The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War
1916 War Diary appendices
[Note that all remarks in squared brackets are my own additions and not part of the original text]
January 1916
8th Bedfordshire Regt Field state of Batt @ Jany 31. 1916
Total Casualties; 7 O.R. killed; 1 Offr. 11 O.R. wounded
Total Wastage; Sick 2 Offrs 66 ORs
Strength Available; 21 Offrs 4 W.Os 24 Sgts 34 Cpls 66 L/Cpls 426 O.Rs. - Total 21 Offrs 554 O.Rs
In Hospital; 4 Offrs 1 Sgt 4 L/Cpl 38 O.Rs - Total 4 Offrs 43 O.Rs
On leave; 2 Offrs 2 Sgts 1 Cpl 5 L/Cpl 19 O.Rs - Total 2 Offrs 27 O.Rs
On Command; 1 Offr 2 Sgts 1 Cpl 7 L/Cpl 38 O.Rs - Total 1 Offr 48 O.Rs
Transport; 1 Offr 1 Sgt 3 Cpls 2 L/Cpls 43 O.Rs - Total 1 Offr 49 O.Rs
Machine Gunners; 1 Offr 1 Sgt 2 Cpls 4 L/Cpls 64 O.Rs - Total 1 Offr 71 O.Rs
Total; 30 Offrs 4 W.Os 31 Sgts 41 Cpls 88 L/Cpls 628 O.Rs
Total 30 Offrs 792 O.Rs
Nominal Roll of Officers serving with Battalion
Lt-Col Jackson H.C. [Henry Cholmondeley JACKSON] Commanding Bn.
Major Liddell J.S. [John Sinclair LIDDELL] 2nd in Command of Bn.
Capt Hatch R.B.L. [Robert Bernard Lawson HATCH] Commanding C Coy
Capt Hawkins D.M. [Donald McLeod HAWKINS]
Capt Pares W.T. [William Thomas PARES, MC] Commanding A Coy.
Capt Quilter R.M. [Roy Molyneux QUILTER] Commanding B Coy.
Capt Simeons E.E. [Edward Emil SIMEONS] Commanding D Coy.
Lieut Jessopp A.J. [Augustus John JESSOPP]
Lieut Mitchell E.N. [Edward Noel MITCHELL]
Lieut Airth [Rennie Alexander AIRTH]
Lieut Kennedy S.N.S. [Stanley Nugent Sherrard KENNEDY]
2/Lt Body F.L. [Frank Lydford BODY] Transport Officer
2/Lt Weston H.C. [Harry Charles WESTON]
2/Lt Draisley E.R.W. [Edwin Roland Watts DRAISEY] Officer i/c Machine Guns
2/Lt McMichael D.W. [Douglas William McMICHAEL] Officer i/c Bombers
2/Lt Vipond S.J. [Sidney James VIPOND]
2/Lt Fleming A.M. [Alan McKinsty FLEMING] Officer i/c Signals
2/Lt Hart S.L.[Selim Lawrence HART]
2/Lt Player H.[Harold PLAYER]
2/Lt Hague E.A. [Ernest Alfred HAGUE]
2/Lt Martin R.R. [Robert Reginald MARTIN]
2/Lt Cartwright C. [Charles CARTWRIGHT]
2/Lt Blackburn R.H. [Reginald Herbert BLACKBURN]
2/Lt Hislop J. [John HISLOP, MC]
2/Lt Stevens H.F. [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] Adjutant Attached [comment; attached from East Kent Regiment]
Lieut O'Connor A.A. [Aubrey A. O'CONNOR, R.A.M.C.] Medical Officer
February 1916
Field State 8th Bn.Bedfordshire Regt @ 29.2.16
Killed 5 O.Rs 2 Offs. Wounded 14 OR. Sick to Hospital - to 67, from 39. Evac. to Base 1
A Coy strength 235
B Coy strength 232
C Coy strength 230
D Coy strength 235
Total strength 932 [Other Ranks], Offrs 29
March 1916
Field State 8th Bedfordshire Regt @ 31st March 1916
Killed 12 O.R. Wounded 33 O.R. 1 Offr. Sick To Hospital 49. Sick From Hospital 30. Evacuated to Base 8.
