8th Bedfords in the Trenches at Givenchy

Monday 4th December 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

In the last few days the adjutant of the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has been keeping me informed about their situation at Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée. This evening he told me that just after dark the Battalion’s Lewis gunners caught an enemy working party in the open. As he remarked matter-of-factly: “Cries of pain denoting casualties were heard”. Earlier in the day a German was seen peering over the parapet. It was his last act as one of the Battalion snipers made sure.

Lieutenant L A L Fink

The 2nd Battalion are still at Berles-au-Bois to the north of the Somme battlefield, having relieved the 20th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment this afternoon. The adjutant heard today that Second Lieutenant L A L Fink has been awarded the Military Cross(1)

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

(1) Captain L A L Fink MC would be killed on 5th October 1917 and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery

Roll of Honour - 4th December 1916

Died of Wounds

1st Battalion

• 16508 Lance Corporal John William BEECHAM, 25, born West Kensington [London], resided Huntingdon, son of John and Caroline Beecham of Bell End, Brampton [Huntingdonshire] (Merville Communal Cemetery Extension)

Died

1st Battalion

• 13231 Private Arthur CABLE, born Thurlton [Norfolk], resided Lowestoft [Suffolk] (Saint Albans (Hatfield Road) Cemetery)
• 43109 Private George Housden DELLAR, 29, ex-1551 Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion, son of George and Ellen Mary Dellar of North Lynne, Tendet Leys Road, Saint Ives [Huntingdonshire], husnand of Grace Pilborough (ex-Dellar) (Saint Ives Public Cemetery)

In the Front Line Near Givenchy

Sunday 3rd December 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of the 8th Battalion at Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée has spoken to me on the telephone again this evening. During the afternoon the enemy trench mortars have been very aggressive.

This morning one of the Battalion’s snipers claimed a “hit”. This evening Captain Body has led a patrol through gaps in the craters and entered the German trenches. There they surprised and shot a sentry and then retired to our lines again. The patrol reported that the enemy trenches are in good condition, though the wire is bad.

Source: X550/9/1

Roll of Honour - 3rd December 1916

Killed in Action

1st Battalion: front line near Neuve-Chapelle

• 32020 Private John KENDALL, ex-13456 Northamptonshire Regiment, born and resided Southwark [London] (Saint-Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l'Avoué)

Died

7th Battalion

• 14916 Private Frank Morgan SMITH, 20, born West Ham [Essex], resided Bathwick [Somerset], twin son of Captain Francis E and Frances Smith of Bath [Somerset] (Wimereux Communal Cemetery)

Bombardment by Machine Guns

Saturday 2nd December 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

As we mentioned in yesterday’s despatch the 8th Battalion have moved into the front line near Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée. The day, the adjutant tells me via telephone, is cold and misty. The enemy has been quiet but now that darkness has fallen enemy machine guns have been bombarding the back areas around Windy Corner. They do this by elevating their barrels like howitzers and letting off streams of bullets that fall well behind the lines.

Source: X550/9/1

Roll of Honour - 2nd December 1916

Died of Wounds

1st Battalion

• 27892 Private Albert ARNOLD, born and resided Tyler's Causeway, Epping Green [Hertfordshire] (Newport (Saint Woolos) Cemetery)

Working Parties

Friday 1st December 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment tells us that they were at Béthune for most of last month, practising and training. They have also been providing working parties 280 strong to do various jobs such as digging trenches. They will soon be taking over the front line near Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée

Source: X550/9/1