Title
ALBERT
1-11-16
In billets. Coy. & Battn. training carried on in the vicinity of Albert.
2-11-16
In billets. Coy. & Battn. training carried on in the vicinity of Albert.
OPERATION ORDERS
by
LIEUTENANT COLONEL G.P.MILLS
COMMANDING 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT
Map Reference Le Sars
57 D. S.E. 2 & 57 C. S.W. 1 (Parts of)
Edition 2. F. 1/10,000
2-11-16
1. INTENTION
The Battalion will relieve the 8th Suffolks in the front line 54th Bde Sub-Sector to-morrow the 3rd inst. O. C. Companies, 2/Lieut. Rednall R.B. (For Signal Officer) one representative per platoon and Battalion Sergeant Major will proceed in advance of their Companies for taking over, proceeding by bus leaving Bde Hd Qrs at 8-40 a.m. Guides of 8th Suffolks will meet this party at Dump R 34 D 47. at 10-0 a.m.
2. DISTRIBUTION
On completion of relief the Battalion will be situated as follows:
"A" Company left of front line in REGINA TRENCH.
"B" Company right of front line in REGINA TRENCH.
"C" Company Vancouver Trench and its vicinity
"D" Company Zollern Trench.
Battalion Headquarters in old Battalion Headquarters and in addition Old Brigade Headquarter mess in R.29. Central, moving off with "A" Company.
3. ORDER OF RELIEFS
Companies will move off as follows: - the head of "C" Company will arrive at "Centre Way In" Dump (on Tramway) R 34.D.47. at 11 a.m., where platoon guides of the 8th Suffolks will meet them.
"D" Company at 12 Noon
"A" Company at 3.30 p.m.
"B" Company at 4.30 p.m.
Completion of all reliefs to be reported by wire to Battalion Head-Quarters by sending the words "Satisfactory-----p.m.". Companies will march off by Platoons after passing Red Cross Corner.
4. BOMBS
Every man will carry up 2 bombs in addition to the 10 each carried by the bombing section. The N.C.O's of each bombing section will carry 10 Rifle Grenades and each man one Rifle Grenade.
5. KITS
All stores, Officers Kits, Cooking utensils for the trenches will be dumped in billet yard by 9-0.a.m. All spare kit, packs etc for Quarter Master Stores will be stacked in a separate dump by 10-0 a.m., under charge of the C.Q.M.Sgts, who will remain in charge until it is delivered to the Quarter Master.
6. DRESS
Fighting order, Steel Helmets will be worn. Leather jackets will be worn outside the tunic and under the equipment. Water-proof sheets (or Capes) will also be carried. Blankets, greatcoats and Packs will be left behind. O.C. Companies will see that every man carries two sandbags and has one wrapped around each leg securely, and one over his rifle.
7. WATERBOTTLES
Waterbottles will be filled before departure.
8. RATIONS
Arrangements are being made to give the men hot tea on arrival in trenches.
9. 1st LINE TRANSPORT
Officers and men detailed to remain with 1st Line Transport will join 1st Line Transport at 10.0 a.m. This party will be rationed by the Quarter Master. Each Officer should take sufficient utensils with him for his own use.
10. STRETCHER BEARERS
All stretcher bearers will march with their respective Companies, each party carrying its own stretchers.
11. BOMBS
2/Lieut.F.E.Dealler and 1 N.C.O per Company will accompany one limber leaving Battalion Headquarters 7-15 a.m. and have the bombs ready at Red Cross Corner for issue to Companies on arrival. these bombs are detonated. Bomb buckets (32 per Company) will be carried on this limber.
12. AEROPLANE FLARES
These will be left at the Quartermaster Stores.
13. PACKS
Packs will not be taken up to trenches but stacked at billets Lewis Gunners will carry packs holding drums, leaving behind the contents of their packs, tied up in sandbags and labelled.
14. BILLETING CERTIFICATES
Billeting certificates certifying that billets have been left clean, and in good orer, will be handed to Orderly Room before moving off.
