WOUNDED SOLDIERS AT CRAWLEY COTTAGE HOSPITAL, May 1915.

The Committee of Crawley and Ifield Cottage Hospital having placed eight beds at the disposal of the authorities, the first batch of invalid soldiers arrived on Sunday, half a dozen being brought in a motor car from Brighton. Some had been badly wounded in battle, whilst others were cases of appendicitis and adenoids, for which operations had been performed prior to their arrival at Crawley.

The two most serious cases are those of Prvt. Berry, of the Kings own Royal Lancashire’s, and Srgt. Glover, of 2^nd Cheshire Regiment, both of whom telling thrilling stories of their awful experiences at the Front. Srgt. Glover, who lives at Nantwich and is 35, has 17 years service to his credit. He served throughout the South Africa campaign and was wounded. He went to France in August and after various engagements was wounded in the mouth by a bullet in September. He was invalided home and returned to the Front in December, being again wounded in the ankle by shrapnel shell. Subsequently Srgt. Glover received terrible injuries to the eye and face and a piece of shell, an inch square, is still embedded in his left cheek.

Prvt. Berry has injuries to his legs, arms and chest, and most of his wounds were received while he was attending fallen comrades. He went to the Front early in August and took part in the battles of Mons, Marne, Aisne, Lys and other places, and was wounded at Le Touruet on December 26^th, receiving a bullet wound in each leg and bayonet scratches in the arm and left side. He returned to England and again went abroad in February. In May he was wounded again, receiving a bullet in the arm, which smashed the bone, and another bullet, which entered his chest, went right through one of his lungs and came out at the back. These terrible wounds were inflicted at a moment when he was dressing the wounds of others. Both men can tell vivid stories of the battles and they can confirm the atrocities alleged against the Germans, but space forbids their recapitulation here.

Despite the severity of their wounds the men are extremely cheerful and full of gratitude for the kindness and consideration shown them by the Matron and her willing staff at the Cottage Hospital. Occasional motor rides are being provided for them and these are, of course, much enjoyed; and the remainder of time is spent in the garden at the rear of the hospital, where they sit and smoke and recount to each other their individual experiences.

Charlie's Letter Home from the Front

Prvt. Charlie Dumsday, of Crawley, sends us a letter from the Front, dated 12^th inst. After referring to his passage over, Prvt. Dumsday says: “We marched to a rest camp in Rouen, which we left in the following morning, for the station, and where we entrained and travelled, via Amines, to Valenciennes. We then marched through Baray to Mons, where we found the British troops in action. Our ambulance and bearers left us to collect the wounded, the remainder of us having to retire. We found the dressing station just cooking dinner. We were expecting a good meal, when, just as it was served up, the order came for us to retire, as the Germans were upon us, so we were done out of our dinner. You may be sure there were very nasty remarks made about the Germans for that.

 

We retired again through Baray and saw a German Taube brought down, after a good deal of maxim and rifle fire at it. We still had to retire, marching day and night. We wondered why we were doing so at all, but the infantry could tell a tale, as they lost heavily, according to the reports we heard; but after the stragglers had been collected the losses were not so heavy as had first been the story. We halted for the night, but at dawn the next morning the Germans were on us again and we had to march off pretty quickly. Heavy firing was going on behind us. We saw a fight in the air that day, when one of our aviators brought down a Taube. The German Taube machine has curved back wings and looked exactly like a hawk after a swallow, but never really got above it. We heard a shot and the Taube staggered and glided down, when the wounded aviator was captured. It was a wonderful sight and looked like to great birds.

 

We marched on all day and about 4pm heard heavy firing and saw shrapnel. We thought it was a small cavalry action, but it soon developed into something worse, for the cavalry began to come in. We were very near the end of the column which had just passed through. We rattled along and afterwards had a meal and slept the night on the pavement. It was only an hours sleep, but the pavement was hard – like a feather bed, I don’t think.

 

Next morning we were told the Germans were on us again. Their high explosive shells make a fearful noise, one cannot imagine what it is like, but their bark is worse than their bite, I think. I am quite well and all the boys with me. I am hoping to see some Crawley boys before long. We have a few prisoners at times and they say ‘why don’t you give up? You know you are beat.’ That is what they think, but I don’t. We’ve got a few men this side yet and some more coming up. I am sorry I can’t say no more about the war; I don’t dare. The north of France is very cold yet. Well, I want to thank the ladies of Crawley for their parcel. It was indeed very nice of you. We all had a taste – the best cake out here yet from Crawley. So I must say goodbye to all at Crawley for this time. Hope to be home soon.”

