The Great War News from
Lancaster in 1914
8th August 1914
These pages include reports from the local press in Lancaster and
district from August 1914, illustrated with photographs from the
museum's collection.
Pilling Territorial’s Suicide
The tragic end of a Territorial was reported from Pilling on
Wednesday. A nineteen year old farm labourer, James Hall, received his
call to join the Territorial detachment to which he belonged at
Fleetwood by Wednesday morning’s post, and shortly afterwards his father
heard the report of a gun on the farm. On making investigations he found
Hall dead with a bullet wound through the head. The wound had been
inflicted, it is stated, with a Territorial rifle, the muzzle of which
was in Hall’s mouth. Hall is stated to have been a keen religionist, and
it is surmised that he feared the possibility of having to kill his
fellow men.
The inquest was held at Simpson’s Tea Rooms on Thursday afternoon,
before Mr N Holden, Lancaster, coroner, when the following evidence was
give:-
Richard Hall, joiner, Pilling, identified the body as that of his son,
James Hall, aged 19 years. He was a farm labourer, and a member of the
Fleetwood Company of the 5th King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. On
Tuesday night he came home and said he had seen the mobilisation paper
posted up. He seemed ready to go and said he would have to join at
Fleetwood. He said nothing more before going to bed. On Wednesday he got
up at 8.30 am. After breakfast about 9.30 he went to the shippon and
took his rifle with him. After a while witness followed him, and found
him trying to clean the rifle with a piece of string. He said he had
broken the proper cleaning rod. Witness said he would go into the shop
and try and find something to help him. Witness went to the shop, and
within two minutes head the rifle shot. He went back and found his son
shot. He was leaning over a cow trough dead. His rifle was on the right
side, and a piece of wood was under him. Before he left he saw the piece
of wood on the ground two of three feet away from where he afterwards
found it. Witness did not know he had any ball cartridges with him, but
four had been found in the house since. He was quite sane, and never
expressed any opinion about going on active service.
PC Strong, Pilling, said at 10 am on Wednesday he received information,
and went to the shippon. He found the deceased leaning over the trough,
quite dead. The rifle was on the floor under his right arm. The bullet
had gone through his head and come out on the left side. He found a bit
of wood under him. In the rifle there was a spent ball cartridge. Since
then he had received four cartridges, completing the clip. He searched
his kit, but found nothing.
The Coroner, in summing up, said the case would have to be treated
seriously. The deceased had evidently taken his life at a time when he
was perfectly sane. At such times when soldiers were called up to serve
their King and Country it was the act of a coward to go and take his own
life. The father’s evidence proved that Hall was sane, and he pointed
out that they had no alternative but to return a verdict in accordance
with the evidence that of felo de se.
The jury returned a verdict of ‘Felo de se.’
Enthusiasm in London
The British Royal Proclamations dealing with the Moratorium, the
mobilisation of the Navy and Army, were read from the stops of the Royal
Exchange on Monday by Sir William Soulsby, secretary to the Lord Mayor
of London.
An immense crowd raised cheers as each proclamation was read, hats being
waved enthusiastically when the words “God Save the King” were spoken at
the end.
“Without any declaration of war, Germany invaded France at three points
– Longwy, Cirey, and Delle. The first was reached from the Duchy of
Luxemburg, which was entered in face of a treaty undertaking to respect
its neutrality. It is near the point where France, Germany and Luxemburg
meet. Cirey is about equidistant from Nancy and Strassburg, while Delle
is close to where the French, German and Swiss frontiers join."
Popular Feeling
Patriotic feeling in England and the Empire was now running high.
In Trafalgar Square thousands of people waved flags and made repeated
attempts – not always successful – to sing the National Anthem.
Hundreds of people climbed upon the plinth of the Nelson Column, and the
King Charles statue was almost entirely hid by …. figures. Some even
essayed the perilous of the barricade erected round that portion of the
entrance to Whitehall which was being repaired.
The War
Lancaster, as a military centre, has naturally shared to the fullest
extent in the gravity of the situation caused by the great European War.