Strength of A Coy 7 Offr 246 O.R.
Strength of B Coy 6 Offr 249 O.R.
Strength of C Coy 7 Offr 245 O.R.
Strength of D Coy 7 Offr 242 O.R.
Strength of Hd Qrs 7Offr.
Total 34 Offr 982 O.R.
April 1916
8th Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. at April 30th 1916
Killed Officers 5 O.R. 49 Wounded Officers 3 O.R. 95 Missing believed Killed O.R. 91 Sick to Hospital 90 Sick from Hospital 22 Evacuated to Base 20
A Coy Strength 13 Officers 212 O.R.
B Coy Strength 4 Officers 138 O.R.
C Coy Strength 5 Officers 205 O.R.
D Coy Strength 5 Officers 170 O.R.
Total 27 Officers 725 O.R.
May 1916
Field State 8th Bn Bedfordshire Regt at May 31st 1916
Killed 1 Off 8 O.R's Wounded 4 Off. 32 O.Rs Sick to Hospital 47 O.Rs Sick from Hospital 42 O.Rs Evacuated to Base 12 O.R.s
Strength of A Coy. 16 Officers 216 O.R.
Strength of B Coy. 8 Officers 218 O.R.
Strength of C Coy. 8 Officers 216 O.R.
Strength of D Coy. 9 Officers 217 O.R.
Total 41 Officers 867 O.R.
June 1916
Field State 8th Bn. Bedfordshire Regt at June 30th 1916
Killed O.R. 2 Wounded O.R. 7 Sick to Hospital 56 Sick from Hospital 36 Evacuated to Base 70
A Coy Strength 17 Officers 237 O.R.
B Coy Strength 7 Officers 246 O.R.
C Coy Strength 8 Officers 242 O.R.
D Coy Strength 9 Officers 243 O.R.
Total 41 Officers 968 O.R.
August 1916
Field State 8th Bn Bedfordshire Regt at August 31st 1916
Killed 8 Wounded 27 Sick to Hospital 72 Sick from Hospital 17 Evacuated from F.A. 46
A Coy Strength 16 officers 202 O.Rs
B Coy Strength 6 officers 214 O.Rs
C Coy Strength 8 officers 230 O.Rs
D Coy Strength 8 officers 212 O.Rs
Total 38 officers 858 O.Rs
September 1916
"A" From MESSAGES AND SIGNALS To OIC Records Warley No9 District Sender's Number B150 832 Day of Month 15
The original copy of the War Diary for Sept. 1916 has been lost in the pool en route to the D.A.G. at Base aaa Will you kindly have a copy made of the duplicate copy I forwarded you and sent out to me as early as possible. I am sorry to trouble you in this way, but the prevention of this loss was beyond my power. From 8th Bedfords B.E.F. COPY C/399 Officer i/c Records., No.9 District, WARLEY Ref my copy of War Diary for September the original of which was lost during transit between Brigade and Division. Can you now let me have a copy of same asked for in my former memo , as the D.A.G. BASE, is asking me to expedite same.
(SD) F.B.Stevens. [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] Lieut & Adjt. 8th. Bedford Regt. 9.11.16.
STATEMENT 8th BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT at SEPTEMBER 30th 1916
KILLED 6 Officers 64 Other Ranks WOUNDED 8 Officers 210 MISSING 101 DIED OF WOUNDS 2 included in killed. TO HOSPITAL 63 FROM HOSPITAL 11 EVACUATED FRO FRANCE 15
STRENGTH OF A COMPANY 13 Officers 202 Other Ranks
STRENGTH OF B COMPANY 2 Officers 188 Other Ranks
STRENGTH OF C COMPANY 6 Officers 197 Other Ranks
STRENGTH OF D COMPANY 4 Officers 216 Other Ranks
TOTAL 25 Officers 803 Other Ranks
October 1916
Field State 8th Bn Bedfordshire Regt. at October 31st 1916
Killed 2 Offrs 46 OR Wounded 1 Officer 65 OR Sick to Hospital 135 Sick from Hospital 58 Evacuated from Field Ambulances 54
Strength of A Coy 15 Officers 199 O.R.