15. GENERAL
O.C.Companies are responsible that the following are present and in good order: Iron Rations. S.A.A. 150 rds per man. Wire Cutters, each wire cutter waering the wire cutters badge. Very Pistols. All haversacks with yellow flash. Field Dressings.
16. DETAILS
2/Lieut.H.F.Trewman will report at "Central Way Dump" R 34 D 46. at 12-0 noon and 2/Lieut.W.F.Cannell will report at "Red Cross Dump" at 12-0 noon, both to take over Dump and tramway duties from officers of the 53rd Brigade.
"A" Coy will detail 3 men.
"B" Coy will detail 3 men.
"C" Coy will detail 3 men.
"D" Coy will detail 2 men and 1 N.C.O. to accompany 2/Lieut.H.F.Trewman for duties at "Centre Way Dump"
(signed) E.W.benson. Lieut & Adjt
7th (S) Bn Bedfordshire Regiment
3-11-16
4.30pm
Relieved the 8th Battn.Suffolk Regt. in REGINA TRENCH. Copy of Orders attd.
4-11-16
In Trenches Bn.Hd.Quarters at R29 Central (MAp Ref Miraumont - 1/20000). 2/Lt.A.W.Brawn took over the Regimental transport - vice Lt.H.C.Browning who took up comd. of A Coy. Lts.D.S.Keep & H.C.Browning appointed acting Captains whilst Comdg A Coy - Copy of order attd. appdx II. [not attached]
5-11-16
In trenches as above.
6-11-16
Relieved from Trenches & move to Bivouacs in TARA Hill near Albert.
TARA Hill
7-11-16
Training of Coys. carried out in vicinity of Bivouac. List of Awards for Gallantry attd. (appx III)
Albert
8-11-16
Training by Coys. Lt.W.Mason joined the battalion for duty as Transport Officer but a Transport Officer Lt.Brawn was serving in charge of the Transport & doing well Lt.Mason was attd to the 54th Brigade.
9-11-16
Training from Billets in & around Albert.
10-11-16
Training from Billets in & around Albert.
11-11-16
Training from Billets in & around Albert.
OPERATION ORDERS
by
LT.COL.G.P.MILLS
COMMANDING 7TH (S) BN BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT
MAP REFERENCE LE SARS
57d S E 2 & 57 c.S.W. 1.
EDITION 2 1/10000
1. INTENTION
The Battalion will relieve the 8th Suffolks in the front line 54th Bde Sub-Section tomorrow 13th inst.
Officer Commanding Companies, 2/Lt R.B.Rednall, 1 representative per platoon and Battalion Sergeant Major will proceed in advance of their Companies for taking over, leaving Bn Headquarters in time to arrive at Centre Way In R 34 D 47 at 1 p.m. where guides of the 8th Suffolks will meet them.
2. DISTRIBUTION
On completion of relief the Battalion will be situated as follows.
"D" Coy left of front line Regina Trench
"C" Coy right of front line Regina Trench
"A" & "B" Companies Zollern Trench
Battalion Headquarters in prebious Bn Hd Qrs & Bde Mess at R29 Central until morning of 14th when it will move to new Bn Hd Qrs.
3. ORDER OF RELIEFS
Companies will move off as follows: -
The head of "A" Coy will arrive at S entrance of "Centre Way In" R 34 D 47 at 3.30 p.m.
"B" Coy at 4.30 p.m.
"C" Coy at 5.10 p.m.
Battalion Headquarters will move off with "A" Company.
"D" Coy 5.50 p.m.
2 Platoon Guides of the 8th Suffolks will meet each platoon at above point.
Platoons will march at 5 minute intervals.
Completion of reliefs will be reported to Battalion Headquarters by wire by sending the word "Satisfactory----p.m.".
4. DRESS
Battle Order. Steel helmets and leather jerkins will be worn. W.P.Sheets willl be carried. Blankets, greatcoats and packs will be dumped under arrangements of Coy Qr Mr Sergeants. Each man will wear a sandbag around each leg, carry one over his rifle, and two on his equipment.
