The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War
1918 War Diary appendices
[Note that all remarks in squared brackets are my own additions and not part of the original text]
January 1918
SECRET Battalion Operation Orders No. 1
By Major A.G. Saunders [Alistair Grant SAUNDERS], Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 18th January 1918.
1. The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will move by march route to COURCELLES-LE-COMTE on 20th January 1918.
2. The Battalion will parade ready to move off at 8.0 a.m. with head of column outside "D" Companies mess. Order of march :- Headquarters, "D", "C", "A", "B" Company. 100 yards interval between companies when ordered to move off. Transport will move in rear of Battalion, and will be divided into two portions keeping 100 yards interval.
3. Route will be :- BAILLEULVAL - BASSEUX - BELLACOURT - RANSART - ADINFAR - AYETTE - COURCELLES-LE-COMTE (Ref, Map LENS 11). Head of column to pass crossroads 800 yards S.E. of "T" in BELLACOURT at 9.35 a.m.
4. Advanced billeting parties consisting of Sgt. Vivian [Sergeant 16005 William H. VIVIAN] for H.Q. and C.Q.M. Sgts. of Companies, under 2/Lieut. W.G. Oakley [William George OAKLEY] will report to Town Major, COURCELLES-LE-COMTE (ref. Map LENS 11) at 9.00 a.m. They will parade at Orderly Room at 7.15 a.m. and proceed by bicycle.
5. Quartermaster stores, Company stores, all mess kit (except mess baskets), and blankets (rolled in bundles of 10, securely tied and labelled) must be ready for loading outside the Quartermaster Store at 7.00 a.m. One servant from Headquarters and one per Company should be left to assist loading, etc. Further instructions as regards conveyance for stores will be issued when known.
6. Officers valises will be dumped either at Mess or the Battalion Q.M. Stores - whichever is nearer the billet - at 7.00 a.m.. A G.S. Wagon will be detailed to collect them. Mess baskets will be collected by the Mess Cart, commencing with "D" Company at 7.15 a.m. They must be ready by this time.
7. O.C. Companies will render a certificate to Orderly Room by 7.45 a.m. that all billets are left in a clean and tidy condition. On arrival in billets a report will also be rendered as to the condition of billets taken over.
8. All material drawn from Town Majors Store (including palliasses) will be returned before 6.00 p.m. 19th instant, and receipts obtained.
9. Particular attention to be paid to orders previously issued on March Discipline during the march, especially the following points :- 1. No overloading of Transport. 2. No unauthorised person to proceed with Transport. 3. Any parties accompanying Transport will be marched in formed bodies properly armed and equipped. 4. No sandbags or sacks to be carried by individuals.
10. One platoon of "A" Company under the Orderly Officer will remain behind to hand over billets either to an incoming unit or to the Town Major. The Orderly Officer will report to the Adjutant at the Orderly Room at 7.30 a.m. for instructions.
11. Acknowledge.
Issued at 6.30 p.m.
(sd.) J.McCormack [James McCORMACK] Capt. & Adjt. 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
SECRET Addenda to Battalion Operation Orders No. 1
By Major A.G. Saunders [Alistair Grant SAUNDERS], Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 19th January 1918.
Two and a half lorries are being provided to convey blankets and stores tomorrow, one lorry being shared with 1/K.S.L.I. The Quartermaster will detail two guides to be at Brigade H.Q. at 8.0 a.m. to guide lorries to the Quartermaster Store. The lorries will be loaded by the platoon of "A" Company detailed to remain behind.
Acknowledge.
Issued at 5.10 p.m.
(sd.) J.McCormack [James McCORMACK] Capt. & Adjt. 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
SECRET Battalion Operation Orders No. 2
By Major A.G. Saunders [Alistair Grant SAUNDERS], Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 20th January 1918.
1. The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will move by march route to LEBUQUIERE tomorrow 21st January 1918.
