X550/8/1/1803

ROUEZ CAMP 1-3-18 H.Q.s, A B & C Coys at ROUEZ CAMP; C Coy at NOUREUIL. Capt.O.Kingdon in temporary command of Bn. during absence of Lt.Col.A.E.Percival M.C. commanding 54th Inf. Bde. Officers & N.C.O's reconnoitred assembly position in case of enemy attack. Draft of 5 O.R. arrived. 2-3-18 2nd Lt.R.W.Coutts R.F.C. joined Bn. for one month's tour of duty. 3-3-18 Orders issued showing action of Bn. in case of enemy attack. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT FRANCE SHEETS 66 D. 70 D. 66 etc. ACTION OF THE BATTALION WHILE THE BRIGADE is brigade in CORPS RESERVE 1. While the 54th Infantry Brigade is Brigade in Corps Reserve it may be warned to be in a state of readiness to move at 15 minutes notice. On this notice being issued, the following action will be taken: - (1) No man will leave the Camp without orders from the O.C.Company. (2) Men to be left out of Battle will be detailed in accordance with V/946. They will remain at ROUEZ CAMP. (3) The unexpired portion of the day's ration will be issued and water bottles filled. (4) Surplus kit will be left in Billets and stacked by details. (5) Lewis Gun Limbers and the Tool Cart will be parked in the Camp. (6) Watercarts will be filled. (7) The Battn. Orderly Officer will post himself near the Telephone to receive instructions from brigade. (8) Fighting Order equipment will be put together and every man will be issued with one bandolier of S.A.A. (9) Company Commanders will report to Bn.Hd.Qrs. for instructions. 2. The Brigade may be called upon: - (a) to carry out a deliberate and organised counter-attack. OR (b) to man positions in the Battle Zone. 3. the Brigade may be ordered to a position of readiness in any of the following places, when the Battalion will move by the routes shown: - (1) PIERREMANDE - AUTREVILLE. (Southern Sector) Route: - Main CHAUNY - PIERREMANDE Road. Alternative Route: - CHAUNY - Cross Roads - K.12 - DAMPCOURT - QUIERZY - MANICAMP. (2) LIEZ - BOIS de VIEVILLE. (Centre Sector) Route: - VILLEQUIER-AUMONT - FAILLOUEL - FRIERE-FAILLOUEL - MENNESSIS - CANAL BRIDGE - N.31.c. - LIEZ. (3) MONTESCOURT - CLASTRES. (Northern Sector) Route: - VILLEQUIER AUMONT - FAILLOUEL - JUSSY 4. The Battalion will move either: - (a) By Bus. or (b) By Route March. In the event of (a) being ordered, the following action will be taken: - (1) The Battalion will march to X.30.c.9.6., south of VILLEQUIER AUMONT, where it will embus. (2) Lewis Guns, and 30 Drums per gun, will be carried by the teams. (3) Picks and shovels will be issued in the proportion of 3 shovels to 1 pick In the event of (b) being ordered: - (1) Lewis Gun Limbers will proceed with Companies and Guns and drums will be carried on them. (2) Picks and shovels will be carried on the Tool Cart, which will accompany B.H.Q. to destination. (3) Officers Chargeres will accompany the Battalion. 5. (1) First Line Transport will be Brigaded and divided into 2 Echelons. (2) Echelons will be disposed as follows: - "A" All G.S. L-Wagons 1 Water Cart (Full) Maltese Cart All Pack Animals "B" 1 Water Cart (Full) Officers Mess Cart 4 Cookers (3) "A" Echelon under 2/Lieut.GALE, 11th Royal Fusiliers, will proceed along routes as laid down, according to the Sector to which the Brigade is being despatched. If the Battalion moves by Route March, L.G.Limbers will proceed with their respective Companies, and rejoin "A" Echelon after disposing of the Guns etc. The position of "A" Echelon will be arranged by Brigade Headquarters. Immediately the order to move forward is issued, the Transport Officers will at once despatch two mounted Orderlies to Battn. Hd.Qrs. for instructions. These orderlies will go to Bde.H.Q. and will be employed for liason purposes between Bde.H.Q. and "A" Echelon. (4) "B" Echelon will remain at ROUEZ Camp. (5) After the Battalion has moved forward 1st Line Transport will be controlled by Brigade, and all requirements for ammunition etc. will be notified direct to Brigade Headquarters. 