Second Lieutenant Charles Ockley BELL

Killed in action 18th October 1914 [although CWGC records the 12th October)

Charles was born at Grimsby in 1891, the son of Alfred Frederick and Sarah Susanna Bell. He was educated at Alford Grammar School in Lincolnshire and initially enlisted as a Private into the South Staffordshire Regiment in late 1909 or early 1910. His prominent leadership abilities resulted in him being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Bedfordshire Regiment on the 20th May 1914 and he was believed to be the first soldier to be promoted under the regulations introduced in 1914.

Charles joined the 2nd battalion in South Africa (which was when the photograph opposite would have been taken) but within months was recalled to Europe, landing with the battalion at Zeebrugge in October 1914. Their Division moved south to join the British Army who were moving into the area around a little known Belgian City called Ypres, when the advanced units of the battalion crossed a rise in the Menin Road and were met by rifle fire. Orders were issued and the Company advanced astride the Menin Road to engage the Germans, when they were met by a heavy shrapnel fire.

Lieutenant Bell was the battalion's first Officer death of the war from their first contact with the German army, when he was killed by a burst of shrapnel as his company advanced. Although it was reported that he was buried at Le Touret, his grave was either lost or destroyed as he is now remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing (above).

Second Lieutenant Dudley Luis De Tavora FERNANDES

Killed in action 23rd October 1914, aged 21 [The war diary records his death as being on the 22nd]

Dudley was gazetted a Second Lieutenant on the 17th September 1913 and joined the battalion in South Africa until recalled to Europe when war broke out. Within two weeks they were engaged in the First Battle of Ypres.

On the morning of the 22nd October 2 platoons from D Company returned from supporting the Royal Scots Fusiliers and were shelled heavily once spotted by German observers. Second Lieutenant Fernandes appears to have been killed during this shelling and was later mentioned in despatches for gallantry during the First Battle of Ypres.

Dudley was the son of Thomas Weddell Luis Fernandes and E. M. Fernandes, of Scarborough and he is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (above).

Second Lieutenant George Drennan Cron WRIGHT

Killed in action 23rd October 1914, aged 23

George was born at 15 Girdler's Road in Hammersmith on the 4th April 1891, son of George Archibald (a Solicitor, who died in 1892) and Letitia Sarah Wright (nee Drennan, born 15 June 1862). His mother's father was the late William Theodore Drennan C.E., of Cape Town.

He was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant on Christmas Eve 1913 and joined the 2nd battalion in South Africa in the New Year. Second Lieutenant Wright arrived back in Europe with the battalion and landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th October 1914.

Early in the morning of the 23rd October Second Lieutenant Wright advanced with C Company to fill a gap between the positions of two other regiments. They came under such a heavy fire that their positions could not be maintained and George was one of the men killed during their advance.

He lies in the Dadizeele New British Cemetery, 16km east of Ypres centre and is remembered on the Bedford County School War Memorial, the Church of St. Mary and St. Helen, Elstow, Bedfordshire.

His service record is held under National Archives reference WO339/9416.

[Photograph from Bond of Sacrifice Volume 2. London: The Anglo-African Publishing Contractors, 1915, p. 453]

Captain Arthur Gordon HALL

Killed in action 26th October 1914, aged 34. D Company.

Arthur was born in Mysore, India, served in the South African Wars of 1899-1902 and was mentioned in despatches for his gallantry during the fighting at Ypres.

He was the son of Anna Hall, of The Hanburies Hotel, 2, Devonshire Place, Eastbourne, and the late Edward Hall and lies in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall), 3km east of Ypres centre.

Lieutenant William BASTARD

Killed in action 26th October 1914, aged 23.

William was born on the 20th April 1891 at Higher Coltscombe, Slapton in Devon, the son of William and Helen Bastard (nee Atkins). His father was a farmer by trade and he was the nephew of Devon's Medical Officer, Dr. Atkins. William was educated at Blundell's School in Tiverton before gaining a degree from Exeter College, Oxford.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Bedfordshire Regiment on the 19th January 1912 and promoted to a full Lieutenant on the 22nd January 1913. William was serving with the battalion in South Africa when war was declared and arrived in France with them on the 6th October 1914.

During the First Battle of Ypres, as the battalion held their lines around Becelaere, he was directing his platoon's fire in support of another regiment's assault when he was shot and killed by a German sniper or machine gunner (depending on the source). Lieutenant Bastard was buried by a fellow officer at the foot of Becelaere hill that evening.

His mother received a condolence letter from the battalion C.O. stating that "from the day he joined I recognised that your son was one of the best types of officers; very keen on his work, thoroughly sensible and willing to take responsibility. I always had him in my eye as being well fitted for the Adjutancy role later on. He was very popular with both officers and men and I can assure you his loss to the battalion is very, very great."

He was also mentioned for his gallantry in Sir John French's despatch of 14th January 1915.

At the time of his death, his mother lived in Oakhill, Slapton, Devon. Amongst the correspondence within his service record is a letter from his mother thanking the Army Council for letting her know where her son had been buried. In it she politely apologies for troubling them with such questions concerning his burial - despite the heartbreak she must have felt at the time. Sadly, his grave was later lost as he is now remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing (above).

His service record is held by the National Archives under reference WO339/9208 and he can be seen in the group photograph here.

Lieutenant Edmund Elgood PUNCHARD

Killed in action 29th October 1914, aged 24

Lieutenant Punchard was serving in the 2nd Battalion in South Africa when war broke out, landing with the battalion in France 6th October 1914. He was mentioned in despatched for gallantry during the battle in which he was killed.

Edmund was the son of the late Rev. Canon Punchard, D.D., and the late Catherine Mary Punchard, of St. Mary's St., Ely, Cambs.

His initial resting place was recorded and passed onto his parents but was later lost in the fighting, so he is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Murray TRAILL

Killed in action 30th October 1914, aged 49

John was born 30th October 1865 and was educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He was initially commissioned into the Militia, joined the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1887 and served in the Isaza campaign of 1892. In July 1889 he was promoted to Lieutenant, becoming a Captain in February 1896. From that July until August 1904 Captain Traill served as the Adjutant to the 1st (Volunteer) Battalion, Essex Regiment, becoming a Major on 8 December 1906. John was the battalion's second in command in South Africa in August 1914 and had been mentioned by the C-in-C for his handling of native uprisings in South Africa earlier that year.

When the 2nd Battalion landed in Hampshire September 1914. Lieutenant Colonel Coates (2nd Battalion C.O.) was categorised as being medically unfit for combat service, so Major Traill became the battalion's commanding officer when they moblised and arrived in France.

Lieutenant Colonel Traill was killed on his 49th birthday in the vicious hand to hand fighting east of Ypres, along with his second in command (below) and was mentioned in despatched for his gallantry during the battle.

John was the son of James Christie Traill of Hobbister, Rattar, Caithness, and of Julia Traill (nee Lambarde). His final resting place was lost and he is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing.

Major Robert Percy STARES

Killed in action 30th October 1914, aged 47

Robert was born 22nd November 1866 and educated at Weymouth College before continuing his education overseas.

