XIII Corps M&R Camp

[Alan24]

I'm trying to find the location of XIII Corps M & R Camp - Sept 1917 - in relation the 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment.

Also, M&R? web searches so far on other forums suggest 'Maintenance & Reinforcement' or 'Maintenance & Repair'. Can anyone confirm.

Would a soldier have passed through an IBD before being sent on to the M&R camp, or could he have gone straight to the M&R camp upon his arrival in France?

All I know is that my relative landed in France on 15 Sept. 1917 with 13th East Surreys and on the 19th Sept. 1917 was transferred to 4th Bedfordshires with 82 other men from the 13 ESR. War diary for 4th Bedfordshires on 26 Sept. 1917 says "126 OR joined from XIII Corps M&R Camp".

Any help will be most welcome.

Regards

Alan.

[TEW]

Can't help with location but my Grandfather was OC or 2nd I/C of the 62nd Div Wing camp at Orvillers in Jan 1918. I have some of his correspondence with the 'The Adjutant, 13^th Corps Musketry & Reinfrt. Camp', Which answers the latter part of the query.

Also found this for April 1917

XIII Corps Infantry Training School: Pernes

Located at Pernes between St. Pol and Lillers, the XIII Corps School conducted a variety of instructional courses in warfare as well as providing reinforcements to units of the Corps. The War Diaries of the units contained in the 31st Division commonly refer to Pernes as, in part, a 'Musketry and Reinforcement Camp' but no doubt training ensued of a more specialist nature.

TEW

[Alan24]

Thanks TEW, that's a great start.

Alan.