7th Beds

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Regular readers of this forum will know that I am interested in the 7th Bedfords.

This is the whole Battalion formed up prior to leaving for France in July 1915.

The picture was taken at Codford St Mary. I recently climbed the hill and took a picture of the same view as it is now.

Apart from 1 grave in the local church to a 7th Beds man and a small CWGC cemetary to the ANZAC's there is now no evidence of the village's wartime history.

Sobering to think that about a third of these men were killed or wounded a year later attacking Pommiers Redoubt.

The original is very clear, the structures in front of the huts are sacks suspended from frames, for bayonet practice.

John

[Terry Carter]

The Three Birmingham Battalions (14th, 15th and 16th Royal Warwicks) were also at Codford St Mary, along with the rest of the 32nd Division, from September to November, 1915. Their last training stint in the UK before going to France.

Pte J E B Fairclough, B Coy, 1st B'ham Bn. Had this to say about Codford St Mary :

"Codford was quite a busy wartime village: its many wooden shacks gave it the appearance of a country fair with the usual amusement and refreshment centres, and in addition to these, a music hall, known to the battalion as the 'Codford low-down,' provided light and varied fare for the evenings."

A special train laid on for members of the three Birmingham battalions left Wylie Station for Birmingham, Snow Hill, every Friday afternoon and returned late on Sunday night.

The photograph that can be seen is part of a final parade at Codford St Mary before the battalions embarked for France on 21 November, 1915.

In the picture are men of the 2nd Birmingham Bn. (15th Royal Warwicks) being inspected by Lt Col. Colin Harding (right) CO of the 2nd B'ham Bn. Behind him is Hon Colonel of the 1st B'ham Bn. William Bowater (raiser of City Battalions when Deputy Lord Mayor) and the gent in civilian clothes is none other than Neville Chamberlain (at the time Mayor of Birmingham and future Prime Minister)

As you can see the men have some type of Div/Brigade insignia on the side of their service hats. I do not know nothing about these.

Like the 7th Bedfords, these battalions would be decimated on the Somme eight months later.

Terry

[Raster Scanning]

Hi Terry.

Thanks for your very informative post. It is hard to see, but are the service caps the "gor blimey" type with the flaps folded over the top, rather than some type of insignia.

John.

[Terry Carter]

Hi john

I have done a better scan to give you a look

Terry