5. WATERBOTTLES & RATIONS
Waterbottles will be filled before leaving and rations for 14th will be carried on the man. Arrangements will be made by O.C.Coys to give the men hot tea on arrival in trenches.
6. BOMBS & GRENADES
In addition to the 10 each carried by the Bombing Section, every man will carry 2. the N.C.O. of each Bombing Section will carry 10 and each man of the Bombing Section 1 rifle grenade. Supplies of these to replace those deficient will be issued by 2/Lieut Dealler at the Dump where they were issued on the last occasion. 2/Lieut Dealler and 1 N.C.O. per Coy will accompany the Bomb limber, leaving Bn Hd Qrs at 2 pm and have the bombs ready for issue to Companies on arrival. These bombs are detonated.
7. AEROPLANE FLARES
These flares will be taken up to new Bn Hd Qrs on the night 14/15th inst, under arrangements with the Quarter Master.
8. PACKS
Packs will only be carried by Lewis Gunners for purpose of carrying drums. the contents of these packs will be tied up in Sandbags labelled and dumped as arranged by C.Q.M.Sgts.
9. STRETCHER BEARERS
All stretcher bearers will march with their respective Coys, each party carrying its own stretchers
10. 1st LINE TRANSPORT
N.C.O's and men detailed to remain with 1st Line transport will report to the Quarter Master at 2.30 p.m. Officers will remain at present Battalion Headquarters.
11. BILLETING CERTIFICATES
Certificates certifying that billets have been left scrupulously clean will be handed to Orderly Room before moving off.
(Signed) E.W.Benson. Lieut & Adjt.
7th (S) Bn Bedfordshire Regiment
54th Infantry Brigade
Reference Maps
Lens 1/100000
Sheet 57 d SE 1/20000
Moves will take place in accordance with the attached March table tomorrow November 13th.
Intervals on the march will be as follows.
200 yards between Companies
400 yards between battalions
Tomorrow evening Nov 13th 11th R Fusiliers and 7th Battn Bedfordshire Regt will relieve the 8th Norfolk Regt (Left) and 8th Suffolk Regt (Right) respectively in the front line renches.
Relieving Companies will arrive at the S entrance to CENTRE WAY (R 34 d 4 7) at relieving times
1st Coy 7th Bedford Regt at 3.30 p.m. 2 guides per platoon from Support Coy 8th Suffolks
1st Coy 11th R Fusiliers at 4.0 p.m. 2 guides per platoon from Support Coy 8th Norfolks
2nd Coy 7th Bedford Regt at 4.30 p.m. 2 guides per platoon from Reserve Coy 8th Suffolks
2nd Coy 11th R Fusiliers at 4.50 p.m. 2 guides per platoon from Reserve Coy 8th Norfolks
3rd Coy 7th Bedford Regt at 5.10 p.m. 2 guides per platoon from Right Coy in front line, 8th Suffolks
3rd Coy 11th R Fusiliers at 5.30 p.m. 2 guides per platoon from Right Coy in front line, 8th Norfolks
4th Coy 7th Bedford Regt at 5.50 p.m. 2 guides per platoon from Left Coy in front line 8th Suffolks
4th Coy 11th R Fusiliers at 6.10 p.m. 2 guides per platoon from Left Coy in front line 8th Norfolks
Guides will meet advance parties at R 34 d 4.7. at 1 p.m.
During reliefs Companies will move by platoons at 5 minutes intervals.
During night 13/14th Nov Battalion Headquarters of 11th Royal Fusiliers and 7th Bedfordshire Regt will be at R 29 Central.
No busses will be available for this relief.
Completion of reliefs will be reported by wire to 54th Infantry Brigade Headquarters by Code "STAR....pm".
The hour at which 54th Infantry Brigade Headquarters will close in ALBERT and reopen at Brigade Battle Headquarters will be notified later.
The following busses and lorries will be available for the move of the two battalions from WARLOY to ALBERT: -
1 bus at Headquarters 12th Middlesex Regt at WARLOY at 9 a.m. for advanced parties of both Battalions.
