Bedfordshire Regmnt War Diaries

[steve fuller]

Steve,

Many thanks, it all helps to piece together the jigsaw. Thanks again Steve, much appreciated.

Andy

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most welcome - anytime Andy

[emmagee]

Hi Steve,

I think I may have somthing belonging to your Great Grandfather Herbert Kendall. I,ve been trying to find any descendants for the last 9 months.

Can you contact me ASAP

Regards

Lee

[Dave Phillips]

Steve

Just found your post.

Any chance of finding a ref. to 2nd Lt. Henry Noel Francis Forge 5th attached 8th Beds. KIA 20.11.17 in either Bats. diaries.

When was he attached?

Any details of his death in the Hindenburg Line?

Any help gratefully received.

Dave

[Stebie9173]

Dave,

Different Steve. 8th Battalion at Cambrai:

20 Nov 1917 - Highland Ridge N of Villers-Plouich

Batt. and tanks ready for the attack 4.52 am. At 6.10am the Tanks commenced the advance, at ZERO hour 6.20 am our artillery barrage opened with a deafening roar and in blaze of fire. At 6.29 am the first tamks passed over the German outpost line, and the enemy artillery opened a feeble reply, putting a very thin barrage in NO MANS LAND

6 35am First wave of Infy passed over enemy outpost line, the Batt going over well, men lighting pipes and cigarettes on their way.

6.45 am Advanced tanks followed by infantry approaching HINDENBURG MAIN LINE on the left.

7.5 am Reported that the Batt appeared to have taken the first offensive the MAIN HINDENBURG LINE, including both front and support lines (ref 57 e NE 1/20000) L31d L32a a frontage of 650 yds running E from the VILLERS PLOUICH - RIBECOURT road.

7.20 German officer and 6 men for prisoners arrived at Batt Hdqrs enemy shelling more heavily but very erratic

7.55 Report received from B. Coy that objective captured OC Coy CAPT. NCF NIXON.

8.10 Liason platoon on left under 2/Lt HAWKES report having gained objective and in touch with 9th SUFFOLKS on left 23 prisoners sent down. Section on left under 2/LT. HUGHES in touch with 2Y&Lancasters.

8.13 Batt Hdqrs moved forward to HINDENBURG MAIN FRONTLINE at L.31.d.45.0 The whole of our objective completely captured. Prisoners coming in fast, Infantry & tanks continuing and all going well the enemy on the run

9.5 Batt Hdqrs established in HINDENBURG FRONT LINE just S of RIBECOURT and WEST of COUILLET WOOD

Total Prisoners sent down 5 officers 200 O.R including Batt Commander, Medical Officer and a Staff Lieutenant. Consolidating trenches gained

1.30pm Pack animal convoy arrived with water and ammunition

Our casualties

2/LT H.F.R.AMESBURY killed.

2/LT E.G.D.NORTHCROFT slightly wounded

2/LT T DUNN wounded

10 other ranks killed, 38 other ranks wounded and missing.

2/LT HNF FORGE killed (attached to 6th Divl. SNIPING COY.)

Weather fine but turned to rain in the afternoon.

Companies commanded by - A Coy Capt A.W.ELLIOTT. B Coy. CAPT N.C.F. NIXON C.Coy LT. H.W.WRIGHT D.Coy 2/LT H.F.R.AMESBURY.

A very succssful day and all ranks in high spirits quite ready for further action. TANKS did very good work.

2pm Remaind [sic] of day spent in cleaning up an [sic] consolidating

Also:

8th Battalion War Diary

25 Jun 1917 - reserve trenches and Mazingarbe

In trenches. Enemy quiet except for occasional burst of artillery fire on our dumps & trenches. Our artillery frequently retaliated during the night on enemy dumps. Battalion relieved at 3.10 am, 26th inst by 2/York & Lancaster Regt A & D Coys moved into Reserve Trench. Bn. H.Q. & B & C Coys to MAZINGARBE. Casualties 2 O.R. killed, 8 O.R. wounded.

26 Jun 1917

In billets. Relief of battalion completed at 2.50 am. A & D Coys remained in the line under command of O.C. 2/York & Lancaster Rgt and O.C. 1/The Buffs respectively. B & C Coys cleaning up equipt & clothing & overhauling casualties - 2/Lt F.J.Smith & 7 O.R. wounded.