He was gazetted into the Bedfordshire Militia in November 1888, gaining his Lieutenancy two years later. Also serving in the Isazi expedition of 1892 along with John Traill (above), Robert also served with the 1st Battalion during the Chitral campaign of 1895 and was engaged during the storming of the Malakand Pass as well as during the action near Khat and the Swat Valley.

Between May 1892 and April 1896 he served as the battalion Adjutant, becoming Captain in October 1896. Between August 1896 and May 1900 Captain Stares served as an Adjutant of Indian Voluneers, serving in expeditions on the North-Western frontier; he was also the Brigade Transport Officer during the Tirah expedition between November 1897 and April 1898.

Between January 1907 and January 1911 he served as Brigade Major, then D.A.A.G. in India, being promoted to Major In October 1908.

Major Stares was posted as the battalion's second in command when they were mobilised and fell alongside the commanding officer (above) during the desperate, close quarters fighting that day. He was shot and killed at close range, being mentioned in Sir John French's January 1915 despatches for gallantry.

Robert was noted for his fondness of polo, hunting and fishing, remaining unmarried throughout his life. He was the son of John Twynam Stares from Manor House, Upham in Hampshire and lies in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall), 3km east of Ypres centre.

During Major Stares' long service, he was awarded the Indian Medal with four clasps in addition to his Great War campaign medals.

He can also be seen in the 1st Battalion 1893 group photograph here seated in the middle of the front row, alongside Lieutenant Colonel A.M. Paterson (CO 1st Battalion), in addition to the group photograph here.

Lieutenant Wilfred Cruttenden ANDERSON

Killed in action 30th October 1914, aged 22

Wilfred was born 14th August 1892 at 16 Augusta Road, Ramsgate, the only son of Wilfred Turner Anderson (a retired Colonel of the 2nd battalion, 80th Foot, later the South Staffordshire Regiment) and Elizabeth Regis Anderson (late Cox, formerly Mahon). He was educated at Portsmouth Grammar School from 1906 and later at St Laurence College where he was a Private in their Officer Cadet Corps prior to being accepted to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in March 1910.

Second Lieutenant Anderson joined the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfordshire regiment and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 1st April 1913. He served with them in South Africa, returning to Europe with them when war broke out. He can be seen in the group photograph here.

Lieutenant Anderson was in No.3 platoon, A Company during the First Battle of Ypres when he was mortally wounded alongside Captain Ernest Lyddon (below) during the battalion's ferocious stand against an overwhelming German assault from three sides. He was initially reported as being wounded and missing on 30th October 1914 and enquiries into his fate revealed nothing. Several witness statements are still within his service record including those of two Privates in his platoon.

Private 9373 Herbert Seekings wrote from No.13 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne two weeks later that "I was with Lt Anderson during the retirement at the First Battle of Ypres on about the 24th or 25th October 1914. I saw him just before we were ordered to retire and he was not wounded then. The Germans came upon us suddenly and seemed to come from all sides of us in the morning and we had to get away as best we could. Almost all his Company believe he is a prisoner but I do not think he has been heard from. One thing I do know is that no-one saw him shot. He was extremely well liked by everyone in the battalion."

Private 9484 Charles Alfred Robinson wrote from a hospital bed in Le Treport, December 1915 that "At 5 o'clock that day we were compelled by superior numbers to evacuate the position … I did not see Mr Anderson hit but as I ran along the top of the trench I saw him lying in the bottom of it. He was wounded I think, in the body or the head, but at any rate badly. Three or four yards away Capt. Lyddon was lying also wounded. I don't know what sort of wound he had but it prevented him getting away."

His sister, Alicia Anderson of 8 Cavendish Rd., Southsea, continued to write to the Missing Officers Enquiry Department of the War Office. Although it was accepted that he had died a year later, even as late as April 1919, enquiries were still being made as to his fate, despite the fact that no evidence had been forthcoming over the preceding four years.

Wilfred's body was never found so he is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing (shown above), along with many of his comrades who fell during the battle. His record is held at the National Archives under WO339/8257.

As a nice touch which illustrates his personal taste a little more, in amongst the papers is a bill from one of his chosen Saville Row outfitters which includes lounge suits, dress suits and a golfing suit.

Second Lieutenant John Agar PATERSON [PATTERSON]

Killed in action 30th October 1914 (CWGC incorrectly records the date as 30th November)

John Paterson was born on the 19th November 1893, the son of William Morison and Margaret S. (nee Agar from Glasgow) Paterson of 27 Baskerville Road. William was a manufacturer's agent of 80 Great Portland Street.

He was educated at Dulwich College and Sandhurst before being gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in Bedfordshire Regiment on the 17th September 1913. John was with the battalion in South Africa when war broke out, and can be seen in the group photograph here.

Second Lieutenant Paterson was killed in the fierce fighting during the Prussian Guards attack and has no known grave but is remembered in the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing.

Captain Ernest Hugh LYDDON

Killed in action 31st October 1914, aged 27

Ernest was born 14th May 1887 at 10 All Saints Terrace in Cheltenham, the son of Frederick Strickland Lyddon (a Bank Clerk) and Jane Woolcon Lyddon (formerly Elbrow). From 1899 to 1902 he was educated at Stubbington House in Hampshires, then at Weymouth College until 1904.

He applied for a postion at the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy 4th September 1905 at which time he lived at 22 College Road in Bristol.

On 16 October 1913 he was made a Captain and was with the 2nd Bedfordshires in South Africa when war was declared in August 1914 and can be seen in the group photograph here.

Captain Lyddon was in A Company when the Germans launched their massed assault against British positions east of Ypres that day.

Captain Lyddon was reported as being wounded and missing during the desperate fighting 31st October 1914. He was later mentioned as being within yards of Lieutenant Anderson in Private Seekings' letter (above). Private 10101 William Henry Laws added to this in a letter he penned from an Etaples Convalescent Camp 15th December 1914, saying "He was my Company Commander and I was close to him when he was wounded by shrapnel in the side, I think. We were entrenching and had to retire and leave him, but he said 'I shall be all right, boys' and he must have been taken. It was on the Mein Road".

Although enquiries continued for over a year, hindsight showed that Captain Lyddon died from his wounds that day.

Ernest has no known grave, so and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing.

Lieutenant Donald Godrid Campbell THOMSON

Killed in action 31st October 1914, aged 21

Lieutenant Thomson was with the battalion in South Africa but arrived in France with a small reinforcement draft almost three weeks after the bulk of his comrades had landed, on the 26th October. He was killed within days.

Donald was the son of D. G. Pearce Thomson and Clara Thomson of Croft House in Penrith, Cumberland and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing.

He can be seen in the 1914 group photograph here.

Captain Charles Sidney GARNETT-BOTFIELD

Died of wounds 14th December 1914, aged 27

Charles was born at home (187 Drake Street, Rochdale) on the 5th October 1887, the son of Charles Ramsey Garnett-Botfield and Ida Mary Botfield (nee Aldersey). At the time of his birth his father was a Clerk of the Holy Orders. Charles was educated at Elleray Park, Wallasey between 1898 and 1902, then at Rossall School until 1906.

