The Great War News from
Lancaster in 1914
4th September 1914
These pages include reports from the local press in Lancaster and
district from September 1914.
The Mayoress’ Sewing Parties
The sewing parties at the Town Hall, organised under the superintendence
of the Mayoress (Mrs. Briggs) meet on Wednesday and Friday afternoons at
two o’clock. Next Wednesday the work will be continued until eight
o’clock, and if the attendance justifies it, this course will be pursued
on subsequent Wednesdays. The work of making garments has proceeded
apace, something like 150 workers attending. The scene is a very busy
one – and everyone seems in real earnest. The Mayor’s Parlour is
distinctly a workroom, and one could almost fancy the workers perform
their duties under the stern eye of a forewoman. There is no frivolity
or gossip, such as is supposed to be the prevailing features at ladies’
sewing meetings. Very great care is taken in “cutting and contriving,”
and the “waste basket” contains nothing of value. Every bit of material
is utilised in some way or other. The workers are greatly in need of
more material especially calico, flannel, remnants for children’s
clothing, yarn for socks, and sewing materials – thread, buttons etc.
Gifts of these materials would be very much appreciated. As to the
criticism that the ladies are doing work that might very well be done by
people out of work, inquiries have been made, and it is quite clear that
at present, at any rate, no sempstresses are registered as being
unemployed. Even in the clerical department at the Town Hall, although
much of the work is done voluntarily, no clerks are registered as being
out of work. As the Government committee requires that work done for
wages must be undertaken by people ordinarily employed at particular
trades, it follows that some who are able to do clerical work, but who
are not ordinarily engaged as clerks cannot be employed as such out of
the relief funds. Neither can mill hands be employed as sempstressses in
like manner.
A ladies committee has been formed, consisting of the Mayoress (who is
the head), the lady representative on the ward committees, and Mrs W
Croft Helme as secretary. This committee is endeavouring to co-ordinate
all the work done by ladies, who may have formed or joined other sewing
parties – so as to secure one central place or headquarters, form which
all relief in the shape of garments etc, will be made. This is an
excellent idea, and if carried out – as it will be by the cordial
co-operation of all interested – much overlapping will be prevented.
Help for Recruits
A very remarkable response was made at the week end to the emergency
appeal issued from the Bowerham Barracks through several churches for
discarded books, socks, and undergarments for the temporary use of
recruits. A number of ladies and gentlemen gave themselves to the work
of collecting, and by Monday a very large number of all the required
articles was sent to the Barracks. People gave willingly and cheerfully,
and many of the boots and shirts given were very little worn. The Mayor
has received the following letter, which speaks for itself:-
Bowerham Barracks, Lancaster
31st August 1914
Dear Mr Mayor,
I write on behalf of all ranks to thank you, and through you the kind
people of Lancaster, for their prompt help in giving us boots, shirts,
socks, suits of clothes, underclothing, towels, hats and caps.
Through no fault of their own, large numbers of men have been detained
at our depot for weeks. It was impossible to get uniform and the many
things required to fit out a soldier. Many of them were scantily clothed
on arrival, and their things soon wore out.
What you have now sent has been of the greatest comfort to many, but of
course there are still a large number who require fitting out.
It must not be assumed that the army factories have in any way broken
down. It is merely a question of an abnormally large demand made on them
at very short notice. It is the same with us at the depot. In normal
times we have 200 men – a few days ago we had 1,500. Today we have 1,200
and are working with practically the normal staff.
We are glad to be doing it, and your help makes our work lighter. I
remain, dear Mr Mayor, yours gratefully,
Signed W H Duffin, Colonel
Commanding the Depot of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Belgian Relief Fund
The Mayor has opened a Belgian Relief Fund, and already several handsome
subscriptions have been sent in. It will be noted that Lord Ashton, with
extreme generosity, has sent a donation of £5000 through the Belgian
Minister to the Relief Fund. The Mayor commends the fund to the
generosity of the people of the town and district. If it had not been
for the gallant resistance of Belgium and her troops to the advance of
the Germans, the position of the Allied Forces would not be as
favourable as at present.
