Bedfordshire At War: The Home Front
Time 2021-10-20 14:06:13Web Name: Bedfordshire At War: The Home Front
WebSite: http://bedshomefront.blogspot.com
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War,At,Bedfordshire,Front,Home,The,Description:
keywords: description:BEDFORDSHIRE AT WAR: News from the Home FrontImage (c) artist Hugh Byrne, Shop33 and SNAP
After more than four yearsthis blog has reached the end of its journey through the First World War inBedfordshire. We hope that our readers have enjoyed following the journey withus, and that it will serve as a record for the future of the experiences of thecounty on the Home Front.
The final event of our commemorationof the First World War will be Remembering the Fallen, an exhibition in thereception area of Bedfordshire Archives. This will run from Friday 11th Januaryuntil Wednesday 3rd April, and will look at war memorials in the county,ranging from the typical stone structures and memorial plaques to memorialhalls and other public amenities. Entry is free during Bedfordshire Archivesnormal opening hours.No comments: Labels:war memorials Friday, 28 December 2018 Bedford Soldier Describes Experiences in Germany
TheBlack Hole, Lille (Fort MacDonald)
Saturday28th December 1918: Men who have returned to Bedfordshire afterspending time as prisoners of war inGermany have been telling of their experiences. Corporal Sydney Beddall of theBedfordshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Beddall of 49 Park Road,Kempston arrived back last week after spending nearly twenty months incaptivity. He was taken prisoner in April 1916 during the battle of Vimy Ridgeand was sent to Fort McDonald, which has been described by other prisoners asthe Black Hole of Lille. He spent only five days there but witnessedappalling conditions. Over one hundred prisoners were packed into a singlecell, leaving them no room to turn round and with only a small hole near theroof for ventilation. It was indescribably dirty and verminous,and impossibleto lie down due to lack of space; sanitary arrangements were shocking. Theprisoners were allowed out for five minutes exercise once a day, and theirdied consisted of half a slice of black bread each day, with a quantity ofmangold wurzels, sliced and partly boiled in water but inedible, with theliquid from the vegetables all they had to drink. During his time there threefellow prisoners died.
Corporal Beddall was thensent to Marquion near Cambrai, where the prisoners were put to work clearingaway German ammunition dumps and railway lines as the British advanced. Theywere practically worked to death, and more than half starved, starting workbetween 3 and 4 a.m. and continuing until late in the evening. As the Britishadvanced the prisoners were moved back to Devain, where they received theirfirst bath. Corporal Beddall was then told that as a non-commissioned officerhe was not obliged to work and that he may be transferred to an easier camp,but was unable to get further information. He deliberately opened a superficialwound on one of his fingers, leading to blood poisoning and admittance tohospital where treatment was better.
After he was discharged hewas transferred to Dulmen Camp, where the state to which Germany had beenreduced was obvious. The Germans were in a state of semi-starvation, andchildren would come round the barbed wire enclosure and beg biscuits fromprisoners who had received a parcel from England. The Germans would also givealmost anything for a tablet of soap. The camp was filthy beyond description,and the prisoners were put with Russian prisoners who were infected withtyphus. Parcels sent by Prisoners of War Associations in England were extremelywelcome, especially those received from the Bedfordshire Prisoners of War Fund.He was next sent to Cottbus, where rumours that the war would soon end meantthat the prisoners received better treatment and were allowed more freedom.When news of the Armistice arrived the men were told they were free to leave. Aparty of 750 prisoners were sent to Altdamm on the way to Stetting. The campwas filthy and verminous, with no blankets for the men. They refused to staythere and rushed the gates; 1400 men marched to Stettin, from where they weretaken to Copenhagen and embarked for Hull.