27 Jun 1917

In billets. Coys drilling & training. Furnished small working parties at night. Casualties 2Lt.H.N.F.Forge wounded.

28 Jun 1917 - Fouquieres-les-Bethune

In billets. Coys training. At 8.opm Bn. H.Q. & B and C Coys relieved by 1/K.S.L.I. and marched to FOUQUIERES. Rained in torrents the whole way & in several places roads knee deep in water. Casualties 9 O.R. killed, 7 O.R. wounded

Sorry, Steve!

Time on my hands,

Steve.

[steve fuller]

Hi Steve,

I think I may have somthing belonging to your Great Grandfather Herbert Kendall. I,ve been trying to find any descendants for the last 9 months.

Can you contact me ASAP

Regards

Lee

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

(Will update everyone later this week as it looks like Lee & myself will be meeting!! )

Dont wanna sound boring Lee, but THANK YOUUUUUUUUUU!

.

[steve fuller]

Sorry, Steve!

Time on my hands,

Steve.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

S'alrite mate, just as long as the info reaches people! Thanks too, as I was away this weekend ...

Cheers

Steve

[Dave Phillips]

Different Steve!

Thanks for the help.

Dave

[GJB]

Hey Pals

If anyone needs a look up for any of these Btns, give me a shout, as I have all the above now.

Most are complete, but a few have missing months / periods. And Im working on filling the gaps at some point in the Summer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Steve,

Any chance of a look up for 18812 Pte. Lewis G Palmer, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Reg?

He enlisted 11/1/15 but ended up wounded and in the Labour corps and finally discharged 13/8/17. He received the MM while with the Beds. which was gazetted 16/11/16, so probably in the summer of 1916. I dont know if this was when he was wounded but a good chance.

Any info on Palmer and the 2nd Bn. in general for 1915 & 16 would be much appreciated.

Gary

[steve fuller]

Hi Gary

Gotcha!! Oh I do love it when theyre actually in there!!

"19 Sep 1916 - Gézaincourt Billets GEZAINCOURT, about one mile S.W. of DOULLENS ref. Map LENS Sheet 11, 1/100,000.

Received notification that the following Awards had been granted for gallantry on the SOMME.

Medal of ST.GEORGE 4th Class:

No.18769 Private A.W.Brandon.

THE MILITARY MEDAL:

No.21160 Pte.R.Hooson

No.21172 Pte.T.Lees

No.9757 L/C.A.Thorogood

No.9297 Cpl.G.Gurney

No.9387 L/C.F.Boyce

No.5389 Sgt.F.Robinson

No.9022 Pte.A.Milliard

No.16641 Sgt.F.Brown

No.14470 Cpl.S.Thurgood

No.15111 Pte.E.Humbles

No.18833 Pte.F.Sutton

No.18180 Pte.H.Gray

No.18812 Pte.L.Palmer

No.9617 Sgt.R.Kirby

No.17906 Pte.W.Gadsby

No.12951 Pte.A.Wood"

Theres a few candidates for the action he was wounded & earned his medal mate. Trones Wood 11th July and 30th July would be the faves IMHO.

Mail me on stevefuller7@yahoo.co.uk & Ill send you the diary for 1915 / 1916 if you like. Theyre on a word doc but rather large with the appendices (200 pages!!), so if you dont want the appendices, warn me & Ill cut them out!

Cheers

Steve

[GJB]

Thanks Steve,

I checked your web site afterwards and also found the same plus an earlier mention of returning from a trench with one or two others.

Is the diary as your web site as i've already printed this out?

Gary

Ps. the family story was that he had his trigger finger shot off. I don't know what field hospital he was treated at, would you have an idea?

[steve fuller]

The Diary is as per my site mate but the Appendices arent on the site though, as theyre just huge for the 2nd Btn! Most of them are standard orders but some have useful references to where the Regt Aid Post etc should be located, so will have to have a gander at them to see if the info you want is easy. May be a few days though as am knee deep in another house move mate. (Ugh.)

Get back to you ASAP ...

[GJB]

The Diary is as per my site mate but the Appendices arent on the site though, as theyre just huge for the 2nd Btn! Most of them are standard orders but some have useful references to where the Regt Aid Post etc should be located, so will have to have a gander at them to see if the info you want is easy. May be a few days though as am knee deep in another house move mate.    (Ugh.)

