This letter appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette on 23rd December 1914. It is interesting how the expectation of the writer was that every recruit would wear gloves and carry a cane when off duty.
The King and Soldiers Gloves.
Sir,
I notice the King has sent £25 to the fund for supplying gloves and mittens to the troops, which was started by the Grand Duke Michael, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir. F. Ponsonby, Keeper of the Privy Purse, in forwarding a cheque to the Grand Duke, writes; “The King is glad to hear what a success the fund has been and how grateful the troops are for the gloves which have been supplied to them.”
May I express a hope that all recruits will make a point of wearing gloves and carrying canes when they are off duty, it is the custom for the troops in garrison towns to do this and we want the new soldiers of the King (Kitchener’s Army) to cultivate briskness and smartness I every detail.
Yours faithfully
Veteran.
Eastbourne, Monday.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Raising of the South Down's Battalion.
The Southdown’s Battalion were formed from the men of the Home Defence Force and those that volunteered after this notice was published in the Eastbourne Gazette on 9th September 1914.
Lord Kitchener had authorised the raising of a new Sussex battalion. Mr. Lowther’s appeal letter is fascinating; encouraging friends and relatives to sign up together and the special appeal to all ‘who have distinguished themselves upon the field of sport to decorate this town with laurels from the battlefield.’
GREAT RECRUITING EFFORTS
ANOTHER BATTALION OF SUSSEX INFANTRY
TO BE RAISED BY MR. CLAUDE LOWTHER, M.P.
With the sanction of Lord Kitchenner. Mr. Claude Lowther, M.P. (Hertmonceux Castle) is raising another Sussex battalion of infantry which he will command and will accompany wherever it goes. Already the services of a number of local gentlemen have been secured as officers and Sussex men are wanted as rank and file. Mr. Lowther will do his best to make the best commissariat arrangements, but all who join must understand that they will be soldiers under the orders of the Government. The age of enlistment ranges from 19 to 36, a concession which men who have completed their 35th year will appreciate. Mr. Lowther’s great object is to assist the work or recruiting by looking after it himself. Mr. A. Millward (the well known county cricketer and umpire) is the local secretary in Eastbourne; and the appeal for men is being made in the surrounding districts so to form a purely Sussex battalion with separate companies for Eastbourne men, Hailsham men and Hertmonceux men. In some parts of the country men who have gone to enlist have been asked to come in later in the day and this delay has caused some waverers to decide not to join the Army.
About 150 men join the Home Defence Force at Herstmonceux, Mr. Lowther being the commandant and Mr. J.H.C. Norton the hon. Lieutenant. Last Thursday, Mr. Lowther assembled the men and asked how many would join the regulars. Thirty men stepped forward at once and on Monday morning the number had increased to Fifty-five; and it was hoped that by last (Tuesday) evening the full strength required for the Herstmonceux Company would be available.
AN APPEAL FOR AN EASTBOURNE CONTINGENT.
Lord Kitchener, in spite of his strenuous work, has spared time to think of your wants.
He recognises that men often prefer to serve side by side with friends and relatives than to be drafted into different regiments to serve with strangers. He has given me permission to raise another Sussex battalion of infantry which I am to have the honour to command – assisted by other officers who live in the county.
I look confidently to the men of Eastbourne to send a contingent –m to be known as the Eastbourne Company. This contingent will train together, will fight together and will, pray God, return together.
Eastbourne has already responded loyally to the Nation’s call. She has sent men – she will send more.
I make this special appeal a to cricketers, footballers and others who have distinguished themselves upon the field of sport to decorate this town with laurels from the battlefield. But all men between the ages of 19 and 36 will be welcomed.
Claude Lowther.
Herstmonceux Castle.
For particulars apply to Wm. A. Millward, 46, Cavendish Place or to me direct.
Lord Kitchener had authorised the raising of a new Sussex battalion. Mr. Lowther’s appeal letter is fascinating; encouraging friends and relatives to sign up together and the special appeal to all ‘who have distinguished themselves upon the field of sport to decorate this town with laurels from the battlefield.’
GREAT RECRUITING EFFORTS
ANOTHER BATTALION OF SUSSEX INFANTRY
TO BE RAISED BY MR. CLAUDE LOWTHER, M.P.
With the sanction of Lord Kitchenner. Mr. Claude Lowther, M.P. (Hertmonceux Castle) is raising another Sussex battalion of infantry which he will command and will accompany wherever it goes. Already the services of a number of local gentlemen have been secured as officers and Sussex men are wanted as rank and file. Mr. Lowther will do his best to make the best commissariat arrangements, but all who join must understand that they will be soldiers under the orders of the Government. The age of enlistment ranges from 19 to 36, a concession which men who have completed their 35th year will appreciate. Mr. Lowther’s great object is to assist the work or recruiting by looking after it himself. Mr. A. Millward (the well known county cricketer and umpire) is the local secretary in Eastbourne; and the appeal for men is being made in the surrounding districts so to form a purely Sussex battalion with separate companies for Eastbourne men, Hailsham men and Hertmonceux men. In some parts of the country men who have gone to enlist have been asked to come in later in the day and this delay has caused some waverers to decide not to join the Army.