Source:Bedfordshire Standard, 28th December 1918
No comments: Labels:Bedford,Germany,prisoners of war Tuesday, 25 December 2018 A Subdued Christmas
Leighton Buzzard PostOffice, Church Square c.1915 [Z1306/72/3/5]
Wednesday25th December 1918: Christmas is being celebrated very quietly inLeighton Buzzard. The loss of so many men since last Christmas, and the absenceof so many other still with the Armed Forces, has dampened spirits. The bellsof All Saints Church have been rung every evening this week, a welcome soundafter previous Christmases when the bells were silenced. There are relativelyfew visitors in the town and, unusually in recent times, very fewsoldiers in the streets. At Leighton Buzzard railway station there has been slightly more passenger traffic than last year, but considerably less parcels traffic, mostof the usual contents of Christmas hampers being either rationed orunobtainable. The shopkeepers have been busy this week, and there has been arevival in the use of Christmas cards, making work for the staff of the PostOffice. The mail on Monday of last week was one of the largest in bulk eversent from Leighton Buzzard, with eleven letter bags despatched on the eveningmail train.
Source:Leighton Buzzard Observer, 31st December 1918
No comments: Labels:Christmas,Leighton Buzzard,Post Office Saturday, 22 December 2018 Dunstable Man Killed in German Prison Camp
HighStreet North, Dunstable c.1910 [Z1306/36/8/8]
Sunday22nd December 1918: A fellow prisoner reports that Private JamesBaxter, the husband of a Dunstable woman, was murdered at the end of Septemberby a guard at the German prison camp where he was held at Freiburg. Private F.Bungay of the North Staffordshire Regiment reports that While we were workingthe guard yelled out to Baxter, who, having a slight cold, did not hear atonce, but he afterwards started to run, and being weak from want of food,stumbled at the bank. The guard then went forward and beat him with the butt ofhis rifle, and then shot him through the back, the bullet reaching his heart.It was awful to see a chum murdered in cold blood like that.
Private Bungay hid behindsome bushes and saw the guard leave to give the alarm and fetch the doctor.While the guard was gone he took out Baxters pocket book to get his address;he found a photo of Baxter with a child but had to put it back again. Theaffair was hushed up and guard claimed he killed Baxter in self-defence, butBungay insists this was a lie as Baxter had his back to the guard. PrivateJames Stewart, who has just returned to his home in Perth, says that when hearrived at Freiburg soon after the matter was being widely talked about at thecamp; a number of prisoners told him that Baxter had been set upon by theguards after being accused of picking and eating blackberries he was gatheringfor the Germans to make tea from. Pioneer Baxter served his apprenticeship as alithographer in Dundee, but joined up at Bedford in August 1917. He leaves awidow, the daughter of Mr. J. H. Proverbs of High Street North, Dunstable, anda young son.
Source:Leighton Buzzard Observer, 24th December 1918
No comments: Labels:casualties,Dunstable,Germany,prisoners of war Tuesday, 18 December 2018 Serbian Relief Appeal
Old Leighton Buzzard Library(formerly Temperance Hall, now Lecton House), Lake Street, 1956[Z1432/2/1/23/64]
Wednesday18th December 1918: We have reported on several occasions thework being carried out by the Leighton Buzzard War Hospital Supply Depot, mostrecently in February when the Secretary received a letter of thanks from theEdmonton Military Hospital.The women of the town have been asked to continue their splendid work, thistime for the benefit of the Serbian Relief Fund. Two women from the BelgraviaWorkrooms, the Central War Hospital Supply Depot, have addressed a meeting atthe Temperance Hall where they congratulated Leighton Buzzard on sending thebest needlework of any depot. They trusted the town would not fail now whentheir efforts were so badly needed by Britains Serbian allies. One worker whohad kept a hospital and a soup kitchen going in Belgrade for 3 years hadreported that everything had been deliberately broken up by the Austrians. Thework of reconstruction specially entrusted to England was the care of returnedprisoners of war and the provision of hospitals. This had persuaded them toextend the work the Supply Depots had done during the War. They hoped thatLeighton Buzzard workers would continue to help as a thank offering for havingbeen spared the horrors of invasion.