6. In the event of the Battalion having to move forward Companies will march out in the following order: - "B" "A" "D" "C" Hd.Qrs. Companies will march at 200 yards distance (sgd) O.KINGDON, CAPTAIN COMMANDING 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 4-3-18 Working Party of 6 officers & 400 O.R. employed in burying cable. Reconaissance of line carried out daily on this & following days. Capt.H.C.Browning, having returned from leave, took over duties of Adjutant. 5-3-18 Working Party of 4 officers & 400 O.R. burying cable. Draft of 12 O.R. arrived. 7th (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR WEEK ENDING MARCH 16th As the Battalion will probably be chiefly employed on Working Parties, specialist training will be carried on as follows: - MUSKETRY. 1 N.C.O. per platoon under 2/Lieut.R.S.Heard. RIFLE GRENADIERS 1 N.C.O. per platoon under L/C.Turner. LEWIS GUNS 1 N.C.O. per platoon under 2/Lieut.Haward and also one complete Lewis Gun Section per Company in rotation. SIGNALLERS All available Battalion and Company Signallers under 2/Lieut.T.H.Flavell. STRETCHER BEARERS Permanent and Reserve Stretcher Bearers on alternate days under the Medical Officer. Time of Training: - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. except for Stretcher Bearers, who commence at 10 a.m. Any other available men will parade for MUSKETRY instruction (including firing on the range) under Sergt.Kitchener. (SGD) H.SEYS-PHILLIPS, Capt.& A/Adjt. 7th (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 5/3/18 6-3-18 Working Party as for 5th. 2nd Lt.W.Kerr joined the Bn. from the Tank Corps. 7-3-18 Working Party as usual. Lt.Col.A.E.Percival resumes command of the Bn. 8-3-18 Working Party as usual. Capt.W.J.W.Colley rejoined the Bn & took over duties of 2nd-in-command. Voluntary Rifle Shooting on Range commenced. 9-3-18 Working Party as usual. 10-3-18 Church Service 10 a.m. Dismounted & Mounted Gymkana in afternoon. 11-3-18 Training in Counter-attack formation & musketry. Officers Rifle Competition V.18th Div. Q.Q.s officers won by the Bn. 12-3-18 The following working parties found daily from 12/3/18 to 20/3/18. 2 Officers & 140 O.R. attached to 290th Bde. R.F.A. for construction of gun-pits at VOUEL. 2 Platoons "C" Coy. employed on increasing accommodation at NOUREUIL. 5 Officers & 240 O.R. employed on cable burying under 18th Div. Signal Section. Inter Platoon Rifle Competition commenced on this date & won by No.2 Platoon. TRAINING 12TH MARCH Rifle Ranges will be allotted as under:- 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Bn.Hd.Qrs. including Signallers, Runners, H.Q.Officers Servants, Pioneers, Police, Scouts and Snipers. PRACTICE: - 5 Rounds Grouping 5 Rounds Application. Each of the above units will be marched down by its unit Commander, and will continue their ordinary duties as soon as they have fired. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. "B" Company. Rapid Aiming and Firing with Gas Masks. 11 a.m. to 12 noon "D" Company Rapid Aiming and Firing with Gas Masks. 