Welcome to The Bay Museum Website

The Bay Museum is a friendly museum situated on Canvey Island. Based in a degaussing station, it now offers a wealth of artefacts, books and displays focusing on both local and world military history focused on the First and Second World Wars. Open from 10am till mid-afternoon on Sundays, the museum is run by our volunteers who always warmly welcome visitors and are willing to impart their knowledge. They can also help you research your own family military histories and have extensive experience of visiting battlefields and cemeteries. Our website contains information about visiting the museum as well as archiving wartime records that we regularly transcribe online.

THE BAY MUSEUM AND RESEARCH FACILITY

CHARITY NUMBER 1204193

TRUSTEES

CHAIRMAN: D. THORNDIKE  VICE CHAIRS: J. HARRIS & A. REED  SECRETARY: G. BAKER  TREASURER: M. DANIELL

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Room 51,

Headquarters,

Northern Command,

York.

8th April, 19116.

My dear Kentish,

I think you might like to see a Memoranda we have sent off to G.H.Q. on the subject of the Command School of Instruction.  Please remember the idea (and I am not ashamed to say so) have largely come out of your head, and are rather in the rough, but time and experience alone will show how long the Course must last, and what we can do in the time.  Since you left us, we have got a “move” on in another direction, and we have now formed a “Northern Cross Country & Physical Fitness Association”.  All kinds of sports, amusements and athletics are developing all along the line, so I think this weak spot in our armour is now removed.

I intend to speak to the N.C.O’s under instruction at York School on Morale etc. at the end of the current course, but on future occasions will do so at the commencement.

Best of Luck

Your ever,

G.J. Scovell

P.S. I will write to you later about the pin.  We have nor been able to find it yet.  I expect it is hidden away in one of those socks!!

Lieut Colonel R.J. Kentish D.S.O.

Army School,

Headquarters,

3rd Army, France.

Letter to Rev Walters from J W Weston

On Y.M.C.A. headed notepaper.

April 7 1916

Reply to F Company 3rd Bat Leicester Regt

Stationed at Patrington

Nr. Hull

Dear Vicar,

            You will think I have been a long time writing to you but I do not have much spare time.  I hope you are getting along well at Whitwick.  I think of you and our church on Sunday mornings about 8 o’clock, at that time we are just having breakfast, we fall in for church parade at 8.15 A.M. then our service does not interfere with the other service as we are out of church again by 9.30.  It is so different from the ordinary service as we have no choir or organ but the Batt band goes with us.  It is a splendid band.  They have their service here in the afternoon instead of the evening.  I am able to get then but the worst part of it is we cannot get back in time for tea so I have to go without.  The vicar here is a fine chap he is getting up a class for confirmation, he is amongst us nearly every night.  We have just had a church hut put up so that we can receive Holy Communion, we could not before, that service is held every Sunday morning, one week by the Vicar of Patrington and the next by the Vicar of Winestead  at 6.45, I wonder what some of the Whitwick people would say if they had to get up and clean buttons boots and shave (which we have to do every morning, in the army) and the be there for that time, I know you would not get many there.  I get the magazine sent from home so you see I can keep in touch with our old church and if I cannot be there I know what services are being held I look at it every day.  The picture of the church makes me realise how far I am from home.  The word “home” sounds like a sacred thing to we fellows living in huts, more so when we are fetched out to sleep in a field like we were on Wednesday night thanks to the Zepps.  We had the Zepps 7 nights running.  I know that would upset you people at home.  I shall be thankful for a whole night in bed without having to get up and dress about 10.30.  I see they keep sending men to France from here, they have sent three or four hundred while I have been here.  I expect they are thinning the men out at Whitwick now and more will have to go yet I am sorry to say.  I expect I shall be ready for France just after Whitsuntide, but I shall see you before I go there.  Well I will wish you Good Night, hoping you you’re your family are all well.  I am first class.  I am

Yours faithfully

No 25739       J.W. Weston

In envelope addressed to Rev. T.W. Walters, Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  England.

Letter postmarked PATRINGTON HULL 8 AP 16.

