Out of the Frying Pan ...

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 

Enemy Activity Continues

Monday 17th June 1918

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently near Steenbecque, between Hazebrouck and Bethune. This area is receiving more attention from the enemy than some others, leading to opinion that another German offensive in the area may be at hand. The Bedfords have not suffered the incessant shelling of recent days but enemy aircraft have been both prominent and busy. The suspicion is that they are photographing our defences, searching for weak spots.

Between 5 and 6 o'clock this evening a gas cloud was reported to be drifting up from the south. Fortunately it did not reach so far as the Bedfords' position. A draft of forty other ranks arrived during the day as the front line units continue to be built up for the allied offensive everyone hopes will soon be at hand.

Source: X550/2/5

2nd Battalion in Action Again

Wednesday 8th May 1918

The men of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment have been terribly thinned-out by enemy attacks since 21st March, firstly in the retreat from Saint-Quentin and now in the Ypres Salient. They form part of a composite battalion with 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment and, for the last few days have been in the front line just west of Vierstraat. The map above shows the front line, Number 2 (Bedfordshire) Company is on the right (facing south) and Number 4 (Wiltshire) Company is on the left (facing east) with Number 1 (Bedfordshire) Company in reserve and Number 3 (Wiltshire) Company in immediate support. 

At three o'clock this morning the enemy put down a barrage of gas shells on the reserve position which, with a westerly wind, drifted back into the front line. At ten minutes past four a terrific bombardment of the front line began with trench mortars and 5.9 inch shells. This lasted until just after seven this morning, by which time it was light. The enemy then attacked with that vile weapon, the flamethrower, to the fore. This forced the French troops on the battalion's right to fall back, leaving that flank exposed. The two front line companies were forced to fall back to the support line, which, thus, became the new front line. 

As I write these lines the French and the composite battalion are about to make a counter-attack to try to retake the lost position. All told so far the battalion has lost seven officers and 170 men killed and wounded. 

Source: X550/3/wd

Gas Shells

Monday 22nd April 1918

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are in the area of Bethune at the moment. Overnight they endured heavy shelling with gas shells. The enemy also fired trench mortars on the front line. Two men were killed and nine were wounded.

Source: X550/2/5

Quiet?

Saturday 6th April 1918

Here in France it has been, once more, a largely quiet day. No such luck in the sector held by 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment which has, once more, had,three companies (A, C and D) in the front line at Bucquoy, north of Albert. B Company is in support. Today they captured a prisoner, found out on his own in No Man's Land. However, shelling and gas have accounted for sixteen other ranks killed (including three died of wounds), 29 have been wounded and one officer and 23 other ranks have been gassed. 

It is well that this battalion has not seen severe action against the enemy, unlike, 2nd, 4th and 7th Battalions. had it done so, the loss of over fifty casualties in a day would be an even more serious matter given the numbers lost by these other three battalions during the ten day retreat.

Sources: X550/7/1

Friday 5th April 1918

As we continue to "mark time" here in France, waiting for the enemy's next move, your correspondent spent a little time this evening with 6th Battalion at Couin. The adjutant tersely described the last few days as "a bad time in the line" at Bucquoy. From five until nine this morning the rear areas were heavily shelled, killing a cook, wounding a mule and wrecking a mobile cooker. One officer and twenty seven other ranks have been badly affected by gas whilst in the line at Bucquoy and one man has died a horrible death from the effects of this vile gas.

The 7th Battalion is now in billets but moved up again during the day to support 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment at Gentelles. Again, they were not needed, returning to their billets this evening, where, we heard a few minutes ago, they have been promptly shelled.

Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Watts, General Officer Commanding XIX Corps, has sent the following message to 18th Division, of which the 7th Bedfords for a part: "Please accept on your behalf and that of all ranks of the 18th Division my heartiest congratulations on the splendid work done by the Division since joining the Nineteenth Corps. The results achieved by the fine fighting spirit and powers of endurance displayed have been of the greatest importance and I am most grateful to all concerned:

Sources: X550/7/1; X550/8/1

Fighting at Welsh Ridge Continues

Second Lieutenant Dolman [X550/1/81]

Monday 31st December 1917

In continuing fighting on Welsh Ridge near Villers-Plouich, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the front line have had one officer wounded, two gassed, five other ranks killed, nine wounded and eight gassed. It looks, however, as if the situation has stabilised as darkness approached this afternoon. Captain Spicer, who has been in the thick of the fighting has promised me his memoranda and orders to do with this fighting, showing how a situation can develop and it is hoped to publish them when the fighting is over.