Get back to you ASAP ... 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry to nag you,

Had a chance to look for the aid post yet?

Gary

[steve fuller]

Oooops .... sorry Gary, completely went out of my head! (Not hard to happen I hear some say ...)

Will do it now.

[steve fuller]

Re Trones Wood 11th July 1916.

Sections 14 & 21 look useful to you Gary, but thought you may like the lot, in case you have trench maps etc, so can play it through on the map. If you dont have the maps, mail me & Ill dig the appropriate one out.

OPERATION ORDER No 76. By Lieut Colonel H.S.POYNTZ, Commanding 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regt. 27th June 1916 Reference Maps: - MONTAUBAN 1/20,000 MARICOURT TRENCH MAP 1/10,000

1. INTENTION. On "A" day, and ZERO hour, both to be published later, the 30th Division will capture the enemy trenches. the 77th Infantry Brigade, 39th French Division, will attack on our right and the 21st Infantry Brigade on our left.

2. OBJECTIVE. 1st Objective. The 20th Bn Kings Liverpool Regiment will assault [sic] DUBLIN TRENCH from the point where it meets GLATZ REDOUBT to a point 400 yards East of that, its left being the junction of "N" STREET with Fire Trench A.9/1. The 17th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt will assault [sic] DUBLIN TRENCH from point where it meets DUBLIN REDOUBT to a point 400 yards West of that, its right boundary being BRIQUETERIE-MARICOURT ROAD exclusive. 2nd Objective. A portion of the 20th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt will attack the BRIQUETERIE when MONTAUBAN has fallen.

3. DISPOSITIONS. The 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regiment will be in Support, and on the night Y/Z will be disposed as in Appendix A. A and B Companies along GROVE AVENUE. C and D Companies along GROVE END ROAD.

4. Method of ADVANCE. The 17th and 20th Bn Kings Liverpool Regiment will advance in four lines, with 100 yards distance between each line. A and B Companies 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regiment will follow the last wave of the 17th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt. C and D Companies 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regiment will follow the last wave of the 20th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt in the formatioas in Appendix "B". Each line will advance in line of half platoons, 50 yards interval between platoons and 100 yards distance between lines. The first two lines will follow on after the 4th line of the 17th and 20th Bn K.L.R. into the front German Trenches. The 3rd and 4th lines will remain in our front trenches until the lines in front German trenches advance. As soon as they advance, these two lines will cross to the German front and Support Trenches, and will not advance further without orders from Headquarters unless urgency arises. O.C. "B" and "C" Companies will reinforce the K.L.R. if required.

5. STRONG POINTS. The Battalion will establish 4 Strong Points at once on arrival in the German Trenches, and on completion will garrison these Strong Points. No 1. at A.10.d.15/60 under 2/Lt G.A.Anstee & 1 Platoon. No 2 at A.10.d.4/6 under 2/Lt R.E.Oakley & 1 Platoon. No 5 at A.10.b. 0/7 under 2./Lt.L.H.Fox & 22 O.R. No 6 at A.10.a. 5/2 under 2/Lt W.E.Boulton & 22 O.R. One section R.E. and 1 Platoon Pioneers will assist in the construction of Nos 1 and 2 Strong Points, but they will be started at once by our two parties.

6. NETTOYEURS. O.C."D" Coy will detail 2 Officers and 100 N.C.O's and men for this duty, of this party, 1 Officer 50 N.C.O's and men will follow the 3rd wave of the 17th Bn K.L.R. and 1 Officer and 50 N.C.O's and men will follow the 3rd wave of the 20th Bn K.L.R. each of these parties will be divided up as previously, and clean up all trenches to FAVIERE SUPPORT TRENCH and SILESIA SUPPORT TRENCH. A Central party of 2 N.C.O's and 20 men will also be detailed by O.C. "D"Coy to be at enemy Sap.3.A.10.c.5/6 for purpose of receiving prisoners from NETTOYEURS and escorting them to our front line at junction of A.16/6 and "P"STREET. As soon as prisoners are handed over, escorts will return at once and rejoin their parties. On completion of their cleaning up duties all parties will report to O.C. "D"Coy in SILESIA SUPPORT TRENCH.