Dear G.J.S.,

I left my Diamond & Pearl Grenade Tie pin behind at the General’s.  I wish you would ask about it.  I was wearing it in my black tie when I changed for dinner the first night & the General’s servant probably knows where I put it or where he put it.

Unfortunately he went off with the General & so I didn’t see him neither did I think of asking Bonham because I was ****** *******.  I am very attached to the pin as it was given me by a great pal.  Kindly send if found to George Kentish Esq., 12, Courtfield Gardens S.W.

I took the General’s Boot Hooks away or rather Bonham packed them up.

They are coming back to-day.

A bad deal!

I have lots to tell you after my visit to the W.O. that will I think interest you.

Yours R.J.K.

Very delighted at the idea of returning to work.

1.4.16 in the train.

Letter to Rev Walters from H Burkitt

Leicestershire Yeomanry

British Expeditionary Force

France

Ap 1st 1915

Dear Vicar,

            Thank you ever so much for yr kind note & ****** Easter card which I think is v beautiful also for your kind wishes.  We are still in the same billets but working v hard as now that the ground is drying we are expecting to have to move to the front at any moment & I am afraid the Cavalry will have a v warm time if ever the German line is broken.  I am afraid it will be a long time before I get leave again as all leave has been stopped since the 28 of Feb.  The weather here is dry with cold East winds & frost at night.

With the dearest regards to Mrs Walters self & kiddies.

V sincerely yrs

Holley Burkitt

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Leicester, England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE C 7.  2 AP 15

PASSED BY CENSOR No 1733 square cachet in red.

Letter to Rev Walters from F.W. Ducker

April 1st

Thursday

Dear Sir,

            Thanks for your card I received it with great pleasure I guess you have heard that our Batt has been in the trenches But we are now away from the firing line for further instruction in holding our own and some have been inoculated.  The next time you hear from me we shall have had some more of it.  They shelled us out of our barn which we had slept the night hitting it and making the tiles rattle.  I knew it was Holy Thursday today because the French people went to mass quite early this morning.  We had a good experience for the first time shells bursting all about us all day.  I should like you to see the ruins out here I have seen a church blown down.  All that remained standing was the crucifix.  I don’t know if there are many lads left who ought to at Whitwick.  The other night as I was doing my turn at the telephone I heard to shells pass over the Billets where we are now I don’t get on very well in speaking French.  You help the country one way and I am out here for another I hope you still have your class as usual.  Our Capt makes a good Vicar.  You can see them shelling the aeroplanes in the air.  I am sending you a piece of palm I had given to me.  I think this is all this time.

From One Your Boys

Signaller F.W. Ducker.

There is no envelope with this letter.

There is a Field Service Post Card postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 138 27 JY 15 on which was said I am quite well. I have received your &c.  Letter follows at first opportunity.  I have received no letter from you for a long time.  Signed F.W. Ducker 27.7.15

MARCH 1916.

Wednesday 1st.

            Went to SAULTY with 8 men to set up some water troughs and connect them with a steam pump.  Came back to Beaumetz at night & dined with Col Fairclough 1/4 S. Lancs Pioneer Batt.

Thursday 2nd.

            Went to Saulty again and finished the troughs leaving the men there at night.  Called at C.R.E.’s office and was ordered to get more men and take them to cut logs in Barly Wood.  Sent Corpl & 12 men over at night to Saulty.

Friday 3rd.

            Cutting logs Barly Wood.  Rode to BARLY.  Went to Saulty calling on C.R.E. on route and received instructions to take all my Section (except the tradesmen working in the shops at Beaumetz) to Saulty.  Sent word to Sergt McDonagh who brought over the carts and men arriving at Saulty at 11 p.m.

I stayed at Saulty all night in Priest’s house.

Saturday 4th.

            Snowing hard all day.  The men were busy sharpening tools and fixing up billets.  I moved from Priest’s house to a warmer place but I am still feeding with the Mobile Vet.  Section Officers.  Letter from Maud.

Sunday 5th.

            Worked one party on Water Supply at Solernau Chateau this morning another party in Barly Wood cutting timber.  I rode to Avesnes Le Comte this afternoon & got a log devil from the Sawmiller there then went back with it to Barly Wood.  Letter from Frank.

Monday 6th.