8th Battalion, at Courcelles-le-Comte heard the sad news today that Second Lieutenant Dolman, wounded ten days ago, has died at 45th Casualty Clearing Station in Boulogne.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/9/1

Eighty First Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Friday 19th October 1917

Yesterday the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment went back into the front line at the Canal Bank on the Ypres-Comines Canal near Hollebeke where 2nd Battalion have also been at times this year. Today they have been severely attacked by gas shells. The adjutant reported that the mud is very thick and the duckboards few, meaning that the men are constantly over their ankles in a cold, glutinous mess, to the detriment of their feet, their temper and their health generally. The line, it should be noted, is not a continuous trench but often merely a series of shell holes filled with water. The adjutant hoped that their stay would be a short one otherwise there may be many men fit for nothing but being sent to hospital(1).

Source: X550/8/1

(1) It would be a short tour, relief taking place the following evening.

Sad News from Ypres

Zillebeke Lake

Sunday 15th July 1917

Captain Douglas S H Keep was one of the original officers accompanying 7th Battalion to war in July 1915. He was then a Second Lieutenant and his brother, Captain Leslie H Keep serves in the same battalion. Whenever a senior officer is killed the unit mourns, but this young man’s history with the Battalion makes that sorrow all the more deeply felt. He was killed about two o’clock this afternoon by a stray shell whilst on the west side of Zillebeke Lake, overseeing cable-laying. Three other men were wounded and four gassed during the day.

Source: X550/8/1

Did I Say a Quiet Sector?

Puits 14 Bis east of Loos

Monday 9th July 1917

Readers will remember yesterday your correspondent remarking that 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are currently in what is dubbed a quiet sector on the old Loos battlefield. Fortunately he also remarked that in reality it as never really quiet, so close are the two sets of rival trenches. This has been borne out again last night and today.

The adjutant reports that at midnight a short heavy hostile bombardment took place on the Brigade front on their right. Then at 1 a.m., fearing a German raid or larger attack, the Battalion released gas from cylinders and fired projectors into Hulluch and nearby mine workings and pit-head called Puits 14 Bis, due east of Loos (Hulluch lies north-east of Loos and north of Puits 14 Bis). In the event there was practically no retaliation by the enemy, though he used varied coloured lights for his alarms.

Captain Steyn [X550/1/82]

During the day today Captain P Steyn has been wounded. Seven other ranks have shared a similar fate.

Source: X550/9/1

Outrage in the Capital

A Gotha G-IV

Thursday 14th June 1917

News has reached us at the front of the bombing raid on London yesterday. The barbarism of the enemy reached new proportions when German aircraft of the Gotha G IV type dropped their bombs on the capital. Reports state that 162 have been killed and 432 injured. The swinishness of this indiscriminate attack is seen by the fate of Upper North Street Primary School in Poplar - hit by a bomb eighteen of its little attendees were killed, most of them between the ages of four and six. The outrage caused here is palpable with many men to whom I have spoken vowing to make the “baby-killers” pay the highest price imaginable.

The 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is in the front line near Chérisy. The adjutant telephoned me with some satisfaction this afternoon reporting that 378 gas projectors had been discharged from Wood Trench, on the flank of their unsuccessful attack on 3rd May, it may be remembered. Around two hundred Germans were subsequently seen being stretchered away. “That’s for the children in Poplar” he remarked with some vehemence.

Source: X550/8/1

Day One Hundred and Eighteen on the Somme

Gas masks at the Imperial War Museum

Thursday 26th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of the 1st Bedfords tells me that they have been issued with a new design of box respirator to prevent the effects of poisoned gas. Every officer and man in the battalion, duly wearing the new respirators, underwent a session in the “gas house” at Essars. This involved going through a chamber filled with gas. He was glad to report on the effectiveness of the respirators, not a man suffering any ill effects.

He also mentioned something about practising for a forthcoming raid. The war goes on away from this place. It is sometimes difficult to remember that men are fighting and dying in places other than this fifty square miles or so of soggy misery north of the River Somme.

Source: X550/2/5

A Missing Son and a Crippled Daughter

Tuesday 23rd May 1916: The ordeal of the 8th Bedfords on 19th April still has repercussions. Dame Rumour has been bust with the name of Private J Marlow of 30 Spring Place, Luton and in order to remove the impression that he has been killed in action (whereas he has only been reported as missing) and in the hope that possibly his photo may be recognised and his mother’s anxiety appeased we reproduce it above.

