Bedfordshire's Recruitment Record

Dunstable Recruitment Drive, June 1914 [X768/60]

Friday 19th March 1915: The head teachers of rural elementary schools in the county have made returns of the number of men serving in the armed forces.[1] According to the 1911 Census the places for which returns have been received had a population of 81,023, which includes 11,639 men of military age (19 to 38). The numbers who are either now serving in the forces or who volunteered but were rejected are:

• Army: 3,745
• Navy: 206
• Army (rejected): 487
• Navy (rejected): 8

This makes a total of 4,446, which is 5.48% of the whole population and 38.2% of the men of military age. The breakdown of those serving in the Army is as follows:

• Regular Army: 1,089
• Kitchener’s Army: 1,089
• Territorials: 1,301
• National Reserve: 266

In eight villages – Bromham, Caddington, Cardington, Kensworth, Milton Ernest, Potsgrove, Stondon and Old Warden - recruitment has reached 10% or more of the total population with Cardington taking top place with a figure of 11.8%.

The strength of the Territorial Units has grown threefold since 1st January 1914. On 1st January 1914 it was 1,459; this increased to 1,945 on 1st July 1914, to 3,861 on 13th November 1914 and to 4,389 on 16th March 1915. This most recent figure can be broken down into individual Units:

• Yeomanry: 979
• Royal Engineers: 1224 (not including the 1st Field Company which is serving in France)
• 5th Battalion (and Reserve): 1949
• Field Ambulance: 237

Of this total of 4,389, Kempston and the village districts for which returns were made by head teachers contributed 1,301, with 3,088 coming from Bedford, Luton, Ampthill, Biggleswade, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and Sandy. If the proportion of recruits to the Territorials from these urban areas is similar to the proportion who have joined the other branches of the Forces, then the total number of men recruited by the Army and Navy from Bedfordshire can be estimated at 13,329. If this is correct it would mean that the county has sent 46% of the available men of military age and 6.8% of its total population of 194,588.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 19th March 1915

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[1] Bedford, Luton, Ampthill, Biggleswade, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and Sandy were excluded from the returns due to their size and the greater difficulty of collecting figures. 

The Territorials Leave Town

Caricature of Major-General Montague-Stuart-Wortley published in Vanity Fair in 1899 (Wikipedia)

Monday 16th November 1914: The Territorials of the North Midland Division who had been billeted in Luton have left the town. The order to move was issued late last night, speedy preparations were made, and the men started to leave early this morning leaving the town eerily quiet. Their commanding officer, Major-General Edward Montagu-Stuart-Wortley, has written a letter of thanks to the Mayor for the hospitality shown by the townspeople of Luton:

Luton, 16th November 1914  

Dear Mr Mayor, 

On the eve of leaving Luton, I wish to express to you, and through you to all the Borough Authorities, as well as to the inhabitants of Luton, my grateful thanks for all the assistance that has been given to the North Midland Division since their arrival in Luton. Nothing could have exceeded the kindness shown by everyone at Luton to the troops under my command. It has been a source of great satisfaction that the relationship between the military and civilian population has been all that could have been desired. The almost complete absence of crime and drunkenness both on the part of the military and civilian population has reflected the greatest credit on all concerned. 

On behalf of all ranks of the North Midland Division, I beg you once more to convey our thanks to all concerned, and to assure you of our best wishes for the prosperity of the town of Luton. 

Believe me, dear Mr Mayor,Yours very faithfully, E. Stuart Wortley, Major-General, North Midland Division [1]

Source: Luton News 19th November 1914

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[1] Major-General The Hon. Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley served in the British Army from 1877 to 1919. In 1914 he was put in command of the 46th (North Midland) Division. He was dismissed from his command in July 1916 after the failure of his Division in the first stages of the Battle of the Somme, gaining the dubious distinction of becoming the only General to be sacked during the Great War. 

“Not a Credit to the Territorial Force”

Two charabanc parties outside the Panama in Waller Street, c.1920 [Z1306/75/10/60/5]

Saturday 14th November: Private Albert Warrilow of the 5th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment was tried today at the Luton Borough Court on a charge of theft. He was alleged to have stolen a kitbag containing two razors, a knife, a fork and a spoon and a holdall from Staff-Sergeant Bishop of the Army Service Corps. Until last Saturday Sergeant Bishop had been billeted at the Panama in Waller Street. His kitbag hung in a room through which anyone could pass. Sergeant Thomas Boardman had been at the Panama with Private Warrilow on the previous night, when Warrilow had shown the stolen items to Sergeant Boardman, claiming they had been given to him by a young lady from a school. Warrilow also sold a razor to Lance-Corporal Albert Hill for one shilling. Major Newbold, the Assistant Provost Marshal, saw Warrilow at his billet in Frederic Street; finding some of the stolen articles among his kit he handed Warrilow over to the police.

