Boxing Day at Bedford

Greetings from Biscot Camp, 1915 [Z1306/75/16/13]

Sunday 26th December 1915: After an unseasonably wet day yesterday Bedford is enjoying bright weather for Boxing Day. Troops billeted in the town spent their Christmas at the Central Recreation Room in the Corn Exchange where they enjoyed an excellent Christmas buffet and a lavishly decorated Christmas tree supplied by the Duke of Bedford. Gifts subscribed by local residents were distributed to the soldiers by Father Christmas (impersonated by Mr. W. Machin). Games were played and the Mayor gave a short speech. Ladies canvassing for subscriptions for the Serbian Refugee Fund have been busy over the Christmas Season. The Mayor, Mayoress, and Miss Hockliffe were “at home” in the Town Hall on Christmas Day to receive subscriptions and will be there again tomorrow and on Wednesday. Tables at the Town Hall have been decorated with ornamental plants by Messrs Laxton Bros. Tonight an entertainment and concert will be given at the Sergeants’ Mess of the Bedfordshire Battalion Depot for wives, families, and friends of Staff-Sergeants and Sergeants serving both at home and abroad. They promise a memorable evening in keeping with the traditions of the Bedfordshire Regiment, which in this war as in the past “has proved itself second to none in upholding the honour and glory of an Empire upon which the sun never sets”.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 31st December 1915