This young Luton soldier – he is only eighteen years of age – commenced work at the early age of nine as an errand boy in the service of straw hat manufacturers H Rosson and Company of 90-92 Collingdon Street afterwards passing into the factory. He heard the call to arms and enlisted in the 8th Bedfords. He was trained at Shoreham and Blackdown and went to France last August. He was at the Battle of Loos and was gassed at Christmas but he otherwise escaped injury. His mother heard twice a week from him and with great punctuality sent him a weekly parcel until recently, when she decided to send a bigger parcel once a fortnight. His birthday was on May 9th and she had prepared a special parcel for that occasion when she received news that he was missing so the good things are awaiting news of his whereabouts.

The Luton News man was particularly interested in his little crippled sister. Miss Minnie is an

intelligent child of twelve years and cleverly manufactures penny gollywogs which she sells and takes the proceeds to Mr H W Covington in Cheapside who promptly smokes to the soldiers for the money. Miss Minnie has no objection to her philanthropic efforts ending in smoke, so long as her brother’s pals get a little enjoyment out of the fuminations and her mother showed our representative receipt from Mr Covington to little Miss Minnie’s order for 12s. 9d. for which he had forwarded 1,250 Woodbines, 3 packets of Player’s and a dozen boxes of matches to the Officer Commanding the 8th Beds, her brother’s regiment. She had several receipts for similar amounts, which spoke eloquently of Miss Minnie’s industry and goodness of heart.

Second Lieutenant Harry C Wealen wrote Mrs Marlow as follows: “Dear Madam: I expect by this time you have heard the news that your son is missing and I wish to convey my deep regret. As his whereabouts is uncertain it may be that he has been taken prisoner and I can only hope that in a few days’ time we may hear some definite news of him. Needless to say I am deeply grieved at losing the services of such a good soldier, but I can only add that I am immensely proud of those gallant few who held the trench on April 19th against such fearful odds”.

Company Sergeant Major W J Ward of the 8th Beds who is “out there” wrote: “To Miss Marlow. Just a line in answer to yours of the 9th inst re your brother No. 19944 Private J Marlow. I am sorry to tell you that I do not know much about what happened to D Company on 19th April, as I was transferred to B Company some time ago, but I was in the line the same day and we had a very bad time, but when we got out of the line I made enquiries in D Company about what had become of my old Platoon, and I was only too sorry to hear that your brother was missing. I have not heard any more of him since, but if I should I will let you know at once as he was one of the best boys I had in my platoon during the time I was platoon sergeant. He was always willing and always steady and brave. Although so young he was a good boy and no one is more sorry than I at your loss and you take my deepest feelings with you at losing such a fine and ever-so-brave a brother and I must sympathise with you and close my small note. Should I hear any more I will immediately let you know”.

We trust Mrs Marlow may soon hear some good news of her boy(1)

Source: Luton News 19th May 1916

(1) He was killed in action on 19th April and has no known grave.

Gas Attack Expected

Monday 14th February 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion at Maricourt tells us that they are all on high alert. At midnight a message was received from headquarters that a German captured by the French yesterday in their attack on Frise warned that the German 12th Division is going to attack the British front line this morning protected by a cloud of poison gas. We await developments in a state of some tension.

Source: X550/3/wd

Information Regarding Asphyxiating Gas

Gas masks at the Imperial War Museum

Tuesday 19th October 1915: We have just received the following leaked document from British Expeditionary Force Headquarters about the effects of our use of poisoned gas.

1. It appears that a certain amount of doubt and misgiving exists among the troops in regard to the use of gas. The operations of the 25th September have disclosed information which should be of value in restoring confidence and which should, consequently, be made known to the troops.

2. There is no doubt that our gas is effective against the enemy under certain conditions of weather and surprise. Evidence from responsible persons has been obtained that in the village of Loos and in certain places in the German trenches where the wind was favourable, the gas had great physical effect on the enemy. Many were found dead in dug-outs and cellars who had received no wounds, their death being due to gas.

3. On the other hand, there is conclusive evidence that if our troops are properly practised and trained, and accustomed to the wearing of the tube helmet, there is no cause for alarm at the bursting of a gas cylinder or the defective discharge of gas in our own trenches, especially if vermoral sprayers are kept handy. The fact that our helmet is an absolute protection if properly worn must be impressed on all ranks.

