Current Information:

Born-Islington

The Great Retreat  of the British Amy finally came to an end on 5^th September after thirteen days of continuous falling back whilst fighting rearguard actions from Mons in Belgium to the River Marne. Over the next four days the decisive Battle of the Marne took place and as a result the French army, assisted by the much smaller British Army forced the Germans back to the River Aisne.

On 9th September the 1st Bedfordshire Light Infantry battalion of 15 Brigade, 5th Division crossed the River Marne at Saacy and then advanced further to Bezu-le-Guery . As they moved forward they were shelled and B Company came under machine gun fire when crossing a wood but were able to put them out of action. The enemy defended well but had to leave several guns behind as they fell back. 1st Bedford suffered around ten casualties, one of whom was William Jackson.