Recruiting Movement
Magnificent Response In Lancaster
Animated Scenes at Bowerham Barracks
The rush to the colours of the King’s Own continues with almost unabated
vigour, and the staff at Bowerham Barracks has during the week been
working at full pressure. Since the regular mobilisation was completed
over 2,000 recruits, drafted to Lancaster from London, Manchester, and
other cities and towns, have been dealt with, and up to last evening,
when a further draft of 600 was sent to join the Kitchener battalion,
over 1,700 had been equipped. Last evening there were about 300 men at
the barracks, and it is hoped to keep the number down to that figure for
the future. At the end of last week, however, there were four or five
times that number. Many of the men were in almost destitute condition,
and on Sunday kind hearted ladies made a whip round for clothing to tide
them over the interval which was to elapse before they could be supplied
with service clothing. Bowerham Council school and marquees on the
barracks fields and on the field adjoining the school were utilised for
their accommodation, but if the authorities succeed in carrying out
their intention these extraneous aids will be unnecessary. Ex
non-commissioned officers who have rejoined the colours have been busily
employed in giving preliminary instruction, and the fine weather has
enabled this very necessary work to be done under perfect conditions.
The YMCA has been providing recreation for the men, and on Wednesday
evening the British Women’s Temperance Association, at the Westham
Street mission room, gave the first of a series of nightly concerts,
with refreshments.
Enthusiastic Meeting at Waring and Gillows
Waring and Gillows’ Lancaster works was the scene of a stirring
patriotic event on Tuesday morning, when a meeting in furtherance of
national defence was addressed by Mr S J Waring, one of the directors, a
member of the Territorial Association for the county of London.
After referring to the traditions of Lancaster and the part it had
played in military history, Mr Waring said he felt confident that the
Lancastrians of today could live up to the reputation of the past in
this momentous crisis in Britain’s fortunes. The situation was
undoubtedly grave and called for sacrifices from everyone. Englishmen,
and especially Englishmen of the North, would strain every nerve in a
determined attempt to overcome the horde of barbarians who were
committing such gross brutalities on the Continent, devastating homes,
outraging women and children, burning towns, and behaving with ruthless
ferocity. England had stepped into the fighting arena, not for the sake
of fighting – she had nothing to gain in this struggle – but in defence
of a great principle. She was fighting in the interests of the
sacredness of treaties, and to plant the heel on the bloated militarism
of Germany. There must only be one end to this war. The Allies would
win, and Germany would be thrown back at least fifty years in her
progress. But to ensure this, we had to keep on reinforcing our army.
This was not going to be an easy matter; it could only be effected by
England’s manhood nobly responding to the call of duty – by every man
who was not barred by age or infirmity stepping into the ranks, either
of the army of the Territorials, and by every man who was so barred
joining a rifle club and learning to become a marksman. There was no
knowing how soon the need for these trained marksmen might arise; and
even if it did not arise the existence of such a force would be a useful
chapter in our rough island story. We could not forget the effective use
which the Boers made of the rifle, and in the event, remote, it was
believed, but not impossible, of a German invasion, our skilled
sharpshooters might be drafted to the defending forces and render a
splendid account of themselves. Mr Waring added that he wanted every man
and boy over sixteen to come forward in one of two capacities – either
to volunteer for the front or to join the Territorials – and if they did
so the firm would see that some adequate allowance was made to those who
had to support families. The splendid example set by Messrs James
Williamson and Sons, and other large local factories was one worthy of
imitation, and he wanted it to go forth that every man and boy in Waring
and Gillows’ Lancaster factory responded to the call and had enrolled
their names. A rifle range, rifles, and ammunition would be supplied,
and arrangements had been made for butts to be erected, at which
shooting could be practised at stated times. Later on some degree of
drilling and training might be added, but the first consideration was
that every man should become a marksman.
Mr Waring’s speech was heartily applauded, and cheers were given for the
King.
