Bathing in the Med

Monday 18th June 1917

In Palestine 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has constructed a latrine on the beach and allotted an area for use by the troops for bathing - nowhere near one another, I was assured. The bathing area is in view of an enemy strong-point called Sea Post, about a mile away and so only twelve bathers are allowed at any one time. A bathing picquet has been formed in case of accidents, drownings etc.

The ground on which the battalion now resides comprises a series of sand dunes and the adjutant mentioned with some pleasure that there is nearly always a cool breeze from the sea. In consequence the health of the troops has greatly improved since arrival.

Second Lieutenant Lydle [X550/1/81]

The adjutant of 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has commented on comings and goings this week. On 12th Second Lieutenant Lydle was admitted to hospital. On 13th Lieutenant Hart rejoined from hospital. On 14th Major Newbolt was appointed Area Commandant of 30th Division. On 15th the padre, Rev Turnbull was sent to hospital sick. On 16th he was followed by Second Lieutenant Cline and yesterday a new Medical Officer, Lieutenant A Newton-Brady joined the Battalion, replacing Lieutenant Cogan who left today.

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

Easter Reflections

Good Friday 6th April 1917

This is the third Good Friday spent at War.   This fact is not lost on a lot of the men here at the Front.  It is also a source of poignant regret to the men of the cloth who minister to the forces – Church of England padres, Methodist ministers, Roman Catholic priests. These men counsel the frightened, comfort the wounded and attend to the dying. They carry no weapon save for the spiritual weapons of their calling, a communion or mass kit and belief.

Speaking with a padre today he drew the obvious comparison between the suffering of Christ on the Cross and the suffering of the men at the Front, the civilians driven from their homes, wounded, raped and killed by enemy soldiers and those in England who wait in hope for their own loved one to return. After nearly nineteen hundred years that Supreme Sacrifice has brought no end to war which still demands supreme sacrifices from ordinary men and women. At the end of our discussion he gave me a sad, but determined smile, and reminded me that that Supreme Sacrifice still took place and still works to take away our sins, when we care to acknowledge them and to regret them.

May God send an end to this war soon.