Sports Day for Royal Engineers

Royal Engineers' Camp, Haynes Park 1915 [Z1306/56]

Saturday 20th May 1916: The Royal Engineers at the Haynes Park Camp have enjoyed splendid spring sunshine for their sports day. Prizes included a silver tankard given as a special prize for the N.C.O’s mounted jumping competition, and another for the winner of the greatest number of prizes. Most of the other prizes were of money, although there were also three silver cups. The large crowd of spectators included many of the wounded from Wrest Park Hospital. Varied entertainment was provided through an excellent riding display by the Depot “High Rip” gang under the tuition of Lieutenant J. C. Bray and by clowns who made their entry on an ancient hansom cab inside which was seated a “rather masculine” maiden. The military musicians conducted by Sergeant R. C. Rule gave a well performed programme. Events included a relay race, races for children, a mule race without saddles, and  a Victoria Cross race (in which many gallant rescues were accomplished), tent pegging, and “tilting the bucket”. The trumpeters’ and boys’ refreshment race required competitors to run 20 yards, eat a bun, run 50 yards, drink a bottle of ginger beer, and return to the winning post.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 26th May 1916