7. ARTILLERY. Artillery lifts will be as follows: - (a) At 0.6. off FAVIERE SUPPORT line on to CASEMENT LINE. ( At 0.16 off CASEMENT LINE on to DUBLIN LINE. © At 0.56 off DUBLIN LINE.

8. MACHINE GUNS. 2 Vickers Guns will be attached to this Battn, and one will move with "A" Coy and one with "D"Coy.

9. LEWIS GUNS. Lewis Guns will work with their Companies.

10. SIGNALLING. (a) A Signal Station will proceed with each Coy Hd Qrs. ( An advanced signal station will be established in BEDFORD STREET. © An advanced signal station will be established at junction of "K"TRENCH and German front Line as soon as opportunity occurs. (d) Artillery flags, discs, vigilant periscopes, etc. will remain as in Brigade training.

11. SMOKE CANDLES. When DUBLIN TRENCH has been reached, the 17th and 20th K.L.R. will light SMOKE CANDLES.

12. AMMUNITION. Each man will carry on his person 170 rounds S.A.A. and 2 hand grenades. each bomber will carry 10 bombs.

13. RATIONS AND WATER. Water is very scarce and the utmost care must be exercised. Reserve water at the CHATEAU. RESERVE rations at the CHATEAU.

14. MEDICAL. Battalion Aid Post is established in COBHAM STREET. Advanced Dressing Station BRONFAY FARM. Walking wounded will be collected at R.E.Dump N.of BRAY.

15. DRESS. Each man will carry: - Waterproof Sheet. Pack (Without great coat) Equipment Rifle and bayonet 170 rounds S.A.A. 2 Mills Bombs 1 Iron Ration Also unexpended portion of "Z" days rations. Bombers, Lewis Gunners and Stretcher Bearers will carry: - Rifle and Bayonet (except 1 & 2 of Lewis Gun Teams and Bombers) 50 rounds S.A.A. (except Bombers) Lewis Gunners carry 170 rounds. Waterproof Sheet Rations as above. All men will carry a filled oil bottle, pull through and flannelette. Picks and shovels will be carried by all men in proportion of 1 pick to 3 shovels.

16. WIRE CUTTERS Each men carrying wire cutters will wear a white patch on the shoulder strap.

17. COMMUNICATION TRENCHES. MAIN UP TRENCH STANLEY AVENUE MAIN DOWN TRENCH MARICOURT AVENUE

18. WORKING AND CARRYING PARTIES [Coy - Officers - Other Ranks - To report to - Task] "A" - One - 1 Platoon not less than 40 men - Officer i/c 200th Field Coy R.E.at Trenches on east and West face of CHATEAU KEEP at 10 p.m. on night Y/Z - Preparing Strong Points Nos 1 and 2 "C" - One - 1 Platoon not less than 40 men - Officer i/c 200th Field Coy R.E.at Trenches on east and West face of CHATEAU KEEP at 10 p.m. on night Y/Z - Preparing Strong Points Nos 1 and 2 These are Nos 1 and 2 Strong Point parties referred to in para; 5. "D" - - - 8 - O.C.89th Coy Machine Gun Corps at NAPIERS REDOUBT at 9 a.m. on "Y" Day - Carriers for Vickers Guns.

19. DUMPS For Water, S.A.A., Bombs, R.E.Stores. Each Strong point party will have its material separate near this dump and labelled.

20. CASUALTIES. See Appendix ©

21. WOUNDED. On no account will they be accompanied to the rear by unwounded.

22. RETIRE This word will not be used.

23. GREAT COATS AND HAVERSACKS All great coats will be returned to the CHATEAU by 4 p.m. on "Y" day tied in bundles of 20 properly labelled. Small kits will be put in the haversack which will be returned properly labelled to Headquarters at 5 p.m. on X day.

24. WATERBOTTLES. All waterbottles will be full at ZERO hour.

25. SECRET MAPS No secret maps, papers etc. will be carried by Officers or men of this Battalion.

26. TIME. All watches will be synchronised at a time to be notified. All messages sent must be timed.

27. HEADQUARTERS. (1) CHATEAU (2) STANLEY AVENUE when 17th K.L.R. H.Qrs advance.

APPENDIX © CASUALTIES Reporting of Casualties during active Operations

(1) ESTIMATED CASUALTIES Estimated Casualties should not be confused with the "Daily Casualty Wire" and will commence with Estimated Casualties. The following as a specimen wire. MINNIE 26.6.16. aaa ESTIMATED CASUALTIES aaa 2/Lieut R.SMITH and 60 O.R. aaa From O.C. "D" Coy. Time 8.0.a.m. Estimated Casualties will be sent to Battalion Headquarters at frequent intervals of not more than two hours, and more often if the casualties become heavy.

(2) DAILY CASUALTY WIRE. This wire will be continued as in ordinary times, but will commence with "DAILY CASUALTY WIRE" It will include all casualties as far as is known. The following is a specimen wire. MINNIE 26.6.16.aaa DAILY CASUALTY WIRE aaa Capt J.J.BROWN killed 2/Lieut R.SMITH wounded aaa 7 O.R. killed 59 O.R. wounded aaa. From O.C."D" Coy. Time 18.29 p.m. This wire must reach Bn Headquarters by 1.p.m.daily. If possible Officer casualties should be reported at once. Anyone wounded and remaining at duty should be shown as such. It is most likely that these messages will have to be sent by Orderly.

[steve fuller]

30th July 1916

... and section 13 here. Same applies about the trench maps mate.

SECRET OPERATION ORDER By Lt.Colonel H.S.POYNTZ, Commanding 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regt. 29th July, 1916 Reference Map MAUREPAS 1/20,000.

1. The 89th Infantry Brigade will attack the Enemy's trenches between the Boundary lines marked YELLOW on the attached map. The 90th Infantry Brigade will be on the left and the 39th French Division on our right. ZERO Hour of assault will be communicated separately. The Final objective is due to be reached by ZERO plus 67 minutes on the morning of the 30th July, 1916.
2. DISPOSITION OF BATTALIONS 19th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt will attack on the LEFT. 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt will attack on the RIGHT. 17th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt will be IN SUPPORT. 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regt will be IN RESERVE.
3. DISPOSITIONS OF COMPANIES In "B" Trench "D" and "C" Companies from North to South. "C" Company will also occupy "C" Trench if necessity arises for doing so. In "D" Trench "B" Company. In the SUNKEN ROAD, "A" Company. The above dispositions of Companies will be occupied by 1.30 a.m. on 30th July, 1916.
4. METHOD OF ADVANCE. Companies will remain in their assembly positions until orders are received from Battalion Headquarters; unless extreme urgency arises when Company Commanders will act on their own initiative.
5. ARTILLERY. Artillery Lifts according to attached map. The Attack will be supported by "D" Group Artillery (Col.Stewart) whose Headquarters will be at BRICK POINT.
6. MACHINE GUNS. Headquarters of Machine Gun Company will be in SUNKEN ROAD, BRIQUETERIE. No Machine Guns are attached to this Battalion.
7. LEWIS GUNS. Lewis Guns will move as before with their Companies.
8. STRONG POINTS AND CONSOLIDATION. On capture of Objective a support line will be dug from the Southern face of the GUILLEMONT Defence to about the Loop in the Road B.1.d.95/85. O.C. 200th Field Company R.E. is responsible for the siting of this work. men of the 17th Bn.Lancashire Fusrs and the 2nd Bn.South Lancashire Regt will be employed on this work. Should Companies of the Battalion reach final objective they will construct Strong Points as has already been communicated to them.
9. CARRYING PARTIES. Forty men of th17th Lancashire Fusiliers will be attached to this Battalion for Carrying Purposes. The supply of all stores to Companies will be regulated from Battalion Headquarters.
10. SIGNALS AND COMMUNICATIONS (a) Advanced Divisional Lamp Station, A.15.c.4/5. ( Visual: - From ARROW HEAD COPSE to the above Divisional Station © Visual: - from HAIRPIN BEND to the BRIQUETERIE. (d) Wireless: - A Wireless Station will be established near the HAIRPIN BEND. (e) An advanced Signal Station of the 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regt will be established in the HAIRPIN BEND as soon as possible. (f) GREEN FLARES only will be used and will be lit on reaching the following objectives: - (i) The Line marked O.8. on the map. (ii) The line marked 0.25 on the map. (iii) The final objective. (g) "S.O.S" signal is five white rockets fired in quick succession.
11. DUMPS. the Brigade Dump (STANLEY DUMP) for Ammunition and Bombs will be established A.5.d.2/5. A Dump is being formed at A.5.a.3/2 which will consist of MILLS S. A. A. V. P.A. 1" V. P. A. 1 1/2" ROCKETS WHITE. The Battalion will establish a forward dump of all materials at the Point which will be notified to Companies when circumstances permit.
12. PRISONERS. All Prisoners should be sent to the Advanced Collecting Station at A.10.d.2/6, on the MARICOURT - BRIQUETERIE Road, where a detachment of the 13th Corps Cyclist Battalion will take them over.
13. MEDICAL. The Medical Officer will move with Battalion Headquarters. Collecting Station at A.10.b.3/8 on MARICOURT - BRIQUETERIE Road.
14. RATIONS AND WATER. O.C.Companies will call the attention of all ranks to the scarcity of water in this area. One days ration and one Iron ration will be carried by all ranks.
15. MOVEMENT. Companies will leave Camp in the order "B", "D", "C", "A" Companies.
16. MINOR ENTERPRISE. "A" Company will operate from the SUNKEN ROAD under special instructions issued to Lieutenant W.WHITE.
17. HEADQUARTERS. Battalion Headquarters will be in the SUNKEN ROAD at A.5.a.2/2. 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt at top of HAIRPIN BEND at A.5.d.8/9. 19th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt at S.30.c.6/0. 17th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt at S.30.c.6/0. Brigade Headquarters - junction of SUPPORT and HEADQUARTER AVENUE E. of TALUS BOISE at A.9.c.4/0. There will be an advanced Brigade Report Centre at the BRIQUETERIE. Messages can be sent to either place as most convenient at the moment.
18. EQUIPMENT. As at present in possession of Companies. Bombers will carry Tools.
19. TIME. One Officer from each Company will report to Battalion Headquarters in the SUNKEN ROAD at 2.30 a.m. 30th July, to synchronise watches.
20. REPORTS. Immediately Companies arrive in their assembly positions a report will be sent to Battalion Headquarters.
21. TRANSPORT. Transport will move under the orders of the Transport Officer. rations being dumped about A.4.d.4/5 (Approximate).