            Went over to Solernau this morning and this afternoon.  I rode via Barly to Gouy to see C.R.E. about the timber.  The logs are hard to get out of the wood as the ground is like porridge.  Snowstorm today.  There was a very good concert at Saulty tonight & I found it a pleasant change.

Tuesday 7th.

            Went to Solernau this morning & fixed up the pumping plant.  The interpreter made pancakes for lunch.  This afternoon I went to the wood to shew the men how to get out the timber.  3 horses sick today so borrowed two from the Mobile Vet Section.

Very cold at night with some snow.

Wednesday 8th.

            This morning I paid the men 10 fr.  Walked round to Larbret & Lakerhire getting out distribution returns for C.R.E.  A beautiful day though rather cold.  Indoors most of afternoon getting out returns.

Wrote to Rose to thank her for socks she sent.

Thursday 9th.

.           Working on shed for Mobile Vet Sect and went to Barly Wood morning & afternoon.  Had a row with French at Sawmill who objected to us taking logs into the yard but we got there.  Sent Taylor over to H.Q. for pay etc.  Cold N. wind all day & more snow at night.  Wrote to Jack.  Letters from Home.

Friday 10th.

            Wrote to Uncle Robert.

Cold day with more snow.  Worked on shed at Mobile Sect & in Barly Wood.  Got a new pair of horses on trial from Mobile Vet Sect to replace chestnuts evacuated.

Saturday 11th.

            Rode to Couturelle, Coullemont & Humbercourt this morning & to Sombrin & Barly this afternoon to get information re machinery & stores.  The men were working on Shed for Mobile Vet and in Barly Wood got out poles and ash logs.

Sunday 12th.

            Rode to Fosseux and Gouy this morning.  Saw C.R.E.   Rode to Avesnes le Comte this afternoon with Allan & La Rouge.

Monday 13th.

            D.A.D.O.S called for me in a car at 8.30 and took me to Mondicourt to get stores then to Humbercourt to build a dam and a laundry shed which Q.M.G. wants in operation by Thursday.  Sent for Sergt & 8 men and started on the dam finishing the wood work of it and the frame of the Shed.  Beautiful day.

Tuesday 14th.

            Finished Shed & dam today and also went to Sombrin to start setting up a pump.

Beautiful day.

Wednesday 15th.

            Socks from Home.  Tobacco from Charlie.

Went early to Humbercourt to set up the water heating plant back to Saulty for lunch then to Sombrin and Humbercourt this afternoon.  It is splendid riding about now the roads are dry and the sun is shining.  Lot of airplanes over, both British and enemy.

Thursday 16th.

            Rode to Gouy this morning & on to Beaumetz to get the missing parts of Sombrin pump.  This afternoon I rode to Barly Wood.  There was a lot of shooting at airplanes to-day.  Sent Major Brown the Lodging fuel & light allowances claims for Jan, Feb & March.  Mine amounting to £14-1-11.

Friday 17th.

            Went to Barly Wood this morning and to Sombrin this afternoon, another beautiful day rode two different horses from Mobile Section.  Phone C.R.E. about Bastier pump parts.  Went to bed early.

Saturday 18th.

            Letter from Charles & from Home.

Hydraulic tables from Gerald.

Rode to Gouy this morning.  Drew 75 francs from Field Cashier.  Saw C.R.E. & got orders to go to Mondicourt this afternoon.  Went to Mondicourt for stores got back at 5 p.m.  Good concert at night by Div Theatre Co.  Fine morning but slight drizzle this afternoon.  Good bath tonight.

Sunday 19th.

            Rode to Barly this morning and to Sombrin & Barly this afternoon.  Spent some time in the wood.

Monday 20th.

            Rode to the wood this morning & this afternoon I spent some time in the Sawmill and then rode to Sombrin.

Letter from Irene.  Wrote to Irene.

Tuesday 21st.

            This morning I rode to Solernau, Humbercourt & Coullemont, found a gravel bed at the last place.  This afternoon rode to Coullemont & Sombrin to see how pump was progressing.

Wednesday 22nd.

            Rode to Solernau this morning and spent some time at the Sawmill.  This afternoon I went to Coullemont and Sombrin.  Capt Trenchard of 147 A S Coy came to see me about taking over water supply.

