Tag Archives: Ampthill Midland Station

WWI – Bedfordshire Training Depot in Ampthill Park – the Camp Diary, April 1916

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

April 1916 – in early April the passes for weekend leave were withheld, there being a case of measles in camp. With the advent of some real spring weather, sports have been well to the fore. Football is very popular and a keen match was played by companies 1 and 2 on Saturday, April 8.

In mid April a draft representing the machine section left the Ampthill Camp for further training elsewhere. The regimental band accompanied them to Ampthill Midland Station, and the men had a cheery send-off from their comrades an civilians as they passed through the town.

Meanwhile on April 13 at the Ampthill Workhouse the Board of Governors met to consider whether any of the inmates were fit enough to earn their keep and assist the war effort by working on the land – more.

On Thursday, 27th the Camp broke up with the men getting leave until the Tuesday. Several men who trained at Ampthill have been invalided home from France and are back at the camp on light duty.

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April 7, 1916

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April 14, 1916

April 1916

April 28, 1916

 

News of Ampthill Park recruits at the Front

Private C. Lees, writing from the Front says: “We are attached to the 2nd Entrenching Battalion – 35 of us from the last draft from Ampthill – but we are not certain how long we will be here, as we have to join our regiment, the 8th Bedfords, as soon as they want us. We are at present stationed about four miles from the firing line at Ypres, marching up to the reserve trenches in the morning, then back again in the afternoon. German big shells and shrapnel have been bursting in the next field to where we have been working today, so you can guess that it has been a bit exciting. There is not much danger here, unless, of course, we happen to get in the way of these shells. We have to wash in a brook that runs near the camp. It is a lot different from good old Ampthill Camp out here, but not at all bad considering we are in Belgium”.

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle 7th April 1916 (as republished by Bedsatwar blog)

On April 15 at Ypres the Ampthill recruits took their turn in the trenches of Yser Canal Bank between bridges No.2 and 4 – map. On the night of 19/20 April, after 2 hours of heavy bombardment, the German infantry attacked with bomb and bayonet, and gained a footing in the British front-line trenches. The Bedfords resisted but sustained heavy casualties and lost ground. Killed – Capt Quilter, 2Lt Cartwright, 2Lt McMichael. Wounded 2Lt Vipond, 2Lt Harry Player, 2Lt William Eugene Charles. Missing 2Lt Squier. Other Ranks – Killed 32, Missing believed Killed 97, Wounded 65. At least nineteen Ampthill Park recruits were killed that day; others would have been among the wounded.

The Bedfords were relieved by men of the 2nd Yorkshire- and the Lancaster Regiment. The trenches were retaken next day.

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
Bedfordshire Regiment: 8th Battalion War Diary

Next installment to be published on 15 July 2016….
Text copyright S.Hartley (2015-)

Care is taken to ensure accuracy – please accept my apologies if the content contains any errors.

BUY: Ampthill Camp WWI Centenary Postcard

This special postcard commemorates the centenary of the WWI Bedfordshire Training Depot (1914-16). Limited edition: 500

Proceeds will help to fund a book about the Ampthill Camp ~ profits to benefit the charity Combat Stress which was founded in 1919 to help WWI veterans deal with shell shock.

£2 (inc p&p). Please email hartleyhare135@gmail.com to order by PayPal or BACS transfer

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WWI – Bedfordshire Training Depot in Ampthill Park – the Camp Diary, December 1915

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

December  1915 – The number of recruits received at the Ampthill Camp practically doubled during the month which placed a burgeoning pressure on the sleeping quarters. Some additional buildings have been completed and others are in the course of erection to provide for all comers. In the Ampthill Parish Magazine the Reverend Walter May writes ~


The rush is probably a response to Lord Derby’s recruiting scheme – December 15th was the final date for registration.

On Thursday, December 2nd some of the recruits have also taken part of a night attack. Weekend leave for recruiting was granted. The men using the railways marched in large companies to Ampthill Midland Station and Millbrook – such a splendid sight. On Friday, 21st there was a route march for Companies 1, 2 and 3 as far as Wootton.

News of Ampthill Park recruits at the Front

Letters have been received recruits who have been posted to the Front. These are posted in the Camp “Rec” Hut.