Throughout the week-end the feeling of suspense was almost painful in
its intensity. The hope was freely expressed that England would be able
to maintain strict neutrality, but fears were then entertained that acts
of aggression on the part of Germany would render interference
imperatively necessary, and it was felt we were under the shadow of a
great calamity the ultimate outcome of which it was impossible to
foretell. At most of the places of worship on Sunday special prayers of
intercession for Peace were offered; and on Monday, though holiday
jaunts already arranged were not abandoned, there was little of the real
holiday spirit abroad. Everywhere the dismal prospect of a sanguinary
and probably prolonged struggle were eagerly discussed, and most people
were going about with face which if not exactly lugubrious and mournful,
were rendered more grave than usual by a sense of impending tragedy.
The period of suspense practically came to an end on Tuesday when the
preliminaries to actual mobilisation convinced everyone that England
would inevitably be drawn into the fray, though the tidings of the
declaration of war did not become generally known until the following
morning. Naturally there was a good deal of excitement, but there was no
“mafficking” and few outward demonstrations of enthusiasm. There was no
lack of patriotism, but the whole business had been brought about too
suddenly and developed such huge proportions in a very brief space of
time as to almost stagger people who under other circumstances would
probably be most demonstrative. The chief feeling was one of amazement
at the aggressions of Germany, and although groups of people were to be
found in every part of the town discussing the situation, there were no
shouting and cheering crowds thronging the streets, which in this
respect bore a marked contrast to the scenes they presented during the
period of mobilisation for the Boer war.
The Regimental Colours
A great feature of the proceedings during the week have been the
formal deposit of the colours of the 3rd Royal Lancaster Regiment at the
Town Hall, and those of the local battalion of the Territorials in the
King’s Own Chapel. In both instance the handing over of the colours was
accompanied by some ceremonial, which furnished practically the only
military spectacle in connection with the war which the inhabitants have
had the opportunity of witnessing. The muster and departure of the
troops has been carried out, not only with remarkable celerity – which
speaks volumes for the efficiency of the headquarters arrangements – but
also with remarkable quietness. It is infinitely creditable to the
reservists of the line regiment that there has been a noble response to
the nation’s call, and equally creditable to the Territorials that they
have manifested their readiness to make sacrifices in defending the
shores of their native land. It is not likely they will be called upon
for active service, but in a war of such magnitude it is impossible to
predict what will happen.
Food Panic
Lancaster shared to some extent in the panic which seems to have
spread nearly all over the country, in regard to our food supply. On
Tuesday morning, when the shops were reopened after the holidays, and
again on Wednesday, premises of grocers and provision merchants were
practically besieged by anxious townspeople who were afraid of a
scarcity of flour, sugar and bacon, and of the possibility that these
and other commodities would soon attain famine prices. As a matter of
fact their conduct in endeavouring to buy up large quantities of
provisions was the course best calculated to bring about the dearth they
dreaded. In the best informed quarters it is stated that there is now
sufficient grain in the country to last for four months, but owing to
the sudden exceptional demand, consequent upon the panic, millers have
had the greatest difficulty in supplying orders. Sugar is, of course,
not so plentiful, but there is a greater supply than is usually the case
this period of the year, whilst though the continuance of the war will
doubtless militate against deliveries of bacon and other commodities
there is, at present, at any rate, no reason for alarm.
There has been a good deal of complaint in certain quarters against
dealers taking advantage of the situation to unduly inflate prices; and
in some places, Morecambe for instance, where prices were advanced at
certain establishments last Friday, there seems to have been a distinct
tendency to “make hay while the sun shines”. But that has certainly not
been the general practice, and there is no reason to suppose that panic
prices would have obtained had not people with means at their disposal
caught fright at ill founded rumours and precipitated matters. It would
probably be unfair to accuse such people of selfishness, but it cannot
be concealed that they have made matters much worse in the long run for
the large proportion of people whose means are always restricted, and
who, when a crisis comes, are soon reduced to the verge of absolute
poverty. It is infinitely to the credit of some, at least, of the firms
in Lancaster, that during the week they have manifested a desire to help
their poorer customers to tide over the crises by letting them have
flour and other commodities at very little advance on the old price.