12 noon to 12.45 p.m. "C" Company Rapid Aiming and Firing with Gas Masks. Remainder of the morning will be devoted to Platoon Counter Attack Practice and Close Order Drill. RUNNING PARADE 7.45 a.m. to 8 a.m. DEMONSTRATION All Officers, Platoon Sergts and Section Commanders (less those detailed to reconnoitre forward area) will parade on the field N.E. of the Camp at 9.30 a.m. "B" Company will detail one Platoon to parade at the same place and hour. RIFLE GRENADIERS 1 N.C.O. or man per Rifle Grenade Section will report to Cpl.TURNER daily at Bn.Hd.Qrs. at 9.15 a.m. TIME OF PARADE Morning Parade will be from 9.15 a.m. to 1 p.m. (sgd) H.C.BROWNING, CAPT. & A/ADJT. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT TRAINING 12/3/18 Reference Training Programme already issued and Working Parties since detailed. Training will be carried out as far as possible on the lines laid down. "D" Company will supply the Demonstration Platoon in place of "B" Company at 9.50 a.m. As many Officers and N.C.Os which are not engaged on Working Parties will attend this Demonstration. One N.C.O. per Platoon from "A" "B" "C" Companies will report to 2/Lieut.R.S.HEARD at Bn.H.Q. at 10.30 a.m. for Musketry Instruction. Each Company will send one Lewis Gun Section under a reliable N.C.O. to fire on the range at 10.30 a.m. "B" Company will supply an Officer to take charge of the range at this time. (Sgd) H.C.BROWNING, Capt. & A/Adjt. 7th (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT RIFLE COMPETITION RESULT Appl.:Rapid:TOTAL No.2 Platoon 99:139:237 No.3 Platoon 99:100:199 Bn.Hd.Qrs. 97:98:195 No.7 Platoon 92:92:184 No.9 Platoon 77:102:179 "B" Coy. H.Q. 83:94:177 No.4 Platoon 82: 85-4:163 "A" Company H.Q. 90:71:161 "C" Company H.Q. 78:78:156 No.11 Platoon 68:84:152 Scouts & Q.M.Stores 72:80:152 No.12 Platoon 77:73:150 "D" Company H.Q. 73:73:147 No.6 Platoon 84:61:145 No.10 Platoon 75:58:133 No.16 Platoon 66:66:132 No.1 Platoon 61:74-4:131 No.14 Platoon 71:55:126 Runners 62:64:126 Drums 65:60:125 No.13 Platoon 58:64:122 No.15 Platoon 60:57:117 No.5 Platoon 46:67-4:109 Transport 59:39:98 R.E.Platoon 45:52:97 No.8 Platoon 56:38:94 (sgd) R.S.HEARD, 2/LIEUT. 13-3-18 to 17-3-18 Training of Lewis Gunners & other Specialists. Classes for officers & N.C.O's in afternoon. 7TH (S) BATTN. BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 13/3/18 ARRANGEMENTS FOR RAPID MOVE WHILE IN CORPS RESERVE The following additions and amendments are made to our W/153 of 3/3/18 (1) TOOLS 200 additional Shovels have been drawn. On receipt of message "Prepare for Attack", Transport Officer will at once send all tools to ROUEZ CAMP. These are allotted to Companies as under: - SHOVELS "A" 75 "B" 75 "C" 75 "D" 75 Hd.Qrs. 10 PICKS "A" 18 "B" 18 "C" 18 "D" 18 Hd.Qrs. 4 On receipt of the order to move forward, the following procedure will be adopted: - (a) If the Battn. is to move by lorries, the tools will immediately be drawn by Companies and Bn.H.Q. and issued to the men. Those for "C" Company being picked up on the road outside ROUEZ CAMP. (b) If Battn. moves by Route March tool limbers will accompany Battalion. (2) LEWIS GUNS. In event of the Battn. moving forward by Route March, Lewis Gun Limber will follow each Company. In any case 24 Drums per Gun will be carried instead of 30 as stated in our W/153 of 3/3/18. (3) ARMOUR PIERCING AMMUNITION; will shortly be issued to Companies on the following scale: - 10 rounds per manb. 1 Drum per Lewis Gun. These will be kept in Companies' Stores and issued on receipt of the message "Prepare for Attack". The Drums set aside for this ammunition will be marked with a yellow circle. 