X550/8/1/1709

1-9-17 Battn carried out practice attack. Blank ammunition was used & the new form of attack was adopted. 5 pm Divisional Cross Country Race. The Bn. obtained 4th place in the 5 mile contest. Conditions: Teams of 8, first 6 to count. First 5 of Bn team were well up but the 6th man dropped a lot of points. 2-9-17 Bathing. ARNEKE 3-9-17 12.30 Moved by Route March from BUYSSCHEURE to ARNEKE. Here the Bn was billeted in farms, being very scattered. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT Order No.151 1. INTENTION The Battalion will proceed by ROUTE March to ARNEKE. 2. STARTING POINT Cross Roads at Battalion Headquarters Mess. 3. TIME Starting Time 12.30 p.m. 4. ORDER OF MARCH Battn Headquarters, "A" "B" Drums, "C", and "D" Companies.Transport 5. DRESS Full Marching Order, Steel helmets will be carried on the pack. 6. MEALS Dinner 11.15 a.m. 7. TRANSPORT Transport will move in rear of the Battn. One lorry will be supplied but a guide must be sent to G.3.C.2.6. corss roads at 12.30 p.m. to fetch the lorry. The lorry may be used for a second journey. Pioneers will report to Lt.Dealler. 8. BAGGAGE Kits etc to be dumped as follows. "A" and "B" Coys at Coy Hd Qrs at: "A" Company at 10.45 a.m. "B" Company at 11.0 a.m. All other kits in Quarter Masters yard by 11.30 a.m. 9. BILLETS Billets must be left clean, latrines filled in etc. 3-9-17 (SGD) H.B.STEWART LIEUT AND A/ADJT. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 4-9-17 Musketry on 5th Army Range EPERLECQUES. Bn was conveyed in lorries and each man fired 3 practice. 5-9-17 7 am Parade. The abolition of the entry parade had not proved a success, as it led to much slackness. 9 am Coy Training - Guard Mounting, Specialists, Coys in attack, Platoon Drill. 6-9-17 Specialist Training followed by Battn in attack. BUYSSCHEURE 7-9-17 7 am Early morning parade. 9 am Specialist Training, followed by Platoon Drill. 8-9-17 7 am Early morning parade. 11 am Demonstration of Gas Cloud, whole Battn attended. 9-9-17 11.30am Voluntary Church Parade. 2nd Lt.R.W.Curtice joined the Battn & was posted to "B" Coy. 2nd Lt.T.N.Donovan joined the Battn & was posted to "A" Coy. 10-9-17 7 am Parade. 8 am - 5 pm Bathing. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT Order No.151. [attached note states for 11th Royal Fusiliers substitute 12th Middlesex] Map reference Sheet S7.N.W. 1/20 000 1. GENERAL IDEA On September 11th the 7th Bn Bedfordshire Regiment in co-operation with "X" Battn on its Right and "Y" Battn on its left will attack and capture. 1st Objective Red Line. 2nd Objective Blue Line. "X" and "Y" Battalion will be represented by Blue Flags. The objectives of the 7th Bedfords are as follows: - 1st Objective. Red Line from point I.1.a.8.1. to I.1.a.5.5. inclusive. 2nd Objective Blue line from point I.1.b.2.9. to C.25.a.6.2. inclusive. 2. INTENTION "A" Coy will be Right assaulting Coy. "B" Coy will be Left assaulting Coy. "C" will be in close support, covering the Battalion frontage. "D" will be in Reserve at the disposal of the Battalion Commander. The assaulting Coys will fight their way through to the final objectives after the capture of which they will push forward posts and consolidate the final objective. 3. MOPPERS UP PARTIES Two coys of the 11th Royal Fusiliers will be attached to the 7th Bn Bedfords and will clear up and consolidate. 1st Coy. Area Moppers up. Mop up all shell holes etc to final objective and will consolidate and garrison a line 150 yards in rear of final objective. They will act as a Support to the front line. 2nd Coy. Will mop up and occupy strong points situated at: - "A" I.1.a.8.1. "B" I.1.a.5.2. (Lone tree). "C" I.1.a.3.5. "D" I.25.c.7.2. One Lewis Gun to be detailed to each strong point. 4. 54th M.G.COY 1 Section 54th M.G.Coy will move forward with reserve coy. Two guns to take up defensive position in Red line and two Guns to move forward to Final Objective as soon as it is taken and take up defensive position covering the front. 5. 