X550/3/WD/1811

War Diary for November 1918 1 Nov 1918 - Bousies Battalion were relieved by 11th Royal Fusiliers and took over dispositions in Reserve near BOUSIES. Lieut.P.W.Priestley, 2/Lieut.D.W.Wood, 2/Lieut.C.P.Marris joined Battalion. Casualties: - 1 O.R. Wounded 2 Nov 1918 On night 2/3rd inst. Battalion was resting at BOUSIES and was ordered to take part in attack against PREUX-AU-BOIS on 4.11.18. Casualties: - 2 O.R. Wounded AWARDS Bar to the Military Medal 25466 L.C.J.Harris MM, 17442 Pte.A.Goodliffe DCM, MM, 15644 Pte.J.Jones MM, 15364 L.C.A.Gurney MM Military Medal 266655 Pte.W.R.Furmston, 266188 Pte.F.Chapman, 16175 Cpl.S.Dines, 40129 Sgt.H.Kemble, 37824 Pte.T.W.Green, 31154 Pte.F.C.Jeffrey, 15282 Sgt.B.Higgins, 9570 Cpl.A.Caress, 13042 Pte.C.Hare, 9523 Pte.F.Ludlow 3 Nov 1918 Battalion at BOUSIES 4 Nov 1918 - Preux-au-Bois Operations against PREUX AU BOIS. Casualties: - 2/Lieut.S.A.G.Hill Wounded, 2/Lieut.S.H.Abbott Killed, 2/Lieut.W.Pennington Wounded, 2/Lieut.W.Ashton MC Wounded Other Ranks: - 7 Killed, 34 Wounded, 3 Missing Operations entirely successful 5 Nov 1918 Battalion at PREUX-AU-BOIS resting 6 Nov 1918 - le Cateau-Cambresis Battalion marched to LE CATEAU. Headquarters in RUE de LANDRECIES 7 Nov 1918 Battalion at LE CATEAU Re-organising 8 Nov 1918 Battalion at LE CATEAU Re-organising 9 Nov 1918 Battalion at LE CATEAU training. Major L.H.Keep MC awarded D.S.O., Capt.G.E.Gott awarded M.C. No.49803 Pte.W.T.YORK awarded Military Medal 10 Nov 1918 Battalion at LE CATEAU. Church Parade 11 Nov 1918 Battalion at LE CATEAU. Hostilities suspended at 11.0 a.m. 12 Nov 1918 Battalion at LE CATEAU. Draft of 101 O.R. from Base Lieut.A.J.Whitworth to Base unfit for Service at Front 13 Nov 1918 - Serain Battalion marched ro SERAIN (Ref.Map SHEET 57.B.) 14 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN training. Draft of 52 O.R. joined Battalion 15 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN training 10 O.R. from Base 16 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN training 17 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN. Church Parade, Thanksgiving Service 18 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN. 2 Companies on Salvage Work, 2 Companies Training. No.3/7668 Pte.G.H.Hutchings awarded Military Medal 19 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN on Salvage Work Lieut.T.J.Pemberton joined Battalion from Base. Captain J.C.M.Ferguson died on 19.11.18 at ROUEN Military Hospital 20 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN on Salvage Work 2/Lieut.G.W.Manners rejoined Battalion 21 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN on Salvage Work. 17 O.R. from Base 22 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN on Salvage Work. 10 O.R. from Base 23 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN on Salvage Work 24 Nov 1918 - Serain Battalion at SERAIN. Brigade Church Parade 25 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN. Salvage work and Training. 2/Lieut.G.Spence, 2/Lieut.C.H,C.Phillips, 2/Lieut.A.E.Thomas joined Battalion 26 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN. Salvage work & Training. 11 O.R. from Base 27 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN training 28 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN. Practise Divisional review Honours & Awards T/Lieut.R.T.Oldfield MC Bar to the M.C. T/Lieut.R.B.Rednall The Military Cross 2/Lieut.W.Pennington The Military Cross No.18258 Sgt W.A.Ellis DCM Bar to D.C.M. Distinguished Conduct Medal 50189 Pte.R.Jary, 42480 Pte.W.A.Suffolk, 17434 Sgt.C.H.Reynolds, 15459 Sgt.D.Collins, 26067 Cpl.J.Barford, 15364 L.C. A.Gurney MM 29 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN training 30 Nov 1918 Battalion at SERAIN training Honours & Awards The Military Medal 15789 Sgt.C.W.Reed, 19689 Pte.C.F.S.Hill, 18416 Pte.G.Stringer, 20341 Pte.R.H.Wiggins, 18931 L.C. E.F.Atkins, 41650 Pte.W.W.Wale, 40811 CSM O.H.Kirby, 21613 Cpl.W.Showell, 17572 Pte.W.Church, 202214 L.C.H.Murgatroyd, 21053 Pte.A.W.Waters, 9707 Sgt.G.H.Rickard, 26061 Pte.G.Titmus, 266686 L.C.G.Humphreys, 10047 Cpl.R.Atkins, 10628 L.C. G.Berry, 42578 Pte.J.Griffin "A" Company won Brigade Inter-Company Cross Country race 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment Narrative of Operations 4.11.18 including attack on PREUX-AUX-BOIS [sic] Reference Sheet 57 A. N.W. 1/20,000 PRELIMINARY. After holding the line in front of ROBERSART for 3 days the Battalion was relieved by the 11th Royal Fusiliers on the evening o fthe 1st November and went into Support on the S.E. outskirts of BOUSIES. The general plan of attack had been explained to O.C.Battalions at a Brigade Conference held on the 31st October and reconnaissances of the ground over which the operations were to take place were carried out on the 1st November and succeeding days. The PLAN. The 54th Brigade in conjunction with the 53rd Infantry Brigade on the left and 150th Infantry Brigade on the Right, was to take part on the 4th November in an attack on a wide front on the German positions. Objective of the 54th Brigade was PREUX-AUX-BOIS [sic] and the orchards to the N. of it as far as the edge of the FORET de MORMAL. 6th Northamptonshire Regt. were to advance at Zero and capture the orchards in A.14.a&b. and A.15.a. squares; 2nd Bedfordshire Regt. forming up in the orchards in A.13.b.square were to follow the 6th Northamptons and, facing right, were to attack PREUX-AUX-BOIS and orchards in the vicinity from the North in conjunction with one Company of 11th Royal Fusiliers on the Right and one Company 6th Northamptons on the Left. 11th Royal Fusiliers (less 1 Company) were to hold existing front line West of PREUX and make a demonstration. Companies were allotted roles as under: - "C" Coy. (Right) and "A" Coy (Left) were to lead the attack. "C" Coy being responsible for the orchards in A.14.d. and A.20.b. squares between the main street on the East and the stream on the West, and "A" Coy. being responsible for both houses on both sides of the street running North and South from A.15.c.0.7. to A.21.a.0.4. ABout the ine running East and West through A.21.a.0.4. "D" Company (Right) and "B" Coy. (Left) were to pass through the above two Companies and push on to the final objective A.20.d.2.5. to A.21.c.5.7. where liaison was to be made with the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers. Two Tanks were allotted to the Battalion, one of which was to proceed with the Right two Companies and the other with the Left 2 Companies. The APPROACH MARCH. The march to the Assembly position on account of the darkness of the night and the advisability of avoiding the roads which were under constant bursts of Machine Gun fire, was realised to be a matter of some difficulty and every precaution was therefore taken to prevent the Platoons losing the way. In addition to Platoon representatives being taken over the ground on the preceding day, the Battalion Scouts under Lieut.A.W.G.Smith, were employed in marking out the route by means of bicycle lamps and white tape. At 2345 hours the Companies commenced to move up and thanks to the above precautions the approach march was carried out withour difficulty with the loss of 1 N.C.O.Killed. Battalion Headquarters moved forward to the SUNKEN Road A.13.b.8.5. THE ATTACK. At 0615 the barrage opened and at 0650 the Companies commenced to move forward in rear of 6th Northamptonshire Regt, who made an excellent and spirited attack and cleared the whole of the area over which the Battalion had to advance. Companies duly reached the forming up position and lined up just North of the brook in A.14.d.square waiting for the entire barrage to start at 0807. A very heavy enfilade shrapnel barrage, with 4.5 howitzers beyond, came down on the line of the brook and after a pause of 4 minutes commenced to move South at the rate of 100 yards in 5 minutes. "C" Company on the Right, under command of Captain R.L.V.Doake MC, closely followed by "D" Company, commanded by 2/Lieut.W.Pennington, at once commenced to make good progress, though a number of the enemy were encountered in the orchards. The latter both fighting well, were taken in flank and quickly overcome thanks to the splendid leading of the Officers and N.C.Os of "C" and "D" Company, many small local attacks and enveloping movements being organised on the spur of the moment and successfully carried out. "C" Company arrived on their objective shortly after scheduled time and leaving garrisons at important points pushed on into the Village in Support of "D" Company. Here a large number of the enemy were encountered in the streets and the cellars and taken prisoners and at about 0930 "D" Company had reached their final objective and got into tough [sic] with the 2nd Bn.Loyal Munster Fusiliers. I consider the success of "B" and "D" COmpanies was largely due to the splendid leading of the officers Captain R.L.V.Doake MC, 2/Lieut T.F.Vaughan and 2/Lieut.W.Ashton MC (Wounded) ("C" Company) and 2/Lieut.W.Pennington (Wounded) & 2/Lieut.I.L.Whittingham ("D" Company). These Officers, well backed up by their N.C.Os, led their Companies forward in spite of the attack being held up on both flanks and by their action enables [sic] the rest of the attack to go on. On the left "A" Company commanded by Lieut.A.F.Aldridge, had almost immediately been held up by Machine Gun Fire from the road junction A.15.c.0.5., causing them to lose the barrage. two attempts were made by a Tank to deal with this strong point, but without success. Elements of the two right Platoons of "A" Company however well led by Lieut.W.J.Holbrook MC were able to work round the West of the strong point and attacked the enemy in the Cemetery at A.14.d.9.4. which was cleared after a spirited struggle. This opened the way for the Right two Platoons of "B" Company under 2/Lieut.H.B.Lang to move forward and clear the main street as far as the road junction A.21.c.3.8. An isolated Machine Gun Nest which was harassing troops in the Village from about A.21.a.5.0. was engaged and finally mopped up by a party led by 2/Lieut.H.B.Lang. Meanwhile the Left two Platoons of "A" Company under Lieut.A.F.Aldridge and the Left two Platoons of "B" Company under 2/Lieut.S.W.Goble MC, had worked their way round the East of the Strong Point at A.15.c.0.5. and were clearing the houses along the side of the lane running S.E. and N.W. in A.15.c.square. The enemy in the Strong point at A.15.c.0.5. seeing themselves outflanked and being attacked from the rear, now gave in. It was found on examination that the Machine Gun had been firing through a hole in the wall of a house well camouflaged. At 1100 Lieut.A.W.G.Smith, the Intelligence Officer, was sent forward and established a forward report centre at PREUX-AUX-BOIS and by 12 noon all the village was clear and the way was opened for other troops to pass through. Battalion Headquarters moved forward to A.20.b.95.65 and Companies were reorganised and billeted in PREUX. the battalion's Casualties were: - Officers 2/Lieut S.H.Abbott Killed 2/Lieut.W. Ashton MC Wounded 2/Lieut.W. Pennington Wounded 2/Lieut.S.A.G.Hill Wounded. Other Ranks 7 Killed 33 Wounded 3 Missing Captures included 300 prisoners, 20 Machine Guns, 2 heavy Trench Mortars and 1 Anti-Tank Rifle, besides much other material. Prisoners must [sic] o fwhom were Jaegers stated that practically the whole of the defence was concentrated on the PREUX line; this was borne out by subsequent events as directly the way was clear to the Forest, the troops passed through and met with practically no resistance. 