Strength of B Coy 5 Officers 191 O.R.
Strength of C Coy 5 Officers 207 O.R.
Strength of D Coy 5 Officers 183 O.R.
Total 30 Officers 780 O.R.
November 1916
Field State 8th Bn Bedfordshire Regiment at November 30th 1916
Killed NIL Wounded 1 Still at duty Sick to Hospital 168 Sick from Hospital 107 Evacuated from Field Ambulances 112
Strength of A Coy 13 Officers 174 Other Ranks
Strength of B Coy 5 Officers 190 Other Ranks
Strength of C Coy 5 Officers 186 Other ranks
Strength of D Coy 5 Officers 174 Other Ranks
Total 28 Officers 724 Other Ranks
December 1916
Battalion Operational Orders No. 65 by Colonel Lord Henry Scott, Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment. 1st December 1916.
1. The battalion will relieve 1/The Buffs in the Left Subsector of the Brigade front on Saturday, 2nd December 1916. Companies will relieve as follows:A Company relieves A Company 1/The Buffs B Company relieves B Company 1/The Buffs C Company relieves C Company 1/The Buffs D Company relieves D Company 1/The Buffs
2. Lewis Gun detachments with guns under Sgt. Thompson [possibly 16909 H.W. Thompson], Signallers [sic] under Sgt. Gillow [17150 Charles F. Gillow] and Coy. Sgt Majors to take over trench stores will parade outside B Company's billets at 8.20 a.m. This party will pass the drawbridge at 8.30 a.m.
3. Companies will pass the drawbridge in the following order: - A, B, C and D. Two minute intervals will be maintained between platoons, A Company's 1st platoon starting at 9.0 a.m. Guides will be met at WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.
4. The battalion mobile reserve of grenades will be left at the Transport lines.
5. Each company will take two boilers from the travelling kitchen to supplement cooking arrangements in the line. Two cooks per company will go into the trenches.
6. A list of trench stores taken over will b set to battalion headquarters by 4.0 p.m. tomorrow.
7. Ration carrying parties will be furnished be each company whilst in the line. Rations arrive at WINDY CORNER at about 5.30 p.m. daily. Attention is called to the instructions issued regarding the exchange of socks.
8. Patrol reports must be sent in to the battalion by 7.0 a.m.
9. Watches must be synchronised at 8.0 a.m.
10. All huts, billets, etc., will be left scrupulously clean before companies move off.
11. All blankets will be rolled up in tens and tied tightly by sections, and handed in to Q.M. Store by 8.0 a.m. The Transport Officer will send a limber to D Company billet at BEUVRY to bring the detachment's blankets.
12. All Officers mess blankets etc., required for use in the line will be stacked separately at the Q.M. Store. These will be brought up on the ration limbers at dusk.
Sgd. Stevens Lieut. & Adjutant [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
Battalion Operational Orders No. 66 By Colonel Lord Henry Scott Commanding 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. 5th December 1916.
1. The battalion will be relieved by the 1st Buffs tomorrow, 6th inst., at about 2.0 p.m. On relief, the battalion will move into Brigade Support on WINDY CORNER - PONT FIXE ROAD. Companies will move by platoons and occupy areas already detailed.
2. Company Sergeant Majors will report at 2nd Yorks & Lancs Headquarters at 8.30 a.m. tomorrow. They will take over all trench stores in area to be occupied by their company, and make a note of all sentries to be furnished.
3. A list of all trench stores, by trenches, keeps, etc., to be handed over will be rendered to the Orderly Room by 10.0 a.m. tomorrow. Companies should obtain receipts from relieving companies.