In March 1906 Charles applied to become an officer in the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, by which time his father was the Reverend at Moreton Vicarage near Oswestry. Following officer training, the Second Lieutenant joined the Bedfordshire Regiment in February 1908 and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 5th March 1910.

He was serving with the 2nd battalion in South Africa when war broke out and landed in France with them early in October 1914. Having been promoted to Captain on the 15th September 1914, he became the battalion Machine Gun Officer and fought in the most intense areas of the First Battle of Ypres.

Captain Garnett-Botfield was wounded during the ferocious fighting on 31st October 1914. Initially he was wounded in the left elbow but carried on fighting alongside his hard pressed men. Later in the fight his right thigh was shattered and he was transported to the Christol Base Hospital in Bolougne. Telegrams to his parents reported he was in a serious condition throughout his stay at the hospital and that his wounds stopped any possibility of moving him back to England until he was stabilised. He finally succumbed to his wounds on the 14th December 1914.

In a letter to Charles' parents, the battalion Adjutant remarked how proud Charles was of his machine guns and he was mentioned in Sir John French's despatches 14th January 1915, for his gallantry during the battle.

There was a mix up between his baggage and that of a Private Stanley after his death and numerous letters were passed between the Reverend, the War Office and Private Stanley's brother on the matter. Once their son's trunks arrived, they had all been broken into, causing understandable distress to his parents. In the event it transpired that the Private's brother had opened them all not realising they had been sent to him in error, given that he was a 2nd battalion Officer's servant. Although Captain Garnett-Botfield died in the Base Hospital in Bolougne, his body was apparently returned to England and he lies in the Moreton (Morton) Churchyard, near Oswestry.

His service record is held under the National Archives reference WO339/6998.

Lieutenant (Captain) Lewis Henry SHAPTER

Killed in action 31st January 1915

Although the CWGC records his death as being in the 3rd (Reserve) Suffolks attached to the 1st Hants, Captain Shapter was serving in the 2nd Bedfords at the time of his death.

He was the son of the late Dr. Lewis Shapter, of Exeter and lies in the Y Farm Military cemetery, Bois Grenier.

Captain Harold Edward HUNTRISS

Killed in action 17th May 1915, aged 24

Harold was born 23rd May 1890 in East Markham, Nottinghamshire, the son of William Huntriss, J.P. and Charlotte Elizabeth Huntriss. He was educated at Uppingham between 1904 and 1908, after which Harold applied to the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy on 29 September 1908, giving his address as Mattersey Hall, Bawtry, Yorkshire.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 3rd May 1911 and arrived with the 2nd Battalion in France 6th October 1914. Lieutenant Huntriss was hit by shrapnel in the left thigh on the 29th or 30th October, during intense fighting east of Ypres and returned to England to recover after an operation.

Harold returned to the 2nd Battalion in April or May 1915 but was killed at the head of his Company as they advanced to the second German trench line, Major MacKenzie and Lieutenant Hutton-Williams being killed close by. All three were buried together despite the difficulties their men had recovering their bodies after the battle.

At the time of his death, he lived at Harlsen House, Belvedere Road in Scarborough, his widowed mother being his next of kin (resident at 116 Wheelwright Road, Gravelly Hill in Birmingham). There also seems to be a link to Huntriss and Huntriss Solicitors in Halifax who handled his mother's affairs, his brother William seemingly being a partner within the firm.

Lieutenant Huntriss is buried in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, 7km east of Bethune..

Major John Henry MACKENZIE, V.C., D.C.M.

Killed in action 17th May 1915, aged 44

Major Mackenzie was from the 1st battalion, but attached to the 2nd when he was killed and had served in the army as far back as the 19th century. Starting his career as a Private, he won both his Distinguished Conduct Medal and Victoria Cross as a Sergeant in the Seaforth Highlanders and served King and Country across three decades, on several continents and during many wars.

His DCM was won whilst serving in the Highlanders in the Niger Territories in the Autumn of 1899 and was recorded in the London Gazette 9th January 1900. Page 1 of the London Gazette 2nd January 1900 includes an element of the dispatch from Lt-Colonel James Willcocks which refers to Sergeant Mackenzie's distinguished service:

"I have also to specially mention the good service rendered in September and October 1898, by Sergeant John MacKenzie, Seaforth Highlanders and West African Frontier Force."

Within a year whilst serving in Ashanti (Ghana) in June 1900, John Mackenzie had become a Colour Sergeant and won the coveted Victoria Cross. An extract taken from the London Gazette dated 15th January 1901 records the following:

"On the 6th June, 1900, at Dompoassi, in Ashanti, Sergeant Mackenzie, after working two Maxim guns under a hot fire, and being wounded while doing so, volunteered to clear the stockades of the enemy which he did in the most gallant manner, leading the charge himself and driving the enemy headlong into the bush."

On page 11 of the London Gazette 4th December 1900, the dispatches written by Colonel Sir James Willcocks, K.C.M.G., D S.O., Commanding Ashanti Field Force, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies shows Colour Sergeant Mackenzie's actions in some more detail:

"On 6th June Lieutenant-Colonel Carter and Major (local Lieutenant-Colonel) Wilkinson, Gold Coast Constabulary, with three hundred and eighty men, left Kwissa to join hands with Hall at Bekwai. I reached Prahsu on the 8th June, and the following day received a despatch from Lieutenant-Colonel Carter, stating that he had been opposed by the Adansis at Dompoassi, and had been obliged to return to Kwissa. The enemy had built five stockades about two hundred yards, long and nearly parallel to the road at a distance of only thirty yards from it; lying perfectly still behind the ordinary thick bush, which remained untouched between the stockade and the path, they waited until the advance guard was just opposite, and then opened a terrific fire which staggered our men they also fired from the surrounding trees. The guns and Maxims came into action at once, and a regular duel took place, our men falling fast; no one knew then, as we do now that the enemy were probably behind strong stockades, and there was no indication of it; the officers believed the enemy were firing from the thick bush, and thus swaying backwards and forwards the fight went on for two and a-half hours, by which time Lieutenant-Colonel Carter had received a severe wound, which incapacitated him from command. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilkinson then took command and was himself slightly wounded; Captain Roupell, 3rd West African Frontier Force, was dangerously wounded in several places; Lieutenant Edwards, R.A., West African Frontier Force, received two severe wounds, but continued to work the guns till the entire gun detachment were disabled. It was at this stage that it was found the enemy were posted behind breastworks, as the bush had become partially cut away by the fire. Lieutenant O'Malley, 2nd West African Frontier Force, was severely wounded while working the Maxim, nearly the whole detachment being disabled; Dr. Fletcher, Medical Officer, and Colour-Sergeant Mackenzie (Seaforth Highlanders), 1st West African Frontier Force, were also wounded, a total of seven Europeans hit out of eleven' present; three men were killed and eighty-nine wounded (some of whom have since died). Lieutenant-Colonel Wilkinson, seeing that the gun and Maxims were by this time out of-action, that his ammunition was running short, and the enemy's fire did not slacken, determined to retire, But Colour Sergeant Mackenzie came up to him and volunteered "to carry the stockade with, the bayonet" if his own company (Yoruba Company, 1st. West African Frontier Force) was placed at his disposal. Wilkinson at once ordered the Company, which was to the rear of the column, and on the arrival of the first two sections without hesitation, Mackenzie, charged at their head followed splendidly by his own men and all others in the vicinity, their officers of course leading them. The enemy did not wait the rush, but fled in confusion, and never rallied, and it is perhaps not too much to say a disaster to our arms was thus averted, for a retirement under the circumstances might have ended in a panic.