19067 Private Arthur W. Bacchus – has written home about the Ampthill Park boys of the 2nd Battalion who saw action at the Battle of Loos. He states that he, with many other Ampthill Camp lads of the 2nd Battalion, was in in the battle, and although terrible losses were sustained they all did their bit, and not a single one flinched from their duty to King and country. Private Bacchus was hit by a bullet in the left arm, and is suffering from a compound fracture.

18641 Lance Corporal George E. Peters – left the camp last July for France and writes “The draft remained at the base a week, attached to the 4th Entrenching Battalion, At first we had four hours a day trench digging, and afterwards eight hours daily tree felling, wiring, etc., with a few fatigues thrown in. We were billeted in a wood, twelve of us in a bell tent. The circumstances were often full of difficulties but the boys all worked with a will, and remembered the Duke’s parting words, ‘Don’t Grumble.'” The writer goes on to state that they have been in the trenches a number of times. Speaking of the future he says “We all recognise that we have a very enemy to contend with, but that doesn’t disconcert us in the least. We are all prepared for a smack at Fritz, and he will have to be up early in the morning to catch the Ampthill boys. Thanks to the splendid training at the camp, we can hold our own with any draft we have seen, and we have been complimented on our smartness.”

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December 10, 1915

 

December 24, 1915


What became of the men who are named in the Bedfordshire Standard?

18641 Sergeant George E. Peters of Baldock – trained in Ampthill Park and in July 1915 was draft to the Front to serve with the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Peters was promoted to Sergeant. On April 23, 1917 he was recorded missing in action, presumed dead. Sergeant Peters was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

19067 Corporal Arthur W. Bacchus of Luton – trained in Ampthill and was drafted in June 1915 to fight with the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Promoted to Corporal, Arthur Bacchus survived the war and in March 1991 was discharged to the Class Z Army Reserve. Arthur was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

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

Next installment to be published on 15 May 2016….
Text copyright S.Hartley (2015-)

 

WWI – Bedfordshire Training Depot in Ampthill Park – the Camp Diary, November 1915

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

November  1915 – Since the Depot opened this time last year 6 drafts, some 500 well-drilled local men have been sent to the Front. In early November another 100 recruits* were accepted which is very encouraging and brings the Camp to 1050 strong. To accommodate the burgeoning number two large structures have been provided at Ampthill Park. The Wesleyan Church Council of Ampthill have most patriotically placed the large room of their Institute at the disposal of the Commanding Officer of the Training Depot to accommodate some of the men, and His Grace has gratefully accepted the offer. Further buildings are being added, the latest being a tailor’s shop.

At the Millbrook Range rifles are now fitted with telescopic sights (the Aldis Telescope and the Gibbs Magnifier) and the latest type of periscope.

On Wednesday, November 24th a number of staff officers of the 59th (North Midland) Division visited the Camp anxious to see the training facilities which exist at the Depot. The squads under instruction at Machine Gun Drill (Maxim and Colt) were first inspected. The staff officers next witnessed recruits at drill and physical training and then passed on to the Miniature Range, the Rapid Loading and Firing Trench and the Obstacle Course. Meanwhile the Signallers under instruction had been engaged in laying telephone wire with Buzzer instruments from the Orderly Room to the Entrenching Ground, a mile distant. When the officers reached the ground the relief of the trenches was carried out. The various kinds of entrenchments, as well as the loopholed parapet and entanglements were visited in turn, great interest being taken in the method used for extending the trenches by sapping. Several of the staff officers had lately been in the trenches at the Front, and it was satisfactory to hear them say that the entrenchments thoroughly up to date in every respect, and in the matter of construction they were far superior to any trenches at the front.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 26th November 1915

*The surge in volunteers may be an early reaction to The Derby Scheme which came in from 16 October 1915. The Derby Scheme was intended increase the number of British fighting men – it moved voluntary enlistment towards compulsory conscription.

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November 12, 1915

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November 26, 1915


News of Ampthill Park recruits at the Front

 

In the Ampthill Parish Magazine the Reverend Walter D. May writes ~

Thirty stretched bearers have been trained. These local people assist at Ampthill Midland Station by helping to remove the wounded from train to ambulances for despatch to Wrest Park Hospital.

 Source:

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

Banner of Faith

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