The ‘Camp Diary’ provides an insight into the Bedfordshire Training Depot from 1914-16. Based on newspaper reports of the time.

January 1916 – The small town of Woburn is being enlivened by the arrival every evening of 150 soldiers from Ampthill Camp for supper, bed and breakfast. For the first time in many years the barracks in the yard of the Bedford Arms are in use, and have been converted into sleeping apartments on both the ground and first floors. Each man is supplied with a comfortable bed, pillows and blankets, and the rooms enjoy gas light and hot water heating. Breakfast and supper is being served at the Town Hall.

Bedford Arms yard c.1900 [Z50/135/610]

News of Ampthill Park recruits at the Front

• Killed in Action
  18924 Private George William ROLPH of Luton [January 15, 1916] – shelling in front line trenches near Maricourt

Source:

The Bedfordshire Standard. The original broadsheet is part of the Bedfordshire & Luton Archive.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
RBL Roll of Honour
Bedsatwar blog
Bedsathome blog

Next installment to be published on 1 June 2016….
Text copyright S.Hartley (2015-)