For this act of distinguished bravery I consider Colour-Sergeant Mackenzie is deserving of the highest reward a soldier can receive, and am making a recommendation accordingly. It was only last year that Colour-Sergeant Mackenzie earned the medal for distinguished service in the field on the Niger. The column then returned to Kwissa, being unable to advance owing to the numbers of wounded."

Colour Sergeant Mackenzie was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Black Watch the year he won his VC, presumably in recognition of his bravery and obvious leadership abilities. On the 29th November 1900 he was given the local rank of Lieutenant whilst serving in the West African Force and went on to become a Captain in the Royal Scots 22nd January 1904, later serving in the Northern Nigeria Regiment. He was mentioned in dispatches 12th September 1902 for his involvement during the Aro Expedition in the Anglo-Aro War of 1901 to 1902, his activities in the Kano-Sokoto Expedition of 1903 and again during 1906 when he was staff officer of the Munster Field Force. He also appears in the London Gazette under the following dates:

3rd May 1910 "Captain John Mackenzie, V.C., is seconded for service as an Adjutant of Indian Volunteers. Dated 8th April, 1910."

18th September 1908 "The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), Captain John Mackenzie, V.C., is placed on temporary half-pay on account of ill-health. Dated 18th September, 1908."

29th December 1908 "The Royal Scots ''(Lothian Regiment}, Supernumerary Captain John Mackenzie, V.C., to be Captain, vice G.W.G. Neill, deceased. Dated 16th December, 1908."

4th August 1911 "To be Brigade-Majors. Captain J. H. Mackenzie, 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots, vice Captain L. Hume-Spry, D.S.O., West Yorkshire Regiment. Dated 6th June, 1911."

On the outbreak of war, Major Mackenzie was mobilised once again and arrived on the Western Front 23rd November 1914, initially serving in the 1st Battalion. He moved to command the 2nd battalion on the 20th March 1915 as a replacement officer for the battalion's losses during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and remained in charge until the 17th April. During the opening day of the Battle of Festubert (16th May 1915), he led D Company superbly throughout bitter fighting and until the battalion were relieved and given a few hours rest in support positions. The following evening saw the battalion launch an assault in the dark against well defended German lines. Major Mackenzie put himself at the front of his Company and led their charge but as soon as they appeared from their trenches, the entire line was met by a wall of bullets and artillery fire.

After an incredible career serving King and Country on many continents, Major John Mackenzie, V.C., D.C.M. was killed at the head of his men, where he had always been. Eight days later a party of three Bedfords returned to the area he fell and recovered his body under cover of night, so that he would recieve a burial deserving of one who gave so much. At the time he was buried with his fallen comrades in front of the Old British Line, 250 yards east of Festubert East Keep and 200 yards west of Yellow Road which ran north from La Plantin. After the war, during the concentration of burial sites into the beautiful CWGC cemeteries we are so familiar with today, his remains were moved and he now lies in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, 7km east of Bethune.

His Victoria Cross can be seen in the Regimental Museum of Queens Own Highlanders at Fort George in Scotland and his pipe banner is on display at the Edinburgh Castle Museum in Scotland.

The Great Grandson of Major Mackenzie, Roland Gould, contacted me and added more details to his story which illustrate how cruel events can be and that even the winners of our country's most prestigious gallantry award are not guarenteed happy endings. John was a native of Contin, Ross-shire and by the time of his death his service to his country had spanned three decades. Upon his death, his wife not only had to contend with her grief but sadly she and her two daughters ended up in the Union Workhouse. The family was even further broken up by other events in the coming decades and although things have thankfully settled down now, it illustrates how unexpected events can take over the direction of our lives regardless of how tall a person stands during their own lifetime.

Lieutenant Alfred Edgar KUHN

Died of wounds 18th May 1915, aged 20

Alfred was gazetted a Second Lieutenant 17th September 1913 and arrived in France from South Africa with the 2nd Battalion on the 6th October 1914. He was wounded 29th to 30th October 1914 and returned to the battalion 12th March 1915, having recovered and been promoted to a Lieutenant. Alfred was mortally wounded during the Festubert assault, dying from his wounds on the 18th May.

He was the son of Alfred and Marie Kuhn (later renamed to Kean) of 75A Lansdowne Place, Hove in Brighton and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery.

Second Lieutenant Kuhn can be seen in the 1914 group photograph here.

Lieutenant William HUTTON-WILLIAMS

Killed in action 18th May 1915, aged 40.

Lieutenant Williams initially enlisted as Private 3513 in the East Surreys before being commissioned as an officer. He embarked in France on the 2nd November 1914 and arrived in battalion 19th December 1914, being attached from the 3rd East Surreys.

William was killed leading his Company as they advanced to the second German trench line, Major MacKenzie and Captain Huntriss being killed close by. All three were buried together despite the difficulties their men had recovering their bodies after the battle.

William was the son of Alfred and M. A. Hutton Williams, the husband of Violet Woodfall Hutton Williams of Holcombe, Caterham Valley, Surrey and is buried in the Guards cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, 7km east of Bethune.

Lieutenant Thomas Gavin Moor HORSFORD

Killed in action 16th June 1915, aged 22

Thomas was promoted to Lieutenant on 13th May 1914 and seems to have joined the 2nd Battalion from the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, landing in France with them 6th October 1914. He was wounded at Ypres on 18th October 1914 and returned after recovering, only to be killed at Givenchy by same shell as Walter Fox (below).

Thomas was the eldest son of the late Col. and Mrs. T. M. A. Horsford, of Bosvathick, Penryn, Cornwall and is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial to the missing.

Lieutenant Walter Henry FOX

Killed in action 16th June 1915, aged 20.

Lieutenant Fox joined the 2nd Battalion from the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment on 28th May 1915, bringing a reinforcement draft of 90 men with him. Two weeks later he was killed by the same shell as Lieutenant Horsford (above).

Walter was the son of Emily Fox of Woodlands, Walsall in Staffordshire, and the late Dr. G. Martin Fox. Walter's remains were not recovered and he is remembered in the Le Touret Memorial to the missing.

Second Lieutenant Laurence TURNBULL

Killed in action 16th June 1915, aged 29.

Laurence was born 1st March 1886 at 7 Summerhill, Sunderland, the son of Henry Bishop Turnbull (an Insurance Agent) and Agnes Moir Turnbull. He was educated in the Stevens Preparatory School, New Jersey, before continuing his education in the Stevens Instiute of Technology until 1907, at which time he graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He applied for an appointment in the Special Reserve of Officers on 21st November 1914, specifying the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment, being an Electrical Engineer at the time. Lord Ampthill accompanied his application with a personal letter, including the remark that he "has given up a very good position in America in order to offer his services", which was in the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company in Pittsburg, America.