4. List of stores taken over in Support Line will be rendered to Orderly Rom by 5.0 p.m. tomorrow.
5. Completion of relief in trenches will be immediately reported to Battalion Headquarters by Runner.
6. D Company are detailed as Emergency Picquet [sic] for 24 hours commencing 5.0 p.m. 6th inst.
Sgd. Stevens Lieut. & Adjutant [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
O.C Company Amendment to Battalion Operation Order No.66 and memorandum re taking over from 2/Y&L.
Companies:-
One company, 1/The Buffs will relieve D Company at about 9.0 a.m. tomorrow As soon as relieved, D Company will proceed at once and take over from C Company, 2/Y&L who are distributed in PONT FIXE REDOUBT, HERTS REDOUBT, WINDY CORNER REDOUBT and LE PLANTIN REDOUBT. Guides will meet D Company's platoons at our battalion headquarters.
As D Company will relieve C Company 2/Y&L, A Company will relieve D Company 2/Y&L B Company will relieve B Company 2/Y&L C Company will relieve A Company 2/Y&L D
Company will send in trench stores being handed over by 8.0 a.m. tomorrow
Sgd. Stevens Lieut. & Adjutant [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
Battalion Operational Orders No. 67 By Colonel Lord Henry Scott Commanding 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. 9th December 1916.
1. The battalion will relieve 1/The Buffs in the left subsector of GIVENCHY SECTOR on Sunday 10th December
2. Companies will relieve Companies of 1/The Buffs as follows:_ A Company will relieve RIGHT front company B Company will relieve Company in KEEPS C Company will relieve LEFT front company D Company will relieve CENTRE front company
3. Companies will move with two minute intervals between platoons in the following order and times:- A Company - 1.0 p.m. B Company - 1.10 p.m. C Company - 1.20 p.m. D Company - 1.30 p.m.
4. Coy. Sgt. Majors will report at Hd. Qrs. 1/The Buffs at 11.0 a.m. tomorrow and take over trench stores, etc., in area to be occupied by their company. Lists of these stores will be rendered to this office by 5.0 p.m. 10th inst. Receipts will be taken and retained by company commanders for all stores handed over in the Support Line.
5. All blankets will be rolled up tightly and tied in tens and handed to Sgt. Goody [8470 Arthur J GOODY] at Ration Dump, WINDY CORNER tomorrow morning at 10.0 a.m. Valises and mess stores will be stacked in the same place before going into the line.
6. Each company will take one boiler from their travelling kitchens into the line
7. Lewis Gunners will move off half an hour in advance of the first company and relieve the Lewis Gunners of 1/The Buffs
8. The Transport Officer will arrange for conveyance of blankets etc., from WINDY CORNER to Quartermaster Store tomorrow night.
9. Completion of relief in the trenches will be immediately reported to Battalion Headquarters by sending the word "DUGOUT".
Sgd. Stevens Lieut. & Adjutant [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
Battalion Operational Orders No. 68 By Colonel Lord Henry Scott Commanding 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. 13th December 1916.
1. The battalion will be relieved by 1/The Buffs on the morning, 14th inst. Relief will commence about 9.30 a.m.
2. Companies will be relieved by Companies of 1/The Buffs as follows:_ A Company by B Company 1/The Buffs B Company by A Company 1/The Buffs C Company by D Company 1/The Buffs D Company by C Company 1/The Buffs
3. On relief, companies will move back to LE QUESNOY billets by platoons with at least 20 yard intervals, via WESTMINSTER ROAD and BRIDGE, then along south side of CANAL.
4. Gumboots and all inner soles will e handed into Gumboot Store en route. Company commanders will ensure that all gumboots are handed in and that a change into ankle boots is carried out as quickly as possible.
5. The Quartermaster [Lieutenant and Quartermaster George Thomas RUTHERFORD] , R.Q.M.Sgt. and Coy. Q.M. Sgts. will be at headquarters 2/Y&L at 9.0 a.m. tomorrow and take over Headquarters and Company billets. Companies will occupy the same billets and hits as last time, excepting D Company will take over billets of the Company 2/Y&L at BEUVRY.