Private Warrilow pleaded not guilty. He stated that he had been at the Panama with Sergeant Boardman and others but had left alone. Outside the Panama he chatted to a young lady and they agreed to go for a walk. She told him her name was Maisie Griffiths, that she was a school teacher at Round Green, and that she “wanted to get in with a soldier bloke”. She then gave him the items. He made no attempt to keep them secret and did not realise until Monday night that they had been stolen. He asked the sergeant what to do and was advised to take them back. It was too late to do so on Monday, on Tuesday he was sick, and on Wednesday he was on guard at People’s Park. When Major Newbold came he told him how he got the items. He did not see his commanding officer about them as he thought it would be all right if he took the things back. However, Warrilow admitted he sold he razor after he knew it was stolen, and that he had since discovered there was no school at Round Green. After the Bench decided to convict Private Warrilow, Major Newbold disclosed that he had already been up for a military offence since he came to Luton, that his conduct was generally unsatisfactory, and that he was “certainly not a credit to the Territorial Force”. Warrilow was sentenced to a month’s hard labour.

Source: Luton News 19th November 1914

Farewell from the Leicesters

Image: Leicestershire Regiment, 4th Battalion, C Company in George St, Luton, 1914 [Z1306/75/21/31]

Wednesday 4th November 1914: The Leicestershire Regiment Territorials who have been billeted in Luton are expecting to leave any day. One of their members has written expressing his thanks to the town and his appreciation of the welcome they have been shown. When they first arrived there were “numerous little kindnesses in the shape of pies, pudding and pastry of all kinds”, for those billeted in schools and empty houses as well as for those with landladies. He even appreciates the benefits of the early closing rule because “after a ‘tall night’ a fellow doesn’t feel very rosy trudging along the road with his pack on his back, a ‘large thirst’ in his throat, and a head feeling the size of two”. He believes that everyone will notice the difference in their bearing after the training they have received. He expresses regret that so much friction arose over the matter of payments, agreeing with the townsfolk that it was unfair that some were paid higher rates than other for providing the same accommodation and hopes that people will not hold it against them.

He thinks the Territorials will leave a legacy behind them in military-minded small boys "judging by the squads that invade the billet area that we occupy. They sing our songs and imitate our drills, and mimic the eccentricities of some of our N.C.O.s”. He hopes that the farmers of the area will forgive them for the gaps in their hedges, and that they will lay the blame where it belongs, with Kaiser Bill. He recalled one incident where some of the soldiers discovered a pub with an orchard, where the landlord lost as much in apples as he gained in beer sales. Finally the author compliments the town on their excellent baths, but regrets the lack of public conveniences. His parting words were "Thank you all, Lutonians, landladies, landlords, sons and daughters, who have chummed us up, and perhaps when you have surveyed the damage and have entered on to the old state of things again, you will retain a kindly remembrance of the ‘boys in khaki’ who turned out when their country called."

Source: Luton News 5 November 1914

An Ill-Tempered Recruit

Image: Park Road (now Park Street) Luton, with the Bull Inn on the left hand side, 1909 [Z1306/75/10/50/2]

Tuesday 13th October 1014, Luton: A case was heard at the Borough Police Court yesterday in which a Luton man, Peter Johnson of Chobham Street, was charged with assaulting Sergeant Leonard Sowerby of the 5^th South Staffordshire Battalion. Johnson had joined up a few weeks ago but on Sunday night he was stopped by Sergeant Sowerby outside the Bull Inn in Park Street where he was using filthy language and causing a disturbance. Sowerby told Johnson to go to his billet but Johnson's response was to strike him; his excuse was that “he came pushing me about, and I lost my temper”. When the Sergeant asked for Johnson’s name and address, Johnson hit him in the face. Detective Sub-Inspector Attwood said Johnson was well known to him as a loafer, always standing around outside public houses. Since Johnson enlisted he had rarely been sober and had already been arrested twice. The suspicion was that he had enlisted simply to get the money and now wanted to get out of it. Johnson denied this and claimed to be very sorry for his behaviour. One of the magistrates, Alderman Williams, told him It is very disgraceful after you have joined and professed you would be of service to the country to make an exhibition of yourself, and to be a nuisance to others in this way. You will have a fortnight’s hard labour”.