4. It was undoubtedly the case that a certain number of our own troops were gassed owing to the bursting of cylinders and to the defective discharge of the gas.  This was to a large extent due to the want of knowledge and practice in wearing the tube helmet, and is evidence of the fact that considerably more training in the use of tube helmets is required.

5. A large number of men reported sick at the dressing stations and field ambulances purporting to be suffering from the effects of gas. Nearly all these men, however, were merely out of breath from running and were suffering from excitement and fright; they required no treatment and were discharged at once. A considerable proportion of them were recognised as habitual malingerers.

Source: X550/3/wd

Assisting with Gas Experiments

Gas masks at the Imperial War Museum

Wednesday 28^th July 1915: With some wry amusement the adjutant of the 2nd Bedfords has passed onto us a request from General Headquarters for one hundred men from the corps in which 7th Division resides to assist in experiments with poisoned gas. They are “to assist the chemists who have been specially enlisted for dealing with asphyxiating gases”.

Those wanted should be “Intelligent men with experience in trench warfare”, who should volunteer for the work. “A knowledge of chemistry or a scientific training would be an advantage, but neither is essential. Great care should be taken to select suitable men, as the work required of them is of a very responsible nature”. Of course, intelligent men such as these are just the sort of soldier that every Battalion needs are would be unwilling to part with.

These men will be transferred to the Royal Engineers and given the rank of Corporal with pay at the rate of 2/6d a day with 6d a day Engineer pay. This, of course, would be a fair incentive for any private soldier not too wary at the prospect of having to work with such inherently dangerous materials

Source: X550/3/wd

Two Doses of Gas

Monday 7th June 1915: We have heard from Corporal George Marston of 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment: “I should like to see someone from the old village. It is grand to know that Old Warden held second place for men in the Army in Bedfordshire, for so small a population. I think there are a few more who want waking up in the country. If they knew the hardships we have had to put up with  through the winter, they would not hesitate one minute to come and help us crush our enemy. We want more men and munitions; then we could push the Germans out of Belgium. This is a proof what shells will do – only yesterday morning our artillery bombarded the German position and the Germans ran out of their trenches. We captured three lines of trenches quite easily. When we get plenty of munitions we could bombard the whole line and rush them out; we should not lose half so many men, the cavalry could keep them on the move”.

“Well we are having it a bit quiet today, a few shells flying about but not so many as when the Germans were nine to one. I remember in November, one afternoon, about three o’clock, the enemy bombarded our position at the same place, so that we had to retire. We went back about a quarter of a mile and then we got the order to fix bayonets, about turn and charge. It was a grand charge. We had them back in about twenty minutes, but I am sorry to say that we lost a lot of men, but I think the Germans lost more. I cannot explain how it feels to be in a charge, but one nearly goes mad. I had two mates killed, one each side of me. I thought it was my turn next, but I came through without a scratch”.

“The latest concern the enemy have got is their beastly gas. I have had two doses, I can feel it on my chest now. They pumped it over us one day, and they attempted to take the trench, but out boys stood it well, and we only lost a bit of a trench, which we can regain at any time. I don’t think they will get to Calais now; we are a bit too good for them now. I think we shall soon make them throw their arms up in the air and say “Gott Strafe England”(1). Well, the first German I see in England, when this war is over, I will punch on the nose”.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 2nd July 1915

(1) "God Punish England" a "song of hate" written by German poet Ernst Lissauer

Those Respirators

Respirators at the Imperial War Museum

Thursday 3rd June 1915: Lieutenant-Colonel H. F. Barclay, commanding the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, writing to Mr. Machin, honorary secretary of the Bedford Recreation Committee said he had submitted the Pattern Respirators, sent to him by an officer who had just returned from the front and he said they were excellent. Colonel Barclay added: “We are most grateful to you Committee for their kind offer of 1,000 and if it is not too late we shall most gratefully accept them”(1).

Major Onslow, commanding the 2nd Bedfords at the front, has sent the following to the Officer Commanding Bedfordshire Regiment Depot: - “1,000 Respirators received. Would you kindly forward my best wishes and many thanks to Mr. W. Machin and his Committee for this gift. They are greatly appreciated by the Officers, N.C.O’s and men of this Battalion”.