6. Completion of relief in the trenches will be immediately reported to Battalion Headquarters by wiring the word "SOUP".
7. Companies will report when present in billets.
8. The Quartermaster and Transport Officer will arrange to have blankets dumped at Company billets and guarded, also travelling kitchens placed in position.
9. The Emergency Picquet [sic], ready to turn out with half an hour's notice, will be furnished by A and D Companies for 24 hours, commencing at 5.0 p.m. 14th inst.
10. O.C. B, C and D Companies will each detail 2 me to relieve the three posts at MARAIS, GORRE S., and LE QUESNOY respectively. These men will parade at Battalion Headquarters at 8.0 a.m. tomorrow and be in possession of rations. They will obtain written instructions from the Orderly Room and then proceed to Headquarters 2/Y&L at LE QUESNOY, where guides will be furnished to conduct them to their posts. Blankets should be obtained from Quartermaster before leaving LE QUESNOY.
Sgd. Stevens Lieut. & Adjutant [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
Battalion Operational Orders No. 69 By Colonel Lord Henry Scott Commanding 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. 17th December 1916.
1. The battalion will relieve 1/The Buffs in the left subsector of GIVENCHY SECTOR on Monday 18th December . Companies will relieve Companies of 1/The Buffs as follows:_ A Company will relieve RIGHT front company B Company will relieve LEFT front company C Company will relieve support Company in KEEPS D Company will relieve CENTRE front company
2. Lewis Gun detachments with guns under Sgt. Thompson [possibly 16909 H.W. Thompson], Signallers [sic] under Sgt. Gillow [17150 Charles F. Gillow] and Coy. Sgt Majors to take over trench stores will parade outside B Company's billets at 8.50 a.m. This party will pass the drawbridge at 9.0 a.m.
3. Companies will pass the drawbridge in the following order: - A, D, B and C. Two minute intervals will be maintained between platoons, A Company's 1st platoon starting at 9.30 a.m.
4. Each company will take two boilers from their travelling kitchens to supplement cooking arrangements. Two cooks per company will go into the trenches.
5. All blankets will be rolled up tightly in tens and tied and handed to Quartermaster Store by 10.0 a.m. The Transport Officer will send 1 G.S. Wagon to BEUVRY to bring in D Company's blankets and Officer's kits by 8.0 a.m. One limber will be at Battalion Headquarters at 9.30 a.m. to take up Headquarter Stores, etc., to the south side of WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.
6. Officer's mess baskets and trench kits will be stacked separately at Quartermaster Stores and sent up on the Ration limbers at night.
7. A list of trench stores taken over will be rendered to Battalion Headquarters by 4.0 p.m. tomorrow.
8. Company Commanders will ensure that all huts, billets, etc., are left scrupulously clean before companies move off.
9. Attention is drawn to the times returns are due in at Battalion Headquarters when in the line. A return shewing [sic] "Work done during the past 24 hours and work proposed" will also be rendered at Noon daily.
10. Gumboots will be drawn from the gumboot store on the way up to the trenches.
Sgd. Stevens Lieut. & Adjutant [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
Battalion Operational Orders No. 70 By Colonel Lord Henry Scott Commanding 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. 20th December 1916.
1. The battalion will be relieved in the line by 1/K.O.S.B. on morning of 22nd December 1916. Companies will be relieved as under:- A Company by C Company 1/K.O.S.B. B Company by D Company 1/K.O.S.B. C Company by A Company 1/K.O.S.B. D Company by B Company 1/K.O.S.B.
2. Guides will be furnished as follows by Companies: 1 for Lewis Gunners at WESTMINSTER BRIDGE at 8.15 a.m. 4 platoon guides at WESTMINSTER BRIDGE at 8.30 a.m. Good guides should be selected and each should be given written instructions shewing [sic] the platoon he is to meet.