About 150 men join the Home Defence Force at Herstmonceux, Mr. Lowther being the commandant and Mr. J.H.C. Norton the hon. Lieutenant. Last Thursday, Mr. Lowther assembled the men and asked how many would join the regulars. Thirty men stepped forward at once and on Monday morning the number had increased to Fifty-five; and it was hoped that by last (Tuesday) evening the full strength required for the Herstmonceux Company would be available.
AN APPEAL FOR AN EASTBOURNE CONTINGENT.
Lord Kitchener, in spite of his strenuous work, has spared time to think of your wants.
He recognises that men often prefer to serve side by side with friends and relatives than to be drafted into different regiments to serve with strangers. He has given me permission to raise another Sussex battalion of infantry which I am to have the honour to command – assisted by other officers who live in the county.
I look confidently to the men of Eastbourne to send a contingent –m to be known as the Eastbourne Company. This contingent will train together, will fight together and will, pray God, return together.
Eastbourne has already responded loyally to the Nation’s call. She has sent men – she will send more.
I make this special appeal a to cricketers, footballers and others who have distinguished themselves upon the field of sport to decorate this town with laurels from the battlefield. But all men between the ages of 19 and 36 will be welcomed.
Claude Lowther.
Herstmonceux Castle.
For particulars apply to Wm. A. Millward, 46, Cavendish Place or to me direct.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Eastbourne recruits 540 in first month of war.
The following 3 notices were published in the Eastbourne Gazette on 9th September 1914, just a month after war was declared.
540 men had signed up from the district and two firms had promised to pay enlisted soldiers from their employment full pay to wives.
540 Recruits from the Eastbourne District
The recruits enlisted at Eastbourne consist of men who have been residing in the borough and the surrounding district.
Enrolled pior to August 28 – 12
Enrolled between Augst 28 – Sept 5. – 370
Enrolled on Monday last – 158
Total 540.
Twenty Three from One firm
No fewer than 23 of the employees of Caffyn’s Garage Ltd (Eastbourne and Heathfield) are serving with the colours. Three other volunteered, but were rejected, 2 on account of defective eyesight and one because he was under age. The married men’s wives will receive allowances from the firm during their husband’s absence. In all cases the positions of the employees are being kept open.
The Grand Hotel Employees With the Colours.
The directors of the Grand Hotel Company Eastbourne, have arranged to pay all married men in their employ (or single men with dependants) who have enlisted for foreign or home service during the war the difference between the Army allowance and full wages in addition to keeping their posts open.
540 men had signed up from the district and two firms had promised to pay enlisted soldiers from their employment full pay to wives.
540 Recruits from the Eastbourne District
The recruits enlisted at Eastbourne consist of men who have been residing in the borough and the surrounding district.
Enrolled pior to August 28 – 12
Enrolled between Augst 28 – Sept 5. – 370
Enrolled on Monday last – 158
Total 540.
Twenty Three from One firm
No fewer than 23 of the employees of Caffyn’s Garage Ltd (Eastbourne and Heathfield) are serving with the colours. Three other volunteered, but were rejected, 2 on account of defective eyesight and one because he was under age. The married men’s wives will receive allowances from the firm during their husband’s absence. In all cases the positions of the employees are being kept open.
The Grand Hotel Employees With the Colours.
The directors of the Grand Hotel Company Eastbourne, have arranged to pay all married men in their employ (or single men with dependants) who have enlisted for foreign or home service during the war the difference between the Army allowance and full wages in addition to keeping their posts open.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The National Christmas Card.
The Eastbourne Gazette published the following article in November 1914 encouraging it’s readers to purchase the new “National Christmas Card" with proceeds going to the Prince of Wales fund.
The National Christmas Card.
WE have just received a copy of the National Christmas Card, to be sold for the benefit of the Prince of Wales fund.
The first page, entitled “Defenders of the Empire” shows a picturesque representative group of our defenders with a background of battleships and aeroplanes.
On the inside leaf is a super-dreadnought passing and saluting Nelson’s “Victory” and with the Kings message, “Once again the sure shield of Britain and her Empire,” and a text from Shakespeare – “What’s brave, what’s noble, let’s do it.”
The cover is Khaki coloured and each card is stamped with the Prince of Wales feathers.
The National Christmas Card.
WE have just received a copy of the National Christmas Card, to be sold for the benefit of the Prince of Wales fund.
The first page, entitled “Defenders of the Empire” shows a picturesque representative group of our defenders with a background of battleships and aeroplanes.
On the inside leaf is a super-dreadnought passing and saluting Nelson’s “Victory” and with the Kings message, “Once again the sure shield of Britain and her Empire,” and a text from Shakespeare – “What’s brave, what’s noble, let’s do it.”
The cover is Khaki coloured and each card is stamped with the Prince of Wales feathers.
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