1 bus and 2 lorries for each battalion at Headquarters 12th Middlesex Regt WARLOY at 9 a.m. for conveyance of men unfit to march and blankets etc. to make as many journeys as required.
ACKNOWLEDGE
(signed) E.J.MILES Captain
Brigade Major
54rh Infantry Brigade
12-11-16 3.30pm to 15-11-16
Bn. detailed to relieve 8th Bn.Suffolk Regt. in TRENCHES - (REGINA) 12/13 Copy of orders attd. remained in Trenches until night of 15/16 when
they were relieved by the 11th Canadian Brigade. The Battn. moved back to Huts in OVILLERS (X.13.b.29) Albert Map. During this tour in trenches all preparations were made for Attack on MIRAUMONT but the weather was very wet & it was not carried out before the Bn. was due for relief.
16-11-16
Bn. employed in improving the Communication Trench in 54th Brigade Sector.
17-11-16
Bn. employed in improving the Communication Trench in 54th Brigade Sector.
18-11-16
Bn. employed in improving the Communication Trench in 54th Brigade Sector.
BATTALION ORDERS No.200
by
LIEUT COL. G.P.MILLS
COMMANDING 7th (S) BN BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT
1475 DUTIES
Orderly Officer for tomorrow.
2/Lieut. C.B.Kydd. "B" Company
Next for Duty
2/Lieut R.B.Rednall, "C" Company
1476 ORDERLY ROOM
Orderly Room will be at 10-0 a.m.
Company Commanders will attend.
1477 PROMOTIONS
Lieut D.S.H.Keep and Lieut.H.C.Browning are authorized to wear the badges of the rank of Captain.
1478 ALARM
In case of alarm, Companies will form up in front of their huts and send an Officer to report to Battalion Headquarters (in the original hut) for orders.
1479 CASUALTIES
The Commanding Officer regrets to announce the following casualties
No.14161 L/Cpl Hobbs F[rank] A Coy Killed 16-11-16
28991 L/Cpl Dungay R[obert] A Coy Killed 16-11-16
15760 Pte Turney, A[rthur] A Coy Killed 16-11-16
40532 Pte Ward, W[alter] A Coy Killed 16-11-16
40506 Pte Osborne, F[rederick Charles] A Coy Killed 16-11-16
40508 Pte Thompson, H[erbert William] A Coy Killed 16-11-16
40535 Pte Hickmore, A[mos] B Coy Killed 16-11-16
16524 Pte Cain, N[athan] C Coy Killed 15-11-16
29774 Pte Halls, H[erbert] R[olfe] C Coy Killed 14-11-16
43309 Pte Johnson, R[obert Marshall] C Coy Died of Wounds 15-11-16
27348 Pte Pitts, W[illiam] C[harles] B Coy Missing 16-11-16
29786 Pte Moore, J.W. A Coy Wounded 16-11-16
28039 Pte Fuller, H. A Coy Wounded 16-11-16
28084 Pte Berry, H[erbert] E[ric] A Coy Wounded 16-11-16
40501 Pte Saunders, J.B. A Coy Wounded 16-11-16
40519 Pte Ovenden, F.A. A Coy Wounded 16-11-16
14135 Cpl Dean, W. B Coy Wounded 16-11-16
10034 Pte Hammond, J. B Coy Wounded 16-11-16
26234 Pte Bottomley, G. B Coy Wounded 16-11-16
29793 Pte Parker G.S. C Coy Wounded 15-11-16
18255 Pte Ellis, W.G. C Coy Wounded 15-11-16
29859 Pte North, W. C Coy Wounded 15-11-16
15491 Pte Miles, A. C Coy Wounded 14-11-16
4366 Pte Hughes, F.H. C Coy Wounded 14-11-16
27855 Pte.Swain, T. C Coy Wounded 14-11-16
3/8636 L/Cpl Holmes, J. D Coy Wounded 14-11-16
3/7661 L/Cpl Smith, R. D Coy Wounded 14-11-16
27627 L/Cpl Skevington, M. D Coy Wounded 13-11-16
13581 Pte Dillingham, A. D Coy Wounded 13-11-16
14854 Pte Hargford, W. D Coy Wounded 17-11-16
29772 Pte Selsby, C. D Coy Wounded 14-11-16
still at duty 2/Lieut. L.E.Taylor C Coy Wounded 14-11-16
29796 Pte Redding, B[ertie] KILLED 15-11-16 C Coy
1480 INCREASES
The following having reported from Field Ambulance are taken on the strength from 15-11-16
