete by half past nine. During the night a number of "overs" from
enemy rifle and machine-gun fire aimed at the front line, fell in the bivouac
area at headquarters wounding one private, one native camel driver and his
camel.
The 1st
Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, have been continuing their normal pattern of
training and entertainment behind the lines north of Arras. All companies did
rapid firing on the range followed by bayonet fighting and rifle grenade
practice in the morning. The Brigade Horse Show took place in the afternoon.
The adjutant told me that the battalion were first in General Service Waggon
turn-out, second in wrestling (though whether the wrestling was carred out on
horseback he did not elaborate, and third in officer jumping (officers on
horses jumping obstacles, rather than people jumping over officers, one
presumes).
Lieutenant Sherwell [X550/1/82]
The adjutant
of the 7th Battalion, near Chérisy, told me that two Germans were shot by D Company
early this morning. The bodies were later recovered and the men proved to be
from 459th Regiment. Sadly Lieutenant F N Sherwell was badly wounded a few
moments ago by heavy shelling and trench mortaring(1). One man has been killed
and five wounded in D Company.
Sources: X550/2/5; X550/6/8; X550/8/1
(1) He died
at 8.45 pm
