The 2nd Bedfords in Action at Neuve Chapelle

Saturday 13th March 1915: yesterday morning we reported that the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was about to go into action. We can now report more fully what has happened since courtesy of the adjutant. “At 7 a.m. yesterday Major W. H. Denne prepared to make a counter-attack with part of A Company on a trench captured by the enemy shortly beforehand. Major Denne was severely wounded(1). Captain C. B. Cumberlege and Captain J. H. G. Baird commenced another counter-attack but the whole party was killed or wounded. Captain Baird and four men reached the trench which was the object of the attack and one man was killed and the other three wounded”.

“At about the same time it was noticed that the Royal Scots Fusiliers were suffering severely from our own shell fire. I was sent to report this to Brigade Headquarters and the Brigadier directed that the trench should be re-taken”.

“Captain C. C. Foss D.S.O., with men of our Grenade Section advanced along A Company Trench, behind the Northampton Trench, followed by a platoon to make good the trench and they attacked the Germans. These, after one or two grenades had been thrown, held up their hands and were captured. One Officer and 48 Germans surrendered of whom fourteen were wounded. A Company. was sent forward to consolidate the position won. Part of a Platoon of B Company escorted the prisoners back”.

We understand that the names of the brave men led by Captain Foss are as follows: 9078 Private W. Eade; 6215 Private S. Scrivener, 9822 Sergeant W. Peggs, 7270 Private P. Cogan, 6477 Private W. Smith, 9878 Private G. Freshwater, 5803 Private J. Lovett, 9797 Private H. Barnett and 16441 Private F. Brown.

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The battalion has lost four officers wounded, fifteen other ranks killed, sixty six wounded and five missing in yesterday’s action. It is understood that Captain Foss’ name is to be put forward for a singular honour and that the men who went with him may also receive gallantry awards in time(2). The Battalion held the same line overnight and continues to hold it this morning.

The battle as a whole now appears to be over due to lack of ammunition for our guns. Our troops have pushed the Germans back some way and shown that their trenches can be captured. The generals will, no doubt, study this limited success in hopes of achieving something even better next time.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He died on 21st February 1917, aged 40 and is buried in Brimpsfield churchyard in Gloucestershire.

(2) Charles Calveley Foss was gazetted with the Victoria Cross on 23rd August 1915. The citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery at Neuve Chapelle on 12th March 1915. After the enemy had captured a part of one of our trenches, and our counter-attack made with one Officer and 20 men having failed (all but two of the part being killed or wounded in the attempt), Captain Foss, on his own initiative, dashed forward with eight men, under heavy fire, attacked the enemy with bombs, and captured the position including the 52 Germans occupying it. The capture of this position from the enemy was of the greatest importance, and the utmost bravery was displayed in essaying the task with so few men”.

Roll of Honour Saturday 13th March 1915

Killed in action

1st Battalion: in support near Ouderdom

• Second Lieutenant John Hewitt Sutton MOXLY, 23, formerly 4th Battalion, son of the Rev J H Sutton Moxly, Principal Chaplain to H M Forces of 31 Cheyne Court, Chelsea [London] (Ramparts Cemetery, Lille Gate, Ypres)
• 10250 Private Frederick NICHOLS,  son of Mr and Mrs Nicholls of 182 Simpson Road, Bletchley [Buckinghamshire] , born Bow Brickhill [Buckinghamshire] (Ramparts Cemetery, Lille Gate, Ypres)

2nd Battalion: Battle of Neuve Chapelle – in captured positions just south of Mauquissart

• 4/7270 Private Phillip George COGAN, born Collingbourne Ducis [Wiltshire], resided Furneaux Pelham [Hertfordshire] (le Touret Memorial)
• 9414 Private William Gladstone GURNHAM, 25, son of Laura Gurnham of 88 Shelley Street, Northampton, born Battersea [London] (le Touret Memorial)
• 10111 Acting Lance Corporal John Lane Guy KEMP, born and resided Kingston-on-Thames [Surrey] (le Touret Memorial)
• 4/6215 Private Stanley Walter SCRIVENER, 24, son of Sarah Scrivener of 35 Lower Dagnall Street, Saint Albans [Hertfordshire], born Luton, mentioned in despatches (le Touret Memorial)

Died of Wounds

1st Battalion

• 9001 Corporal Frank BRACE, C Company, 27, son of Frank and Ethel Brace of Croxton Kennels [Cambridgeshire] (Boulogne Eastern Cemetery)

2nd Battalion

• 9371 Private James BROWN, 22, son of James and Alice Brown of May Cottages, Church Path, Sandy, born and resided Girtford (Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension)
• 4/7267 Private Horace Benjamin LANGDON, 28, son of Edwin James and Charlotte Langdon of New River Well, Broxbourne [Hertfordshire], born Ware [Hertfordshire] (Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension)

The Third Day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

Friday 12th March 1915: Yesterday we asked what today would bring. The answer soon became clear – strong German counter-attacks. These have been defeated but have used up much of our artillery ammunition, which means that no further attacks can take place for the foreseeable future.