Two Crawley Lads at Letouret Memorial

 

 

A LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. - We regret to announce the death of Private W. G. Wright, of the County of London Rifles, who was wounded sometime since during action. The sad news has just been officially conveyed to his mother; and for her the utmost sympathy will be felt in the loss of her only son. Private Wright was an old Blue Coat Boy, but his home was at Waverley, Crawley. Wright was 25.

A CRAWLEY MAN WOUNDED. – Bomb. George Miller, 58^th battery RFA, has been unfortunate enough to sustain a very severe wound. On 7^th December Bomb. Miller was in a house which came under shell fire, with the result that a piece of shell stripped the tips of his fingers, and, travelling upwards, ripped open his arm and finally lodged in the muscle. The wounded man is hoping to shortly arrive in England.

DEATH AT THE FRONT. – News has reached Crawley last Saturday – a month after if happened of the death of Private. R. Hilder, of 2^nd Royal Sussex, who was killed in action. The deceased soldier formerly lived at Crawley, and with the relatives, who still reside in Malt House Road, much sympathy will be felt in their bereavement.

Then on 16^th February 1915 Private Frederick Hedger also of 2^nd Battalion Royal Sussex was killed in action near Cuinchy at the age of 25. It was reported in the local newspapers that – News has come to hand, though not officially, of the death in action of Mr Hedger, of Albany Road, Crawley, a reservist, who was called up at the commencement of the war. The deceased was a baker in the employ of Messrs. Newport, and he leaves a widow and two children. A soldier friend has communicated the sad news, he having attended Private Hedger’s funeral in France. Much sympathy will be expressed for the bereaved.

The soldier friend mentioned above may have attended Frederick Hedgers funeral but his grave must have been lost in the subsequent fighting as his name appears on a panel of the Letouret Memorial. By one of those very strange coincidences his name appears on the same panel, two names above that of Roland Hilder.

Two brave Crawley men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their home and their country, who must have known each other in Crawley as well as serving in the same battalion their graves lost for all time have the small crumb of comfort that their names are together on the same panel of the Letouret Memorial.  

IMPRESSIVE MILITARY FUNERAL AT CRAWLEY

 

DEATH OF MR C. KENNETH MITCHELL.

Not for years has the death of a local person occasioned so much sorrow, and drawn forth such profound sympathy, as has characterised the passing away of Charles Kenneth Mitchell, the only son of Mr and Mrs C. J. Mitchell, of Post Office Road, Crawley. The deceased was a popular son of a popular family, was known by everybody and loved by all, and the news of his death came as a great shock.

Soon after the formation of the Southdown Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, Kenneth joined that body with other Crawley friends and had been spending a happy time at Cooden Camp, near Bexhill, and only a few weeks ago he secured his first stripe, giving him the rank of Lance Corporal.

Suddenly he was stricken with an illness which developed cerebro-spinal meningitis and, despite the best medical attention and nursing, he breathed his last on Friday February 5^th in a hospital near the camp. Naturally his parents, who were with him to the last, were broken hearted and in their great and unexpected bereavement they have received the heart felt sympathy of all their friends. This, to some extent, has lightened the burden, but the blow has indeed been a terrible one and Mr Mitchell was so ill that he could not attend the funeral.

Kenneth Mitchell was a thorough sportsman and he was a member of all the local cricket and football clubs, both at Crawley and Three Bridges. He was an active member, too, and one whose play, whether at football or cricket, was watched by many enthusiasts. It was his close association with all the sporting clubs with the district that made Ken, so well known and popular, and that popularity had spread far beyond the immediate district of Crawley. He was equally enthusiastic as a soldier and was keen at having a pop at the Germans. This opportunity to do still greater service for his Country has been nipped in the bud by his untimely death, but his life has nevertheless been sacrificed in his country’s cause.

The body was brought home to Crawley in a motor hearse on Monday and the funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Crawley parish church yard. There was a very large and sympathetic crowd, the largest seen for many years at a local funeral. Military honours were accorded and the ceremony was of the most impressive character. The polished oak coffin was practically covered with a union jack and was borne from the house to the church on the shoulders of uniformed comrades, preceded by a firing party with arms reversed.

Following the coffin walked N.C.Os carrying beautiful floral tributes, and behind them four of the deceased’s comrades carried a bier, which was completely covered with wreaths and other lovely floral tokens of sympathy and sorrow. Major the Hon. Neville Lytton and Lieut. Page walked next and behind marched the Crawley boy Scouts these being followed by he family mourners. The rear was brought by a contingent of the Manchester Regiment (now stationed at Three Bridges), under Sergeant Gale, these being followed by the general body of mourners – amongst whom was my great grandfather Herbert Cook. On the coffin was the inscription, ‘Charles Kenneth Mitchell, Born 1^st Oct 1889, died 5^th February, 1915.’