Thursday 23rd.

            Wrote Home.  Wrote Can Paymasters.  This morning I rode to Barly to receive some horse troughs then rode on to Avesnes le Comte to buy nails got back at 12.45.  After lunch rode again to Barly to set men working at the pump.  An unexploded German bomb fell in Chateau garden & was reported to me so I went and found it was sunk too deep to be worth excavating & filled in the hole it made.

Friday 24th.

            Snowing and blowing rode to Sombrin & Barly also to Solernau & Humbercourt, very tiring day.  Started Sappers working in Barly Sawmill and sent up a load of Beech logs to Barly.  Had tea at the Chateau.

Saturday 25th.

            Letters from Mrs Yolland & Maud.  Wrote to F.L. Davis & Mrs Yolland.

Met Capt Trenchard at Sombrin and settled question of troughs.  Then rode with him to Humbercourt, Coullemont & Couturelle and had lunch with him.  Got home about 4 p.m.

Sunday 26th.

            PAID MEN.  Snow.

Rode to Couturelle then to see Capt Trenchard.  This afternoon rode to Gouy & had tea with C.R.E., met Major Brown there.  Went for walk with C.R.E. to look at some wells.

Monday 27th.

            Took men over to Gouy to set up a pump.  Got the well ready today and hauled the pump to the site.  Went to Solenau this morning.  Had tea at Barly hospital mess.  Snow storm.

Tuesday 28th.

            Got the pump set in by noon at Gouy.  Then rode on to Barly to look up a well there and arrange for a new pump.

Heavy snow storm.

Wednesday 29th.

            Met Interpreter at Barly at 9 a.m.  Went to overhaul steam engine and find out price then inspected Barly Sawmill and arranged for my men to take it over.  Went on to Gouy.  Stormy day.

Thursday 30th

            Letter from Home.

Rode to Barly and then on to Gouy to build Gassing Hut.  Had lunch with C.R.E. then rode to Barly and worked at pump.

Fine day but cold wind.

Friday 31st.

            Letter from Maud.  Parcel from Mrs. Yolland.

Rode to Gouy this morning to see Gassing Hut finished then on to Barly to work on new pump.  Went to Barly again this afternoon got the suction pipe set.  Sent my bank book off to Cox this morning.  Fine day.

Diary of 2/4th Battalion The Border Regiment

1916

7th and 8th March 1916.  Inspection of half Battalion by Brigadier-General C.G. Prendergast, C.B., G.O.C. Jubbulpore Infantry Brigade, a company attack, supported by the Machine Gun Company Section, being carried out at Sooradavee on the second day.

19th March 1916.  “A” and “C” Companies left Kamptee for Peshawar, North-west Frontier Province, having been relieved by the 1st Garrison Battalion Scottish Rifles.

            Whilst at Kamptee the Battalion found the garrison (strength 2 officers and 92 other ranks) for Fort Sitabuldi, Nagpur.  This Detachment, in addition to the ordinary duties, were instructed in the artillery and machine guns which formed part of the armament of the Fort.  An attached section was formed for the Depot of the 1/5th Buffs, to which many of that battalion returned from Mesopotamia sick and wounded after the unsuccessful attempts to relieve the troops under General Townsend, besieged in Kut.

The Detachment at Allahabad found the Detachment for the Allahabad Fort.  The companies proceeded to Shankargarh for company training and field firing.

The Detachment was inspected by both the G.O.C. Allahabad Brigade (Brigadier-General Johnson) and the G.O.C. 8th (Lucknow) Division (Major-General May).

20th March 1916.  “B” and “D” Companies left Allahabad for Peshawar, having been relieved by the 1st Garrison Battalion The Manchester Regiment.

23rd March 1916.  “B” and “D” Companies arrived at Peshawar.  The whole battalion was accompanied in mobilisation tents (opposite the 72nd Punjabi lines), where it remained until 6th May.  It was attached to the 1st (Peshawar) Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier-General L.C. Dunsterville, C.B., A.D.C.

29th March 1916.  The Battalion was inspected by the G.O.C. 1st (Peshawar) Infantry Brigade.