The prompt action of the Government in making proposals for reinsuring
food cargoes with the object of maintaining food supplies had the effect
of restoring confidence, and on Thursday trade had resumed its normal
proportions but the effect of the panic was seen in an immediate rise in
prices. It was stated that there was no fear of a food famine, and no
need for retailers to run up the prices of foodstuffs, and this may be
true to some extent. The difficulty, so far as the retailers are
concerned, is that in most cases the wholesale dealers put up the prices
owing to the fact that they were unable to meet the demands made upon
them, and the retailers having to pay more for their goods, naturally
followed suit. The rise had been irregular and by no means universal,
but generally it may be taken that flour has advanced 5s to 7s per sack,
sugar had nearly doubled in price, the average for lump being 6d. per
lb. and for granulated 6d; while bacon has gone up at least 2d per lb,
and there is an advance of ten per cent in tinned goods and butter.
One Day Camp - Territorials Quick Recall
Events have been passing with pageant-like precision this week in the
Territorial world, and they have been officially recognised as an
important part in the defence of the country. Four years ago the units
forming the West Lancashire Territorial Division were encamped in
Lunesdale. The North Lancashire Infantry Brigade were at Hornby, the
South Lancashire Brigade at Caton, and the Liverpool Brigade were at
Halton, each having a complement of Artillery, Engineers, Army Service
Corps, and Field Ambulance. The following year the North Lancashire
Brigade were under canvas at Holmescales in Westmoreland, and the South
Lancashires at Farleton. It had been arranged that this year the
Liverpool Brigade (5th, 6th, 7th and 9th Battalions of the Liverpool
Regiment) should encamp at Farleton (Westmorland) while the South
Lancashire Brigade (4th and 5th South Lancashires, and the Liverpool
Scottish) should occupy ground at Hornby, and the North Lancashire
Brigade (4th and 5th King’s Own Royal Lancasters and the 4th and 5th
Loyal North Lancashires from Preston and Bolton) should encamp south
east of the Devil’s Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale. The fatigue parties at
work from the Thursday previous preparing the camps, and the officers
and men arrived in battalions on Sunday (3rd August), which was a busy
day for the respective railway companies. The handling of between 12,000
and 13,000 men with baggage and horses, and the equipment of Engineers
and Field Ambulance Brigade and Army Service Corps, was a triumph of
transport and organisation. Elaborate arrangements had been made for
regimental and brigade training rather than divisional work, but it was
intended to have one night’s bivouack with movements on a big scale.
The headquarter (Lancaster) Companies of the 5th King’s Own Royal
Lancaster Regiment assembled at the Drill Hall, Phoenix Street, on
Sunday morning, and left about 9 o’clock, proceeding through the town to
the Castle Station, from whence a special train conveyed them via
Carnforth and Low Gill to Kirkby Lonsdale.
The officers present were: Colonel Lord Richard Cavendish; Major J H
Bates, Major E C Cadman, Captain and Adjutant Young, Captains Keen,
Sharpe, Wright, Atkinson, Eaves, Fawcett, Bingham, Lieutenants Carter,
Parsons, Milnes, Simpson, Deed, Preston, Mather, Lloyd-Evans, Second
Lieutenants Seward and Coupland. Lieutenant and Quartermaster Hodkinson.
The number of non-commissioned officers and men was 630, and the total
would have reached 670 by Monday.
Rain was falling heavily when the men marched into camp, but everything
was found to be in readiness and the men settled down to their quarters.
Then it transpired that there was considerable anxiety about the
continuation of the camp, as orders had been received to return 50 per
cent of the bedding blankets and oil sheets. The men had therefore to
share blankets and sleep nine in a tent, but they were quite cheerful
over it. The Brigadier (Colonel Hibbert) and Brigade Major Bruce,
intimated that they had received orders at 2 a.m. on Monday for the men
to strike camp and return home. The first lot left at 5.30, and were
told to hold themselves in readiness for orders. The Lancaster Companies
were the last to leave the camp at 11-30 am, reaching Lancaster at 2.30.
What transpired at Kirkby Lonsdale, also applied to the camps at
Farleton and Hornby. The South Lancashires being moved on Monday back to
their headquarters, while the Liverpools were also sent back to await
orders.
Depositing the Colours: Ceremony at the Town
Hall
Within fourteen years the Royal Lancaster Regiment has been twice
called upon by the nation, and they have responded nobly to the King’s
mobilisation order. Reservists of the King’s Own flocked to the Bowerham
Barracks on Wednesday and Thursday, and were sent off in batches to join
the 1st Battalion in the South while the 5th Battalion (Territorials)
were true to their call to defend their homes and mobilised at the Drill
Hall in Phoenix Street, preparatory to their departure under orders for
Furness.