3. Accurate lists of trench stores to be handed over will be rendered to the Orderly Room by 5.0 p.m.21st inst. Stores, s far as practicable, should be collected in the central spot to facilitate checking. Any maps or plans, Scale 1/5000 or less, will be handed over, all other maps retained. Especial care should be taken to hand over everything and in good condition as it is an inter-divisional relief. Ammunition and grenade stores should be overhauled.
4. On relief, companies will move by platoons to the ORPHANAGE, BETHUNE (E.17.b.6.4 - Sheet 36B) by the following route:- WESTMINSTER BRIDGE - south of the CANAL to canal junction F.15.b.2.2 thence westwards to road junction at F.13.c.2.9. - ORPHANAGE. Company Commanders will ensure their platoons march closed up and that there is no straggling.
5. A billeting party as follows, under Lieut. and Quartermaster G.T. Rutherford [Lieutenant and Quartermaster George Thomas RUTHERFORD] will meet the Staff Captain at THE DRAWBRIDGE, LE QUESNOY at 9.0 a.m. 22nd inst. They will be in possession of bicycles. Sgt Goody [8470 Arthur J GOODY] for Headquarters. 1 N.C.O. per company.
6. Completion of relief will be reported immediately to Battalion Headquarters by wiring the word "CRUMP".
7. Two G.S Wagons will be at junction of canals near Brigade Headquarters at 10.30 a.m. to take men's packs into BETHUNE. Each Company will detail a N.C.O. to supervise the loading and redistribution at the other end.
Sgd. Stevens Lieut. & Adjutant [Lieutenant Herbert Frank STEVENS, M.C.] 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
Secret. This order to be acknowledged at once. Copy No.2
Reference:- Map LA BASSEE, 1/10,000 BETHUNE CORDIERS sheet 1/40,000
Operation Order No. 120 By Brigadier General W.L. Osborn, D.S.O. [William Lushington OSBORN, C.M.G., D.S.O.] Commanding 16th Infantry Brigade. December 18th 1916.
1. The 16th Infantry Brigade will be relieved in the line by the 15th Infantry Brigade on December 20th and the 13th Infantry Brigade on December 22nd.
2. The reliefs will take place as follows:
(a) December 20th. RIGHT SECTOR. 1/K.S.L.I. will be relieved in the line by 1/Cheshire Regt., on relief 1/K.S.L.I. will move to LE QUESNOY. 1/Buffs will move into BETHUNE.
(b) December 22nd. LEFT SECTOR. 8/Bedfordshire Regt. will be relieved in the line by 1/K.O.S.B. On relief 8/Bedfordshire Regt. will march to BETHUNE. Relief will be complete by 12.0 noon. 1/K.S.L.I. will move to BETHUNE and be clear of LE QUESNOY by 10.0 a.m. VILLAGE LINE. 2/York & Lancaster Regt. will be relieved on this date as follows:- One Company PONT FIXE will be relieved at 9.30 a.m. by one company 1/Bedfordshire Regt. (This Company will hand over PONT FIXE REDOUBT). One Company WINDY CORNER will be relieved at 9.30 a.m. by one company 15/Warwicks during the evening, probably about 7.0 p.m. These companies will come under the command of G.O.C. 13th Infantry Brigade from 12.30 p.m. until relief is completed. On relief 2/York & Lancaster Regt. will march back to BUEVRY.
(c) 16th Machine Gun Company and 16th Trench Mortar Batty will be relieved on the afternoon of December 22nd. RIGHT SECTOR:- by 15th I.B.M.G. Coy - 4 Guns. LEFT SECTOR:- by 13th I.B.M.G. Coy - 6 Guns. On relief they will march back to BETHUNE.