[GJB]

Thanks for this Steve,

Sorry to nag you but a copy of the trench maps would be great.

Gary

[steve fuller]

Thanks for this Steve,

Sorry to nag you but a copy of the trench maps would be great.

Gary

Be a pleasure mate. Mail me on steve@bedfordregiment.org.uk & Ill take care of it tonight or tommorrow. Could have sworn I had your address but cant find it anywhere, so could you mail me again!!

Edited 5 December , 2005 by steve fuller

[richy1968]

Hi - I would be interested in any mention of Captain C H Ker of 1st Bn killed 15/9/1914

Many Thanks

Richard

[steve fuller]

Hi Richard

He's in there mate. Cpt Ker survived Mons, Le cateau & Marne but was killed at MISSY during the battle at the Aisne. Have included the entire Sept diary so you can see the movements:

WAR DIARY FOR SEPTEMBER 1914

1 Sep 1914 - Nanteuil-le-Haudoin Rearguard action. Several enemy's guns captured. Major Allason & Lt.West of N.Irish Horse, captured German officer & trooper. Retired to Nanteuil.

2 Sep 1914 - Vinantes Retired to Vinantes. Billeted in very comfortable farm (deserted)

3 Sep 1914 - Mont Pichet Retired to Mont Pichet; all bridges blown up over river & canal after we crossed.

4 Sep 1914 - Gagny Retired to Gangy [sic] through Tournan, marching at night. Remained there on 5th Sept. Joined by draft of 90 men under Capt. Orlebar.

6 Sep 1914 - La Celle Advanced through Villeneuve & Mortcerf to La Celle. Germans (6 Corps) retiring in disorder N. & N.E.

7 Sep 1914 - Boissy-le-Chatel Advanced to Boissy-le-Chatel at head of main body

8 Sep 1914 - River Marne Battn in advanced guard, sent on to cover left of 13th Brigade, with them attacked St.Cyr & St.Owen [sic], & reached banks of R.Marne. Captured about 200 prisoners (Division), but our own guns fired on both alike, causing most of prisoners to escape. Eventually recaptured by other units.

