The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War

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The 7th (Service) Battalion

 

The 7th Battalion were formed at Bedford in September 1914, as part of 'K2' – Lord Kitcheners 2nd call to arms for another 100,000 men to leave their civilian lives and enlist into the massively expanding British Army.

 

Following the transfer of 1,000 Officers and men from the 6th Battalion, the newly formed 7th Battalion of the Second New Army were attached to the 15th Division whilst training. In February 1915, the Battalion were moved into the 54th Brigade of the 18th (Eastern) Division, where they remained until merged with the 2nd Battalion in May 1918.

The 7th battalion were a very “busy” unit throughout the war and served entirely in France and Flanders between their arrival in July 1915 and their disbandment in May 1918. The battalion won a well deserved reputation and served with distinction, winning numerous gallantry medals – including two Victoria Crosses - and were involved in major battles every year of their service. There are few examples of them not taking a position when attacking, or allowing enemy attacks to beat them back, as the brigade were a fearsome unit.

On the 27th May 1918, in line with a major shake up of the British Army, the 7th and 2nd Battalions of the Regiment were merged with the resulting unit remaining in the 54th Brigade but being renamed the 2nd Battalion. A selection of Officers and NCO’s trained American units for two months that summer but returned to the Battalion in August when the 7th was formally disbanded.

 

The Battalion was part of the 54th Brigade for their entire period of active service in France, attached to the 18th Division. The following Battalions formed the 54th Brigade and served together as a tactical unit:

  • 7th Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment.
  • 6th Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment.
  • 11th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers.
  • 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (until disbanded in February 1918
The 7th Battalion's Great War service
 
During the Great War, the 7th battalion were directly engaged in the following battles between their arrival in July 1915 and their disbandment in May 1918:
 
The Battle of the Somme, 1916
The storming of the Pommiers Redoubt on the 1st July 1916
The storming of the northern section of Thiepval village and 70% of the Schwaben Redoubt on the 28th and 29th September 1916
 
Operations on the Ancre and the Hindenburg Line, 1917
The Battle of Miraumont on the 17th February 1917
Actions on the Loupart Line - 12th to 14th March 1917
The storming of Achiet-le-Grand between the 15th and 20th March 1917
 
The Arras Offensives, 1917
The Third Battle of the Scarpe on the 3rd and 4th May 1917
 
The Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), 1917
The assault against Glencourse Wood on the 10th August 1917
 
The German Spring Offensives ("Operation Michael"), 1918
The opening phase between the 21st and 26th March 1918 , also called The Battle of Albert
The Battle at Villers-Bretonneux on the 24th April 1918

 

They also played supporting roles in many other operations but the above represents those actions in which they were heavily engaged.

Commanding Officers of the 7th Battalion.

  • Lt-Colonel Herbert Martin, 6th September 1914 to 15th April 1915
  • Lt-Colonel Augustis Heathcote Allenby, 15th April to 10th June 1915
  • Lt-Colonel George Dominic Price, 10th June to 18th October 1916
  • Lt-Colonel G.P. Mills, 18th October 1916 to 18th January 1918
  • Lt-Colonel A.E. Percival, 18th January to 25th May 1918
War Diaries and Appendices.
 
1915 War Diary for the 7th Battalion in France and Flanders
 
1916 War Diary for the 7th Battalion in France and Flanders
Appendices to the 1916 War Diary
 
1917 War Diary for the 7th Battalion in France and Flanders
Appendices to the 1917 War Diary
 
1918 War Diary for the 7th Battalion in France and Flanders
Appendices to the 1918 War Diary
 
 
Other information.
 
A Roll of honour of those Officers who died in the 7th battalion
 
Photographs and Biographies from the 7th Battalion
 
Christopher Augustus Cox, V.C. A short biography of the battalion's second Victoria Cross winner
 
The 7th Battalion in the Spring Offensives of March 1918