3. All details of relief to e arranged by C.O.'s concerned.
4. The following KEEPS and GUARDS in VILLAGE LINE and back areas will be relieved as followed:-
DECEMBER 20TH:
(a) PONT FIXE Bridge guard 1 NCO, 3 Men 2/Y&L by 1/Bedfords
(b) WESTMINSTER BRIDGE Bridge guard 1 NCO, 3 Men 2/Y&L by 1/Bedfords
(c) WESTMINSTER KEEP Bridge guard 2 Caretakers 2/Y&L by 1/Bedfords
(d) IRON BRIDGE Bridge guard 1 NCO, 3 Men 1/The Buffs by 1/Bedfords
(e) HARRIS KEEP Bridge guard 2 Caretakers 1/The Buffs by 1/Bedfords
(f) GORRE'S KEEP Bridge guard 2 Caretakers 1/The Buffs by 1/Bedfords
(g) LE QUESNOY Bridge guard 2 Caretakers 1/The Buffs by 1/Bedfords
5. Billeting parties will meet the Staff Captain as follows:
Dec. 20th:
1/The Buffs 1 Officer, 5 men 9.0 a.m. DRAWBRIDGE F.3.c.4.4.
Dec 22nd:
2/York & Lancs 1 Officer 5 men 8.30 a.m. DRAWBRIDGE F.3.c.4.4.
1/K.S.L.I. 1 Officer 5 men 8.30 a.m. DRAWBRIDGE F.3.c.4.4.
8/Bedfords 1 Officer 5 men 8.30 a.m. DRAWBRIDGE F.3.c.4.4.
16th M.G. Coy 1 Officer 5 men 8.30 a.m. DRAWBRIDGE F.3.c.4.4.
16th T.M. Batty 1 Officer 1 man 8.30 a.m. DRAWBRIDGE F.3.c.4.4. 6.
G.O.C. 15th Infantry Brigade will take over command of the right sector at 12.30 a.m. on December 22nd.
G.O.C. 13th Infantry Brigade will take over command of the left sector at 12.30 a.m. on December 22nd.
Two companies of the 2/York & Lancaster Regt. in support will come under the command of 13th Infantry Brigade from that time until relief is complete, and will wire completion of the relief to both 13th Infantry Brigade and 16th Infantry Brigade.
7. Separate orders will be issued late as to the relief of 1/1 London Field Company R.E. and D Company 11/Leicesters
8. All trench stores, gumboots, maps and aeroplane photos will be handed over and receipts asked for. A receipted list will be sent to brigade Headquarters
9. Units will, under no circumstances, march in larger bodies than platoons until they reach LE QUESNOY - BEUVRY road.
10. Special attention is drawn to G.525/2 dated 25/11/16 with reference to conversations by telephone and wire.
11. Completion of all movements and reliefs will be reported to Brigade Headquarters, using the "B.A.B." code. 16th Infantry Brigade Headquarters will clsoe at CANAL HOUSE at 12.30 p.m. on 22nd December and will reopen at BETHUNE at the same time. Billeting parties will be notified by the Staff Captain the location of the new brigade headquarters.
12. Acknowledge.
[Sgd] H. Denison-Tander, Captain. Brigade Major, 16th Infantry Brigade
SECRET A187/7 Officer Commanding 8/Bedfordshire Regt. Reference Operation Order No.120 dated 18th December 1916.
1. Any Soyer Stoves in your possession should not be handed over but returned to Ordinance.
2. The water-proof clean sock bags are the property of the Battalions and should not be handed over.
3. Hot food containers should not be handed over but removed by the Battalions who are in possession of them at the time of relief.
4. Ref. Para 5 of O.O. No.120, billeting parties should be mounted on horses or bicycles. The Officer in Charge of each party should bring a Marching in State with him.
5. No material is to be removed from the Horse Standings at LE QUESNOY.
[Sgd] Chamier, Lieutenant, A/Staff Captain, 16th Infantry Brigade, 19/12/16.
6th Division. No.A/8398 Administrative Orders, reference 6th Divn. Operation Order No.110
1. Accommodation. The following are the billeting arrangements:
(a) 71st Infantry Brigade:
[At] NOEUX-LES-MINES, Brigade Headquarters, 2 Battalions, Machine Gun Company, T.M. Battery, Coy. 11th Leicesters.
[At] SAILLY LA BOURSE, LA BOURSE, 2 Battalions. 2/2nd West Riding Field Coy. R.E. will remain in present billets until further orders.