Source: Luton News 15/10/1914

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Note: This case is presumably one of the incidents that led to the following letter to the editor of the Luton News:

Sir. – On three successive nights last week I saw drunken Territorials reeling and brawling about the streets of the town. Such a sight was extremely painful. Now should not these men be made to know that such conduct is disgraceful? They do harm to the whole division and are discredited as men and soldiers. Then as a community we have a right to ask them to show more courage when faced with the temptation to drink. And further, to ask them to remember that drunkenness upon the public streets is a crime ...”

 The British Army WWI Pension Record shows that Peter Johnson of 21 Chobham Street enlisted on 21 September 1914 and was discharged 12 October 1914 after 22 days service.

A Lost Purse

Charles Arthur Irons, town crier of Luton 1906 [Z1306/75/20/17]

Sunday 20th September 1914, Luton: An appeal is being made by the Luton News for contributions of money to help the wife of a soldier who is now serving in Suffolk with the Territorials. Over two weeks ago she lost her purse contained £3 10s of her husband's enlistment money. She had the Town Crier announce the loss and appeal for the return of the purse. When this met with no success her husband wrote to the newspaper saying “we cannot afford to lose such a sum of money, as my money in the Service will not allow me to keep my home on. I am sure that when those who find it know that I am serving my country, their heart will tell them to send it to my wife”. Despite these appeals the purse and money have still not been found.

Source: Luton News 17/9/1914

A Royal Inspection

Luton Hoo Park c.1906 [Z1306/75/10/62/3]

Friday 18th September 1914: Today King George V has paid a visit to Luton Hoo Park to inspect the North Midland Territorials who have been quartered in Luton.[1] His Majesty is said to take a very keen interest in the Territorials and has visited many of their training grounds since the Territorial Force was mobilised in August. Over four thousand officers and men marched to Luton Hoo for his visit. These men are all volunteers who have given up their normal lives and occupations for the sake of their country in its hour of need. Although most have only been in the army for a month or less they have been well trained and already look like professional soldiers rather than raw recruits.

The troops assembled on the polo ground at the Park which had been turned into a parade ground for the occasion. His Majesty arrived by motor car at 10.45. By this time the troops were chilled from standing in the cold wind and were clapping their hands in an attempt to keep warm, but as the King arrived the sun broke through the clouds and brightened the scene. There was a general salute and the National Anthem was played. His Majesty shook hands with the commanding officer, General Sir William Franklin, then walked through the lines, inspecting first the infantry, then the artillery, and finally the Royal Army Medical Corps. After the inspection the troops marched past the King accompanied at first by a tune from the band, then by a bugle and a beating drum. The march past took forty minutes to complete. The King is said to have been impressed with their soldierly bearing and appearance.

Source: Luton News 18/9/1914

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[1] The North Midland Division were inspected at Luton Hoo by another V.I.P., the War Minister Lord Kitchener, on 29th September [Source: Luton News 1/10/1914]

Laundry Service

St Mary's Hospital, c.1960s - originally Luton Workhouse [Z50/75/133]

Sunday 23rd August 1914 (Luton): The Territorials billeted in the town are having a practical problem due to the difficulty of getting clean underclothing. A Laundry Service Committee has been formed to help. Underwear is being collected from around town and a group of women have been put to work washing and mending it.

Extra billets have been found by sending forty of the territorials to the old Workhouse, where they are living in a separate section from the usual inmates, with their own entrance. Sixty more men are expected to join them. The Mayor has now agreed that their washing can be done in the Workhouse Laundry for a small fee.

Source: Luton News 27th August 1914

News from Leighton Buzzard

Wednesday 19th August 1914

Leighton Buzzard Corn Exchange and Lake Street [Z1130/72/61-62]

The war is beginning to affect life in the market town of Leighton Buzzard now that Territorial soldiers have been billeted there. The Wesleyan Sunday School in Hockliffe Street has been open during the week for the men to use for recreational purposes with an entertainment has been laid on for them every evening. The Corn Exchange in Lake Street has been turned into a hospital with the help of the Leighton Red Cross and has been operating with a staff of ladies from the Leighton Voluntary Aid Detachment. The dozen inmates are all suffering from either minor illnesses or injuries suffered while on duty. The soldiers are due to leave today and it is expected that the patients from the Corn Exchange will be taken to the Military Hospital in Bedford.