54th T.M.BTY Will move forward with Support Coy on Right flank of Battalion to Red Line and dig themselves in at I.1.a.8.1. and be prepared to support attacks on any strong point holding out. 6. BARRAGE. Artillery Barrage will open 200 yards in front of assembly trenches and will dwell for one minute and then move forward at the rate of 100 yards in 2 Minutes. Artillery Barrage will be simulated by the rolling of drums. The Sgt Drummer will detail 10 Drummers to reoprt to Lt Stewart at 9 a.m. at Haystack at I.7.a.60. 8.[sic] TOOLS. Picks and shovels will be carried by the reserve platoon of the assaulting Coys and one platoon of support and reserve Coys. One pick and one shovel to every 3 men. Tool Cart will be at Bn Head Quarters. 9. ASSEMBLY. The attacking Coys will form up on a line running from I.1.c.85.00. to I.1.c.05.30. the Dividing-line of the Coys will be I.c.45.10. 10. BN H.Qrs. Battalion Headquarters will be at the Haystack at point I.7.s.6.5. and will not advance. 11. BDE H.Qrs. Farm at I.7.d.8.2. 12. ZERO HOUR. Zero Hour will be at 11 a.m. DRESS. Battle Order less Steel helmets and Box respirators. No live ammunition must be carried. Pouches must be thoroughly examined and Lewis Gun Drums emptied. 500 rounds blank per Coy has been issued. Enemy will wear white bands round their caps. Sgt Drummer wil ldetail a Bugler to accompany the Officer Commanding 7th Bn Bedfords. On Standfast sounding all troops will remain in the position they have reached until either continue or dismiss is sounded. Should the Officers call be sounded all Officers and platoon Commanders will rendezvous at Lone Tree. 10-9-17 (SGD) H.B.STEWART LIEUT AND A/ADJT. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGT. 11-9-17 Bn. carried out a practice attack with 12th M'x as Moppers Up. 12-9-17 7 am Parade. 9 am Specialist Training & Coy. Drill. 13-9-17 "C" & "D" Coys "Moppers Up" to 11th Royal Fusiliers in attack scheme "A" & "B" Coys. acted as enemy. 14-9-17 7 am Early Parade. 9 am Specialist Training & Platoon Drill. 3 pm Cricket match. To All recipients of O.O. No 152 With reference to Operation Orders No 152 issued herewith the chief points which it is hoped to bring out in this exercise are: - 1. Forming up with several lines in the same trench and the advance from same. 2. Action of Supports and Reserves when the front line is held up by unknown Strong Point. 3. Re-orgainzation and further advance after the lines have become mixed up. 4. Action of Subordinate Commanders in re-orgainzation and consolidation immediately after the final objective has been captured. (SGD) H.B.STEWART. LIEUT AND A/ADJT. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT MAP REFERENCE SHEET 27.N.W. 1/20000 Order No 152 1. GENERAL IDEA On September 15th the 7th Bn Bedfordshire Regiment in co-operation with "X" Battalion on its Right and "Y" Battalion on its left will attack and Capture. 1st Objective. Red Line H.6.b.0.8. - B.30.c.5.6. 2nd Objective. Blue Line. High Ground B.30.d.8.1. to B.30.b.6.0. "X" and "Y" Battalions will be represented by BLUE FLAGS 3.a. ROLE OF COYS "C" Coy will be the Right assaulting Company. "D" Company will be the Left assaulting Company. "B" Coy in Close Support, covering the Battalion frontage. "A" Coy will be in reserve at the disposal of the Battalion Commander. 3. INTENTION The Assaulting Coys will fight their way through to the Final Objective after the capture of which they will each push forward posts and consolidate the Final Objective. The Reserve Company will move to the Old German Front Line H.6.a.5.4. to B.30.c.1.3. They will not move from here without orders from O.C. Battn except in case of great emergency. 2. INFORMATION Enemy is known to be holding a trench line from H.6.a.5.4. to B.30.c.1.5. with a series of strong points in echelon behind. His defences have been much knocked about by Artillery fire. The only known strongpoints are "A" B.30.c.4.0. "B" B.30.c.9.5. "C" B.30.d.3.1. 4. MOPPING UP PARTIES Two Coys of the 11th Royal Fusiliers will be attached to the 7th Bedfords and will clear up and consolidate. One Coy will be attached to each of the assaulting Coys and will find both area and special point mopping up parties. 