An Attack Tomorrow for the 7th Battalion

Monday 12th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment were at Saint-Pierre-Divion this morning.  They have orders to attack German fortifications known as the Loupart Line near the village of Irles a few miles to the north-east. During the night tonight they will begin to move forwards.

Source: X550/8/1

Roll of Honour - 12th March 1917

Died of Wounds

8th Battalion

• 33192 Private Francis NEVIN born Oswaldtwistle [Lancashire], resided Accrington [Lancashire] (Béthune Town Cemetery)

At El Arish

Sunday 11th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

We heard yesterday of the 1st/5th Bedfords at El-Arish on the edge of the Sinai Desert. As the adjutant remarked: East of El-Arish, cultivated lands succeed the desert; along the coast, hard by Rafa, stretches a belt of sand dunes, two or three miles in width. Inland of these dunes there is a belt of light soil for ten or twelve miles carrying barley”.

The men are restless, wanting another crack at “Johnny Turk”, whom they have not seen since 1915 in Gallipoli. Rumour has it that there will be an advance on the town of Gaza in Palestine in the next week or two(1).

Source: X550/6/8

(1) First battle of Gaza will take place on 26th March.

Roll of Honour - 11th March 1917

Killed in Action

8th Battalion: front line near Loos

• 33357 Private Henry William HARCOURT born Lakenham [Norfolk], resided Harwich [Essex] (Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay)

Died of Wounds

4th Battalion

• 23046 Private Albert Edward BIRCH, 30, C Company, son of David and Caroline of The Square, Hockliffe (Hockliffe (Saint Nicholas) churchyard)

Hiding from Hostile Aircraft

Saturday 10th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is in Sinai. It is currently at El-Burj near the town of El-Arish, thirty miles or so from the front line. Yesterday the men began to be inoculated against cholera. Fatigues are being undertaken under Brigade orders and dugouts are being constructed in case of hostile aircraft.

The usual pattern for there to be ten dugouts per platoon, five in front and five in the rear, each holding three men. Specialists such as Lewis gunners and snipers are currently brigaded together away from their platoons. Each dugout is a square hole about 6 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 6 inches by 3 feet deep and there is ten feet between dugouts.

Source: X550/6/8

A Triumvirate of New Officers

Friday 9th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

Folliwing Sergeant A W Joyce and Company Sergeant Major F T Matthews the 2nd Battalion has its third new officer, commissioned from the Battalion’s ranks this year. 9515 Sergeant T G Searle has just received his commission and will remain with the Battalion(1).

Source: X550/3/WD

(1) Thomas George Searle MC, MSM would be killed on 20th September. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Roll of Honour - 9th March 1917

Killed in Action

8th Battalion: front line near Loos

• 33312 Private Charles CHENERY, 25, born South Lopham [Norfolk], son of Matilda Chenery of The Street, Rickinghall [Suffolk] (Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay)
• 15486 Lance Corporal Charles ROSENDALE, 20, son of Arthur and Mary Rosendale of North End, Bassingbourn [Cambridgeshire], born and resided Kneesworth [Cambridgeshire] (Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay)

Died

52nd (Graduated) Battalion

• TR/9/6881 Private Frederick CHARMAN, 18, son of Edward and Mary of Old Parsonage, Coldwaltham [Sussex], born Petworth [Sussex] (Dovercourt (All Saints) churchyard)