The 3rd Battalion known as the Special Reservists, followed the course
they adopted during the South African War, and deposited their colours
with the Mayor of Lancaster at the Town Hall. The Colours were carried
by Lieutenants Watkins and J P Jamieson, who were escorted by Colour
Sergeants Redfern, Fleming and Sweeney. They were received outside the
Town Hall in the presence of a large crowd in Dalton Square, and a
procession was formed up the grand staircase and into the banqueting
hall. The Mayor (Councillor Briggs) was in his robes of office, and was
accompanied by the Mayoress, Mr Noel Briggs, and Miss Stanton, Alderman
Kitchen, Alderman R Preston and Mrs Preston, Alderman G Jackson and Miss
Jackson, Councillor C F Seward and Misses Seward, Councillor a Bell, Mrs
and Miss Bell, Councillor E Cardwell, Councillors JE Oglethorpe, J Heald,
J S Riley, J S Harford, I J Curwen, E C Parr, W Glasby, W Sewell, H
Gooch, Chief Constable Harris, Mrs S J Taylor, Mr J M Dowbiggin, Mr W
French, Mr G H Mitchell, Messrs. J B Barber, W Bentley, and T E
Snowball. Other ladies present were: Mrs W Croft Helme, Miss Helme, Mrs
Malcolm.
The colours were not unfurled, but handed over in their cases to the
Mayor, who acknowledged their acceptance.
The Mayor, addressing the escort, said, in accepting the custody of
their colours, he did so with the fullest sense of the importance of the
occasion, and of all that it meant. He should like them to know that
Lancaster was proud of its King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, and
wished it every success. Knowing that it would do its duty wherever it
might be called to serve and do its best to live up to the great
traditions with which its name was associated. His sincere wishes were
that God might be with them all, and that they might safely return to
receive their colours back again. (Applause).
The little ceremony then ended.
The Territorial Colours in King’s Own Chapel.
The Colours of the 5th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
being taken to Lancaster Parish Church, 5th August 1914.
Accession Number: KO1812/01
In the presence of a large congregation the colours of the 5th
Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (Territorials) were
deposited during the afternoon in the King’s Own Chapel attached to the
Lancaster Parish Church. The Mayor (Councillor Briggs) walked with the
Corporation in state from the Town Hall. All the gentlemen who attended
a similar ceremony at the Town Hall were present. The Mayoress and Mr
Herbert L Storey were amongst the congregation. The Territorials marched
from the Drill Hall through the streets to the Parish Church and filled
the King’s Own Chapel and also the north aisle. Lord Richard Cavendish
was in command, and the other officers were Major J H Bates, Major
Cadman, Captain and Adjutant Young, Captains Sharpe, Atkinson, Fawcett,
Bingham, Lieutenants Parsons, Milnes, Preston, Lloyd Evans, and George,
Sergeant Major Snelson, Lieutenants Parson and Lloyd Evans were
entrusted with the charge of the colours. The King’s and regimental
colours respectively. They were escorted by Colour Sergeants Smith,
Ralph and Haigh, the colours being those presented by Lady Moyra
Cavendish. The Mayoral procession was received by the Vicar (Rev J U N
Bardsley), Rev W E Cunliffe, Rev R L Hussey, Messrs R Stanton
(churchwarden) and A B S Welch (sidesman).