Second Lieutenant Turnbull joined the 2nd Battalion on 5th June 1915, being attached from the 3rd Battalion but was killed eleven days later. He has no known grave but is remembered in the Le Touret Memorial to the missing.

At the time of his death, his widowed mother was the next of kin, living at 17 Goldington Road in Bedford as did his surviving brother, Denis.

Second Lieutenant Claud William MaCFIE

Killed in action 16th June 1915

Second Lieutenant MacFie was from the 3rd (Reserve) South Staffordshires, attached to the 2nd Bedfords. He joined the battalion 27th May 1915 and was killed just over two weeks later, being mentioned in despatches after his death.

He was a resident of Edinburgh and is remembered in the Le Touret Memorial to the missing.

Lieutenant Geoffrey Montagu Mason FLEMING

Killed in action 16th June 1915, aged 25.

Lieutenant Fleming was the RAMC Medical Officer who was attached to 2nd battalion when he fell, having joined them on the 20th May 1915.

He was the son of Alfred G. and Marie M. R. Fleming, of Beechfield, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. M.B. and B.Ch., Trinity College, Dublin and lies in the Buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner

Lieutenant (Captain) James Charles Alexander NESS

Killed in action 27th June 1915, aged 19.

James applied for a commission on 4th January 1914, giving his address as The Old Manor House, Chilworth in Surrey. It is likely that he initially served in the 1st Battalion and was wounded at Hill 60 in April or May 1915, having arrived in France on 12th April 1915.

Lieutenant Ness was killed within hours of his arrival with the 2nd Battalion as he went out on patrol and did not return. Enquiries continued for many years as no noises had been heard from the patrol so his parents hoped he had become a POW, but his death was later accepted.

He was the son of Major James Alexander Ness and Winifred Isobel Ness of Kinkell in Woking, Surrey and is remembered in the Le Touret Memorial to the missing.

Captain James Walter HUTCHINSON

Died of wounds 25th September 1915

James was born on the 25th November 1889 at Rooi Vaal, Harding, Natal, South Africa, the son of William Arthur (a farmer) and Charlotte Catherine Birch Johnstone Hutchinson (nee Walker).

He was granted a commission when war broke out and travelled to England to start his training. Second Lieutenant Hutchinson was posted to the 3rd battalion and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 18th December. He joined the battalion as a Lieutenant in May 1915 and was promoted to Temporary Captain over the summer whilst in charge of B Company.

Captain Hutchinson commanded B Company during the battalion's assault on the opening day of the Battle of Loos and they were met by heavy fire from two sides when they advanced across open ground. He was wounded during this assault and died from his wounds during the course of the day.

Captain Hutchinson was originally buried between the two original front lines from before the battle, just to the south of the Hulluch Road but his final resting place was either lost or disturbed as he is now remembered on the Loos Memorial to the missing.

His service record is held by the National Archives under reference WO39/14076.

Second Lieutenant Charles Arthur FORWARD

Killed in action 25th September 1915, aged 19

Charles was born in Calcutta on Christmas Day 1895, the son of Arthur and Ellen Gertrude Forward.

He was gazetted a Second Lieutenant on the 17th April 1915 and arrived in France on the 22nd June, joining the 2nd battalion in the field on the 11th July 1915. Charles was appointed Grenade Officer in August and served as such during the Battle of Loos the following month.

During the battalion's assault on the opening day of the Battle of Loos Charles led his men over open ground and came under heavy fire from German positions on two sides. Despite the heavy casualties, they continued to advance but Second Lieutenant Forward was killed as he led the platoon. In the event, his body was not recovered and he is recorded on the Loos Memorial to the missing (above).

His service record is held by the National Archives under reference WO339/43285.

Second Lieutenant Terence Charles PEARSON

Killed in action 26th September 1915, aged 22

Terence was born 2nd June 1893 in Bombay, India, the son of Charles Frederick and Ellen Mary Pearson. Educated at Bedford Grammar School, when war broke out he had been employed as an Estate Assistant for four years with the London Asiatic Rubber and Produce Company in the Semenyih Estate, Kajang, Selangor. He immediately resigned and returned to England to offer himself for service in the war.

He initially enlisted on 20th October 1914, becoming Private 756 in the 19th Royal Fusiliers. On 9th November 1914 he was discharged once he had been accepted as an officer at Sandhurst. Terence was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant on 17th April 1915 and after a brief posting to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, landed in France 22nd June. Joining the 2nd Battalion on the 5th July, Second Lieutenant Pearson was sick between 21st August and 2nd September.

Terence was killed in the battalion's attack 26th September, his body being lost in the fighting, so is remembered on the Loos Memorial to the missing.

Second Lieutenant Kenneth Langton STEPHENSON

Killed in action 26th September 1915, aged 23

Kenneth was unusually early joining the army, enlisted on the 6th August 1914 and becoming Private 1608 in the 28th County of London Regiment. At the time he was 21 years old, He worked on the Stock Exchange and lived in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.

After training, Private Stephenson landed in France 26th October 1914 when his battalion were mobilised and served continuously on the Western Front. He was promoted to Lance Corporal from the 20th March 1915, becoming Corporal the following day. In July Kenneth reverted to Private at his own request but on 15th August he was commissioned in the field and posted to the 2nd Bedfordshires.

Second Lieutenant Stephenson joined the battalion on the 22nd August 1915 and was killed five weeks later, having been mentioned in despatched twice during his short period with the battalion.

He was the son of Henry Langton Stephenson of 5 Copthall Court, Throgmorton St., London and is remembered on the Loos Memorial to the missing.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Cassells MONTEITH

Killed in action 1st October 1915, aged 39

John became Captain from 5th January 1910 and initially went to France with the 1st Bedfordshires, landing in the first wave of British Troops 16th August 1914. He commanded D Company through the Battles of Mons and Le Cateau.

At some stage he was wounded or taken ill, moving to the 2nd Battalion on 7th November 1914. After a brief spell there, he was returned to the UK to recover from another wound or illness, acting as the chief instructor of the Cambridge O.T.C. during his convalescence.

He rejoined the 2nd Battalion 26th August, serving as their second in command form his arrival.

The battalion's Commanding Officer, Cranley Onslow, had been wounded during the opening day of the Battle of Loos and was wounded a second time on the 1st October. John Monteith took over command of the battalion and was wounded in the front lines whilst personally directing the formation of a bomb stop in Stone Alley.

He died from his wounds shortly afterwards, in the Chateau that was acting as a dressing station.

Lieutenant Colonel Monteith was the son of the late Rev. John and Ellen Maria Monteith and husband of Jane R. Monteith, of Glenluiart, Moniaive, Dumfriesshire. He lies in the Vermelles British cemetery, 10km north-west of Lens

Second Lieutenant Frederick ANNS

Killed in action 6th November 1915, aged 28.

Frederick was gazetted a probationary Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion on the 20th February 1915, landing in France on the 30th September and arriving with the 2nd Battalion 4th October.

He was the son of Thomas and Mary Anne Anns of "Brookville", Hale Lane in Edgware, Middlesex and lies in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, 7km east of Bethune.