2/Lieut.KELF will report to Orderly Room when this has been completed. (4) TRANSPORT Transport Officer will send as many men as possible to reconnoitre the route to the 3 rendezvous laid down in B.M.197. "B" ECHELON. On receipt of the order to move forward "B" Echelon will proceed under the Quartermaster to CAILLOUEL, also all details who are not taken forward. They will report to Captain HAGGARD, 6th Northants. (5) STORES AND BAGGAGE. These will all be dumped in hut at present occupied by "D" Company at ROUEZ CAMP. Transport Officer will arrange to move "C" Company's Baggage to ROUEZ CAMP. On arrival of the Baggage Wagons these will be loaded up with Q.Ms. Stores, Officers Valises (not exceeding 50 lbs each) Workshops, etc. and will join "B" Echelon at CAILLOUEL. The R.Q.M.S. will remain in charge of Stores until loaded. The Q.M. will detail 2 men to be in charge of all kits, etc. left a ROUEZ CAMP. (6) PROCEDURE IF ORDERED TO MOVE BACK. It is possible that the Battn. may suddenly be withdrawn for strategical reasons. In this case the allotment of motor Transport would be limited. The procedure to be adopted would be as under: - (a) Men would parade in Full Marching Order. (b) Arrangements for dumping of Baggage and Kits would be as for para.5. Q.M's Stores, Workshops. Officers Valises and as many Blankets as possible would be loaded on the available lorries and baggage wagons. All surplus kit would be moved by the Transport Officer and a dump formed in the cellar of the CHATEAU at VILLEQUIER AUMONT. The Q.M. would be responsible for detailing a loading party for these lorries, and also 2 men to take charge of the dump at VILLEQUIER AUMONT. In this event the S.A.A. now in possession of Companies would be collected by the Transport Officer. (sgd) H.C.BROWNING, Capt. & A/Adjt. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 7th (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT TRAINING 13.3.18 (1) FOR COMPANIES NOT DETAILED FOR WORKING PARTIES: - Running Parade 7.45 a.m. to 8 a.m. All Officers and N.C.Os (except the Coy.Sgt.Major) will attend a Demonstration on the ground N.E. of the Camp at 9.30am. "A" Company will detail one Platoon for this Demonstration. Platoon in Attack - 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Range will be allotted as under: - 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Bn.H.Q. (same as this morning) 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. "A" Company 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. "B" The practice in all cases will be 5 rounds Application with Box Respirators on. One Grenadier per Platoon report to L/Cpl.TURNER at Bn.H.Q. at 9.30 a.m. (2) FOR COMPANIES DETAILED FOR WORKING PARTIES 1 Lewis Gun Section per Company report to 2/Lieut.KELF on the range at 9.30 a.m. 1 Grenadier per Platoon report to L/Cpl.TURNER at Bn.H.Q. at 9.30 a.m. One N.C.O. per Platoon report to 2/Lieut. R.S.HEARD at Bn.H.Q. at 9.30 a.m. (sgd) H.C.BROWNING, Capt. & A/Adjt. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 18-3-18 2nd Lt.Balls (B.H.) joined the Bn. & posted to D Coy. 20-3-18 Capt. R.O.Clark proceeded to England on 6 months tour of duty. "Prepare for Attack" message received at 3 p.m. & all preparations made for Rapid Move. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT SHEETS 70 D.N.W. 66 C. DETAILS ORDER No.1 1. INTENTION The Battalion Details will be formed into 4 Platoons, a Drummer Platoon and a Hd.Qr.Platoon, and will take up a position at 10 minutes notice on the following lines: - "C" Platoon will hold the Trench which was pointed out at the reconaissance, running through S.29.c. "B" Company will be echeloned 100 yards on and on "C" Platoon's left to the road about S.29.b.5.6. "D" Company will form the left flank on the road near S.29.b.5.6. in the trenches reconnoitred this afternoon, to about S.29.a.1.9. "A" Company will be in support of "C" Company's right flank, and will take up a position about A.4.b.9.7., with one section in advance keeping in touch with "C" Coys. right flank, and one section acting as patrol on the eastern outskirts of NOUREUIL, and two sections in Sunken Road in S.28.d. The Drums will occupy the trench running through S.28.c.7.5. to S.28.a. central. The Shoemakers Tailors, etc. will hold the redoubt on the top of the hill in S.28.c.7.4. HEADQUARTERS will be at S.28.c.7.7. in the dugout on the crest of the hill. 2. TIME The time of "Battle Positions" will be norified later. 3. ORDER OF MARCH "C" Platoon, "B" Platoon, "D" Platoon, "A" Platoon, Drums, Shoemakers, tailors etc. and Hd.Qrs. 4. DRESS Battle Order. 5. BAGGAGE Packs and Blankets will be dumped in the Camp Store Hut on receipt of the Order to Move. 6. REPORTS Reports to ROUEZ CAMP Orderly Room until the Order to Move is given, then to Battn.Hd.Qrs. on the crest of the hill, S.28.c.7.7. 7. WORK Platoons will forthwith consolidate the above reconnoitred positions. (sgd) W.J.W.COLLEY, Capt. 2nd in Command, 7th (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 21/3/18 21-3-18 Enemy Bombardment started at 4.30 a.m. Morning very misty. 10.50am Received orders at 10.50 a.m. to move in Buses & rendezvous in HAUTE TOMBELLE WOOD, where Bn. arrived about 12 noon. 3pm received orders to occupy & hold the MONTESCOURT SWITCH, 7th Bedfords being in Brigade Reserve. 4.40pm Bn. moved forward & got into position about 7.30 p.m. "C" & "D" Coys supporting Royal Fusiliers & "A" & "B" Coys supporting Northamptons. Bn. Details left out of action were formed into 6 Platoons & occupied position just East of ROUEZ CAMP. 11pm Bn. received orders to fall back & take up position south of CROZAT CANAL. CROZAT CANAL 22-3-18 7am Bn. in position, but all attempts to blow up bridge failed owing to lack of explosive. 5.45pm Heavy attack by enemy on LA MONTAGNE BRIDGE, "C" Coy. on left flank came under very heavy M.G. fire & were forced to retire, enemy crossing Bridge. Counter-attack by 2 Coys Northants, assisted by "C" Coy, restored situation & by 7.30 p.m. all enemy were thrown back across Bridge. Details engaged in fighting in neighbourhood of ROUEZ CAMP. 23-3-18 Morning very misty. 7am Enemy attacked again & effected crossing on right & left flanks of Brigade front. 10am owing to flanks being turned order received from brigade to retire to ridge in front of FAILLOUEL. 1pm Retirement successfully carried out & position taken up. FAILLOUEL 4pm Position in front of FAILLOUEL became untenable owing to high ground of left flank falling into hands of enemy. Order therefore received to fall backto high ground West of village. 7pm Received orders to rendezvous Bn. & march back to CAILLOUEL. Details heavily engaged in fighting near ROUEZ CAMP, finally falling back on VILLEQUIER AUMONT. CAILLOUEL 24-3-18 10am Took up position in wood North of village: "B" & "D" Coys in front, "A" Coy in reserve. Enemy still advancing & pushing back French in front. 7pm Heavy attack on GUIVRY on our left flank: French fell back & left our flank exposed. 25-3-18 3am Orders received to fall back to CREPIGNY line, which was successfully carried out. Enemy now about 2 miles in rear of left flank. 