9 Sep 1914 - Bezu-le-Guery Crossed river Marne at Saacy & moved to Bezu. Shelled by enemy, & 'B' Co. under Major Thorpe came under machine gun fire in wood: put enemy's machine gun out of action. Enemy's rear guard made good stand: but had to leave several guns eventually. Battn lost about 10 men.

10 Sep 1914 - St.Quentin, Bois de Bourneville Advanced before dawn, pursuing enemy all day. Enemy apparently demoralized; country strewn with wagons, motors, bicycles, stores, hundreds of great coats, dead & wounded horses, Germans etc. Convoy captured, also considerable number of prisoners. Bivouacked at St.Quentin, a small hamlet in Bois de Bournville [sic]. Our artillery apparently did great damage & our aeroplanes much to the fore. Reinforcements 2 subalterns & about 90 men joined Battn in the evening.

11 Sep 1914 - St-Remy-Blanzy Advanced. Weather abominable: drenched by torrents of rain. Billeted at St.REMY.

12 Sep 1914 - River Aisne Advanced. Weather again very bad. Roads a sea of mud. 1/2 Battn went on to R.Aisne to protect guns: remainder billeted in farm.

13-14 Sep 1914 - Missy-sur-Aisne Germans holding line of R.Aisne in force. Artillery duel all day. Some big shells dropped near Battn which was in quarter column behind guns. Had to move further to flank & rear eventually. Moved at 9 pm (13th) with remainder of Brigade to bank of river via Jury, with view to crossing. Crossed by pontoon & raft attacked Missy: heavily shelled: McCloughin killed, Mayne & Edmunds wounded: about 40 casualties.

15 Sep 1914 Battn in support in village of MISSY. Heavily shelled with high explosive shell about midday also under Rifle fire. Capt Ker killed, Major Onslow & Lt.Courtenay wounded. Also about 35 casualties in other ranks.

Let me know if I can help anymore mate, always nice to "meet" a Bedfords Old Contemptible relative!!

Steve

[richy1968]

Many Thanks - great stuff

Richard

[steve fuller]

Just bringing it to the top in case any new members need a hand ...

[Archer]

Hi Steve

Can you tell me when Captain Andrew Tocher Cunningham, RAMC [see above under Umbrella Hill awards] joined the 1/5th Battalion as Battalion Medical Officer? Did he remain with them until the armistice and thereafter ?

Anything you have will be gratefully received ...

William

[steve fuller]

Hi William

Unsure if you have seen his MC info here or not, so thought I would include it anyway.

He is unfortunately, one of my little quandries, if he will excuse the phrase ... 4 of the 6 RAMC Officers have no posting details listed in the Battalion history and I have yet to look for his record to see when he popped up.

The 2 who have were posted April & Sept 1917 so I can see 2 choices as it stands - he was either around them long before that or that he was attached for the shortest time only and never physically posted

May I ask what your interest is William, out of curiosity?

Sorry its not more help.

[Archer]

Thanks Steve

Let's just say that I am familiar with his medals.

At present I do not think that he served with the Battalion at Gallipoli or (initially, at least) in Egypt. But I could be wrong.

I know from his MIC that he had joined the French medical service and got himself over to France by 11 November 1914.

(After the war he was turned down for the award of a 1914 Star on the grounds that he did "not serve on the establishment of a Unit of the BEF during the specified period"!)

He was commissioned as a temporary Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps on 1 March 1915, and promoted to temporary Captain with effect from 1 March 1916.

From the way he is described

3 Aug 1917 – Deir el Belah Notification received of award of Military Cross to Capt. H. S. ARMSTRONG, Capt. C. H. MISKIN & Capt. A. T. CUNNINGHAM for gallantry in connexion with 1st raid on UMBRELLA HILL

it seems that he was attached to the Battalion - i.e. they claimed as one of "their" raid party.

Or was he just swanning around at the front when the bombardment opened, and rushed over to succour the Bedfords?

His family say only that he was decorated for the Battle of Gaza, but that is not correct.

Anyway - or Anyhoo, as the Scotsman might say - I thought the Battalion War Diary would mention his comings and goings.

William

[steve fuller]

Just bringing this to the top for the raft of new members we have had in recent months! If you prefer, follow the link in my signature to view the diaries yourself ...