The Purchase of Horses for the Army

The Bedfordshire Yeomanry [X344/163]

Monday 10th August 1914: No little commotion has been caused in agricultural and commercial circles by the so-called commandeering of horses and vehicles by the military authorities. Some half dozen parties, consisting of gentlemen who have been brought up to know the value of horse-flesh, and usually assisted by a veterinary surgeon, have been commissioned to take this task in hand throughout Bedfordshire, and as they are well-known residents in the county, with good local knowledge and animated by consideration for their neighbours' requirements in business, there is no reason to suppose that other than fair treatment, to the best of their judgement, has been meted out. In some cases, of course, tradesmen have lamented having to part with their best horses, but usually very fair prices have been given, and in some cases it is said that the involuntary vendors have rather shaken hands with themselves. We may safely say that all concerned have recognised the exigencies of the situation and have resigned themselves to it loyally and with a good grace.

It is not commonly known that a census is taken by the police in each police division of all horses, water-carts, motors and other vehicles, and tabulated at the head office. Once a year a military officer goes round the country with the police and notes these horses and vehicles which are likely to be serviceable for military purposes. The horses are purchased at their assessed value, but, we believe, there is a maximum amount, which we have heard variously stated, but we have no wish to render a possible disservice by disclosing it. It is common knowledge that the general run of prices was from £35 to £45 but more for hunters and the best class of shire horse. The purchases have often involved a big sacrifice in the case of hunters, on which there has been a considerable raid, if it may be so described, seeing that some of the purchasing experts are themselves owners of hunters which they have willingly parted with, although some of these horses may have cost them, say, a hundred guineas or more. This class of horses is required for officers' chargers and some of the stables have been almost depleted. There were different parties commissioned  for purchasing different classes of horses  - one buying for cavalry, another for artillery and yeomanry and so on. The purchasers exercise discrimination and discretion, and take only a proportion of horses, in order not to paralyse trade, but curious stories are related of how one was taken and the other left. Some time ago the War Office framed a scheme for encouraging the breeding of light horses, and a Committee was formed in this county. It does not appear to have been practicable to carry out this scheme very extensively, but to all appearances the supply of horses from other sources has been satisfactory.

Source: Bedfordshire Times: 14th August 1914

The 4th Bedfords Mobilised

Sunday 9th August 1914: The Bedfordshire Special Reserves were mobilised yesterday*. During the day the men presented themselves at the Barracks and civilian clothes were soon exchanged for khaki uniforms. The departure took place very quietly during the early hours this morning, Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Ampthill riding at the head of the battalion. There was no band, no crowds lining the route but this is not the time for ceremony. The entraining occupied little time and while the morning was still young a heavily laden train was steaming towards the east.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 14th August 1914

---

* This would become 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. It was heading to Harwich for garrison duty. In July 1916 it joined 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. This unique formation comprised one brigade of four army battalions and two brigades of surplus naval personnel, Royal Marines as well as sailors, the latter serving in battalions named after famous admirals such as Nelson and Anson. Although serving in very other way as infantry in the army the eight naval battalions retained their naval ranks.

A Reason to Join Up

William Ephraim Gore in 1898 [X550/1/108/10]

Saturday 8th August 1914: At the Luton Borough Sessions on Saturday, Ephraim Gore, of Waller Street, was summoned for having used obscene language in New Town Street on August 4th. He did not appear, and it was stated that he had enlisted. The Chairman said he thought the Army was the best place for him and the case was adjourned sine die*

Source: Luton News 13th August 1914

---

* William Ephraim Gore was a well-known trouble-maker. He had served in 2nd Bedfords between 1893 and 1903. On 19th and 20th July 1919 there was rioting in Luton around the treatment of veterans. Gore was prominent in this riot, during which the Town Hall was burned down, and was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment for his part in it.

Woburn and District Does Its Bit

Bedford Street, Woburn [X21/760/1]

Friday 7th August 1914, Woburn: Here, as elsewhere, the war is the dominant topic. Woburn has contributed its quota to the reserve forces, territorials etc., their numbers including some of the Abbey* staff, the rural postman for Milton Bryan, one of the town constables etc. Most of these have already gone and the yeomanry went on Thursday. Numbers of horses have been registered, including about thirty from His Grace's paddocks. Post Office work is very strenuous, the staff being on duty all night.

Mr. W. Coopey, the popular sailor landlord of the Anchor Inn, Aspley Guise and Mr. Warwick, who has recently started a business in the village, left for London on Tuesday morning in response to the Official Navy order.

In connection with the Mobilisation of the Fleet, Mr. Rowberry, the Manager of the Swimming Baths and Pumping Station in Husborne Crawley and also his assistant Mr. Harry Young, have had to take a hurried leave. The latter had just finished his month's annual training.

