MADAM,

There’s a new website called: ‘When the Welsh came to Bedford’ telling the story of the Welsh troops who spent time in Bedford during the First World War. This includes battalions from the Monmouthshire Regiment that were attached to the 68th (2nd Welsh) Division.

There’s a lot of information in it already, stories to warm your heart, stories to bring a tear to your eye, and events otherwise perhaps long forgotten, such as the Eisteddfod for the Welsh troops held in the skating rink on the Bedford Embankment on Easter Monday 1916.

What would really add to it tremendously though is stories, information, pictures and memories from your readers’ family archives.

Their families may have had family members billeted in Bedford, their soldier family member may have married a local girl, may have enjoyed the troops’ Christmas treat held in Bedford, taken part in the Eisteddfod or sporting events or concerts, may have sent letters and photographs to their families about their time in Bedford or after they had left Bedford for active service overseas.

Perhaps women from their families joined the war effort and found themselves serving in Bedford; we have no information at the moment about Monmouthshire women who may have joined the armed forces or the voluntary organisations, perhaps as nurses, and who spent time in Bedford.

If your readers are happy to share their stories and pictures, they can do so at the website (https://whenthewelshcametobedford.wordpress.com/) or by calling 07816 306237.

Any memories would be a great contribution to making the story the website tells as comprehensive as possible. There is a contact form on the website which readers with information to share can use.

Peter Applewhite

(Bedford)