After the rendering of the final hymn the usual three volleys were fired over the grave and the Last Post was sounded by the buglers, this ending a ceremony which was extremely impressive and full of sadness.

Christmas at Crawley 1914 - Part Two

In December 1914 war had become part of daily life in Crawley. R. Cook & Sons building business continued being run by Herbert and Chris as elder brother Ted is on military service. Chris has attended a meeting of the newly formed Crawley Civil Guard and young Eddie Cook is into his second full year at Brighton Grammar School with cousin Don just having completed his first term.

 

Sergeant Ted Cook spent Christmas day 1914 away from home on guard duty at Newhaven.
 

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT NEWHAVEN – In many hundreds of Sussex homes families were thinking on Christmas day of their loved ones in the Fourth Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (T) and wondering whether they were having a good time. No great anxiety need to have been felt, for “Tommy Atkins” has the happy ability to adapt himself to almost every sort of circumstance. Had his Christmas dinner been on dry brown bread and water he would still have shown a happy resignation. But such a contingency did not arise. Instead, generous friends and well-wishers in his own town and village sent him plenty of seasonable fare that he might once again enjoy himself in the old fashioned way. His own relatives, of course, forwarded him presents, Christmas cards and affectionate letters, and the Officers of his Company and their friends also made a liberal provision of good things for him. In such circumstances even a pessimist would have been jolly, much more our light hearted, happy-go-lucky Territorial of whom we are all so proud.

 

‘C’ COMPANY ON GUARD – Most of the men belonging to ‘C’ Company (East Grinstead and Crawley) were on guard from 10am on Christmas day until the same hour on Boxing Day. The nature of their thoughts during those 24 hours may be left to the imagination. However, the Christmas dinner lost none of its attractiveness by being postponed for a day. The menu was a sumptuous one, comprising turkey, goose, pork, brussel sprouts, cabbage, potatoes and plum pudding. The toast of Colonel Mostyn who attended was heartily honoured, and other officers were also toasted. Plenty of dessert, tobacco and chocolate was provided and the Company passed the afternoon in a jovial manner. After tea a concert took place.

 

Mrs Beale (wife of Major S.W.P. Beale, who formerly commanded the Company) visited the camp on December 23^rd and presented each man with a pipe, gloves, socks, and either a cardigan or a slip on given by friends at East Grinstead. Tobacco was sent by the ‘Buffs’ of the same town. The ‘Boys’ were very grateful for all the kindness shown to them. The hut in which they dined was lavishly decorated, various mottoes and greetings being worked out in cotton wool on the Company’s blankets, which were hung around the building. The Sergeants of the entire Battalion also dined together on the night of the 28^th.

 

War Broke: and now the Winter of the world

With perishing great darkness closes in.

The foul tornado, centred at Berlin,

Is all over all the width of Europe world,

Rending the sails of progress. Rent or furled

Are all Art’s ensigns. Verse wails. Now begin

Famines of thought and feeling. Loves wine’s thin.

The grain of human Autumn rots, down-hurled.

 

1914, Wilfred Owen.

Christmas at Crawley 1914 - Part One

Christmas at Crawley in December 1914 was a Christmas like no other. The newspaper columns were full of war news both at home and from the Front.

 

DEATH AT THE FRONT – It is with much regret that we announce the deaths at the Front of two Crawley men in the persons of Corpl. Edgar Gorringe who lived in Ifield Road, and Prvt. Edward Gregory Sangster, whose parents, formerly of Crawley now live at Povey Cross. Both belonged to the Royal Sussex Regiment, and were killed in action, the former being thirty years of age and the latter nineteen. The sympathy of many friends will be extended to the bereaved relatives, who are widely known and greatly respected in this district. Corpl. Gorringe was killed on October 31^st and Prvt. Sangster fell on the 6^th of November but the news was not officially communicated to the parents until this week. Fortunately both were single men.

 

PRVT. W. WRIGHT, of the County London Rifles, son of Mrs Wright, of Victoria Road, Crawley, has been wounded at the Front, though happily not dangerously. – Prvt. Hibberd, who returned to Crawley wounded a short time since, is mending splendidly; but Prvt. Allen, of Ifield, is, we regret to hear, in a serious condition.