The adjutant of the 2nd Bedfords tells us: “During the night C and D Companies dug trenches at right-angles to the original ones, i.e. facing south. A salient had formed opposite some high trees and was occupied by a Company of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, who had been brought from the right. The salient was rushed by the Germans early this morning, which is decidedly misty”.

We understand the 2nd Battalion are about to go into action as we write this to turn out the Germans from this salient. We pray thet will be successful and their casualties light.

Source: X550/3/wd

Roll of Honour Friday 12th March 1915

Killed in Action

1st Battalion: front line trenches on the canal bank south of Ypres

• 9967 Corporal Fred Reuben DAY, 20, son of William and Hannah Day of 4 New Street, Watford [Hertfordshire], husband of Florence Maud of 24 Valley Road Meersbrook [Yorkshire], born and resided Watford [Hertfordshire] (Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres)
• 5316 Company Sergeant Major Ernest WATSON, 39, son of John and Mary Ann Watson, husband of Mary Ann Watson of The Moor, Carlton, born Ware [Hertfordshire] (Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres)

2nd Battalion: Battle of Neuve Chapelle – counter-attacks on a trench attacked and recaptured by the Germans – Captain Charles Calverley Foss wins the Victoria Cross

• 4/3857 Private Ernest ALLEN, born Tyttenhanger [Hertfordshire], resided Tyttenhanger Green [Hertfordshire] (le Touret Memorial)
• 9650 Private Percy John BONESS, 21, son of Charles and Ellen Boness of 21 Raphael Avenue, Tilbury [Essex], born Girtford, resided Sandy (le Touret Memorial)
• 3/7814 Private Bertram BREACHER, son of Charles Green of 13 Cedars Road, Edmonton [Middlesex], born Arlesey (le Touret Memorial)
• 6615 Private James BROWN, born and resided Arlesey (le Touret Memorial)
• 10138 Private Joseph CLARK, born Acton [Middlesex], resided Sacombe [Hertfordshire] (le Touret Memorial)
• 9174 Private William CURTIS, 28, son of Henry and Emma Curtis of 48 Collins Cross, Bishop's Stortford [Hertfordshire], born Tottenham [Middlesex] (le Touret Memorial)
• 4/5163 Private Walter DENNIS, born Friern Barnet [Middlesex], resided New Southgate [Middlesex] (le Touret Memorial)
• 4/5701 Corporal Henry GREEN, born Inverness [Invernessshire], resided Enfield [Middlesex] (le Touret Memorial)
• 6006 Acting Company Sergeant Major Joseph HORNE, son-in-law of Anna M Gray of 55 Ivy Road, Luton, born Sundon, resided South Tottenham [Middlesex] (le Touret Memorial)
• 5359 Sergeant Thomas HUTCHINS or HUTCHIN, son of George of Haymeads, Bishop's Stortford [Hertfordshire], born and resided Albury [Hertfordshire] (le Touret Memorial)
• 4/6181 Private George NOTTAGE, born Barkway [Hertfordshire], resided Royston [Hertfordshire] (le Touret Memorial)
• 4/6473 Private Albert PRESLAND, 23, son of John Presland of Hickman's Hill, Clothall [Hertfordshire] (le Touret Memorial)
• 6684 Private Thomas RICHARDS, 33, son of the late Charles and Sarah Elizabeth Richards of 147 Hitchin Road, Luton, husband of Emma of 178 Park Street, Luton, served in the 2nd Boer War (le Touret Memorial)
• 3/8615 Private James Henry ROACH, 37, brother of John F P Roach of Bel Royal, Jersey, born and resided Saint Helier [Jersey] (le Touret Memorial)
• 3/8659 Private William SIMMONS, born and resided Bedford (le Touret Memorial)

Died of Wounds

2nd Battalion

• 4/5676 Private George MUTIMER, born Windsor [Berkshire], resided Upton Park [Essex] (Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension)

The Second Day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

Thursday 11th March 1915: As we predicted yesterday the 2^nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment moved up during the afternoon to take up a position near the village of Mauquissart as shown in the plan above. They were, in fact, lining a road. They then advanced across the old no-man’s land and entered the former German front line which had been cleared by men of 8th Division. They have now taken up a position more or less as the map below shows. The map, drawn by our graphic artist Mrs Bates, based on a sketch sent by the adjutant, does not show the maze of German trenches around the Bedfords' positions for reasons of military confidentiality. The Bedfords are under some shell and rifle fire. Private A. Hearne, we understand, has distinguished himself carrying messages backwards and forwards from the battalion to Brigade Headquarters, passing through belts of shrapnel and rifle fire. He has been wounded.