2. The Battalion will parade on roadway ready to move off at 6.55 a.m. with head of column 360 yards West of the Quartermaster Store. Order of march :- Headquarters, "C", "A", "B", "D" Company, 100 yards interval between companies when ordered to move off. Transport will move in rear of battalion, and will be divided into two portions, keeping 100 yards interval.
3. Route will be ACHIET-LE-GRAND - BHIUCOURT - BAPAUME - FREMICOURT - LEBUCQUIERE (Ref. Sheet 57 C).
4. Advanced billeting parties consisting of Sgt. Vivian [Sergeant 16005 William H. VIVIAN] for Headquarters and C.Q.M. Sgts. of companies under 2/Lieut. W.G. Oakley [William George OAKLEY] will report to Town Major at LEBUCQUIERE at 10.0 a.m. They will parade at Orderly Room at 6.45 a.m. and proceed by bicycle.
5. Officers valises, Quartermaster Stores, Company Stores, all mess kit, mess baskets and blankets (rolled in bundles of 10 securely tied and labelled) must be ready for loading outside the quartermaster store at 6:15 AM.
6. O.C. Companies will render a certificate to Orderly Room by 6.45 a.m. that all billets are left in a clean and tidy condition. On arrival in billets a report will also be rendered as to condition of billets taken over.
7. Particular attention to be paid to orders previously issued on March Discipline during the march, especially the following points :- 1. No overloading of Transport. 2. No unauthorised person to proceed with Transport. 3. Any parties accompanying Transport will be marched in formed bodies properly armed and equipped. 4. No sandbags or sacks to be carried by individuals.
8. One platoon of "B" Company under the Orderly Officer will remain behind to hand over billets either to an incoming unit or to the Town Major. The Orderly Officer will report to the Adjutant at the Orderly Room at 6.40 a.m. for instructions.
9. Reveille tomorrow will be at 4.45 a.m., Breakfast at 5.30 a.m.. All ranks should carry a haversack ration on the march. Dinners will be on arrival of Battalion in new billets.
10. Acknowledge.
Issued to companies at 4.40 p.m.
(sd.) J.McCormack [James McCORMACK] Capt. & Adjt. 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
SECRET Battalion Operation Orders No. 3
By Major A.G. Saunders [Alistair Grant SAUNDERS], Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 25th January 1918.
1. The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will relieve working parties of the 9th Suffolk Regiment tonight, 25/26th January 1918.
2. Each company will furnish the following parties, 1 Officer and 40 other ranks, including 1 Sergeant, 1 Lewis Gun team, Cook, Servant, Runner, Stretcher Bearer.
3. "A" Company will relieve first party, and will live in dug-outs in J.10.a.6.4., and work on dug-outs at J.19.a.6.7. "B" Company will relieve second party, and will live and work in dug-outs at J.6.c.6.2. "C" Company will relieve third party, and will live and work in dug-outs at J.5.a.8.3. "D" Company will relieve fourth party, and will live and work in dug-outs at J.17.a.8.6. "A" and "B" Companies to report to representative of 459th Company, R.E. "C" and "D" Companies to report to representative of 252nd Tunnelling Company, R.E.
4. PARADE. These parties will parade at Battalion Headquarters at 5.15 p.m. where guides will meet them and conduct them to their respective places.
5. The Transport Officer will arrange to have two limbers at Battalion Headquarters at 4.45 p.m. to take up rations, Lewis guns and camp kettles. Dump for first, second and third parties will be at J.5.c.8.2., and for fourth party at J.17.a.80.81.
6. Parties will probably be relieved every four days.
7. Battalion and Company Headquarters will be as at present. Company Commanders will ascertain the position of their parties tomorrow.
8. Acknowledge.
Issued to companies at 12.50 p.m.
(sd.) J.McCormack [James McCORMACK] Capt. & Adjt. 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
SECRET Battalion Operation Orders No. 4
By Major A.G. Saunders [Alistair Grant SAUNDERS], Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 26th January 1918.
1. "A" Company will furnish 2 Officers and 2 platoons to be attached to 1/The Buffs. they will come under direct orders of O.C. The Buffs.