Captain Seward, of the 5th Battalion King’s Own, afterwards addressed
the meeting. As to the Territorials, when they were at Barrow, he said,
they were asked who would volunteer for foreign service, and over 80 per
cent, of them volunteered straight off. Foreign service meant that they
were willing to go anywhere abroad, or to allow the regular troops to
leave the garrison towns and to go into the fighting line, and by doing
the latter they were doing as good a job, if not a better, than if they
had volunteered for active service. They wanted to send from Lancaster a
whole battalion of about a thousand odd men, full strength, for foreign
service, and those that were left behind would be attached to some other
battalion. In times like these, no young man who had a real tie should
be working at his trade. If he did not join now he might be forced to
join later, for although Mr Asquith said there would be no conscription,
there were other things besides. In a few months’ time any single man
between the age of twenty and thirty seen in the streets would be
pointed at with the finger of scorn.
Mr Waring, having thanked Captain Seward for his spirited address, said
the directors of the company and the whole staff had loyally submitted
to great reductions, and they were all glad to do it for the sake of
England. It might be that they would be called upon to bear privations,
but they must remember that they were better off than their allies, who
in many cases had had their homes devastated and their businesses
entirely ruined.
At the end of the meeting a fine response was made. About fifty
volunteered at once for foreign service with the Territorials, and the
rest, to a man, put down their names as members of the rifle club.
The Fifth of King’s
Enthusiastic Response by Foreign Service Volunteers
The effort inaugurated last week-end to raise a Lancaster battalion,
with “pals” companies, for the King’s Own, had to be suspended because
of the inability of the staff at Bowerham Barracks to cope with the
expected rush, but the organisation so far as it had been perfected was
not lost, for when news was received late on Monday night that the 5th
Battalion required between 200 and 300 men willing to undertake foreign
service it resulted in an immediate rush of enthusiasts. When the
battalion was at Barrow nearly all the men volunteered, but between 200
and 300 were either rejected as unfit or did not wish to leave the
country. They will probably form the nucleus of a new battalion. A draft
of 40 or 50 foreign service volunteers was secured from the local staff
and workmen of Messrs. Waring and Gillow; and on Tuesday and Wednesday,
and again yesterday, volunteers came forward as fast as they could be
examined and enrolled. A large number were drafted from the civic guard,
including many members of the Lancaster Rifle Club, and nearly all the
athletic organisations of the town have contributed their quota. The
legal, banking and teaching professions are largely represented, and an
endeavour is being made to raise a contingent of old boys of the
Lancaster Royal Grammar School. Up to noon yesterday 254 men had been
accepted, and the number was being added to every hour. Provisionally
upon the consent of the local education authority being obtained about a
dozen teachers have volunteered. Among them may be mentioned Mr James
Ewan, secretary of the Lancaster Regatta and John O’Gaunt Rowing Club,
and Mr R E Davis, a popular member of the Luneside Bowling Club; Mr I S
Keen, secretary of the Lancaster and District Cricket league; Messrs. W
Pinch, H Chapman, R Irving, Wilcock, Brash and others. Mr R Gardner, who
is making himself responsible for getting together old Lancastrian
contingent, is secretary of the Lancaster Agricultural Society. Mr E T
Hannam, secretary of the Lancaster Cricket and Bowling Club, and Mr R
Threlfall and Mr R Higginson, of the same club, Mr G Jackson, Mr F
Bowerm, Mr G V Williams (four old Lancastrians, all of them at
Cambridge), Mr W Huntington, jun., and his brother, Mr F D Huntington
are also among the recruits.
Enthusiasm at Morecambe
Stirring speeches by Lord Richard and Lady Moyra Cavendish, and Major
Bates.
Third Territorial Battalion to be Enrolled.
The secret of the continued recruiting for the 5th Battalion King’s Own
was revealed at a crowded and enthusiastic meeting at the Central
Council schools, Morecambe, last evening, when Colonel Lord Richard
Cavendish, commanding the battalion, announced that the War Office had
sent down instructions for a third Territorial battalion to be formed
for home defence. The meeting, which was the first of a series to be
held in the recruiting area during this weekend, was almost monopolised
in its earlier stages by grey beards, women, and ineligibles, but when
the band which had paraded the town and its followers reached the
building the Mayor (Mr A Coulthurst), who subsequently presided,
appealed that those not immediately interested in the object of the
meeting should adjourn to the side rooms and enable the “young men” to
occupy their places. The appeal was instantaneously responded to.
