About the author and contacting me

Why develop this site?

As with most specific historical interests, my own started with a family member and developed from there. I am very proud to say that my Great Grandfather was one of the Regiment's Vickers and Lewis Gunners who fell in the Great War, and I devote this site mainly to his memory. However in doing so I also remember the many other family members who served, his comrades within the regiment who shared in the dreadful experience of The Great War and the millions of other men and women who gave their lives during the conflict, so that we may enjoy the freedom their sacrifices provided for us.

I have collected much information on the Regiment during my interest in their involvement in The Great War, and in time I intend to include all that I reasonably can on this site (although the irony is that the bigger the site becomes, the more people get in touch and the less time I have to develop it). Naturally, one day I found myself considering what to do with the information and realised that I had the choice to either keep the information collected private or to put this collective knowledge to good use and help others in their search for information on their ancestor's exploits. With this in mind, I started to build this site, specialising on The Bedfordshire Regiment and its involvement in The Great War.

Although the Regiment is the backbone of this site, the individuals, their experiences and bravery in the face of adversity that no human should ever be subjected to, is what I really wish to portray. The feats of that generation were nothing short of incredible. Their efforts and endurance are, quite simply, the reason we live as we do today and I strongly believe that their sacrifice should never be forgotten or taken for granted. The famous words from the poem "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon (1914) say it all:

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

About me

As for me, I live in Great Gransden, on the Cambridgeshire / Bedfordshire border with my incredibly supportive wife Liz, who happily tramps around cemeteries, battlefields, libraries and archives with me. Having been interested in warfare since I was able to think for myself, I have spent many years researching on a 'hobby' basis (whilst working in the Business and Commerce environment) as well as a full time Military and Family History researcher. I also worked as a Cataloguer in the Imperial War Museum's Film and Video Archive at Duxford for a few years.

Ultimately, I collect and interpret information as opposed to being a medals or memorabilia collector. I produce a lot of written material whilst researching the regiment and helping people who want to know more about their ancestor's service in the regiment, in addition to biographies and stories for my own archives. I have also written articles for magazines and assisted with or provided complete research on behalf of the media.

I am also the author of the book 1st Bedfordshires. Part One; Mons to the Somme which tells the story of the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment between 1914 and 1916 and have recently completed 1st Bedfordshires. Part Two: Arras to the Armistice, which has naturally been taking much of my spare time up after the working, eating and sleeping are all done for the day! Further volumes covering the other battalions within the regiment are planned for the following years, so if your ancestor served in any of the regiment's battalions and you would like to share information, please contact me. [Please note that it is taking me well over a month to reply to new enquiries at the moment]

The Royal British Legion also gets some of my time each year as I have been a collector and organiser for them for some years now. Please give them some thought and consider making a donation to their funds as they are not just about parades and remembrance - most of their activities are devoted to helping our servicemen and women who have been injured, maimed or affected by their experiences whilst serving our country.

Talks and presentations

I would be happy to visit your group, society of event and provide a (multimedia) talk / presentation on the regiment. These can be adapted to suit the location if preferred.

Contact me

PLEASE NOTE that it is taking me well over a month to reply to new enquiries at the moment.

However, if you don't mind waiting and would like to discuss your ancestor, or to organise me visiting your group to give a talk, please contact me on steve@bedfordregiment.org.uk.