 

Meanwhile in Crawley itself there was a - DANCE AND SOCIAL held at the Railway Hotel last week that resulted in upwards of £5 being sent to the fund to form a Christmas present for the King of Belgium. There was also a RECRUITING MEETING held at the George Hotel Hall on Saturday December 12^th, when an appeal was made for recruits for the Southdown Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, but there was an extremely disappointing response, only two young fellows giving in their names at the meeting, one of whom subsequently failed the medical examination. The Chairman of the meeting Mr Lehmann expressed its sorrow with the relatives of Corpl. Franks, Corpl. Gorringe, and Prvt. Sangster, who had laid down their lives in that sacred and noblest of all causes – the defence of their country; and he assured the relatives that they had the profound sympathy of the whole neighbourhood.

 

The German song of hate, from which the Chairman quoted, showed how this war had been carefully planned and eagerly awaited by our enemies. Germany’s one objective had been this country, and if she could she would inflict upon England the fate which had befallen Belgium. He therefore appealed again to the young men to join the Colours in defence of our country, impressing upon them the words of Nelson’s glorious message.

The Increasing Toll of War

In November 1914 local casualties began returning home. Pte. Gravely of Malthouse Road is reported at home with a poisoned foot after an encounter with barbed wire entanglements and was expected to return to his regiment the following week.

LOCAL WAR ITEMS:

The parents of Corpl. Ralph Charman, of the 1^st Lifeguards, who live at Spencer’s Road, Crawley, have received intimation that he is a prisoner o war in Germany. Fortunately, he is quite well.

 

Pte. Ben Eggleton, 2^nd Sussex, whose home is a Crawley, was wounded at the Battle of the Aisne, getting shot through the forefinger of the right hand. The bone was shattered, and the digit has had to be amputated, the operation being performed by Mr F. Wood in the Crawley Cottage Hospital. He is, happily, going on alright.

 

Pte. Parker, of Ifield, was badly wounded in the arm last week, and is now in Chelsea Hospital.

Pte. Pullinger, previously wounded, is now, we are glad to say, well on the way to recovery.

 

Meanwhile the Civil Guard for Crawley and Ifield, formed from the Crawley Rifle Club, was being re-branded as part of the West Sussex Civil Guard and had set up their headquarters at the Picture Hall at East Park. Appeals were made for suitable recruits aged 16-60, unless eligible for the army.

 

Ted Cook was promoted from Sergeant to Colour Sergeant on 28^th November and his service record shows that he was now serving with the 2/4^th Royal Sussex Regiment.

 

Elsewhere new is reported of –

 

DEATH AT THE FRONT.- This week the war has cast a deep shadow on Mrs Masson and her many friends in Crawley, by the death in action, of Lieut. Col. Kelly, to whom Mrs Masson was engaged, and would, had not fate interposed, have been married on the very day upon which the sad news of his death reached her.

 

The gallant officer fell in North France, during the 24 hours fight for the trenches on November 23^rd. The action had been raging furiously all day with uncertain results, when about 10:30pm the Army Corps Reserve arrived on the scene, and British and Indian regiments side by side, wholly undeterred by two unsuccessful assaults, renewed the attack. For a long time the issue was in the balance, but about 6:00am on the morning of the 24^th it became evident that the assailants could no longer be denied, and by 6:15am they were once more masters of the trenches, for the possession of which such bloody controversy had been waging for nearly 24 hours.  

 

Col. Kelly was shot on the very verge of the trenches, but he lived long enough to have the happiness of knowing that the brave Indians who he led so valiantly had once again proved their worth in this kind of work. His loss is deeply felt and deplored by the whole regiment, to which he had greatly endeared himself.

 

Lieutenant Colonel George Henry Fitzmaurice Kelly was 44 and was commanding the 34^th Sikh Pioneers when he was killed. He was buried in Beuvry Communal Cemetery.

Why I Remember

October 1914 - The Portent

The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs “Roll of Honour”

The SMRC “Roll of Honour” will contain the names of all members of clubs affiliated to the Society who, at this time of national emergency, have patriotically responded to their country’s call and have joined or rejoined some branch of His Majesty’s forces. Octobers Roll of Honour includes an entry for Crawley. The names listed are: Cook, A.E., Goring, A., Winterton, Earl., Caffyn, L.J., White, E.W., Garrott, H., Wilson, G.S., Stanford, S. F., Drager, D. G.

Of those nine men, two of them, Garrott and Goring, would not come home.