There have been rumours that the respirators given to the Highland Division were unsuitable, but this is not true. The Committee have heard from many men of their use in the trenches with good results.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 4th June 1915

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(1) 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment would land in France on 31st July 1915.

Bedford Lieutenants in Hospital

Sunday 23rd May 1915: Writing home to Bedford from No. 4 general Hospital, Versailles, Lieutenant Small(1) says: “You will be very surprised at me writing from the above address. Fancy me being in hospital already”. About a week before, Lieutenant Small and Lieutenant Whittemore(2) had left Bedford Barracks after their recuperation from wounds received at the First Battle of Ypres, after which they were promoted from the ranks. He goes on: “But there is nothing to be alarmed at. I am suffering from gas poisoning. I reached the trenches on Sunday night, and we have been hard at it ever since up to the time I left (Wednesday, May 5th). On Wednesday morning they sent this gas over our trenches and we had a very bad time, but they did not break through the Bedfords, although they beat back the Regiment on our left (for a time only)”.

“Thank God I came safely out of it, and am now feeling quite well. Whittemore was in the same trench as me, but left in the afternoon, he being gased and unfortunately, with a bayonet thrust through his hand, but only slight. I am informed by a brother officer that he came down on the same hospital train as myself; that being so, he would be in this hospital. I shall try to find him as soon as I am up. I expect I shall soon be out again and back to the front, as they are so short of officers. It was very hard fighting. We lost one officer and 43 men killed, three died of gas, and God alone knows how many wounded. The captain was wounded through the shoulder – nice fellow(3). Now for a bit of cheery news. This is a magnificent hospital. I am told by the Sister that before the war it was considered the most gorgeous Hotel in the suburbs of Paris. We get splendid meals and what we want to drink within reason”(4).

Source: Bedfordshire Times 14th May 1915

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(1) This may be E Small of George Street, Bedford who ended the war a captain and died on 28th April 1921

(2) Presumably the Lieutenant Frederick Whittemore killed at Arras on 29th March 1916

(3) Captain Gledstanes, see yesterday’s piece

(4) It was, presumably, a hospital for officers only.

The Bedfords and Poisoned Gas

Arlesey Station [Z1306-2-14-1]

Saturday 22nd May 1915: Mrs. Bland of Railway Tavern, Arlesey has received the following letter from her son, Private G. H. Bland, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment(1). His father is now serving with the 5th Battalion, currently stationed at Newmarket. The son, writing on 7th May said: “Dear Mother – just a few lines hoping you are all well, as it leaves me in a rather queer state, after the gas, which the brutes sent over to us on the 3rd and the 5th – the first we have had since the taking of Hill 60, which we are still holding, but we had to retire owing to gas(2). The Devons were forced to let them break through, but the good old Bedfords stopped them. We have had a rather hard time since Hill 60; only been out of the trenches three days, but we were relieved by the Irish Rifles on 7th, when we came back for a short rest. Our casualties are as great as Hill 60, but gas used in shells there had not half the effect of this which they pumped out of the bottom of their trench. I myselfam wearing a silver ring on my little finger which the gas cankered, but we gave them a horrible job to get that, which the Devons had to leave. Not a man could stand owing to the terrible stuff which streamed from their trench to ours, but the breeze changed and drove it back into their trench. Then our machine-guns got onto them, so they were forced to retire from their own trench. Then we laughed, you can bet”.

“We have named them “The Old Gas Bags” on Hill 60. They prayed for mercy but the boys all say “never no more”. Well I am sorry to say my old mate Harry Cox (Captain Gledstanes’ servant) who lived in Queen’s-street, Stotfold, was killed by one of our own shells that dropped short on the 5th during the recent battle(3). If possible, let Mrs. Cox know(4). I felt quite downhearted over it. I must draw my letter to a close but they tell me the 1st Rifles have regained the lost trenches on other side of Hill 60 (not losing the hill). Good-bye mother and all brothers and sisters. I omitted to say that Captain Gledstanes got wounded later in the day of Harry’s death(5). Good-bye mother. I will write more next time, Harry. P. S. I received letter and parcel. I hope you got my pc(6)”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 14th May 1915

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(1) 3/7450 Private George Henry Bland died with the 1st Battalion on 4th October 1917, he was just 20 and is buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery

(2) In fact the hill was lost on 6th May.

(3) He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial

(4) Like many women, she soon remarried

(5) He died of wounds on 9th May and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery

(6) Postcard.