Source: Luton News 20th August 1914

Billeting

Map of Luton c.1916. Red and blue shading shows areas allocated for billeting [WW1/VA4/2/1]

Tuesday 18th August 1914 (Luton): Billeting officers have been round Luton finding places for Territorials who are being billeted in the town. Some of the soldiers have been placed in public buildings and others are being sent to private houses. Most people are happy to help, but a few have tried to avoid billeting men despite having plenty of room. One woman told the officer who visited her she could not take any soldiers as her children were suffering from measles. When he mentioned this at the next house, he was told by the occupant that her neighbour had no children! The billeting officer then marked the offender down as a billet for six, telling her that he had six men who had just had measles so would not be at risk of catching them from her family. Anyone who provides a billet gets paid three shillings for an officer and nine pence for a soldier. The soldiers are doing their own catering, but there are also fixed payments for any meals provided by the house owner.

Source: Luton News 20th August 1914

German Prisoners

Officers of the Bedford Division at Gadsby Street, 1925 [QEV20/7]

Monday 10th August 1914 (Bedford) - In the few days since war broke out Bedford has been full of bustle and excitement. The Territorial soldiers of the 5th Bedfordshire Regiment have been billeted at the Goldington Road schools since Wednesday, except for those men who live in Bedford who have been allowed to stay at home. Today two Germans were captured at Clapham. At first rumour had it that they were spies but it seems this was not the case. When the Borough police were told Germans had been spotted Police Sergeant Wheatley was sent on a bicycle to look for them. By the time he caught up with the men they were outside the Borough limits so he fetched the Clapham constable, PC Jefferies. They stopped the two young Germans and took them to the police station at Gadsby Street. It appears the men had been in Liverpool working as a waiter and a barman. They had travelled to London to try to get a boat home, but when they were unable to do so they decided to return to Liverpool. Superintendent Anniwell spoke to the military authorities and the men were taken to the barracks as prisoners of war. 

Source: Bedfordshire Times 7th August 1914 and 14th August 1914

Mobilisation

'We're Doing Our Duty' postcard [Z1306/75/16/42]

Wednesday 5th August 1914 (Luton): The South Bedfordshire detachment of the Bedfordshire Regiment Territorials mobilised this morning and has left town to much excitement. B and C companies assembled at the Plait Hall, F company were sent to the Assembly Hall, and G company to the Corn Exchange. The Territorials paraded through town with flags flying, and F Company left the Town Hall to be greeted by a cheering crowd waving hats and umbrellas. Once they had been joined by the other companies there were nearly five hundred men. Some were former soldiers who had only joined up this morning and did not yet have their uniforms. One was even wearing a bowler hat! 

The soldiers marched down George Street, then along Manchester Street and Bridge Street to the Midland Station where they left for Bedford on a special train. The 5th Bedfordshires’ own band has been disbanded but the Red Cross band stepped in to the breach and marched in front of the men. There was some angry muttering in the crowd about the town authorities and their failure to provide an official send off. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are both away, and it seems nobody could be found to step into the breach.

News has spread that the Government has taken over the railways. Although trains are still running from Luton it is expected that the service will have to be cut as so many railway employees are reservists and are leaving to join their regiments.
Source: Luton News 6/8/14

On the Edge of War

The Post Office in Cheapside, Luton with a horse and wagon outside, c.1908-1914 [Z1306/75/10/12/4]

Tuesday 4th August 1914 (Luton): It appears almost certain that within hours Great Britain will be at war with Germany and its allies. An ultimatum has been issued by the British government that will expire at 11p.m. tonight. Since Germany has already declared war on Russia and France and refuses to accept the neutrality of small, helpless Belgium it is surely inevitable that Britain will also be forced to declare war. 

In Luton today it would be easy to imagine that the war had already begun. The town is full of soldiers in uniform as reservists leave to rejoin their regiments. An announcement has been made that the General Post Office will stay open all night to give the reservists an opportunity to withdraw any money they need before they leave. The Territorial (volunteer) soldiers of the Fifth Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment have been at their annual training camp at Ashridge, but yesterday they were ordered to break camp and march back to Luton. They marched for four hours in the pouring rain, arriving back in town soaked through. The South Bedfordshires were told by their commanding officer, Major Brighten, to go home for the time being, but this morning they were ordered to mobilise.

Source: Luton News 6/8/1914