The proceedings were characterised by enthusiasm, and when the Mayor
took the chair, accompanied by Lord Richard Cavendish and Lady Moyra
Cavendish, Major Bates, Captain Seward, Colonel North CB MVO, Colonel
Coupland VD (Lancaster) and members of the Corporation, they were
received with rounds of cheers.
The Mayor gave an admirable lead to the speakers by remarking, among
other things, that they were all thinking of the welfare of the
homeland, and were there to give inspiration to those who were willing
to serve their country.
He pointed out that they who were not wanted in the army had a great
work to do, and announced amidst applause that the Morecambe
contributions to the Prince of Wales’ Fund amounted to over £500.
Colonel Lord Richard Cavendish had an enthusiastic reception. He
announced with pride that the 5th Battalion King’s Own had volunteered
to war strength for foreign service or to do any duty that the War
Office placed upon them. Already the battalion possessed a fine nucleus
for the second battalion which the War Office wished should be raised in
its area for home defence. It was on behalf of that battalion he wished
to appeal, and he knew he would not appeal in vain, for it to be filled
before the end of the week. There was not a man in that room who doubted
the righteousness of our cause. (Applause.) The war was not of our
seeking, but in order to fulfil a solemn obligation to protect a weak,
and what the enemy at first sight believed to be a defenceless nation.
Not only that, but the war was also being waged to put an end to a
ruthless tyranny and despotism, and, also, should events not go
favourably to the Allies, to promote the safety of the United Kingdom
itself. We were at the turning point in our history. The issue had been
laid down, and could only be decided either by our absolutely
overwhelming victory, or, on the other hand, and he could not for a
moment believe it possible, by our everlasting disgrace. Such a crisis
must surely appeal to every living soul throughout the land. Was there a
man capable of bearing arms, either as a participant in the conflict
abroad or in the more remote but perhaps inevitable conflict at home,
who could calmly acknowledge that he was doing nothing to meet his
country’s need? We had great pride in the army. Lancaster people had
perhaps more legitimate pride in what their soldiers had done abroad
than any other county, after the gallant manner in which Lancashire
regiments had held their own. (Applause.) He wanted to it to be said
with justice and truth that there was not an able bodied man in
Lancashire who was not serving his country in one capacity or another.
It was obviously impossible for everyone to be at the front or on
garrison duty in the empire, but he wanted a battalion for home defence,
and there was no knowing how soon it might be called upon. Ample
opportunity would be given to men engaged in business to return home
frequently to look after their affairs. No one who realised what there
was at stake would for a moment hesitate to come forward. He hoped to
get a thousand men during the next two days, and if there was no room
for them there he asked them to put every consideration aside and join
Lord Kitchener’s force. Another five hundred thousand men were needed,
and even then we should not have one two many. He appealed to them not
to leave the room without making a firm determination to hand in their
names as soldiers of the King, and make certain of securing at least one
of their friends to do the same. (Applause.)
Major Bates, who was received with rounds of cheering, gave an
impressive address. He said he had been tramping over sleepers on
railway lines until he had hardly an idea in his head, and began by
withdrawing a remark, made time after time, that the Germans never
intended to fight them. He was astounded that the contrary had proved
true. But the Germans had started it, and they had go to have it.
(Applause.) That was no mere braggadoci; we were in for it, and we were
going to see it through. (Renewed applause.) When their colonel got the
wire from the War Office asking how many men would go to the front in
case they were called upon he said “I’m going, and I hope the rest of
the battalion will go with me,” and ninety three per cent of the men
said “We’re after you, Sir.” The Colonel had many obligations and was
leaving a lot of things behind him.” as were they all, but they were
doing their duty, and were going to see the thing through. Lady Moyra
would have a sad heart if her husband went to the front, but in spite of
that she had come along to help to raise another battalion, “and,” added
the major, “We are going to make her honorary colonel – and we couldn’t
have a better.” (Applause.) He urged the men of Morecambe to come
forward for the defence of their women folk, and raised enthusiasm by
the remark that a man who could and did not was no Englishman.
Lady Moyra Cavendish had an enthusiastic welcome, and speaking to the
women said there was not an enormous lot that they could do, but they
could encourage their husbands, brothers and sons to do their duty, even
if they cold not got to the front to prepare for the call to service.
They wanted the new battalion to make women and older men feel that they
were safe, and so that the men who had volunteered for foreign service
could feel that their places at home had been taken by able bodied men
who could do their work. (Applause.)
Captain Seward gave a rousing speech. At the close of the meeting, there
was an immediate response to the call for recruits and about 40 were
enrolled. The first to respond was Mr H H Wright, advertising manager to
the Corporation.
Colonel Lord Richard Cavendish subsequently inspected the foreign
service contingent at headquarters. Over 300 were on parade. After the
inspection, the Colonel told them men that he was proud of them, and
considered them a highly fit body of men. Lady Moyra Cavendish also
briefly addressed the men, and said she was proud her husband’s regiment
contained such a fine type. She extended to them her good wishes for a
safe and speedy return. An announcement by Captain Seward of Lady
Moyra’s possible appointment as honorary colonel of the new battalion
was received with enthusiasm.
Scene at Dallas Road Depot
Checking, Measuring and Branding Army Horses
The Artillery Drill Hall in Dallas Road has been converted into a depot
for the collection and despatch of army remounts for this district.
Major Goring is in command. Something like 400 horses are dealt with,
and they are sent off in batches of 30 or 40 at a time, as required.
Stories by Men From the Front
King’s Own in a Tight Place
Sergeant Ellis Williams, of the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Royal
Lancaster Regiment, has reached the London Hospital, suffering from a
slight wound in the arm. In a postcard received by his father, Mr Ellis
Williams, of Bowerham Road, an ex-quarter master sergeant of the King’s
Own, on Tuesday morning, he makes anxious inquiry about his brother,
Sergeant John Williams, of the same regiment, whom, he says, he had not
heard of since the previous Tuesday. “Our battalion,” he says, “got
trapped and cut up, so I fear the worst for poor Jack. God only knows
how I escaped.”
Colonel Reported Killed
Postcards which throw further light on the great battle of last week,
and the gallant part the King’s Own played in it, have been received by
ex Colour Sergeant Clarke, late of the King’s Own, now residing in
Ulster Road, from his son, Lance Sergeant Charles George Clarke (of the
same regiment) who was in the fighting about Mons, and is at present
detained in the 1st Eastern General Hospital at Cambridge. The first
message, posted at Eltham on Saturday, states that Lance Sergeant Clarke
is suffering from slight shrapnel and bullet wounds. He continues:- “We
were all split up. Our regiment is all over the place, most of them
wounded and killed. My wound is nothing – only my right arm. I can write
with it. I have had no sleep for three days and three nights, but I had
a good sleep last night.”
In the second card, written from hospital, the writer says:- “I got my
wound in last Wednesday’s engagement, just below Mons. Our colonel was
killed. I am in the best of health, and my wound is only a slight graze
on my right arm. Thank God that after five hours’ storming of fire, and
no trenches, but in the open ground, at 600 yards, I escaped being
killed.”
A Terrible Conflict
One of the King’s Own Lancaster’s, who had been hit in the legs at
Charleroi, and who arrived at Birmingham on Tuesday, said he was one of
about 1000 men who had to bear the brunt of the terrific shell firing,
as a result of which, he estimated, only about 90 escaped injury. He
declared that he saw the Germans fire on horse ambulances, Red Cross,
and Royal Army Medical Corps.
A Murderous Fire
A surprise attack in which some of the King’s Own Royal Lancasters were
caught in a tight place was described by a private in advance of Mons,
they were suddenly swooped upon by Germans, who in the words of the
narrator, “seemed to open fire on us from nowhere. The Welsh Fusiliers,
who had exchanged the rifle for the spade, being hard at work digging a
trench, had instantly to find what cover they could from the murderous
fire poured into them. Very few of them left the field. We lost
heavily,” said the soldier, adding triumphantly, “but the Germans lost a
lot more when our artillery came up.”
A Bayonet Charge of the King’s Own
Among the injured of the Expeditionary Force who arrived at Charing
Cross by continental boat train on Saturday afternoon was a soldier in
the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, who told how he had been in the
trenches for four days. The battle was waged, he said, at a distance of
not more than 1,000 to 1,200 yards. Although suffering heavy losses from
the British artillery fire, the Germans gradually crept nearer, and
those in the trenches were finally ordered to charge the enemy with
fixed bayonets, some of the enemy coming within 50 yards of the
trenches. Immediately the Germans saw the Britishers charge with
bayonets they bolted, and it was during this charge that pieces of
shrapnel struck the soldier wounding him severely.
Local Territorial Killed While Guarding Railway Bridge
Arthur Gordon, a lance corporal of F Company of the 5th Battalion Royal
Lancaster Regiment, Territorials, was knocked down and killed by a train
whilst guarding a bridge of the Great Western Railway near Faringdon,
Berkshire, on Saturday night. A message from Major Bates says that
Gordon was not a Morecambe man as was first reported, but was assisting
to guard in Captain Wright’s section.
Local Territorial Shot by a Sentry
Lance corporal T Ward, 4th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster
Territorial Regiment, living at Grange over Sands, was visiting a sentry
on the railway between Slough and Burnham Breeches, on Monday night, and
apparently failing to hear the sentry’s challenge was shot and killed.
Another account says:- While guarding Hay Mill bridge between Slough and
Taplow, on the Great Western Railway on Monday night a Territorial
private challenged a man approaching the bridge. Receiving no reply to
his third challenge, the sentry shot the man, with fatal results. He was
then horrified to find he had killed lance corporal Ward, of his own
regiment, who was in charge of the squad at Hay Mill.
“Justifiable homicide” was the verdict returned at the inquest on
Wednesday. The sentry described how he challenged Ward three times, and,
failing to get any reply, shot. A letter found on Ward from his sister
was read. It referred to the shooting of a motor cyclist by a sentry,
and begged him to be careful that he did not meet with a similar fate.
“I have worried about you ever since,” the sister wrote. Two civilian
witnesses stated that Ward failed to reply to the challenges from the
sentry, who, after firing, screamed “Oh, Tommy, oh, dear Tommy, I have
shot you.”
Police Court Not a Recruiting Depot
At the close of the business at the borough police court, on Monday, the
Mayor addressed the large crowd of young fellows who occupied the back
of the court as spectators. He said he was afraid they had made a
mistake in attending there that morning, because the court as not a
recruiting depot. The young fellows in court should certainly enlist,
and they would find the recruiting offices at the Old Town Hall and at
the Bowerham Barracks.
Yesterday it was noticed that not a single young fellow was in court.
Many of those who were present on Monday were no doubt at work
yesterday; others took the Mayor’s hint and offered themselves as
soldiers; and some others, perhaps, did not care to risk another
“lecture” from his Worship.
Soldiers Beds at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary
In answer to the appeal made in last week’s paper for equipment of the
extra beds at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary for the use of sick and
wounded soldiers, the following have been received:- A friend, six
quilts; Mrs Wildman, pair of blankets. The manager of the Lancaster and
Morecambe Steam Laundry has kindly offered to wash, free of charge, all
the articles which will be used by soldiers admitted to the Infirmary,
and he has already washed all the necessary bedding.
Public Waterworks
The Chief Constable of Lancashire (Mr H P Lane) has warned the public
that all waterworks in the country are guarded by armed police and that
any unauthorised person approaching or trespassing on the works will
render himself liable to be fired at. “All persons,” says the notice,
“are warned to keep at a distance from any pipe track, reservoir, or
water course, and on no account to loiter in the vicinity. Any person
found damaging or interfering with or attempting to interfere with any
of the works will be immediately arrested.”
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.