Meanwhile the local newspaper columns carry the news of:

TWO SONS AT THE FRONT – Mrs Constable, of East Park, has two of her sons at the war, namely Bert and Charlie, the former in the RAMC and the latter in the Royal Engineers. Both had recently written home, and are, happily, quite well, Charlie, in the course of an interesting epistle, says: “I have been in charge of a pontoon bridge over the river today, so I have had leisure. I have been washing clothes, boiling them in a biscuit tin, and got them fairly clean.” Bert is on an ambulance train, and he says: “In the earlier part of the war I had shells burst within 20 or 30 odd yards and then escaped without a scratch. Once my chum and I had a chap on the stretcher struck by a piece of shell while we were carrying him; that is near enough if you like.”

There are two subsequent letters from Bert in which he reports:

“We have just come from where the big fight is going on, and we saw a German airship being shelled, but they didn’t hit it, worse luck. The Germans are still holding their position, but by the way our boys are going on something will have to shift soon. The noise of the big guns is deafening, and they keep it up all day without a break.”

Writing on the 9^th inst. Bert says:

“Just a hurried line to let you know I am well, and that I have been promoted to Lance Corporal. I thought you would be pleased to hear it. We have made a move at last, and we are very busy. I find I have plenty to do now, especially when we are loaded. I have to be responsible for 3 carriages; that means about 50 or 60 patients. I have to see that they are all attended to and get their food, and kept clean, and lots of other little things, but still it makes the time pass much quicker, especially with a few shells to liven things up as well.”

Also recorded this month is the news of the districts first fatality:-

AN IFIELD MANS DEATH AT THE WAR.- With much regret we record the death of Mr Francis Franks, third son of Mrs Franks and the late Mr William Franks, of Ifield village. He was a Lance Corporal in the Durham Light Infantry, and was seriously wounded in a recent engagement. He received the best possible treatment in a hospital in Paris, but succumbed to gangrene on Thursday October 8^th and his funeral took place on the following day with military honours. The deceased soldier was 24 years of age. In a communication with his mother the Matron at the Paris Hospital refers to the brave way he fought for his country and to the brave manner in which he bore his suffering. This is the family’s great consolation. He was buried in the City of Paris Cemetery, Bagneux.

Today October 19^th marks the centenary of the first day of the huge battle that would come to be known in history as First Ypres, a conflict that would see the virtual destruction of the British Army.

We can only imagine how much  more demanding Bert Constable’s work would become over the next shocking four weeks.

Recruiting at Crawley – September 1914

Mr E. C. Titcomb, who has been appointed recruiting officer for this district, convened an informal meeting at the George Hotel on Tuesday night to consider the question of recruiting, Major Messel being present to explain the objects of the gathering. It was decided to hold an open air meeting in the square tonight (Saturday), when it is hoped the young men of Crawley will give a good account of themselves.

The recruitment meeting was deemed a success as recorded by the Sussex & Surrey Courier: - With the view to obtaining recruits for Lord Kitchener’s Army an open air meeting was held in the Lower Square on Saturday evening, when there assembled probably the largest crowd ever seen in Crawley. The Town Band first played selections, under Mr Melville, and also discoursed suitable music at the close of the meeting, the programme including the Russian, French, Belgium and English National Anthems.

Earnest appeals were made to the young men of Crawley to volunteer their services at this hour of country’s need, and referred to the war as a righteous war, not of our seeking, but one which must be fought to a finish for the honour and liberty of the people. Employers were urged to keep open the positions of those who had joined the ranks, and all were urged to do their part in seeing that the dependents of men were well looked after.

Mr E. C. Titcomb also addressed the meeting, and read out a list of those who had already entered their names from Crawley and district. In response to his request for more recruits to come forward, nine young men stepped forward amid loud applause and added their names to the list. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed throughout, and it is hoped that other eligible young men will follow the example of their comrades.

Four Letters

The following four letters all appeared in the local press during the first weeks of September 1914 and give a very clear idea of just what was happening in Crawley a hundred years ago.

Crawley Parish Church

Sir;

Arrangements are being made to chime one or more of the bells daily, at noon, during the war, in order that all who hear them may remember the brave men who are fighting for out Country and Empire in this great and terrible struggle. May I beg all who hear the bells to say a silent prayer to Almighty God and ask Him to bless our Naval Military Forces, and to crown their arms with victory and to restore peace among the nations of the world.

I remain, yours truly,

H.L.B Lennard.

The Rectory, Crawley, Sussex,

September 1^st 1914.

A Turners Hill Record

Sir;

I find that we have had 24 of our boys join the colours from this village. How do the surrounding villages compare with this?