Second Lieutenant Evelyn Ernest Arnold COLLISSON

Killed in action 23rd February 1916, aged 22

Evelyn was the only son of the Reverend Thomas Collisson (the Rector of the Gravenhurst Rectory, Ampthill, Beds) and Florence Collisson.

Second Lieutenant Collisson was an officer from the Bedfordshire Training Depot and can be seen here in the Officers group photograph from the Training Depot in July 1915. However, he was attached to A Company of the 2nd battalion early in November 1915 and joined the 2nd battalion in the field on the 24th November 1915.

After only a few months in the trenches Second Lieutenant Collisson was killed during a "very quiet", cold, snowy day in the front line, presumably by a sniper or shelling. He was originally buried in the Maricourt cemetery but appears to have been moved during the concentrations of the 1920's and now lies in the Cerisy-Gailly Military cemetery, Cerisy, 10km south-west of Albert.

His service record is held by the National Archives, under reference WO339/38053. In amongst the effects returned to his parents after his death were the usual letter cases, whistle and chain, cheque books and tobacco pouch but also the rather poignant "Touchwood" lucky charm.

Captain Cornelius George TYLER

Died of wounds 11th July 1916, aged 39.

Cornelius joined the 2nd Battalion 25th March 1916, having been commissioned in the field as a C.S.M. in the Devons 5th March. He survived the opening day of the Battle of the Somme but was among the officers lost in their attack against Trones Wood.

Having forced their way into the western edge of the wood that morning, he and 40 men were pushing northwards when they were held up by a strong position on the eastern edge of the wood. Although he was severely wounded during the assault, it was clear that their position was hopeless so he ordered the retirement of his men depite them being unable to carry him back. His body was not recovered and he is amongst the thousands of men believed to be in the wood even today.

Captain Tyler was the son of George and Sarah Tyler and the husband of Ada Augusta Clarke (formerly Tyler) of "Birtle Dene", Frances Avenue in Maidenhead, Berks and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing.

Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Robert Bowness GIBSON

Killed in action 11th July 1916

Robert Gibson was born 8th January 1895 at 139 Downshire Hill in Hampstead, the son of the Reverend Thomas William Gibson of Cranham Rectory, Upminster. His mother was Frances eorgina Gibson, nee Currey. Robert was baptised at St Sepulchre's, Holborn, March 25th 1895 and confirmed at St Giles, Oxford, April 15th 1908 by the Bishop of Oxford. Robert's education started at the Oxford Preparatory School (Lynam's) between 1904 and 1908, after which he attended the Winchester College from September 17th 1908. In 1913 he won a scholarship at New College Oxford. Whilst at Oxford, Robert had double pneumonia, which was when the photograph of him in bed (below) was taken.

On the outbreak of war, he originally enlisted into the Territorial 28th London's (the "Artists Rifles") as Private 2605 on the 8th September 1914 and was discharged to Commission on the 26th October, into the 3rd South Staffs, aged 19 yrs 9 months. On the 3rd November 1914 Robert was posted to B Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfordshire's, arriving with them in France on the 20th May 1915.

2/Lt Gibson was mentioned in dispatches on the 16th June 1915 for his role in operations around Givenchy, when he was the only Officer to come out of the fight unscathed, and again by Sir John French on the 1st January 1916.

He was evacuated sick to Merville Hospital between the 12th and 18th July 1915 as well as being admitted to CCS1 on the 29th August 1915 with appendicitis. He was discharged again on the 3rd September 1915.

As a result of the attack near Vermelles 25th September 1915, he took command of B Company, being the most senior Officer left after the attack and was the Captain I/C of B Company by November. His Captaincy reverted to 2/Lt the following month, along with Lt de Burriatte of the famous Xmas truce 1914 fame & was granted leave between the 11th December 1915 and 15th February 1916.

Having returned from leave on the 26th February, he took command of A Company, then C Co a month later.

In April, he was moved to Officer Commanding B Company but the next day was off to hospital sick again. After a short respite, he was back in charge of B Company again & had another spell of leave towards the end of May 1916.

The brave and much loved Robert was twice recommended for a Military cross (at Givenchy and Vermelles in 1915) but was sadly killed in action on the 11th July 1916 at Trones Wood on the Somme. A letter held in his record dated 14th August 1916 said he was buried at Maricourt Cemetery (now called the Peronne Road cemetery) , near the Napiers Redoubt t 2.30am on Sunday 16th July 1916 after three men from his platoon volunteered to go and find his body.

The Battalion War Diary for 11th July 1916 reads: "11 Jul 1916 - Trones Wood The Battalion were in position by 1.30 a.m. formed up in lines of 1/2 Companies with an interval of five paces between the men, and a distance of 150 yards between platoons, in the following order: - "A" Company commanded by Captain C.G.TYLER "B" Company commanded by Lieutenant H.A.CHAMEN "C" Company commanded by Captain L.F.BEAL "D" Company commanded by Captain R.O.WYNNE." Orders had been received that the Battalion was to enter the wood at 3.27 a.m., so the leading line commenced to advance at 3.10 a.m. towards the South eastern edge of TRONES WOOD. It being almost dark, the advance was not observed until the leading line was 400 yards from the wood, when enemy Machine Guns opened fire from Points Z and R marked on Sketch (Appendix "B"). The enemy quickly got their artillery to work and the Battalion suffered many casualties entering the WOOD, but by 3.45 a.m. the whole Battalion had gained the inside of the WOOD, but owing to Machine Gun and shell fire, had entered rather too much at the SOUTHERN END. Owing to the denseness of the undergrowth, it was not possible to see more than 4 yards in front of you, so the Companies had great difficulty in keeping touch. Lieut.R.B.GIBSON was killed entering the wood and 2nd Lieut.F.E.PLUMMER was wounded. It was found that the WOOD was strongly held and full of Trenches and Dug-outs."

Robert Gibson fell in the area shown on the trench map to the left, just as his platoon entered the wood. Most of his men were killed or wounded in the burst of machine gun fire that claimed his life, with very few of them making it into the wood itself.

Robert's obituary in the Times, dated Friday August 4th 1916, reads:

"Lt Robert Bowness Gibson, killed on July 11th, was the 5th son of the Rev. T W Gibson, rector of Cranham. He was educated at the Oxford Preparatory School, Winchester and New College Oxford. He was gazetted second lieutenant in the South Staffordshire Regiment in November, 1914, being attached and later transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment, with which he had served at the front since May 1915. His name was noted for conspicuous gallantry in the field on June 16 1915 and was mentioned in Lord French's dispatch on January 1 last. His colonel writes of him:- "I cannot tell you how much he was loved by his brother officers and men. He was a most splendid officer, quite the best subaltern I had"."

A fellow Bedford Regiment enthusiast, John Wainwright, has a collection of letters and photographs detailing the life of the obviously brilliant and very popular Robert Gibson, a well as some of the pressed flowers taken from his grave in 1923. Below are a selection, including the circumstances surrounding his death at Trones Wood on the Somme, 11th July 1916.