Transport Lines for the four Battalions and Machine Gun Company will be taken over from 110th Infantry Brigade. All the above billets will be available by Noon 20th Decr. The D.A.A. and Q.M.G., 6th Division, will pick up the Staff Captain, 71st Infantry Brigade, at Brigade H.Q. at 9.30 a.m., on 19th December.
(b) 16th Infantry Brigade:
The Battalion now billeted at LE QUESNOY will move on 20th December, to the TOBACCO FACTORY, BETHUNE, and will be replaced at LE QUESNOY by one battalion from the trenches.
Further accommodation will be available on 20th December as follows:
Brigade Headquarters - RUE FREDERICK GEORGES, BETHUNE
1 Battalion - MONTMORENCY BARRACKS, BETHUNE
1 Battalion - ORPHANAGE, BETHUNE. FEUILLARD BARRACKS, BETHUNE
1 Battalion - BEUVRY
Machine Gun Company - BETHUNE
T.M. Battery - BETHUNE
Coy. 11th Leicesters - FEUILLARD BARRACKS, BETHUNE
1/1st London Field Coy. - BETHUNE
The D.A.A. and Q.M.G., 6th Division, will pick up the Staff Captain, 16th Infantry Brigade, at 16th Brigade H.Q. at 1 p.m., on 19th December, when Transport Liens will be indicated.
2. Stores. The number of gumboots handed over to the 5th Division will be reported to this office no later than 2 days after relief. Consolidated list of trench stores handed over will be forwarded as soon as possible. Issued at 7.30 p.m., 18th December 1916.
[Sgd] Welsh, Lieut.-Colonel, A.A. & Q.M.G., 6th Divn
SECRET. Battalion Operational Orders No. 72 By Colonel Lord Henry Scott Commanding 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. 31st December 1916.
1. The battalion will relieve 2nd Y&L in the left subsector HOHENZOLLERN on Monday, 1st January 1917. Companies will relieve as follows:-
A Company relieves C Company in support right sector.
B Company relieves D Company in right sector.
C Company relieves B Company in left sector.
D Company relieves A Company in support left sector.
2. Signalers under Sgt. Gillow [17150 Charles F. Gillow] and C.S. Majors to take over trench stores will parade outside Battalion Orderly Room under R.S.M. at 80.0 a.m.
3. Companies will march off in the following order:- B, C, A & D. They will pass the S.E. end of camp by platoons at 5 minutes interval [sic]. The leading platoon will pass the starting point at 8.30 a.m. Lewis Gun detachments will proceed with their respective companies.
4. Company Commanders will arrange to draw 4 camp kettles per company. Two cooks per company will go into the Support Line where all cooking will be done.
5. Blankets will be rolled dup tightly in tens and tied ready for transport. They must e stacked at Divisional Recreation hut by 7.0 a.m. One limber per Company and Headquarters will convey Mess Baskets and Officer's Valises to Quartermaster Stores at 8.30 a.m.
6. Gumboots to be drawn at Gumboot Store at VERMELLES on the way to the trenches. Men must be warned to take the greatest care of their ankle boots and see that none are lost in the water.
7. Lists of trench stores taken over to be rendered to Battalion Headquarters by 4 p.m. 1st proximo.
8. Company Commanders will ensure that huts and dugouts are left scrupulously clean.
9. Company Commanders will wire Battalion Headquarters "FOOTBALL" when relief is complete.
10. Company Commanders to send in dispositions of companies by morning of 2nd proximo.
Sgd. Ash, Lieut. & Adjutant [Lieutenant John Luxton ASH] 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bedfordshire Regt Field State
Killed 3 Wounded 10 Sick to Hospital 48 Sick from Hospital 36 Evacuated from F.A. 38
Strength of A Coy 11 Officers 225 Other Ranks
Strength of B Coy 5 Officers 215 Other Ranks
Strength of C Coy 8 Officers 216 Other Ranks
Strength of D Coy 5 Officers 210 Other Ranks
Total 29 Officers 866 Other Ranks
Site built by Steven Fuller, 2003 to 2023