Heavy Losses for Village of Turvey

Turvey Church c.1905 [Z1130/128/5/4]

Thursday 25th May 1916: The village of Turvey has received news of its fourth loss in just two weeks with the death of Private Frederick George King of the 2nd Bedfords. Private King was killed in action on May 14th by a rifle grenade falling into a “sap” (a short trench stretching forward into no-man’s land) where he was on duty. He was 26 years old and before joining the army worked as gardener for Mr. H. C. Oldrey at The Gables and was organ blower at the Parish Church. He joined up soon after the beginning of the war and had been in France for eight months. Two of the other Turvey casualties were killed in the same action while attempting to defend the trenches the 8th Bedfords near Ypres against a partially successful German attack: 19 year old Horace Lovell of Turvey Lodge Cottage died on 19th April, and 18 year old Horace Sargent was killed on the 20th.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 26th May 1916

Fatal Motor Accident at Turvey

Turvey Bridge, c.1905-1910 [X396/266]

Thursday 13th January 1916: An inquest has heard that Private Isaac Nelms, a 19 year old soldier from Stockport serving with the 2/6th Cheshires died following and accident with a motor-bus at Turvey on Sunday night. The driver of the bus, Frank Thomas James Edwards, told the inquest that he was passing over Turvey bridge at about 9.45pm when he saw a soldier on a cycle approaching from the opposite direction. The cyclist was going fairly straight until he was within a yard or so of the bus when he seemed to lose control of his machine and swerve. He missed the front of the bus, but he then heard a noise at the side and at the same time hit the bridge in trying to avoid him. The driver and conductor went back and found Private Nelms lying on the road about a yard from the wall on his proper side of the road. He could not see any marks to suggest he had run over the soldier. The man was got onto the bus and taken to hospital. Mr. Edwards stated that there was plenty of room for Private Nelms to pass and that his bus was lit by two paraffin lights at the front.

Police Constable Bradshaw of Turvey was informed of the accident and saw Private Nelms in the motorbus. He spoke to the soldier who said he was going to Bedford. His clothing was dirty as though he had rolled over, but there was no mark to show if the bus had run over him. The wheel marks of the bus were well onto the left side of the road and the bicycle was not damaged. Dr. Spence, a house surgeon at the County Hospital carried out a post mortem and found serious internal injuries which could only have been caused by great pressure. The Coroner said that although there was no evidence to account for these injuries, it seemed almost certain that the hind wheel of the bus must have run over him. It appeared a pure accident for which nobody was to blame. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 14th January 1916

Recruitment March Reaches Podington

Wednesday 2nd June 1915: The 2/5th Bedfordshire Regiment continues to make progress with its recruiting march. Yesterday’s route began at Turvey and called at the Reformatory School at Carlton where it was greeted enthusiastically. From there it progressed via Harrold to Hinwick and Podington. At 5.30pm the troops reassembled and marched to Hinwick House, the home of its commander Major Rouse Orlebar; when they arrived were inspected by the regimental colonel, the Honorable Victor Russell, who had travelled from Newmarket for the occasion. After the formal inspection the men were put through their drill by their commander’s eight year old son Master John Orlebar in “a remarkably smart manner for one so young”. The house and grounds were opened to the public for the occasion, and many people took full advantage of the opportunity. A stage was built in the coach house and the visitors enjoyed a concert given by soldiers from the battalion, some convalescent patients from the hospital now in operation at Hinwick House, and Major Orlebar’s brother Beauchamp. The Sergeant-Major gave an exhibition of club swinging and humorous selections were performed by Lieutenant Hart.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 4th June 1915