1400 Civilians were liberated in PREUX CONCLUSION: - The success of the attack and the small number of casualties suffered appears to have been due firstly to the well conceived plan of taking the village from the North. Most of the enemy Machine Gun positions were sited in hedges facing West and by attacking them in flank it was possible to work along the hedges and get close to them before being seen. Secondly I consider the success to have been due to the adoption of principles recently taught in training, namely the value of local flanking movements when dealing with enemy Machine Guns. The thick hedges and enclosed nature of the country was peculiarly adapted to these tactics. Thirdly to the dash and drive and quickness to take advantage of an opening shown by all ranks. The tanks were useful in breaking down hedges but were not on this occasion of much assistance in helping the advance as one broke down and two others were put out of action before they had gone very far. All ranks were unanimous in their praise of the Barrage, which was both thick and accurate. Bill-hooks were carried and were exceedingly useful in getting through the thick hedges. Casualties were saved by a careful choice of the assembly position which was just clear of the enemy barrage line. The Medical Officer established an Aid Post near the front line where he worked unceasingly all morning attending to casualties of all units of the Division without assiatance A.E.Percival Lt.Colonel Commanding 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment 7.11.1918 All Companies Transport Officer Sergt Cobbold 6th 1. The Battalion will move to LE CATEAU by route march t0-day. 2. Starting point: Crossroads A.20.d.50.65. 3. Time: 1155 4. Order of March HQ D C B A 5. March by Companies at 200 yds distance 6. Dress: Battle Order. Blankets rolled round the haversack. Steel Helmets worn 7. Tools. Company Commanders will ensure that all picks & shovels are taken back. They will be carried on the man. Billhooks will be put in the L.G. Limber 8. Route: A.25.b.4.0. - BOUSIES - L.2 - FOREST - K.18.b&c. - K.29.B&c. 9. Company L.G.limber will march with Companies & will be under the orders of O.C.Companies 10. Guides will meet Companies on arrival at K.35.a.5.4. 11. Dinners will be ready on arrival 12. O.C. Companies will ensure thah the men parade as clean as possible & that strict march discipline is maintained during the march. 13. ACKNOWLEDGE 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment Order No.41 Reference Map. SHEET 57B 12th November 18 1. the Battalion will march to SERAIN tomorrow, November 13th 2. Starting Point - Bridge K.34.b.0.1. 3. Time - 0740 4. Route - K.33.a.4.6. - MARETZ - W.21.d.7.9. 5. Order of March - Drums, Hd.Qrs. "A", "B", "C" & "D" Coys 6. Distance between Companies - 100 yards 7. Dress - Fighting Order. Caps will be worn - Steel helmets on back of the haversack blankets rolled round the haversack and waterproof sheets on the belt. Rifle covers will not be on the rifles unless it is wet 8. Reveille will be at 0600. Breakfast will be at 0630. Dinners on arrival 9. Packs will be dumped by Companies and Headquarters at Quartermaster Stores by 0630. They will contain Great Coat and Jerkin and must be clearly marked on the back with number name and Company. Drummers Blankets will be dumped at the same place and time. Officers valises will be dumped at the Quartermaster Stores by 0730 10. Transport (1) A.Echelon will accompany the Battalion. (2) All A Echelon will be across the Bridge at K.34.b.0.1. before 0730 and will await the arrival of the Battalion there (3) Lewis Gun Limbers will march with Companies, one Gun will be mounted on each Lewis Gun LImber and a Lewis Gunner will accompany the Limber (4) The remainder of A Echelon will march 100 yards in rear of "D" Coy. (5) B.Echelon will march under the Brigade Transport Officer passing the Starting Point at 0835 (6) Supply wagons will move under orders of O.C. No.3.Coy.Divisional Train (7) Officer's Chargers will report at Battalion and Company Hd.Qrs at 0725 11. Advance Party One N.C.O. per Company and Battalion Hd.Qrs will report to 2/Lieut.W.Tysoe DSO at Headquarter Mess at 0700. They will bring bicycles with them and will be in possession of accurate parade states. 