Extracts from letters to Miss Clementson, written by Robert before he went out to the front:

"Pray for me .....that I may prepose myself physically and spiritually for the work, and may be ready to kill and if need be to be killed in the service of God and our country" "Of course our actual fate lies in God's hands and he will give us what he thinks best" "I can with absolute sincerity wish you a Happy New Year and a Happy Birthday, feeling that though the war may bring us sorrow, may even bring death among us, it will in the end bring greater faith and greater peace in God" "I like to think we are all united in worship, the Lord be with you and me and with all those whom we love, and all who are coming to England's help today. And may he overrule this war to the good of the world".

"From Lt Col HS Poynty. Commanding 2nd Battn Bedfordshire Rgt, BEF, 15-7-16. It is with the deepest regret I am writing to you how your gallant son was killed. A braver and better fellow never stepped (sic) and I can't tell you how much he was loved by his brother officers and men. He was a most splendid officer and quite the best subaltern I had. On July 11th at 3.27 am we were ordered to attack Trones Wood, where very heavy fighting has been going on. It had been taken by us and re taken by the Germans, so we were ordered to re take it again. The distance from us to the wood was about 1000 yards. D Coy in which your son was, was the third company to go over, and unfortunately your son's platoon was heavily fired into by a body of Germans hidden in the wood, with the result that the whole platoon was knocked out. Your son was shot through the head and I am thankful to say could not have suffered as death must have been instantaneous. Yesterday at 10.00 am the whole of the wood was captured, we only secured the southern end of it, as it was too strongly held. Your son's body lay on the edge of the wood about half way up on the western side, and several attempts were made to get him in, but each time we were driven back. We have sent a party out to try to recover it and I am anxiously awaiting the news that it has been recovered. We are going to have him buried in Maricourt Cemetary and I will write and let you know exactly. I can't tell you how much we miss him, and how very popular he was with everyone. We had terrific fighting in the wood and the regiment did magnificently in establishing a footing in the southern end of it. We lost 5 officers and 240 men in the attack. Please accept the sincerest condolences of the officers and all ranks of the battalion, a nicer and braver fellow never lived"

"From Capt Beal 2nd Bedfordshire Rgt. 17-7-16. By now you will have heard of the sad death of your son, nothing I can say can in any way express the deep sorrow of not only myself, but of every officer and man in this Regt. I have served longer with this Regt out here than any other officer and can safely say that your son's death in action has been felt more keenly than any other of the many this Regt has suffered. I can hardly realise yet what has happened, your son being my oldest ad best friend in the Regt. Many and many a time have we shared the same blanket and coat in trying to keep each other warm. If anything can help you bear your great loss, I am sure it will be the knowledge that his death was instantaneous and that he died at the head of his men, with whom he was so well liked. His body has been recovered and buried and buried in the British Cemetery near where he fell. With sincere sympathy to you and your family"

"From Major Bidder, 21st Brigade Machine Gun Coy.28-7-16. I have just got our address from Capt Wynne and wish to write to you about your son. I commanded the 2nd Brigade (sic?) from the last day at Loos (when they were holding Breslau Avenue) for a couple of months, I got to know your son well in that time , for he was one of my company commanders; and I got to think a great deal of him, he was so able and so dependable. One knew that anything he was given to do would be done and well done. He was brave as a lion and such a clever and interesting man as well. I liked him very much indeed and it was a real blow to me when I heard that he too had been called upon for the great sacrifice. I should like if I may to express my very real sympathy with you. I remember him so well under such varied circumstances. Cheerful and muddy in the trenches, toiling at almost impossible tasks in getting out ready made barbed wire obstacles; consolidating craters in the little attack we made in November; enjoying the comparative cleanliness of billets and (I don't know why one should be shy about it) kneeling to receive the communion on the meadow grass of a sunlit orchard. His is one of the many faces that will always stay by me, of my friends who have gone before. Your son and Capt Wynne lunched with me just before July 1st he was in the best of spirits"

"From Lieut B Primrose Wells, 2nd Bedfordshire Regt, BEF, 16-7-16. RIP. I must just write you a line and send you my sincerest sympathy in your great loss and in ours also. We all had a great affection for your son and considered him the bravest, most gallant officer in the Regt. He was extremely nice to me when I joined the battalion and the affection had continued all the time. We had a very hard job set us in attacking Trones Wood and received a good deal of opposition at first. We estimate there were quite 300 Huns in the wood when we attacked. Your son was on my left and he and his platoon were supposed to enter the wood a little way up on the W side. He was in his exact position, with his men round him when he got near the wood. The Germans had a trench all down the W side of the wood which we did not know about, and just where your son wanted to enter was one of their strong points. He quite saw what was up against him, and his platoon opened fire and he fired several shots himself with his revolver, but the Huns had the advantage from the trenches, besides being excellent shots. Your son was shot apparently through the head absolutely instantaneously not making a sound. I had to advance over the same ground and tried twice to get his body in, but lost men both times, so left it until we could finally get the whole wood. We were relieved after 48 hours of very hard fighting hand to hand - and very nerve racking. Two days after, when the wood was finally taken by the British, I asked the Colonel if I might go up again to get our son's body out and bury it in the Maricourt Cemetery, but he refused to let me go, and our Chaplain with 4 volunteers went up and found the body and buried him in Maricourt Cemetery. We are making and inscribing a cross down here as we are back a few miles having a well earned rest, and when we get it up I will try and get a photograph taken of the grave and send it to you. He died as he would like to die, in action and having done his duty to the fullest and with nearly all his platoon round him, two sergeants and two men surviving, the remainder killed or wounded. I have heard from Mr Turnbull, our chaplain that he is writing you. I take over your son's platoon or the remainder with reinforcements. I shall try and see you when I am in England, but don't expect any leave for sometime. Once again my sincerest sympathy. We miss the vacant place as he was always such a cheery fellow. Capt Beal, our company commander was quite cut up as "Jaspey" as we called your son, was to use the familiar phrase, was his :- "mucking in pal in dug outs etc", and were always seen together"

"From Mr Turnbull, Chaplain attached 2nd Bedfordshire Regt. 4th Sunday after Trinity 1916. I am writing to tell you that we have succeeded in recovering the body of your son and he was buried last night at 2.30 am, behind the line in a French village. When it was known that the wood where he lost his life was in our hands, we determined to try to recover him and so three of the remnants of his platoon came up with me to do so. I can only say that after a short search we found him where we expected, and brought him back to the cemetery. I should like to mention the magnificent spirit shown by those three men, who gave up a night of their much needed rest to do the last honour to a man that in their simple soldier's way, they loved. No greater tribute to your son's life and influence out here could be paid to him. The names of the men who brought him down are Sergeant [comment; 9544 E.] Pepper, Private [comment; 50626 Harry Otto] Riddell and Private [comment; unknown] Piggott, all of the 14th Platoon, 2nd Bedfordshire Regt. I am sure you will like to know who it was that came forward so readily. It has been a great comfort to us to have been able to do this and I feel sure it will help you in a small measure in your great sorrow. I hope you will allow me to say that his loss has been a great one to me personally. Though I have only been with the battalion since April I have learned to value his unselfishness and his wonderful cheerfulness, and I miss him sorely. But for you the sadness must be infinitely greater, and the only comfort I can assure you of is, that his example will not be forgotten by the men he led. He was a true soldier, and the men told me with pride that he never asked hem to do what he would not do himself, and he was always in the front to inspire them by his own personal example. You will forgive me not writing further, as I believe the Colonel will have sent you the particulars gathered from those who were near him when at the time. His grave will be photographed as soon as possible and the results sent to you. May I ask as a favour that if you can spare some small memento of him, I should be grateful, but knowing the small claim I have to such an honour, I hope you will not let those who knew him best be without them. He was present at the last celebration that we had on the Saturday before he went into action again."

