John S Collings-Wells was commissioned into the Bedfordshire Regiment on 14^th March 1904 following a period with the Hertfordshire Militia. He became Lieutenant in September 1904 and Captain in January 1907. On the outbreak of war he travelled to France with his Regiment on 22^nd of August 1914. He was promoted to acting Lieutenant-Colonel in October 1916 a rank he held until his death.

D.S.O. - Capt. (Acting Lieut.-Col.) J.S.Collings-Wells.

"He commanded his battalion during the operations on the 23^rd and 24^th April 1917, with marked ability. The battalion captured the northern outskirts of Gavrelle on the 23^rd April, and held their ground, in spite of frequent counter-attacks.

When the situation required clearing up, he proceeded through the town under heavy shell and machine-gun fire to re-organise the battalion, and immediately informed the disposition of his companies.

On the 29^th April he was placed in command of a composite battalion with orders to attack and capture the Oppy line of trenches between the ground then held by the 188^th Brigade and the 2^nd Division. It was chiefly owing to his leading, coolheadedness and disregard for personal safety that the battalion reached their place of assembly, and formed up under shellfire in darkness on practically strange ground, and subsequently achieved its objects.

The German spring offensive began to take a heavy toll on the Royal Naval Division as early as the 12^th March, 9 days before the actual infantry assault was launched.

The Germans put down test bombardments using mustard gas and this cost the 4th Battalion Bedfords 5 officers and 264 other ranks. The 63^rd Royal Naval Division lost 2000 men in total before March 21^st.

When the expected German attack finally arrived, John S Collings-Wells and his battalion of men were in reserve positions but were to see action later in the day.

As we know the Germans attacked with such force that the allies began a fighting retreat. This saw the Royal  Naval Division move west from Marcoing (S.W. of Cambrai) to the old 1916 battlefields of the Somme (20 miles away) in just 4 days.

On the 25^th March John received orders to take his battalion up to High Wood to reinforce the 189^th Brigade who were hard pressed. It was here that Collings-Wells once again proved his natural ability to lead men under the most strenuous conditions. His men were soon heavily engaged in action and they stayed until every round of ammunition had been used. During the fight Collings-Wells realised that his men would soon be surrounded so he called for volunteers to hold up the Germans whilst the remainder escaped. Once the withdrawal was complete John lead the rearguard to safety himself.

That evening the 4^th Bedfords withdrew to the Thiepval Ridge and on the 26^th they crossed the River Ancre destroying all the bridges once safely over.