Yours faithfully,

Noah Whitman.

Late 4^th Royal Sussex Regt.

Turners Hill, September 2^nd 1914.

Recruits at Crawley

Sir;

Lord Kitchener has got his first 100,000 men: the second 100,000 is now being enrolled. What are we going to do? Crawley and Ifield are remarkable for their devotion to athletic sports and games. They should therefore have numbers of young athletic and healthy men, the very sort that are wanted.

Within the last few days I hear of a number of our playing members of the Cricket Club, who have joined. J. A. D Dempsey was gazetted to a commission in the Army and is now at the Front. Several others who have kept wicket, batted or bowled for Crawley will keep their honour bright and be bold to battle for their King and country. I hope that the club may soon see its way to publish its Role of Honour – the names of its members who would serve the King and save their homes and ours. I hope also that the Football Clubs and the Harriers may set up a similar role; a wholesome emulation will ensue.

I most seriously deprecate hasty condemnation of those who do not immediately join. No one but the man himself knows his circumstances, his duties and the calls upon him which constitute his duty. As time goes on we shall become aware of those who can and those who won’t go. Again, all men are not alike, as there are many weak in body, so there are some that are so mentally constituted that they are weak in spirit. Let us not be too hasty to condemn, but rather pity those whose spirit is in their stomachs or their courage in their boots. And such pity will be hard enough to bear.

The better educated and richer in this worlds goods are setting a splendid example. I have no doubt it will be followed. Courage and energy are the property of no class and of no family alone. But time presses. The sooner men join the sooner they will be trained and the sooner will they have the honour and credit of fighting and of striking that blow for England and freedom which must in the end prevail. As Mr Kipling has just written –

“Who stands – if freedom fall? Who dies – if England live?”

Your obedient Servant,

W.J. Chalk.

Crawley, Sept 2^nd, 1914.

Letter from the War

Writing to his mother at Tindsley, Mr Tom Thorns says:

“Before we started fighting we were all very nervous, but after we joined in we were all happy, and most of us laughing till was finished. Then we all sobbed and cried. Even if I never come back, don’t think I’ve died a painful death. Everything yesterday was as quick as lightning. We were in action on Friday morning of Heligoland. I had a piece of shell as big as the palm of my hand go through my trousers, and as my trouser legs were blowing in the breeze I think I was very lucky.”

The Heroes Walk

It was immensely gratifying to see the commemorations in the Memorial Park in Crawley on my last visit. The display of photographs and the wildflowers that form the Heroes Walk were a splendid tribute. I spent an hour in the park and was very moved to see so many people walk from one picture to another to study the faces and images of the time. Of course the family photograph of Uncle Ted and Eddie is there and it made me feel very proud that one hundred years on residents of the town could see their faces. I hope that this tribute can continue throughout the centenary years.

Special thanks must go to Toby Shaw and Ruth Growney of the Crawley Borough Council. 

First Troops Arrive in Crawley Amidst Anti War Protest

On Sunday afternoon Mr W. Kensett, so well known at Horsham for his peculiarities, attempted to address a gathering in the Middle Square on the subject of ‘Peace.’ He had himself advertise the meeting some days before, and at the appointed time Mr Kensett appeared and, mounted upon a box, commenced his speech. A numerous gathering had assembled and frequently interrupted Mr Kensett’s remarks, which were soon brought to an abrupt conclusion by some ladies present singing the National Anthem. For his own safety Mr Kensett was escorted to the Temperance Hotel, where he remained until the crowd had cleared away. The whole proceedings were of an unseemly character, especially on the Sabbath, and it was fortunate that those present did not show more resentment.

Meanwhile the first troops had arrived in Crawley. The papers report that:

Mounted troops to the number of nearly two thousand arrived at Crawley on Wednesday and were billeted in the town for two nights. The local licensed houses, the public schools, the YMCA, stables and other buildings were requisitioned for the men, and the horses were located in various fields and meadows in the vicinity.

The arrival of so many troops and horses occasioned much pleasurable excitement, and in the evenings of both days great crowds were about the streets. The Crawley Town Band kindly and thoughtfully turned out and rendered excellent music, and the enthusiasm of the large concourse of people were such as has never been equalled in this district.

The West Crawley Brass Band also came out on Thursday night and added much to the enlivenment of the town. The soldiers left the town with happy memories of their stay at Crawley. Full details of the troops’ movements are withheld in deference to the expressed wishes of the authorities.

This very first arrival of soldiers in the town was a precursor to the building of a ‘permanent’ soldier’s camp at Pease Pottage. Crawley, so often in the past a half way house between London and the Coast, was assuming the same role in war time. 