20359 Pte North, W. C Coy.
15491 Pte Miles, A. C Coy
3/8636 L/C Holmes, J. D Coy
3/7661 L/C Smith, R. D Coy
13581 Pte Dillingham, A. D Coy
29772 Pte Selsby, C. D Coy
1481 DECREASES
The following have been struck off dtrength in accordance with G.H.Q. Letter No O.B. 181 of 13th October 1916
18557 Pte Allan, G. A Company
14861 Pte Lewis, S. D Company
43348 Pte Meacham, J. D Company
10328 Pte Thomas, E. A Company
15392 Pte Rowell, S. C Company
14596 Pte Plume, F. C Company
43289 Pte Eggitt, H. D Company
20344 Pte Dunham, W. B Company
1482 GALLANTRY
The Corps Commander has been pleased to award THE MILITARY MEDAL to the undermentioned N.C.O's and men
No.15400 C.Q.M.S. Fountain, A.
12827 Private Silsby, B.F.
15198 Private A.Chandler
18176 Sergeant [Major] Brand, R.M.
17642 L/Corpl Clarke, G.S.
15333 Pte Fuller, G.B.
1483 RETURN
Companies will render a certificate to-night [in margin an asterisk and at bottom of page "Early tomorrow morning please"] that they are complete with the following.
S.A.A.
Bombs
Bomb Buckets
Cutters Wire Hand
Cutters Wire Rifle
Very Pistols
Very Pistols 1"
Gloves Hedging
Cups Rifle Grenades
and complete with rifles, bayonets, entrenching tools, smoke helmets, equipment etc.
1484 LETTERS
Some irregularity in receipt of mails from ENGLAND must be expected during the next few days owing to Admiralty restrictions in connection with Cross Channel Services.
(Signed) E.W.Benson. Lieut & Adjt
7th (S) Bn Bedfordshire Regiment
19-11-16
Bn. employed in improving the Communication Trench in 54th Brigade Sector.
20-11-16 to 25-11-16
Until the 25th the Bn. marched back to rest billets in the St.RIQUIER district: to enjoy a well earned rest, the march close on sixty (60) miles was performed by easy stages Not one man fell out.
26-11-16
Battn. Billeted for the night at AGENVILLERS.
27-11-16
Bn. moved into its final billets at MILLENCOURT.
MILLENCOURT
28-11-16 to 30-11-16
The battalion in rest billets. Training carried on daily. Refitting & overhauling all Kits, Clothing, Transport etc.
EXTRACTS FROM BATTALION ORDERS
BATTALION ORDERS No 193
D/7-11-16
Para 1403 GALLANTRY
The General Officer Commanding in Chief has under Authority granted by His Majesty the King awarded decorations to the following Officers and Other ranks
MILITARY CROSS
Captain L.H.Keep
Captain W.J.W.Colley
Lieut. D.S.H.Keep
Captain J.W.Turner (R.A.M.C.)
2/Lieut. H.A.Reaney
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
3/8402 R.S.M. Antcliffe, F.
16176 C.S.M. Brand, R.M.
6466 C.S.M. Hall, C.
43340 SERGEANT Wyatt, A.
15080 Lce/Cpl. Harris, W.
16540 Private Goldhawk, G.
MILITARY MEDAL
14626 Lce/Sgt. Turville, A.
15318 Private Pratt, A.
17423 Private Crawley, W.
The Commanding Officer congratulates the above Officers and men on having gained the above decorations.
B.O. 203 Para 1503 CASUALTIES
The Commanding Officer regrets to announce the following casualties.
Lieut. W.G.Lacey A Coy Wounded 20-11-16
14342 Pte C.Lyles D Coy Wounded 20-11-16