The escort took up a position right in front of the Communion table in
the Chapel, looking at the stained glass windows erected in memory of
those who fell in the South African War, 1899-1902. Overhead were the
old colours of the 1st Royal Lancashire Militia who served in the
Crimean War, and old colours of the later Militia Battalions, who went
through the South African War. After the impressive singing of the old
hymn “O God our help in ages past”, the Vicar proceeded with the other
clergy to the King’s Own Chapel, and received the colours, which were
placed by each side of the altar. Addressing the escort, the Vicar said:
“I gladly accept this trust which you have honoured us with this day, in
keeping the colours in this hallowed spot until please God you return in
safety to reclaim them.” Returning from the Chapel to the Chancel, the
Vicar intimated that the order of service was that referring to those at
sea, and in going through it he asked them to kneel down reverently and
remember that possibly in that very time a fierce engagement might be
fought in the North Sea. He asked them to beseech the “God of Victory”
to grant them that which their hearts desired. Prayers were then
reverently said, and at their conclusion The Vicar, addressing Lord
Richard Cavendish and the officers and men of the King’s Own Regiment,
said he gladly accepted the trust with which they had honoured them that
day. The colours which they had just brought to that hallowed spot would
be preserved in reverence and honour until it pleased God they returned
in safety to reclaim them. They could not possibly have chosen a better
place than the chapel which has been dedicated to the worship of
Almighty God, and to the memory of those noble men who laid down their
lives for their country – men belonging to that regiment. The colours
which they had just placed in that sanctuary, and the colours hanging
from the walls of the chapel spoke to them of a regiment that bore an
honoured name – a regiment that bore an honoured name - a regiment that
possessed a record, a noble record of the past of those who had done
great tings and of those who had suffered. They were going away from the
town that afternoon, and may these colours be a stimulant to them as
they went away. They might be called upon to endure many long weeks and
months of monotonous training, but they must not forget that service,
and must not forget the colours left behind. They spoke to them of the
high and noble traditions of the past. They all knew what high
traditions could do, influencing men for good or for evil. I every walk
of life they knew what it was to have an honoured name, and to be
brought up with an honoured name, and to be brought up with an honoured
name. They knew what it was to have been brought up in a school with its
traditions of the past. They knew what it was to belong to a country
with the very noblest traditions that any country could possess. They
knew what it was to belong to a regiment like that, the King’s Own Royal
Lancaster Regiment. As they were aware they might be called upon to do
work which was not in the offensive, but they would be called upon
nevertheless to endure, and that was as great work as any man could be
called upon to perform. They would be called upon to endure months of
waiting for a foe which might never – please God may it be so – never
appear, but it would be weary work doing their duty. His earnest prayer
was that whatever might come, that their country and homes might be in
safety and in God’s protection. They would be called upon to endure in a
keener sense even than that – they might be called upon to resist
temptation to dishonour their God, their country, home and people. He
prayed that they might be loyal men and think of the colours they had
left behind. Let them remember, too, that they would earnestly join in
prayer for them day by day in that chapel, and as they beheld the
colours they would think of them as they prayed for their safety,
physical, moral, and spiritual. They asked God to preserve them in body
and in soul and in spirit, and hoped they all would pray with them that
God would give them His grace and pour it out in abundance upon them so
that whatever might come – whether they were called upon for active
service or merely to defend their shores – they might be true to the
performance of their duty. To God’s gracious mercy and protection they
committed them. “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face
to shine upon you and be gracious until you, the Lord lift up the light
of His countenance upon you and give you peace now and for ever” “Amen.”
A chorus of fervent “amens” followed this benediction, and the National
Anthem was vigorously sung, the voices of the men making the Church
ring. The Mayoral procession left, and then the Territorials, who were
headed by their bugle and brass bands and led by Lord Richard Cavendish,
passed in quick step down Castle Hill, Market Street, Cheapside, and
North Road to their headquarters, the streets being crowded by their
anxious friends and well-wishers.
1st King’s Own Colours
Another ceremonial was witnessed on Thursday afternoon, when the
colours of the 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment were
given sanctuary in the King’s Own Chapel. The Battalion is under the
command of Lieutenant Colonel A N Dykes, who served in the South African
War, and has latterly been stationed at Grand Shaft Barracks, Dover.
They expect to proceed with the expeditionary force to Belgium, and on
Wednesday night their colours were brought to Lancaster under the escort
of Lieutenant C G S Irving and Lieutenant W E G Statter, two smartly
built officers, who, during the handing over the colours, were
accompanied by Colonel Duffin (the new Commander of the Depot at
Bowerham Barracks, in succession to Major Creagh-Osborne), and Colonel J
M Graham, the Commander of the 3rd Battalion, King’s Own Regiment.
The Vicar of Lancaster received the colours from the hands of
Lieutenants Irvine and Statter.