Source: Bedfordshire Times: 7th August 1914; 25th September 1914 and 2nd October 1914

---

*Woburn Abbey: seat of the Duke of Bedford 

Actions at Sea

The light cruiser HMS Amphion

Thursday 6th August 1914: We hear that detachments of B Squadron, Bedfordshire Yeomanry were drafted to Cheltenham, Warwick and elsewhere last week. As many of you will know the Yeomanry are cavalry, mounted equivalents of the Territorials. Today the remainder of the squadron paraded at noon and were billeted in Bedford until Saturday morning. By the 9.04, 11.31 and 12.05 trains, detachments left for Huntingdon, Dunstable and other places. It was stated that the squadron would shortly be sent elsewhere. Large crowds assembled at the railway station, despite the weather, as each detachment left rousing cheers were given for the men.

Although we are an inland county we must not forget that a large part of this war will be fought at sea. We have heard today that Frank Vidler of Arlesey, chauffeur to Mrs. Waterton has suffered a heavy loss. His brother William was a Royal Marine aboard HMS Amphion and was generally an officer's servant whilst aboard and was a man of very smart appearance. Amphion was a scout cruiser, launched in 1911. Yesterday she helped to sink the German minelayer Konigin Luise but that vessel had the last laugh because this morning Amphion hit one of the mines she had laid and sank with the loss of 150 men including William Vidler. Eighteen Germans rescued from the Konigin Luise also drowned.

Another of those among the missing after the sinking is Percy James Pinnock, a Lutonian. He was a stoker aboard the Amphion, which he joined last Easter. A month ago he was in Luton for the weekend, when he stayed with his step-father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers of 29 Boyle Street. That was the first time he had been home for eighteen months. He was born in Old Bedford Road twenty years ago last June, and after having finished his training, he took to the sea four years ago. Prior to his taking up his position as a stoker, he was a signalman on board the “Berwick”. Other ships on which he served were “Irresistible”, “Ganges” and “Pembroke”. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were greatly distressed by the news, and they were hoping, almost against hope, that their son would still be found. He was their only son*.

Another naval action also took place today. We have been contacted by an electrician aboard the light cruiser HMS Bristol**, F. C. Dawson. He tells us: "You must not mind the mistakes as I am dead beat and still another two hours to do before my watch is finished. Since the declaration of war I have had six hours sleep in three days so you can tell how I feel. During that time we have steamed 2,000 miles, fought an action and are now on our way to Saint Lucia".

“I suppose you are anxious to know what it feels like to be under fire. Well to tell you the truth I think we all looked upon it as a skylark with the great object of sinking the enemy. We were on our way to Halifax [Nova Scotia] and suddenly had news from the “Suffolk”*** telling us she had come in touch with the “Karlsrühe” a German cruiser of 27½ knots+. So we steamed south once more, expecting to come into touch with her about 8 pm. Everything was in readiness to give her a warm reception. At last the signalman in the fighting top sang out: “Sail Ho!” What a scene of excitement prevailed! “Where away?” “Starboard bow sir”. “Clear ship for action, every man to his station”. Down dived the ammunition supply party, or as you used to read in Henty’s yarns “the powder monkeys””.

“At last we were within range. We let drive with our six inch. “Hurrah!” a hit first time, and then she replied. A whole broadside but not within 2,000 yards of us. We fired again with our foremost six inch, slewed round and gave her another with our aft six inch and then a broadside from our 4 inch. “Hullo, what’s that? She’s off!” and there she was going for all she was worth. We followed but she served us the same as she served the “Suffolk” earlier in the day. She was too fast and we lost her about 2 am. Fancy, she was a faster boat and better than us, but there, you know the old saying “He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day”. We had nailed our colours to the mast and it was sink or swim. There is no drawing back in the British Navy. We have a name to think of and traditions to uphold. The boys went into action singing “Boys of the Bulldog Breed”. Well, she got away and now we are hoping to meet her soon again. It was reported that she was seen with part of her bridge torn away, a big hole in the bows and her stern badly damaged.”++

The light cruiser HMS Bristol

Sources: Bedfordshire Times 7th August 1914; 14th August 1914; 21st August 1914 and 4th September 1914 and Luton News 13th August 1914

---

*He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
** Weighing 4,800 tons and armed with two 6 inch and ten 4 inch guns.
*** An armoured cruiser weighing 9,800 tons and armed with twelve 6 inch guns
+ A light cruiser weighing 4,900 tons and armed with twelve 105mm guns
++ The Karlsrühe did not have long left. She blew up on 4th November at sea in mysterious circumstances after destroying or damaging sixteen merchant vessels since her encounter with the Bristol. More than half her crew were lost. The Bristol survived the war and was scrapped in 1921. 

We are at War

Gwyn Street [BorB/K2/5a]

Wednesday 5th August 1914: With the failure of the Kaiser and his ministers to accept Belgian neutrality a state of war now exists between this country and Germany and its ally the Austro-Hungarian Empire. With our brave allies the French and the Russians, not to mention our stout colonies all over the World we must put an end to Prussian militarism once and for all.