1ST LINE OF MPOOERS UP. Will be detailed to all ground between first objective and railway. 2ND LINE OF MOPPERS UP. Will be detailed to all ground WEST of 1st objective and up to and including 1st Objective. On completion of their task all Area Moppers Up will rendezvous at the MILL B.30.d.3.3. where they will remain in close support to the front line under the orders of the Seniot Officer or N.C.O. present. Lewis Gun Section of Area Moppers Up will move with the Reserve Coy until the Final Objective is taken when they will join their platoons at the MILL B.30.d.3.3. SPECIAL POINT MOPPERS UP. Will supply 2 sectrions to consolidate and garrison each of the strong points A B and C, remainder will be divided into groups to consoidate and garrison any unknown strong points. 5. 54TH M.G.COY. One gun will move to each of the Strong points A.B.& C as soon as these positions have been captured. One gun remaining at B.H.Q. 6. BN SCOUTS AND SNIPERS Orders will be issued separately 7. 54th T.M.BTY. Two guns will [too faint to read] Reserve Company and proceed to 1st Objective near B strong point. On the capture of the Final Ibjective one gun will move forward to the railway cutting about B.30.d.5.4. 8. ENEMY. Will be provided by two Coys of the 11th R.Fusiliers. They will either wear whire cap bands or Steel helmets. 9. BARRAGE. Artillery barrage wil open 200 yards in front of assembly trenches and will swell for 1 minutes and then move forward at the rate of 100 yards in 2 minutes for 1st 200 yards and afterwards at the rate of 100 yards in 3 minutes. There will be a halt of 15 minutes on a line 100 yards beyond 1st objective. Barrage will remain on a line 400 yards behind final objective until it is no longer required. Artillery Barrage will be simulated by the rolling of drums. 10. TOOLS. Picks and Shovels will be carried by 35% of the assaulting and Support Coys and by 50% of the Reserve Coy. One pick to six shovels. Moppers up 50% will carry tools. Tool Cart at Rendezvous H.5.b.3.7 at 9.30 a.m. 11. ASSEMBLING The attacking troops will form up in four imaginery trenches which will be marked out on the ground. Nos 1 and 2 trenches will be occupied by assaukting Coys and area moppers up. 2 Support Coy and Strong Point Moppers Up. 4 Reserve Coy, M.G.Co. T.M.B. and B.H.Q. All troops to be in position by 10.30 a.m. 12. BN HD QRS Will be at H.5.b.3.7. until the first objective has been taken when they will move to old German front line about H.6.a.2.8. Advanced Battalion Signal Station will be established at Strong Point B as soon as 1st Objective has been taken. 13. BDE HD QRS At Mill B.28.1.3.0. 14. ZERO HOUR 11 a.m. 15. RENDEZVOUS 7th Bn Bedfords and Moppers up 11th Royal Fusiliers, H.5.b.3.7. at 9.30 a.m. ENEMY MILL B.30.1.3.3. at 9.30 a.m. O.C.Coy providing enemy will report to major Percival M.C. at 9 a.m. at Mill B.30.1.3.3. 16. MEDICAL Advanced Dressing Station will be established at I.6.a.4.4. 17. DRESS Battle Order less Steel Helmets and Box Respirators. No live ammunition to be carried. Pouches must be thoroughly examined and Lewis Gun Drums emptied. 500 rounds blank per Coy will be issued. On Standfast sounding all troops will remain in the positions they have reached, until either "continue" or "dismiss" is sounded. Should the "Officers" call be sounded, followed by the Dismiss all Officers and Platoon Commanders will rendezvous at Centre of Final Objective and Companies will be marched home by the Sergt Major. Both in consolidating Strong Points and the Final Objective, actual digging must be carried out on the intensive system. 14-9-17 (SGD) H.B.STEWART LIEUT AND A/ADJT 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 15-9-17 Bn. carried out a ver ysuccessful attack scheme with "Moppers Up" & Enemy, found by 11th Royal Fusiliers. "C" & "D" Coys were attacking "B" Coy Support, "A" Coy Reserve. 16-9-17 5 officers & about 300 O.R. proceeded to the seaside near MARDYCK for the day. Weather good & all ranks much enjoyed themselves. 