2. The 2 platoons will relieve 2 platoons of the 9/Norfolk Regiment on SUNKEN ROAD from about J.23.a.30.40. to J.22.b.90.90. Guides will meet platoons on BEAUMETZ-DOIGNIES ROAD, J.15.b.9.3.
3. PARADE. On roadway outside Battalion Headquarters at 4.45 p.m. Dress marching Order, leather jerkins to be worn, greatcoats in pack. Platoons will march at 200 yards interval.
4. The Transport Officer will arrange to have one limber at Battalion Headquarters at 4.30 p.m. to take up Lewis Guns, rations and camp kettles.
5. "A" Company will also furnish 2 N.C.O.'s and 6 men to report to Brigade Headquarters, 71st Brigade, at 7.00 p.m. tonight. They should have their rations with them, also two blankets.
6. All spare men of Company left behind will be accommodated in a hut of "B" Company, arrangements to be made direct with O.C. Company concerned.
7. Acknowledge.
Issued to companies at 11 a.m.
(sd.) J.McCormack [James McCORMACK] Capt. & Adjt. 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, BRITISH ARMIES IN FRANCE.
20th January, 1918.
My dear Byng [Field Marshal Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, GCB, GCMG, MVO],
The situation with regard to man-power has rendered it impossible to maintain all the units now in the field, and in consequence the Army Council have issued orders that a large number of battalions must be broken up. I wish, through you, to convey to the Commanders and all ranks of the battalions about to be disbanded my great regret that this step should have been found necessary. I know how deeply officers and men will feel the severance of the ties binding them to the units in which they have served and fought with such splendid gallantry and success and with which they had hoped eventually to return home after the great struggles had been won and their task achieved.
But I know also that since this reorganisation has to be it will be accepted with the loyalty and devotion with which every trial has been met by British officers and men throughout the war. Please convey to the officers and other ranks concerned, with my deep appreciation of their services in the past, my confidence that they will accept this disappointment in the right spirit and will give to the new units to which they are transferred the same devotion and esprit-de-corps that they gave to those they have been with until now.
Your very truly
D.HAIG Gen, Sir J.H.G.BYNG K.C.B., K.C.M.G., M.V.O., Commanding Third Army. [Field Marshall, Douglas HAIG, 1st Earl Haig, KT, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCIE]
SECRET
Third Army A/A/10492 IV Corps A.958 6th Divn. A/11068 16th I.B. A.106/3 IV Corps
The Army Commander directs that a copy of the Commander-in-Chief's letter is to be sent to the Commanding Officer of every battalion which is to be broken up, to be communicated verbally to all ranks of the battalion.
(Sd) A.F.SILLEM, Major-General [Major-General Sir Arnold Frederick Sillem, K.C.M.G., C.B.] D.A. & Q.M.G. Third Army H.Qrs. Third Army 25.1.1918
6th Division For information and communication to all ranks
(Sd) L.B.JENNER, Major, D.A.A.G., IV Corps 26.1.1918 Officer Commanding, 8th Bedfordshire Regiment (thro' 16th I.Bde.)
In forwarding the attached correspondence, the Major-General Commanding regrets that is has been found necessary to break up the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment, and he wishes to express to the Officers, N.C.Os. and men his high appreciation of the services rendered by the Battalion during the time it has been with the Division. The splendid gallantry with which it has fought and the loyalty with which it has served has been in keeping with the highest traditions of the British Army.
(Sd) P.HUDSON, Lieut. Colonel, A.A. & Q.M.G. 6th Division 29.1.1918
Message
After serving with the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment for 26 months the other units of the Brigade will sadly miss the Battalion. Its conduct in action and in the line has taught them to have every confidence in it. The Battalion did practically all its fighting in the 16th Infantry Brigade and it leaves a record of which the Brigade is proud.
(Sd) H.A.WALKER, Brig. General [Brigadier-General Henry Alexander Walker CB CMG DSO JP] Commg. 16th Infantry Brigade. 29.1.1918
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