12. ACKNOWLEDGE sgd. H.SEYS-PHILLIPS. Captain Adjutant, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment 18th Division No.G 375 The following letter addressed to Major-General Lee has been received H.Q. Fourth Army 23rd November, 1918 My dear Lee I have not had time to come and see you, and therefore write these few lines to express to you, and to all ranks of the 18th Division, my warmest thanks for the splendid work that has been done by the Division, not only during these 100 days which have won us the war, but from March 1918 onwards. The fine spirit of discipline and fighting energy which had characterised the 18th Division throughout these operations has filled me with admiration, and I offer to all ranks my warmest thanks for their gallantry and skill in so many hard-fought battles. I specially call to mind the strenuous times before GENTELLES and CACHY the talking of ALBERT and MEAULTE, the capture of BERNAFAY and TRONES Woods, the forcing of the TORTILLE River, the battles around and beyond RONSSOY and finally the attacks on BOUSIES, HECQ and the FORET DE MORMAL. It is, indeed, a record that every Officer, N.C.O. and man, has a right to be proud of, and I very much regret that you are not marching to the frontier with the Fourth Army. The very best of luck to you all and again a thousand thanks for the brilliant part which the Division has played in these battles of the 100 days. Tours sincerely (sgd) H.RAWLINSON Major-General R.P.LEE, C.B. Comdg. 18th Division ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following reply has been sent 25th November 1918 My dear General All ranks of the 18th Division join in thanking you for your generous appreciation of the part they have played in the closing phase of this Great War. The Division has done much of its fighting in the Fourth Army, commencing with the SOMME Battles in 1916 and ending so gloriously in the 100 days of victory, and will ever be grateful to you for your counsel and leadership Many of us still hope to rejoin your Army in Rhineland Yours sincerely (sgd) R.P.LEE General Sir H.S.RAWLINSON, Bart, G.C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G. Commanding Fourth Army

1-30 Nov 1918

From: 1918 To: 1918

item

Marris, C.P.,
Wood, D.W.,
Priestley, P.W.,
Harris, J.,
Goodliffe, A.,
Jones, J.,
Gurney, A.,
Furmston, W.R.,
Chapman, F.,
Dines, S.,
Kemble, H.,
Green, T W,
Jeffrey, F C,
Higgins, B.,
Caress, A.,
Hare, C.,
Ludlow, F.,
Hill, S.A.G.,
Abbott, Sidney Herbert,
Ashton, W.,
Keep, Leslie Howard,
Gott, G.E.,
York, W.T,
Whitworth, A.J.,
Hutchings, G.H.,
Pemberton, T.J.,
Ferguson, John Charles Moore,
Manners, G.W.,
Spence, G.,
Phillips, C.H.C.,
Thomas, A.E.,
Oldfield, R T,
Rednall, R B,
Pennington, W.,
Ellis, W.A.,
Jary, R.,
Suffolk, W.A.,
Reynolds, C H,
Collins, D.,
Barford, J.,
Hill, C.F.S.,
Reed, C.W.,
Stringer, G.,
Wiggins, R.H.,
Atkins, E.F.,
Wale, W.W.,
Kirby, O.H.,
Showell, W.,
Church, W.,
Murgatroyd, H.,
Waters, A W,
Rickard, G.H.,
Titmus, G.,
Humphreys, G.,
Atkins, R.,
Berry, G.,
Griffin, J.,
Smith, A.W.G.,
Doake, R.L.Vere,
Vaughan, T.F.,
Whittingham, I L,
Aldridge, A.F.,
Holbrook, William J.,
Percival, Arthur Ernest,
Cobbold, A.F.,
Seys-Phillips, Howard,
Lee, Richard Philipps,
Rawlinson, Henry Seymour [1st Baron Rawlinson of Trent],
Tysoe, W.

2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 18th (Eastern) Division, peace and battles celebrations/commemorations, church services, 4th Army, Somme (River), Tortille, Foret de Mormal, specific bridges, land weaponry, clothing, prisoners of war, deaths, maps, 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 54th Infantry Brigade, 53rd Infantry Brigade, 150th Infantry Brigade, cross country running, Bousies, Preux-au-Bois, le Cateau-Cambresis, le Cateau-Cambresis Rue de Landrecies, Serain, Rouen, Robersart, Gentelles, Cachy, Forest-en-Cambresis, Maretz, Hecq, Albert, Meaulte, Bernafay Wood [Somme], Trones Wood (Somme), Ronssoy, Rhineland