The Welsh Regiments in Bedford
When the Welsh Came to Bedford
Places > Bedford > First World War > Regiments
The arrival of the Scottish Highlanders was the first mass 'invasion' of Bedford by troops as the Great War got underway in August 1914. They wore kilts, played bagpipes, and many couldn't speak English, very different to anything experienced before by most of the town’s inhabitants. They were quickly taken to the hearts of Bedfordians, were the subject of many photographs and picture postcards, and subsequently their time in Bedford has been well researched and documented, notably by Richard Galley.
As the Highlanders left Bedford, the many thousands of soldiers of two Welsh divisions took their place – the first line 53rd (Welsh) Division and the second line 68th (2nd Welsh) Division. Although Bedfordians had been sad to see the Highlanders depart, they were quick to take in turn the new arrivals to their hearts, particularly enjoying the Welsh soldiers' musicality - their choirs, formal and informal, and their bands. Much was reported at the time about their stay in Bedford, in the local papers here, and back home in Wales and in other towns in England (both divisions also included battalions from English regiments).
Soldiers of the Monmouth Regiment
Published with kind permission from the 'When the Welsh Came to Bedford' website
The website 'When the Welsh came to Bedford' tells the story of the Welsh divisions stationed in
Bedford.
Stories like that of Gunner R Frederick Thomas, of the Machine Gun Section, 1/4th Welsh, who described in a letter the journey from Bedford to Gallipoli and the
hard reality of battle and life under fire. On leaving Bedford, the soldiers were handed a leaflet bearing, he said 'what most of us at the time regarded as an
insignificant headline. It ran: 'Are you prepared to die?' ... I can safely say that few of the men of the gallant 4th then even dimly realised what the future held
in store for them.' There were many casualties but you can read too of one young soldier, Private John James Thomas of the 1/4th Welsh, whose life was saved in
those first chaotic few days in Gallipoli by his cigarette case.
Soldiers of the 1/5th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, in Bedford in June 1915
Published with kind permission from 'When the Welsh Came to Bedford' website
'When the Welsh came to Bedford' is a work in progress and there is much research still to do, but as more is discovered it gives an increasingly fuller picture of the experiences of the soldiers of the Welsh divisions during their stay in Bedford, of their experiences on active service elsewhere after they left the town, and of the hospitality extended to the troops by Bedfordians during their stay, including a Christmas treat and an Eisteddfod.
If you have information about the Welsh troops in Bedford and/or pictures of them (they don’t seem to have attracted the camera quite as much as the Highlanders and, so far, fewer pictures of them have emerged), please do get in touch using the contact form on the website.
Page last updated: 11th December 2015