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4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
The 4th (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment was originally formed in 1757, and was stationed in Bedford when war broke out on the 4th of August 1914. A training unit, it moved within a few days of declaration of war to Felixstowe to provide home defence around Harwich. It also supplied drafts for front-line battalions until mid-1916 and the Battle of the Somme.
On the 25th of July 1916, the 4th Battalion converted to war service, landing at Le Havre on the 25th July 1916 attached to 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Engagements as part of the 190th Brigade between July 1916 and November 1918 include the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of the Ancre (both 1916), the Battle of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres at Passchendaele (both 1917), the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael) and the final Hundred Days Offensives (both in 1918).
23rd Aug 1916 Inspection
11th Oct 1916 Relief 
3rd Nov 1916 Reliefs
5th May 1917 Recce
6th May 1917 Football
14th Aug 1917 Competition
21st Aug 1917 Posting
3rd Mar 1918 In the Line
5th Mar 1918 Into Camp
9th Mar 1918 In Support
13th Mar 1918 Gas
14th Mar 1918 In the Line
16th Mar 1918 In the Line
17th Mar 1918 Working Parties
19th Mar 1918 In Camp
20th Mar 1918 Into Support
21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attack
22nd Mar 1918 4th Bedfords were at Bouzincourt Ridge, Albert on the Somme.
22nd Mar 1918 Withdrawal
23rd Mar 1918 Withdrawal
24th Mar 1918 Fighting Retreat
25th Mar 1918 In Defence
26th Mar 1918 Reliefs Complete
27th Mar 1918 Counter Attack
28th Mar 1918 Reliefs Complete
29th Mar 1918 Award
30th Mar 1918 In Billets
3rd Apr 1918 Reliefs
4th Apr 1918 Reinforcements
6th Apr 1918 Enemy Attacks
7th Apr 1918 Reliefs
28th Aug 1918 Reliefs Completed
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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| Want to know more about 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment? There are:5262 items tagged 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.
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Those known to have served with4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. - Allen Stephen Dexter. 2Lt. (d.27th August 1918)
- Collings-Wells VC, DSO. John Stanhope. Lt.Col. (d.27th March 1918)
- Easey William Reginald. Pte.
- Ellis Ernest Dennis. Lt. (d.27th Sep 1918)
- Evans William Prince . Cpl. (d.11th February 1917)
- Freear Eric Charles . 2/Lt. (d.15th April 1917)
- Freear Eric Charles . 2nd.Lt. (d.15th April 1917)
- Garton-Sprenger H. A.. Lt. (d.25th July 1921)
- Hill Stewart William . Pte. (d.31st December 1917)
- Money George . A/Sgt. (d.29th May 1917)
- Munkman Frank. Pte. (d.11th July 1918)
- Smart Frederick Gordon. Pte.
- Thompson George. L/Cpl. (d.13th July 1918)
- Wills Alfred George. Cpl. (d.27th August 1918)
All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please Add a Name to this List
Records of 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment from other sources.
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Lt.Col. John Stanhope Collings-Wells VC, DSO. 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)  John Collings-Wells was killed in action on the 27th of March 1918 and is buried in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, France.
He was the son of Arthur and Caroline Mary Collings-Wells, of Brand's House, Hughenden, High Wycombe, Bucks.
An extract from The London Gazette, dated 23rd April, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and handling of his battalion in very critical situations during a withdrawal. When the rearguard was almost surrounded and in great danger of being captured, Lieutenant Colonel Collings-Wells, realising the situation, called for volunteers to remain behind and hold up the enemy whilst the remainder of the rearguard withdrew, and with his small body of volunteers held them up for one and half hours until they had expended every round of ammunition. During this time he moved freely amongst his men guiding and encouraging them, and by his great courage undoubtedly saved the situation. On a subsequent occasion, when his battalion was ordered to carry out a counter-attack, he showed the greatest bravery. Knowing that his men were extremely tired after six days' fighting, he placed himself in front and led the attack, and even when twice wounded refused to leave them but continued to lead and encourage his men until he was killed at the moment of gaining their objective. The successful results of the operations were, without doubt, due to the undaunted courage exhibited by this officer."
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Pte. Frederick Gordon Smart 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment My grandfather, Frederick Smart did not talk about his experiences during World War One, I think it was too distressing for him, but I know he told my father he was a prisoner of war.
He was apparently captured, although he was not wounded, although I know he had suffered a wounded knee and a sniper's bullet through the front of his neck, just under his chin.
Today, on the 11th November 2018 I found evidence from the ICRC website.
He died in 1985 aged 89.
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Lt. H. A. Garton-Sprenger 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.25th July 1921) Lieutenant Garton-Sprenger is buried in the Tzaneen Estate Cemetery, Limpopo, South Africa.