17-9-17 5 officers & 200 O.R. proceeded to seaside. Remainder carried out Specialist Training. Tactical scheme for officers in evening. Bn. received 1 Bar to M.M. & 29 M.M. for good work on 9th/16th Aug. 18-9-17 Early Parade & Specialist Training. Work stopped by rain. Draft of 16 O.R. M.C. awarded to Lt. & Qr.F.Corner & Capt.J.A.Vlasto, R.A.M.C. and a Bar to M.C. to Capt.W.W.Colley. 19-9-17 Whole Bn. bathed. "C" & "D" Coys acted as "Moppers Up" to 11th Royal Fusiliers in tactical Scheme. 3 pm All officers & Platoon Sgts attended demonstration of wiring by 80th Field Coy. R.E. at LEDRINGHEM. ARNEKE 20-9-17 Coy. Training; platoons in attack scheme. Draft of 16 O.R. having joined the Battn. on the 19th were posted on this date. 21-9-17 9 am Platoons in attack scheme. 10.45am "D" Coy's Drill Competition won by No.15 Platoon. 12.30pm Presentation of M.C.'s, D.C.M.'s & M.M.'s to 1 officer & 29 O.R. by Brig.-Gen.C.Cunliffe Owen C.B. 2nd Lt.G.H.D.Adams & 20 O.R. joined the Bn. on this date. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT WARNING ORDER 1 The Battalion will move to the ST.JAN TER BIEZEN Area tomorrow 22nd inst. 2 Personnel will move by train, transport by road. 3 Each Company will form a dump at its Coy. Hdqrs. 4 Meals for tomorrow must be cooked to-night. Tea on arrival. 5 Detailed orders will be issued later. (SIGNED) H.B.STEWART. LIEUT. & A/ADJUTANT 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT Order No.155 Map reference Hazebrouck 1/10,000 1. INTENTION The Battalion will proceed by train tomorrow 22nd to St.Jan-ter-Biezen Area. 2. STARTING POINT ARNEKE Station. 3. TIME Coys will be at the Station at 8 a.m. 4. ORDER Hd Qrs. "A" "B" "C" and "D" Coys. 5. DRESS Full Marching Order. 6. MEALS Dinner must be cooked tonight and carried by the man. Tea on arrival. 7. TRANSPORT All transport will be brigaded and march under the orders of the OC 152 Coy A.S.C. STARTING POINT Ledringhem I.3.a.1.7. Time 9 a.m. Transport will be drawn up along the Main Dtreet in LEDRINGHEM. 11th Royal Fusiliers leading and will wait with the head of its Column at I.3.1.3.9. facing S.W. Details as to lorries later. 8. BAGGAGE Each Coy will form a dump at the Coy H.Qrs. These will be collected by limbers at 6 a.m. Bn Hd Qrs at Q.M.Stores at 6.30 a.m. 9. BILLETS Company Billets must be left clean and latrines disinfected and refuse removed. Certificate to this effect must be rendered to Orderly Room before the Battalion moves off. 10. BILLETING PARTY 2/Lieut A.H.Waddy and 1 man per Coy. B.H.Qrs and transport will proceed with the Battalion unless otherwise ordered. (SGD) H.B.STEWART LIEUT AND A/ADJT. 7TH (S) BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT SINT-JAN-TER-BIEZEN 22-9-17 Bn. moved by train from ARNEKE to HUPOUTRE and marched from there to TUNNELLING CAMP, near SINT-JAN-TER-BIEZEN, just W. of POPERINGHE. 23-9-17 CHURCH PARADE at 10 a.m. 24-9-17 Platoon training; 8 officers proceeded to 18th Coys School at VOLKERINGHOVE for 4 day course. 25-9-17 Platoon in attack. 5 officers went to 18th Coys School for the day. 26-9-17 Platoon in attack. 5 officers went to 18th Coys School for the day. Draft of 12 O.R. arrived. 27-9-17 Specialist Training & Musketry. 5 officers to 18th Coys School. Draft of 6 O.R. 28-9-17 Specialist Training, wiring etc. 2nd Lts W.N.Brawn, R.C.S.Ransom, F.H.Fox & H.W.Haward joined the Bn. on this date. Bn. dinner to celebrate anniversary of THIEPVAL & SCHWABEN REDOUBT victory. 29-9-17 Coy.Training. Aeroplane Raid at night. 30-9-17 CHURCH PARADE.

Sep 1917

From: 1917 To: 1917

English

item

Dealler, F.E.,
Stewart, H.B.,
Donovan, T.N.,
Curtice, R.W.,
Percival, Arthur Ernest,
Corner, F,
Vlasto, J.A.,
Colley, William Joseph Wellesley,
Cunliffe Owen, Charles,
Adams, G.H.D.,
Brawn, W.N.,
Fox, Frank Herbert,
Haward, Hereward Warren,
Ransom, Robert Cyril Starling

cross-country running, running, baths, Royal Fusiliers, Middlesex Regiment, 54th Machine Gun Company, Trench Mortar Batteries, holidays, Royal Engineers, aerial action overseas, Arneke, Buysscheure, Eperlecques, Mardyck, Ledringhem, Sint-Jan-ter-Biezen, Ypres, Poperinghe, Houpoutre, Thiepval, Somme, France, World War One, First World War