Crawley Coming to Terms with a World at War

Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty that followed the declaration of war, everyday life in Crawley did have some semblance of normality. The local cricket scores show that Crawley played at home versus the Pirates on Wednesday evening with darkness preventing a definite result. The game was well contested, and some hard hitting was seen. The fielding and bowling was very keen. Young Eddie Cook made seventeen with the bat and took six Pirates wickets that day.

The Crawley and District Rifle Club published their annual report which expressed its satisfaction on winning the Loder Shield and the Winterton Cup and various individual prizes, but in a notice issued subsequently Hon. Secretary A. E. Taylor writes:

“Since the report and balance sheet was printed the Crawley Rifle Club has been called upon to act as Volunteer Civil Guard, and a watch has been organised and is now acting by night at the culvert under the railway line at Ifield. This will entail some considerable expense, and as far as can be ascertained no grant will be available to defray the same. The club funds are not sufficient to bear the burden, and donations are invited. The committee are also opening the range free of membership subscription, and the opportunity has largely been responded to; many are now learning to shoot and fitting themselves for useful work if their services are required. Regular subscribers will greatly help on the work by remitting their subscriptions now so that available funds may not fail. The loan of a bell tent will be appreciated.”

The Rifle Club AGM took place on Friday of the following week. The Hon. Secretary explained the formation of a Civil Guard and read the correspondence dealing with the subject. When it came to election of officials, Mr A. E. Cook was again chosen as Hon. Treasurer, his brother Mr C. Cook to act as his deputy due to his absence on military duty. Uncle Ted was also selected as Club Captain and Uncle Chris re-elected to the committee. Amongst all the other people present it is also noted that Great Grandfather Bert was also in attendance. 

Dramatic Escape from Germany as War Looms

Colonel R. H. Rawson, until recently the Commanding Officer of the Sussex Yeomanry, had a thrilling experience during his struggle to reach England from Germany with his wife, Lady Beatrice Rawson, who was dangerously ill. Colonel Rawson decided on the 1^st August to leave Freiburg, not withstanding that the doctors had ordered that Lady Beatrice should not be moved. With the assistance of Earl Winterton MP, a stretcher was obtained, and Lady Beatrice was placed on it.

“The only route was through Cologne,” said Colonel Rawson on Friday last to a representative of the press. “There was nothing but third class carriages with wooden seats, and the people were packed like herrings in a box. The train stopped a short distance from the Dutch frontier. German officials turned everybody out, and we were told to go into a Dutch train. We had to go a distance of about two hundred yards from one train to another. I was last, as I was carrying Lady Beatrice. When within fifty yards of the other train it went off and I was left stranded, with my wife lying prostrate on the stretcher. Lord Winterton had entered the train with the luggage, and he was taken away. We waited for two hours and entered another train. We were turned out of it, and German officials wanted to take Lady Beatrice to a local hospital, but she refused to go. We were told no one was allowed over the frontier. The rumour was that an attempt had been made on the life of the German Crown Prince, and this order had come after Lord Winterton had crossed over. Then there were four hours of great suspense.

“A German officer said if we would submit to having everything searched he would let us proceed. Our pockets were ransacked and we were then allowed to go on, and at last we were on neutral territory. At Rotterdam we carried Lady Beatrice to the Hook of Holland, and got into the last boat, I believe, which left the Hook, and arrived at Harwich.”

Colonel Rawson paid a warm tribute to German Reservists, who helped him carry Lady Beatrice to the train at Freiburg. They turned out of their seats in order that she could lie down and stopped their friends from smoking.

Men Who March Away

Exactly a century ago, August 1914, it was a beautiful Bank Holiday weekend. However rumours of impending war were the only topic of conversation and it seemed the whole country was holding its breath. On August 4^th the British government sent the German government a note demanding that they respect Belgium’s neutrality. The note contained an ultimatum stating that the British would have to receive such an undertaking from the Germans by 11:00pm that evening.

Some seven hours before the deadline expired, the German Army crossed the Belgian border.

At 11:00pm, Britain declared war on Germany.

Sir Edward Grey, the British Foreign Minister, was quoted as saying at the time: “the lights are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

On the Downs above Newhaven, Sergeant Alfred Edward Cook (Uncle Ted) and the 4^th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment were enjoying their annual summer camp when news reached them that war had been declared. The very next day, August 5^th, Ted’s Army Service Record shows that he was now on full embodied service as a sergeant with the 1/4^th Royal Sussex Regiment.