The county has been a hive of activity as men prepare for war. Our territorials, the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who only returned from camp on Monday morning have been mobilised. The order came through to the captains of the various companies at 6.15 last night and the captains notified their men to be at Battalion Headquarters in Gwyn Street, Bedford, this morning at ten o’clock. By ten minutes to nine most men were present, together with a crowd of leave-taking wives and children. A and H Companies were billeted at the roller skating rink[1]. All eight of the battalion’s companies were expected in Bedford by the end of the day. The men are to be paid as if they had been at camp all week in addition to their wages as members of the Regular Army from today.

There is a sense of camaraderie amongst the men who are making the best of things. As they passed through the town in full marching order, with rucksack, haversack, water bottle, entrenching tool, rifle, bayonet and ammunition case they looked a workmanlike body.

                                      

The Luton and Ampthill Companies of the 5th Territorials arrived in Bedford shortly after one o’clock. Luton at once marched to the Goldington Road schools. Ampthill went first to the Gwyn Street Headquarters and after a short rest they, too, found their way to the Goldington Road schools. Every man had answered the King’s call and the Company could have brought recruits along with them. They are extremely pleased and proud of their send off from Ampthill where the town band headed the march to the station and the crowd turned out en masse to give them a rousing farewell. This Company specialises in signalling and will supply the signalling section to the East Anglian Division[2] in addition to the regimental signallers. E Company is 122 strong and has a section at Shefford 29 strong, and another at Olney [Buckinghamshire] 27 strong. These arrived earlier in the day.

The South Bedfordshire detachment had a grand send-off from Luton. The streets were so thickly crowded with the cheering mass that the men had the greatest difficulty in keeping their formation. The Red Cross Band headed the march and the scene at the station was indescribable. Every man answered the roll call. Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard sent one company and Luton supplies three. The Luton non-commissioned officers brought along with them twenty recruits, all of whom were army time-expired men. They say they could have taken 100 recruits.

The last of the companies to arrive was that from Biggleswade, in company with a good few reservists. They at once made for the Roise Street schools which will be their temporary headquarters.

This morning the men were paid their bounty of £1 for camp and the second week’s full camp pay although only a short period of it had been served. The same day the increased pay as units in the mobilised army commenced. Kit and medical examination took place and the men made themselves very much at home in their new surroundings. Blankets had not arrived and it was expected that the men would sleep in their overcoats.

Each man is expected to bring his first day’s rations with him on mobilisation. After the first day the army commissariat authorities takes over the responsibility. Neglect of or ignorance of this order caused many to skirmish round or go without, according to the state of his or his friends’ purse, and raids on shops in the localities of where the out of town men were stationed cleared them out. The Bedford men were permitted to billet at home.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 7th August 1914

---

[1] This was built in 1911 on the north bank of the Embankment between the Swan Hotel and Newnham Road.

[2] This would become the 54th (East Anglian) Division and would see action in Gallipoli, Egypt and the Holy Land fighting the Turks.

War is Looming

French Artillerymen and a 75mm Canon [X344/163]

Tuesday 4th August 1914: A great European war now seems inevitable. Germany has declared war on Belgium in order to better attack France. This small, peaceful country has taken no part in the sabre-rattling of the last days since the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28th June. It has remained self-effacing and neutral. Belgium’s neutrality was guaranteed on its creation in 1839 by all the great powers including this country. It seems inconceivable that we can now stand by whilst this peaceful neighbour is brutalised by the Bully of Europe and his hordes. An ultimatum has been delivered by our ambassador in Berlin to their chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, that Germany must renounce its declaration against Belgium by midnight their time otherwise a state of war will exist between us.

It seems a strange thing that this country should be at war with our German cousins and should be allied with our natural enemies the French, but these are strange times. A kind of madness seems to have descended on Germany seeping down, it seems clear, from their Kaiser who, the world has long suspected, is mentally unstable.  A despotic empire such as Germany, wholly under the rule of one man, will always reflect that man’s virtues or vices.

We know how easily Germany defeated France in 1870 and 1871, in less than a year they forced the French to humiliating terms. Then Germany was content to merely take the French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. What will Germany want if it wins the coming war? Belgium at the least we can see disappearing into their iron jaws and very likely more of France too. That will give them naval bases less than a hundred miles from London and more territory to exploit in terms both of physical resources and of manpower. This is another reason why this country must oppose Germany. It must help to stiffen French resolve and boost her armies with our own. Together we can prevent a repeat of 1871, alone France will almost surely fail once again.

Throughout this conflict we will report on the operations of our gallant regiment at the front. The Bedfordshire Regiment has two battalions for active service. The 1st Battalion is at Mullingar in Ireland and will, we understand, form part of the 15th Brigade of the 5th Division. The 2nd battalion is in far-away South Africa at Roberts Heights, just outside Pretoria, we do not yet know the division to which it will be assigned. It seems certain however that more battalions will be raised as the war progresses. Lord Kitchener has given his opinion that any European war will last at least three years. If that is the case Britain will need a far larger army than anything we have ever had in our history, an army numbering several millions rather than a few hundred thousand.

We can only hope that this war will be all over by Christmas.