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.