King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Lancaster

HOME
Museum & Collections
Sales
Donations
Events
Contact Us

REGIMENTAL HISTORY
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
First World War
Second World War
Actions & Movements
Battle Honours

FAMILY HISTORY
Resources
Further Reading

PHOTO GALLERY
ENQUIRIES
FURTHER READING
LINKS

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.


Corporation of Lancaster Council Meeting Minutes

During the First World War Lancaster Corporation had to discuss and agree many matters relating to the First World War and it's impact on the Borough.  These are extracts of relevant information from the Corporation's Minute Books.

Extracts from Minutes July 1914 - October 1914

 

Electricity Committee - 14th July 1914

Engineer – Salary
The Committee considered the question as to the salary of the Engineer, and it was
Resolved – That the salary of Mr George C Milnes be increased as from the 1st proximo by £25, viz, from £250 to £275 per annum.

Sub-Committee - 7th July 1914

Band Performances
The Sub-committee considered as to arranging for afternoon Band Performances in the Park during the months of August and September, and it was
Resolved – That the Band of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment be offered engagements on the following Wednesday afternoons, viz.: August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, and September 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd, from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., upon the same terms and conditions as in previous years.

Special Meeting of the Council - 11th August 1914

This meeting was summoned:-
To take such steps as may be deemed necessary in connection with various matters arising out of the War, and to read such communications as may be submitted by the Mayor.

Employees on Active Service

Moved by Mr Alderman Preston, seconded by Mr Alderman Jackson, and resolved-
1. That the Corporation undertake that all their employees at present on active service shall be re-instated on their return.
2. That the respective Committees be authorised to make such temporary arrangements as may be necessary for carrying on the work of such employees during their absence.

Payment of Employees on Active Service

Moved by Alderman Preston, seconded by Mr Councillor Bell, and resolved –
That the Council declares its intention to provide adequately for the dependents of employees of the Corporation called away for service in the War; and that the question as to what payments shall actually be made to the employees be left with a Special Committee, with power to deal therewith.

Old Town Hall – Voluntary Aid Detachment

The Chairman of the Properties Committee reported that he had granted the use of the Council Chamber in the Old Town Hall to the Local Branch of the Volunteer Aid Detachment for the purpose of holding lectures on hospital work etc on Mondays and Thursday for a period of five weeks, free of charge, in accordance with the terms of Minute Number 1367 (1911-12).

Emergency Committee - 17th August 1914

Employees on Active Service – Payments to
Referring to early minute, the Committee considered the question as to what payments should be made to the dependents of employees away on active service during the war.

Resolved – That all married employees of the Corporation who, as members of the Territorial or other Reserve Forces of the Crown, may be affected by the mobilisation or embodiment consequent on the present European crisis, be paid during their absence from work such sums as with the pay they receive from the Government will make up their full salary or wages.

Further resolved – That consideration of the question of the payment of unmarried employees be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee.

24th August 1914
Employees on Active Service – Payments to
The following scheme was adopted:-
a) That wives of all married employees who are on active service be paid such sum as, with the allowances, they receive from the Government, will make up the full amount of their husband’s salary or wages, less deductions in accordance with the following scale:-
Men in receipt of under 30/- per week, deduction to be 4/-
Men in receipt of 30/- and under 40/- per week, deduction to be 5/-
Men in receipt of 40/- and over, per week deduction to be 8/-
b) That enquiries be made as to the cases of unmarried employees and that any urgent cases be dealt with by the Chairman and Alderman Preston.
c) That in the case of Mr T Wearing, of the Town Clerk’s Department, his brother be engaged as substitute during his absence, at the same rate of payment.

Waterworks – Protection of.

Correspondence from the Officer Commanding North Western District, Chester, with regard to the protection of water works was submitted, and the Engineer reported as to the steps taken in respect to same, which were approved.

4th September 1914

Employees on Active Service
Arising out of an application by nine teachers for leave of absence in order to join His Majesty’s Territorial Forces, the Committee again considered the question as to the payments to Corporation employees or officials, who may have been called up for active service, or enlist in the future for such service, and it was
Resolved – That the Council be recommended to pay to any officer of servant of the Corporation who is, or may become, a member of the Regular Forces of the country, a sum equal to three-eighths of the salary or wage he was in receipt of at the time of his enlistment.

War Department – Requisitions

The Borough Surveyor reported that he was from time to time being requested by the Officer Commanding at the Bowerham Barracks, to carry out certain work thereat, and that in one case tenders had had to be obtained and the work let.
Resolved – That the actions of the Borough Surveyor be approved, and that he be instructed to carry out any reasonable requests of the War Department Authorities as far as possible.

Town Hall Committee - 3rd September 1914

Ashton Hall – Use of

The Committee considered an application from the West Lancashire Territorial Association, asking for the free use of the Ashton Hall, on Saturday 5th, for the purpose of holding a public meeting in connection with recruiting.

Resolved – that the application be granted.

Further resolved – That the Mayor be empowered to grant any similar applications by the War Department.

Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 21st September 1914

Giant Axe Field – Use by Army Remount Department

The Chairman reported that the he had granted permission for use of certain portions of the Giant Axe Field by the War Department, for the purpose of exercising army remounts.
Resolved – That the action of the Chairman be approved and adopted.

Primrose Playground – Letter from War Department

Read letter from the War Department, with respect to the use of part of the land, leased by them to the Corporation for a children’s playground, as a hen run, and enquiring whether this was with the sanction of the Committee and the Town Clerk was instructed thereon.

Use of Baths by Troops

The Chairman reported that, on receipt of an application from the War Department, he had made arrangements for the recruits at the Bowerham Barracks, to visit the Baths, free of charge, for the purpose of bathing and washing.
Resolved – That the action of the Chairman be approved and adopted.

Slaughterhouse and Auction Mart Sub-Committee - 16th September 1914

Auction Mart – Army Remounts
It was reported that the Army Remount Department had been allowed to occupy a certain number of pens, for the purpose of stabling horses, and that certain alteration had been required thereto in the way of partitions etc.
Resolved – That the action be approved, and that an account in respect of the loan of such pens etc, be forwarded to the War Department.

Watch Committee - 16th October 1914

Phoenix Street
The Chief Constable reported that at the request of the Military Authorities, he had arranged for the above named street to be closed to the public between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 midnight.
Resolved – That the action of the Chief Constable be approved, and that he be requested, if possible, to arrange with the Military Authorities to allow pedestrians to pass through the street during such hours as the same is not being used by them.

Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 19th October 1914

Giant Axe Field – Application
The Committee considered an application from Captain Seward asking for the use of Giant Axe Field, on behalf of the 5th Reserve Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, for drill purposes, and occasional use of the football pitch.
Resolved – That such application be granted.

Properties Management Sub-Committee - 14th October 1914

Land – Dallas Road
The Sub-Committee considered an application from the Director of the Army Remount Department, Lancaster, asking for the use, rent free, of the land belonging to the Corporation in Dallas Road, adjoining Usher’s Meadow, for the purpose of erecting temporary stables for army horses for the period of the war.
Resolved – That the application be granted.

Storey Institute Committee - 21st October 1914

Lancaster War Record
Resolved – That the Librarian be instructed to prepare a Record Book showing all Lancastrians, or sons of Lancastrians, who are on service in the naval or military forces of the country during the present war.

 

 

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.

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.

© 2017 Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum