Private Samuel Arthur Belfield

[agedpink]

Any information please on Private 317145 Samuel Arthur Belfield 2^nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment Killed in Action at the First Battle of Ypres on Saturday 31^st October 1914 aged 24.

Born and resident in Belper enlisted in Bedford

[sotonmate]

aged

No record found on Ancestry UK. Another Bellfield (REng aged 47) from Belper has a record there.

Sotonmate

[halifax]

I have found this information on Ancestry:

Medal card for Private Samuel Arthur Belfield 317145

Awarded 1914 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal. There is also mention of a clasp this is a bronze clasp worn with the 1914 Star inscribed - 5th August - 22nd November 1914 - and was issued to those who had been under fire during that period.

Samuel is also mentioned in the Soldiers who died in the Great War section but it states only the information that you have already.

I also found the Regimental Diary for 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment 31/10/1914:

31 Oct 1914 - near Inverness Copse Early in the morning about 2.30 A.M. orders were received to occupy a small fir wood about 250 yards in front of our line which was then held by L.North Lancs.R. Captain Lemon & 2 platoons of C Company were ordered to hold this position. This wood had been subjected to heavy shell fire from two sides during the previous day. Shell fire started as soon as it was light. It soon became evident that the enemy were advancing in force on the left of the wood held by Captain Lemon & also on the right. The Adjutant went to report the situation to Brigade H.Q.& almost immediately on his return to Battalion H.Q. 2 orderlies arrived with an order from the Brigadier to retire fighting towards MENIN-YPRES Road. Part of the Battalion moved back in compliance of this order. An order was sent to Captain Lemon to retire from the fir wood upon the Battalion. Part of the Battalion remained in the trenches till late in the afternoon about 4.30 p.m. when they were brought back & established a line which they held till relieved on Nov.5/6.

the losses were very severe on this day. The C.O. Major J.M.Traill & 2nd in Command Major R.P.Stares remained in the trenches & were shot at short range.

Lieut.Peterson was killed in the fir wood.

Lieut.Gott was wounded in the Fir wood.

Captain A.B.Lemon was twice wounded in the fir wood & captured.

Captain C.S.Garnet Botfield was severely wounded.

2/Lieut.W.Dixon wounded.

Captain E.H.Lyddon missing.

Lieut.Anderson missing.

The Battalion strength on night October 31st-1st November was 4 officers, 350-400 other ranks.

4 officers were

Captain & Adjutant C.C.Foss.

2/Lieut.B.H.Waddy.

Lieut.S.D.Mills, Transport Officer.

Captain & Quarter Master H.Cressingham

A short line was taken up and entrenched.

Hope this helps

Steve

[agedpink]

Thanks Steve that's brilliant!!!

Regards Richard

[steve fuller]

I will have the Medal Rolls for Samuel if you want copies and probably a few more bits if I have a dig around. Drop me an email and I will reply with jpegs for you.