Source:Leighton Buzzard Observer, 17th December 1918
No comments: Labels:Leighton Buzzard,Serbia,volunteers,women Saturday, 15 December 2018 Ideas for a War Memorial
LinsladeWar Memorial, c.1920 [Z1306/74/2/3]
Sunday15th December 1918: Now that the War has come to an end,consideration is being given to appropriate ways to commemorate both those wholost their lives in the conflict, and those who served in the Armed Forces. TheVicar of Linslade has been thinking over this matter, and has written thefollowing piece for this months parish magazine:
Whenwe have got over the next excitement of the Election we must try to settle downagain, and prepare a welcome for our returning soldiers and sailors. We shallalso have to think about plans for a suitable memorial to those who have givenup their lives for us. Before this appears in print I shall have consulted theChurch Council on the subject. I suppose that whatever general memorial is setup we shall think it right to have one also in the Parish Church, which is theonly large public building in the place, and I think there ought also to be apermanent Roll of Honour, with the names of all those from the parish who haveserved in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. What forms these memorials shall takemust be carefully considered, and I shall be glad to receive suggestions tosubmit to the Church Council.Source:Leighton Buzzard Observer 17th December 1918
No comments: Labels:clergy,Linslade,war memorials Wednesday, 12 December 2018 Bedford Soldier Dies of Flu in France
OldTown Hall, St. Pauls Square, Bedford 1904 [Z1306/10/58/6]
Thursday12th December 1918: Mr. and Mrs. Walter Grant of Rose Mount,Clapham Road, Bedford, have received the sad news their son Charles AlfredRichard Grant has died in France of pneumonia brought on by influenza. Hejoined a Mechanical Transport Company of the Army Service Corps in 1915, servedfor three years without being wounded, and was expected home for Christmas. Anold boy of Bedford Modern School, he was an expert swimmer and played regularlyfor the Bedford Rugby Football A team. After joining the Army he becamehonorary secretary of the Mechanical Transport Rugby Club and arranged a matchagainst an Australian XV which raised a large sum for the Lewisham Red CrossSociety. Before the war he worked for nine years as assistant auditor in theFinance Department of the Bedford Corporation. In a letter of sympathy the TownClerk writes:
By his death theCorporation have lost a good and faithful servant, and I a valued friend. Hiswork at the Town Hall left nothing to be desired. His painstaking, careful, andaccurate work stands recorded in the books of accounts at the Town Hall formany years, while his courtesy, strict attention to his work, and his willingness to assist anyone who neededhelp or advice endeared him to all in the office. His example was always forgood, and he maintained strictly the good reputation of the Town Hall staff.Such a man will be hard to replace indeed. He will always be remembered by thewhole staff with affection and esteem.A memorial service will beheld for him at Holy Trinity Church this afternoon.
Source:Bedfordshire Standard, 13th December 1918
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IntroductionThis blog tells the story of the people of Bedfordshire during the First World War. Daily reports will be posted exactly one hundred years after the events they record. These will be compiled using local Bedfordshire newspapers and material held at Bedfordshire and Luton Archive and Record Service. A second Bedfordshire at War blog provides daily updates from the Bedfordshire Regiment.News from the FrontWar NewsTotal Military Statistics 1918 - Deaths per Month/Year by Type1918January: 65 - 28 killed in action - 21 died of wounds - 16 diedFebruary: 26 - 13 killed in action - 7...Search This BlogTwitter: @BedsAtWarTweets by @BedsAtWarBlog Archive 2018(129) December(10)The EndBedford Soldier Describes Experiences in GermanyA Subdued ChristmasDunstable Man Killed in German Prison CampSerbian Relief AppealIdeas for a War MemorialBedford Soldier Dies of Flu in FranceCivilian