Robert's Officer's Long Service Number is 906 & his record is filed under WO339/446 at the National Archives.

Oxford student Robert Gibson in bed with double pneumonia.

Second Lieutenant Leslie Herbert FOX

Killed in action 11th July 1916.

Initially a Corporal in the 19th Royal Fusiliers, Second Lieutenant Fox joined the battalion on 23rd March 1916 and was posted as missing after he went out on a patrol into Trones Wood and never returned.

His body was not recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing

Second Lieutenant Robert Francis Cooper BALLARD

Killed in action 30th July 1916, aged 20.

Second Lieutenant Ballard joined the battalion 7th December 1915 and other than a spell of leave in February and leaving briefly in March due to illness, Robert served with the battalion until his death. He was amongst the 192 casualties lost when their brigade assaulted the area around Maltz Horn Farm.

Robert was the son of George Robert and Ada Louisa Ballard of Lyndale, Surbiton in Surrey and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing.

Lieutenant Harold Ashcombe CHAMEN

Died of wounds 1st August 1916, aged 22

Harold was born 2nd March 1894 at Harlesden in London. He was educated at The Wells House, Malvern Wells in Worcestershire, then Lancing College in Shoreham and finally at the University College in Reading as an Agricultural Scholar.

After 3 years spent in the Lancing Officer Training Corps (Junior Division) whilst at Reading University, Harold enlisted into the Special Officers Reserve on 15th August 1914. He was a very fit and tall 5 feet, 11 inches. Although his preference was the Dorsets, then Gloucestershire and finally the Somerset Light Infantry, Harold was posted to the South Wales Borderers 21st September 1914, whilst he trained at Sandhurst until his commission was confirmed in May 1915 and he was transferred into the Bedfords.

On the 8th July 1915 Harold arrived in France, finally joining the 2nd Battalion in the field on the 21st July. 10 days later Harold was returning to a trench in the dark, stumbled and accidentally impaled his right thigh on a bayonet. He was admitted to No. 2 General Hospital in Le Havre 4th August and shipped home on the troop ship "Oxfordshire", landing at Dublin on the 7th August.

By 1916 Harold was fit again and training to return to his Battalion, which he eventually achieved 7th February 1916. 5 days later he was posted to the 3rd Entrenching battalion and rejoined the 2nd Bedfords 4th June.

He was left out of the 1st July Somme offensives and became commander of B Company when Captain Pearse sprained his ankle on the 10th July, just in time for the attack on the infamous Trones Wood the following day.

The morning of the 11th saw him lead B Company to take the north east section of the dreadful wood, but all Companies were later withdrawn to the southern end of the wood and over 300 casualties were inflicted on them by the galling German Machine Gun fire during their attack.

On the 30th July, the Battalion was ordered to take the German Second Line positions at Guillemont. Two hours into the attack Harold was mortally wounded and a further 200 men of the Battalion became casualties.

Harold was moved to No. 5 Casualty clearing Station in Corbie. Sadly, he died from his wounds on the 1st August 1916, aged just 22. He was the son of William Ashcombe and Marion Mabel Chamen of 23 Victoria Square, Penarth, Glamorganshire. He is buried at Corbie cemetery on the Somme.

(My thanks to John Hamblin for the pre-war bio from Lancing College and his photo)

Second Lieutenant Thomas Joceline Gordon REYNOLDS

Died of wounds 11th October 1916

Thomas is buried in the Thistle Dump cemetery, High Wood on the Somme.

Second Lieutenant William Henry BIRD

Killed in action 12th October 1916, aged 26

William was the son of the late William and Florence Bird, of 55, Rodenhurst Rd., Clapham Park, London and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing

Second Lieutenant Francis Joseph CHADWICK

Killed in action 12th October 1916, aged 19

Francis was the son of Samuel Joseph and Gertrude Chadwick, of Field Rd., Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Educated at Ratcliffe College, Leicester and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing.

Second Lieutenant Harold George FYSON

Killed in action 12th October 1916

Harold is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing.

Second Lieutenant Laurence Hale (Hall) WALKER

Killed in action 12th October 1916, aged 23

Laurence was the son of Mrs. M. H. Walker, of 1, Chester Gate, Regent's Park, London, and the late Thomas Walker, (Barrister-at-Law). He was born in Altrincham and lies in the Caterpillar Valley cemetery, Longeuval on the Somme. He was mentioned in despatches for gallantry.

Lieutenant William WHITE, M.C.

Killed in action 12th October 1916, aged 23

William was the son of Henry White and Alice Mary White, of Oakbank, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, Hants and lies in the Caterpillar Valley cemetery, Longeuval on the Somme.

Major William Henry DENNE, D.S.O.

Died of wounds 21st February 1917, aged 40.

William Denne was born in 1876 and enlisted into the regiment in 1897. Lieutenant Denne served in the Mounted Infantry during the South African Wars, earning five clasps to his Kings and Queens medals as well as a mention in despatches. He then served as Adjutant in the 2nd battalion between 1905 and 1908, moving to a Staff post in the Eastern Command between 1912 and October 1914, when he was also promoted to Major. He served on the Western Front from 1914, leading the 2nd battalion from November 1914 until January 1915. Major Denne was severely wounded at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, winning his Distinguished Service Order at the same time.

Major Denne's wounds finally took his life almost two years after he had received them. He was the third son of the late Rev. R. H. Denne and Mrs. D. Denne, of Brimpsfield; husband of Ethel Denne and lies in the Brimpsfield churchyard, Gloucestershire.

Second Lieutenant Robert Henry HOSE

Killed in action 18th March 1917, aged 29

Robert was born in 1887 and educated at Forest School. On leaving school he joined the firm of John Gibbs and Son and Smith and became a member of the Stock Exchange in 1910.

Early in 1915 he joined the Royal Naval Aircraft Corps as a despatch rider. That October he transferred to the 3rd/5th Bedfordshire Regiment in which he was given a commission. He was appointed adjutant the following March and remained with his battalion on East Coast Defence duty until January 1917, when he volunteered for foreign service and joined the 2nd Battalion in France.

Robert arrived with them on the 15th March 1917. Three short days later, he lost his life to a booby trap during the operations against the Hinderburg Line. The Germans had vacated their former trenches and retreated to the Hindenburg Line. As the British advanced to take over the positions on the 18th March, Robert HOSE and Private 21111 Thomas PEARSON of Ilkeston were killed by the same bomb trap.

Robert was buried in the Agny Military cemetery, 5km south-west of the Arras railway station. He was the son of Robert John Hose of Bromley in Kent and left a widow and one son.

(My thanks to John Hamblin for his pre war bio and photograph)