Addressing the escort, the Vicar said he had just received a letter from
the Colonel of the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Regiment, that afternoon
from Dover, stating:-
“The Battalion under my commanding having been ordered to mobilise for
active service, I am today sending the Colours to the Depot in charge of
an officer. No doubt the Officer Commanding the Depot will, in due
course, request you to receive these sacred emblems for safe custody in
the King’s Own Memorial Chapel. I know that you will gladly accept this
responsibility until we can return to claim them; and I also know that
we shall have the prayers of yourself and your congregation that the
regiment may maintain its proud traditions and add new honours to its
colours in the performance of whatever duty it may be called upon to
undertake.”
The Vicar said he could assure the escort that they would have daily the
earnest prayers of himself, and he should lay the subject before his
congregation at the first opportunity next Sunday. He hoped they would
all pray for them, and that they might return in safety under God’s
protection to reclaim the colours. He prayed that they might be true to
their trust, to their country and to their King, by doing that which
they were called upon to perform. He should earnestly pray day by day,
and ask his people to pray, that they may be sustained in the great work
they were undertaking, and that by God’s mercy they might come back safe
and sound in body and soul to do once more the work of defending the
shores of England. He received the colours feeling that it was an honour
to take care of them, and said that they might be sure that during their
absence from the country they would be given safe protection. He
repeated that he felt it was an honour to himself and the wardens of the
Church to be asked to look after them, while they were serving their
King and country.
The Vicar placed the colours alongside those of the Territorial
Battalion left the previous day, and shook hands with the Ensigns,
wishing them a safe return.
Departure of the Territorials
The 5th King’s Own Headquarter Companies left Lancaster for Barrow in
Furness, their preliminary duty station, on Wednesday afternoon at
4.50pm. Crowds lined the streets all the way from the Drill Hall in
Phoenix Street to the Station. The people behaved in an orderly manner,
and there was little for the big staff of police to do, except to keep
the platform as clear as possible, so the men could entrain with a
minimum of inconvenience. Very few Territorials had been rejected in the
medical examination.
Lord Richard Cavendish was in command, and the other officers were:
Major Bates; Kean and Cadman; Captain and Adjutant Young; Captains
Sharpe; Atkinson; Fawcett; Bingham; Lieutenants Carter; Parsons;
Simpson; Preston; Lloyd Evans; 2nd Lieutenant Seward, Lieutenant &
Quartermaster Hodgkinson. Amongst those witnessing the departure of the
men were: Colonel Hibbert and Major Bruce of the North Lancashire
Infantry Brigade; the Mayor and Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs Briggs), Mr
Noel Briggs; Aldermen Preston; Jackson; Councillors E Cardwell; C F
Seward; A Bell; J E Oglethorpe; J S Harford; I J Curwen; Sewell; W
Glasby; H Gooch; E C Parr; De Buchanan; Mr S J Taylor (deputy Town
Clerk), Chief Constable Harriss, Mr E Sharpe, Mr H A Paley; Major F B
Bell; Mr W Sharples, Mr F Huntington; Mr T W Huntington; Mr R Watson (a
veteran of the old Volunteers), and many others.
Mr H M Stones (superintendent); Mr J H Thurstan (Engineer) and Mr J
Brooks (station master) supervised the departure, which was carried out
in a business-like manner, the train including the baggage, machine
guns, and stores. As the train started the men had their baptism of
fire, detonators having been place on the metals, and amidst encouraging
cheers they left for “active service” for the old country in good
spirits. A tremendous crowd assembled on the bridges outside the
Station, and joined in the cheering.
Morecambe Territorials
The E Company (Morecambe), numbering 77 officers and men, left
Morecambe at 2.45pm on Wednesday for Barrow. They were in charge of
Captain W O Wright, Lieutenants Simpson and Coupland.
The Artillery Territorials
The Lancaster Batteries of the West Lancashire RFA mobilised at the
headquarters in Dallas Road, but awaited arrival of horses to convey
their batteries by broad to Preston, where they join the Brigade and
proceed to their point of duty. The fitness of the men was exemplified
by the medical examination before Surgeon Major Lamport, not a single
man being rejected. The batteries are at full strength and most
efficient. There has been a tremendous rush of former members of the
Artillery Volunteer Corps offering their services, but all Captain
Wilson could do was to take their names and tell them he would
communicate with the Brigade Headquarters. It was found to be necessary
to commandeer horses at several livery stables in Lancaster and
Morecambe and also railway van horses.