10am Fell back again to MONT DU GRANDU to safeguard left flank. 12 noon Heavily fired on by French Artillery & M.G's & forced to retire to high ground West of GRANDU. GRANDU 3pm Received orders to march to VARESNES to take up position South of OISE: orders countermanded while en route & new orders received to counter-attack village of BABOEUF. Counter-attack successful & village retaken, several prisoners being taken & many enemy killed. BABOEUF 26-3-18 2am Owing to enemy being in rear of left flank & nearly into NOYON, it was found necessary to evacuate village & retire across OISE; marched about 8 miles & billeted for day. 3pm Marched to NAMPZEL & thence to MESNIL where Bn. was accommodated for night in caves. Casualties to date: (a) Officers 1 Killed 2nd Lt.Winmill 4 Wounded Capt.W.W.Colley 2nd Lt.R.S.Heard 2nd Lt.N.C.E.Cockburn 2nd Lt.C.H.Pierce 1 Wounded & Missing 2nd Lt.R.A.Stiles 1 Missing 2nd Lt.R.W.Coutts (b) O.R. Killed 22 Wounded 140 Wounded & Missing 4 Missing 99 MESNIL 27-3-18 3pm Marched to ST.AUBIN in reserve to 58th Division. The following letter has been received from Monsieur le general BREGARD, Commanding 1st Division, Dismounted Cavalry: - "During the Operations of the 24th/25th March, the 18th Division with trwo Brigades of Artillery, commanded by General LEE has been put under my orders. With regard to this, I wish to bring to your notice the splendid attitude and the brilliant bearing [of] the 54th Brigade and the 8th and 83rd Artillery Brigades. I wish to bear testimony to the perfect "camaraderie" which those General Officers and their units placed under their commands have never ceased to show, as also to the superb bearing of their troops. It is thanks to their splendid and dogged defence that I have been able to free on my right a situation often difficult, especially at the time of retirement on to the South Bank of the Oise on the night of 25th/26th March." sd C.BRECARD 27th March 1918 (Translated from French) 28-3-18 to 29-3-18 St.Aubin. 30-3-18 3am Marched to NAMPZEL where Bn. embussed & travelled via COMPIEGNE, ST.JUST, AMIENS to BOVES, where Bn. was accommodated for night. 31-3-18 8.30am Marched to GENTELLES in support to front line. 4pm Called out to reject enemy attck, latter did not materialise & Bn. returned to billets at 9 p.m. Casualties: - 2 wounded

Mar 1918

From: 1918 To: 1918

item

Kingdon, Oliver,
Percival, Arthur Ernest,
Coutts, R.W.,
Gale,
Browning, Herbert Compton,
Kerr, W.,
Colley, William Joseph Wellesley,
Heard, R.S.,
Kelf, F.J.,
Haggard,
Turner,
Clark, R.O.,
Winmill, Westropp Orbell Peyton,
Cockburn, N C E,
Pierce, C.H.,
Stiles, R.A.,
Brecard, C.,
Lee, Richard Philipps,
Flavell, T.H.,
Kitchener,
Haward, Hereward Warren,
Seys-Phillips, Howard

RFC, 54th Infantry Brigade, 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, Royal Tank Corps, shooting, 18th (Eastern) Division, 290th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, French, Germans, Oise, 1st Dismounted Cavalry Division, 58th Division, police, Rouez Camp, Noureuil, Pierremande, Autreville, Chauny, Dampcourt, Quierzy-sur-Oise, Manicamp, Villequier-Aumont, Bois de Vieville (Somme), Faillouel, Caillouel, Frieres-Faillouel, Mennessis, Montescourt, Clastres, Jussy, Vouel, Chateau de Villequier-Aumont, Haute Tombelle Wood (Somme), Montescourt Switch (Somme), Crozat Canal (Somme), La Montagne Bridge (Somme), Guivry, Grandru, Mont de Grandru, Varesnes, Baboeuf, Noyon, Nampcel, le Mesnil, St.Aubin, Amiens, Compiegne, Boves, Gentelles, Saint-Just, Liez, Marest-Dampcourt