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2nd.Lt. Eric Charles Freear 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.15th April 1917) Eric Freear was born in 1897 in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, the son of Harry Marshall and Margaret Ann Freear (she died just 5 weeks before Eric). His father had originally come from Ampthill, Bedfordshire. The 1911 census shows Eric living with his parents at Hardwick road, Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire, he later lived with his uncle Mr. A.E.Anscombe, architect, living in Harpenden and was an engineer working at Vauxhall, Luton. Eric served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 15th April 1917 aged 20 years, during the Battle of Arras. He is buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery, Laurant-Blangy and is remembered on both the War Memorial Cross in the centre of Harpenden village and The War Memorial, St. Andrews church, Ampthill. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-14, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
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Cpl. William Prince Evans 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.11th February 1917) William Evans was born 11th August 1891 in Podington, son of John and Mary Evans. The 1911 census shows him living with his parents at School House, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire aged 19 years, a carpenter and joiner by trade. He enlisted in Ampthill with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 11th of February 1917, on the Somme in France. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1905-06, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
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2Lt. Stephen Dexter Allen 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.27th August 1918) Stephen Allen was born on the 13th January 1899 in Bedford, son of William and Gertrude M Allen. Initially he served with 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, joining them in the field on 30th of July 1918. He was then commissioned as an officer and was attached to the 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 27th of August 1918 aged 19 years at Ligny Thilloy, France and Flanders. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France. He is also remembered on St Peters Church War Memorial, Bedford. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1909-15, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923, the Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
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L/Cpl. George Thompson 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.13th July 1918) George Thompson was born, lived and enlisted Ampthill, Bedfordshire. He served with 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment and died on 13th July 1918 as a prisoner of war and is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
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A/Sgt. George Money 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.29th May 1917) Acting Sergeant George Money, born in Maulden, living and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no. 23251). He was killed in action on 29th May 1917 in France and Flanders and is commemorated on Arras Memorial, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
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Pte. Stewart William Hill 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.31st December 1917) Private Stewart William Hill, born in Brighton, living and enlisted Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Husband of Agnes M. Hill, 4 Neotsbury Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no. 30064). He died of his wounds on 31st December 1917 in France and Flanders and is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
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2/Lt. Eric Charles Freear 4th Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.15th April 1917) Second Lieutenant Eric Charles Freear, son of Harry Marshall and Margaret Ann Freear, Harpenden, Herts. Educated Bedford Modern School, 1909-1911. Served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 15th April 1917 age 20 years and is buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery, France. He is remembered on The War Memorial, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
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Pte. Frank Munkman 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.11th July 1918) Frank Munkman enlisted with the 4th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment in July 1916. The regiment landed at Le Havre on 25th of July 1916 and due to earlier heavy British losses were posted into the 190th Brigade of the 63rd Royal Naval Division. He was killed in action on 11th July 1918 at Bucquoy. He is buried at St Amand British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais. There is extensive information on Frank and his military history online at ripfrankmunkman.wordpress.com
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Lt. Ernest Dennis Ellis 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.27th Sep 1918) Lt Ernest Ellis was killed in action on the 27th of September 1918, whilst leading his company across the Canal du Nord, France and is interred in the British Cemetery, Noeuvres.
He was the youngest beloved son of David A. Ellis and Annie Ellis. Aged 25 years.
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Pte. William Reginald Easey 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment William Easey was my great grandfather. He came from a very small village called Gisleham on the outskirts of Lowestoft in Suffolk. He signed up aged 28 and was attested on December 13th 1915. From his service records it looks as though after joining the army reserve on 14th December 1915 he was finally mobilised to his regiment in June of 1916 going overseas.
The service records I hold for his indicate that he was initially with the 3rd Battalion then transferred to the 4th Battalion in September 1916. The records then get confusing because twice it lists he was with the 1st Battalion in 1917. We know he was in hospital from January 23rd 1917 - 6th April 1917; however the record is not that clear what he was in hospital for. There was another entry stating that he was in hospital again later that year for Trench Fever.
My family still have a postcard he sent to my grandmother whilst he was overseas, she would have been 5 years old at the time. At some point after 1917 he must have been transferred back to the 3rd battalion because this is on his discharge records from February 1919, the dispersal unit was Thetford in Norfolk which is just up the road from where I live now.
I am incredibly proud of William even though he died long before I was born, he served his country and was one of the lucky ones who lived to see another day and see his wife and children again, so many didn't. My dad said that he would never talk about the war and hated anything German. The farm where he lived when he went to war and came back too is now lived in by friends of my parents and when they dredged their pond about five years ago they found a bayonet and gave it to my dad guessing it must have been thrown in there by William on his return.
I hope by sharing what little I know about my family will inspire other people to share their little pieces of what is such an important time in our history and one that should never ever be forgotten.
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