Reservists Departure
A batch of 100 reservists left Bowerham Barracks about 7.15 on
Wednesday night to catch a special train at the Castle Station for
Dover. They had only arrived in Lancaster during the day and reported
themselves, but the mobilisation equipment was so smart that they were
all ready in good time. Large crowds witnessed the march to the Station,
and the men appeared to be in good spirits.
Lieutenant L S Brocklebank was the officer in charge. At the railway
station the Mayor and Mayoress were on the platform. Major Creagh-Osborne,
who is relinquishing the command of the Depot during the war, was
present.
The Mayor and Mayoress conversed with the men, wishing them “Good luck
and a safe return” to which came the response “We will do our best.”
Private Hall, the Vale of Lune and Kent County Rugby footballer, left
the following message: “The best of good luck to the Vale of Lune.”
Detonators were placed on the metals to give the men a hearty send-off.
There was an absence of rowdyism which characterised some of the South
African war departures.
Over 400 Reservists, all men who have had several years with the colours
in South Africa and India left on Thursday night by South Eastern and
Chatham special train at 8.50 for Dover. They marched through the town
about 8 o’clock and were a sturdy lot of fellows. The officers in charge
were: Lieutenants Irvine, Statter, Hardy and Beaumont. The two former
officers have been with the 1st Battalion at Dover, and brought the
Colours to Lancaster. Lieutenant Hardy is 6ft 3in in height, and
Lieutenant Beaumont is the youngest officer in the Regiment. The general
public were not admitted to the station, but amongst those on the
platform were: The Mayor and Mayoress, Colonel Duffin, Colonel Graham,
Captain Scott, Captain Nornabelle, Lieutenant Morris and Lieutenant
Phelips, and other officers from the Depot. Just before the train
started a lady sent a horse shoe of white roses, wishing the Battalion
good luck and a safe return. A volley of detonators signalled the
departure, and the cheering was most hearty, the men responding
vigorously as the train steamed out of the station.
Another 100 men leave to-day (Friday) which will complete the war
footing establishment of the 1st Battalion.
The Special Reservists
The mobilisation of the 3rd Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster
Regiment is being carried out today (Friday), and the men will probably
leave for duty at Plymouth or some other seaport in the South on
Saturday. They number from 400 to 500, which means that, exclusive of
Territorials, the Bowerham Depot has fitted out over 1,000 men this week
– a night and day task.
Voluntary Aid
Miss Garnett of Quernmore Park, has offered a Detachment of the
Voluntary Aid Association to the War Office, for nursing work during the
hostilities.
National Reservists
The Lancaster National Reservists have issued a notice stating that
they are required to provide the following:- For protection of
vulnerable points, nine men; 1st West Lancashire Royal Field Artillery,
35 men (must have been artillerymen); West Lancashire Division Royal
Engineers, one man; 5th King’s Own 110 men, 1st Field Ambulance, one
man.
Transport
The War Office have evidently secured a tremendous number of motor
wagons for transport, and on Thursday Scottish motors were passing
through the town on their way south.
Railways under the Government
Although the Nationalisation of Railways is probably a long way off,
yet in the time of war they are really under Government control. An
Order in Council has been made, under Section 16 of the Regulation of
Forces Act, 1871, declaring that it is expedient that the Government
should have control over the railroads of Great Britain. The various
railway managers are co-operating with the Government. One effect of
military traffic has been the abolition of excursions fares. We are
officially advised that in order to give due effect to the instructions
received from the War Office and the Admiralty for the movement of
troops etc., it may be necessary to discontinue at short notice a
portion of the advertised service or to close certain of the lines
against ordinary traffic. Under these circumstances no responsibility
can be accepted for any delay or loss that may arise. Some Lancastrians
on holidays have been alarmed at the position and have returned home
earlier, some chartering vehicles by road.
Warning to Workers
The immediate effect of the war upon local industry has been the
intimation to the employees of Messrs Jas. Williamson and Son and
Messrs. Storey Bros. Ltd., that they will probably be put on short time
– the exact amount has not yet been stated. Messrs. Storey Bros. have
asked their workpeople to resume work on Monday morning, and the firm
will do their best under the difficult circumstances, with so many of
their markets closed.
Only a proportion of our collections
are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display
in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of
our collections which are held in store.