As regards the battle itself we understand that the village of Neuve Chapelle, a little way south of the Bedfords’ position, did indeed fall to our forces yesterday. This morning, however, all further attacks have been repelled. The Germans were busy shoring up their second line defences during the night and have brought in reinforcements including more artillery. A fifteen minute bombardment by our artillery seems to have failed to break any of the defences and none of our troops can advance.

Other units from the 7th Division have tied to make headway without success whilst the 2nd Bedfords have been held in reserve. The adjutant tells us: “The 2nd Northamptons [24th Brigade, 8th Division] attempted to assault the houses to their front in the southern outskirts of Mauquissart but were met with a very heavy rifle and machine gun fire and had to desist”. Who now can say what tomorrow will bring?

Source: X550/3/wd

Roll of Honour Thursday 11th March 1915

Killed in Action

1st Battalion: front line trenches on the canal bank south of Ypres

• 7920 Private Henry BRACE, son of Philip Brace of Allen's Green, Sawbridgeworth [Hertfordshire], husband of the late Emily (Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres)

2nd Battalion: Battle of Neuve Chapelle - in captured positions just south of Mauquissart

• 9957 Private Bert or Bertie Charles DAY, 24, A Company, son of J Day of 9 Alexandra Terrace, Colchester [Essex] (le Touret Memorial)
• 3/7346 Private Albert Sidney KIRBY, born and resided Luton (le Touret Memorial)
• 8484 Acting Sergeant William MARTIN, born Flitwick, resided Ampthill (le Touret Memorial)
• 3/6936 Private Charles Frederick Augustus QUAIFE, 19, son of Charles and Francis Quaife, born Holloway [London], resided Hornsey Rise [Middlesex] (le Touret Memorial)
• 4/7095 Private Frank WAYLETT, 21, son of George and Clara Elizabeth Waylett, born and resided Baldock [Hertfordshire] (le Touret Memorial)
• 7079 Private Frederick Arthur WELLS, born Bloomsbury [London], resided Hertford [Hertfordshire] (le Touret Memorial) 

The First Day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

Wednesday 10th March 1915: Our correspondent tells us that today the British army in France has begun a large scale attack designed to break through the German lines around the village of Neuve Chapelle, north-east of Béthune and south-west of Armentières. This will be the first attack our troops have made since last October and the ill-fated advance east from Ypres. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Rawlinson of IV Corps, has issued the following order of the day: “The attack which we are about to undertake is of the first importance to the Allied Cause. The Army and the Nation are watching the results and Sir John French(1) is confident that every individual in IV Corps will do his duty and inflict a crushing defeat  on the German VII Corps which is opposed to us”.

We understand that a huge amount of artillery has been brought in to bombard the German defences north and south of the village, where their front line forms a bulge like the letter C, known as a salient. The area being attacked is around two miles in length and it is believed that so great is our concentration of artillery that there is around one gun for every six yards of enemy front line. It is to be hoped such a violent destructive force will rupture the German lines and allow our men to flood through.

We understand that none of the units local to this county will be taking part in today’s main attack but that the 7th Division, which includes the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is in reserve. It is also understood that the French were due to launch simultaneous attacks but have now refused to do so, citing British failure to reinforce the line further north at Ypres and allow them to move more of their own men south. Despite this breach of promise by our gallant ally we are sure British pluck and determination will carry the day.

The ground around Neuve Chapelle is as flat as the Fens and, just like it, intersected by drainage ditches. A mile beyond Neuve Chapelle, however is a slight rise, just twenty feet higher than the plain, called the Aubers Ridge. Twenty feet in such a flat landscape is a lot and will allow our men to see over German lines further east.

The initial bombardment of an hour’s duration has been followed by attacks by two brigades of 8^th Division and Gharwal Brigade of our splendid Indian Corps. We understand the village will surely fall during the course of the day. What awaits the men of the 2nd Bedfords as they take up the cudgels tomorrow? This morning they are gathered just south-west of a hamlet called la Flinque and are expected to move south-east towards the village of Mauquissart this afternoon to bring them close to the front line.

The commanding officer of the East Anglian Royal Engineers tells us that at 7 this morning the division to which his unit is attached, 2nd Division, made an attack on the extreme right of the main attack which was delivered at Neuve Chapelle  but owing to the wire in front of German trenches being left intact no ground was gained. The EARE was working with the South Staffordshire Regiment, two sections furnishing blocking parties and the other two in reserve. A second attack is to be made at 2 pm but the same result is expected. The weather is misty with rain now just beginning to fall.

Source: X550/3/wd; Bedfordshire Standard 26th March 1915

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(1) Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force which, at this stage of the war, comprised 1st and 2nd Armies which comprised five corps between them.