Prisoner Returns from Germany1st Leighton Buzzard Girl GuidesChristmas Party for Fatherless Children November(10) October(11) September(10) August(9) July(9) June(8) May(12) April(13) March(12) February(12) January(13) 2017(148) December(13) November(12) October(11) September(13) August(11) July(11) June(12) May(13) April(14) March(13) February(12) January(13) 2016(259) December(13) November(14) October(12) September(14) August(13) July(12) June(30) May(31) April(29) March(31) February(29) January(31) 2015(363) December(30) November(29) October(31) September(30) August(31) July(31) June(30) May(31) April(30) March(31) February(28) January(31) 2014(151) December(31) November(30) October(31) September(30) August(28) May(1)LabelsaccidentsAfricaagricultureair raidsaircraftalcoholaliensallotmentsAmericaAmpthillanimalsanniversariesArleseyarmisticearmyarmy officersartilleryAspley GuiseAspley HeathAustraliaaviationBarton-le-ClayBedfordBedford CemeteryBedford District Nursing AssociationBedford Grammar SchoolBedford Modern SchoolBedford SchoolBedford School; soldiersbedfordshireBedfordshire RegimentBedfordshire TerritorialsBedfordshire VolunteersBedfordshire Volunteers; recruitmentBeestonbelgiansBelgiansbelgiumbicyclesBiddenhambigamyBiggleswadebilletingbilletsBiscotBletsoeblindnessBlunhamboard of guardiansBolnhurstbombingbombsbooksBoy ScoutsbromhambutchersCaddingtonCanadaCanadianscanteensCardingtonCarltoncasualtiescavalrycelebrationsChalgravechaplainscharitiesChaucer RoadchildrenChinaChristmasChurchchurchescigarettescinemacivil defencecivil unrestciviliansClaphamclergyCliftonClophillclothingColmworthconscientious objectionconscriptioncookingCopleCorn Exchangecorporal punishmentcourt martialCranfieldcricketcrimedairyDeandeathsDenmarkdesertersdisabilitydogdomestic violencedrunkennessDuke of BedfordDunstableDuntonEast Anglian Royal EngineersEastcottsEaton BrayEaton SoconeconomyeducationEggingtonEgyptElstowEmpire DayemploymentenlistmententertainmentEversholtEvertonEynesburyfamily lifefarmersfashionFenlakefirefiresFlittonFlitwickfloodsfoodfootballFrancefundraisingfuneralsGallipoligasGeorge KentGerman spiesGermansGermanyGirl GuidesGoldingtonGravenhurstGreat BarfordGreeceGreenfieldhandicraftsHarroldHayneshealthHeath and ReachHenlowHighlandersHinwickHockliffehorseshospitalsHoughton RegishousinghumourhuntingHusborne CrawleyhygieneIndiaIndiansindustryinfantinquestsIrelandKempstonKensworthKing George VlabourlacemakinglaundryLeagraveLeighton BuzzardleisurelettersLidlingtonlightingLimburyLinsladeLivingstone Lower SchoolLutonLuton HooMaltaMarston MoretainemascotMauldenmayoressmedalsmedical servicesMelchbournememorialsmental healthmilitary crossMillbrookMilton ErnestMiss Walmsleymissing-in-actionmission to seamen societymoralemotorcarsmotorcyclesMrs Alfred PainemunitionettesmunitionsmusicNational Union of Women WorkersnavynursesnursingobituariesofficersOfficers Training CorpsOld WardenPalestinepatriotismPavenhamPertenhallpigsPodingtonpoetrypolicepoliticspoorPost OfficePottonpovertypricesprisoners of warprohibitionpublic servicespubsPulloxhillPutnoeQueen MaryrailwaysrationingRavensdenrecipesrecruitmentrecyclingRed CrossrefugeesregistrationreligionrequisitioningReservesRidgmontriotsRiseleyroyRoyal Army Medical CorpsRoyal Flying CorpsroyaltyRugby UnionRussiasailorsSalonikaSalvation ArmySandyschoolgirlschoolsScotlandseamenSerbiaSharnbrookSheffordShillingtonshipsshootingshopsshortagesSilsoesoldiersSommeSouth AfricaSouthillsportsSt Cuthberts ChurchSt Dunstans HostelSt John AmbulanceSt NeotsSt Pauls churchStanbridgestealingSteppingleyStevingtonStondonStopsleyStotfoldStreatleystrikessuicideSundonSwitzerlandTempsfordTerritorialsTilsworthToddingtonTotternhoetown halltrade unionstrainingtrampstransporttraveltribunalsTrinity ChurchtroopsTurveyUnion StreetUpper StondonveteransVoluntary Aid DetachmentvolunteersWaleswar bonuseswar memorialswar savingsWardown Parkwater supplywaterworksweatherweddingsWestoningWhipsnadeWildenWilliam Harpur LodgeWillingtonWilsteadWoburnwomenwomens suffrageWoottonworkhouseswoundedWrest ParkWymingtonYeomanryYMCAYork Streetzeppelinzeppelins
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