In Crawley the news of the outbreak of war was quickly followed with the news that 60 reservists Territorials and Yeomanry from Crawley and the surrounding district had been called up for duty.

The following weekend the Crawley Town Band would play in the Middle and Lower Squares. Among the many patriotic songs that were played were renditions of the Russian, French and English National Anthems.

The August issue of the West Crawley (St Peters) Parish Magazine carried the following message: “The tragedy of war lies heavy upon all our hearts: Not the penalty of blood and treasure only or chiefly, but the failure of Christian civilisation to avert war. It is a call to prayer; A signal opportunity for the forces of Christ’s Church to prevail at the Throne of Grace. Human Statesmanship has erred or failed, whether in provoking or averting war and the issues are in the hands of God. Whatever part our own country has to take the first real work of assistance which lies waiting to be done is the work of intercession. The true patriot now is the man of prayer.”

The abyss was yawning wide…

Tour de France - Symbol of Freedom

Will there be a more enduring symbol of freedom than the Tour de France this summer? One hundred years ago between June 28^th and July 26^th 1914 the twelfth Tour was taking place. A week after it had finished Germany had invaded Belgium and declared war on France, making the 1914 Tour the last for five years.

 

Former Tour de France champions Francois Faber, Lucien Petit-Breton and Octave Lapize would all die in the conflict.

Happily the winner of the 1914 Tour Philippe Thys would survive and win again in 1920.

How marvellous it was this last week to see the Tour enjoying the freedom to wend its way through the battlefields.

The Spark

One hundred years ago the world was teetering on the brink of war.

Crawley and the rest of England were basking in an extraordinarily hot summer. The Cook family building business was thriving and uncle Ted was busy making plans for the 4^th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiments annual summer camp. On June 27^th down in Brighton the school First Eleven slipped to a defeat V All Saints Peckham at Withdean. Eddie Cook, despite his promise, failed with both the bat and the ball.

The very next day the event that would change his and millions of other peoples lives forever took place hundreds of miles away in distant Sarajevo. At approximately 11:15am, June 28^th 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip.

Princip was a member of “Young Bosnia” and part of a group of assassins organised by the “Black Hand,” a Serbian military secret society intent on creating greater Serbia through the annexation of the South Slav populated territory held by Austria-Hungary.

The group had already tried once that morning to attack the Archduke and his wife by throwing a grenade at their passing car, which had hit the bonnet and detonated far behind them. Whilst the Royal Couple were travelling to the hospital to see those who had been injured by the blast, Princip, who had given up the task, was eating a sandwich when he spotted the Archduke’s car backing up after taking a wrong turning. He simply walked up to the car and shot them both. Sophie died almost instantly and the Archduke was dead by the time the car arrived at the hospital.

For many years the boiling pot of European politics had simmered away in the background of people’s everyday lives. Now it was to explode in the most cataclysmic fashion possible. A Europe wide culture of militarism and nationalism, a complicated system of alliances and an arms race that was common knowledge would almost certainly have tipped the world into war eventually.

But this was the spark. 

Crawley’s Post Office Heroes

As a postman you would think it would be easy to get a photograph of a war memorial from a neighbouring office. Despite numerous requests I have had no luck until yesterday when I was sent to Crawley to deliver a round there. To my delight I was able to find the memorial straight away and what a special one it is too.

It was originally placed in the old Crawley post office building at the now disappeared Robinson road and has been hanging in its present position for approximately 40 years. The original hanging ceremony took place towards the end of 1919 and was reported as follows in the local press:

There was a large gathering at the Crawley post office on Sunday afternoon, when there was unveiled the war memorial erected by past and present members of the staff to the memory of their colleagues who made the supreme sacrifice in the war. In addition to the rector and the postmaster and many other local dignitaries, all members of staff and relatives of the fallen heroes were present.

Mr Clarke opened the proceedings in a brief speech in which he said that everyone should realise how indebted we were to the men who died giving their all that we might live to enjoy the heritage we did. England would have been a far different place in which to live had the enemy conquered. He knew all sympathised with the relatives left behind, and we should be grateful for what the men had done for us.

Charles King had served the post office nearly 15 years, William Joseph Thorndike (who was one of the ‘contemptibles’) and Herbert Tester about 5 years. At the outbreak of war the staff had 23 men eligible for the army, and of these 21 served, whilst the other was placed on most important and indispensable duties in a coast town. The hymn ‘Through the night of doubt and sorrow’ was sung, appropriate prayers were offered for the occasion and Mr C. J. Mitchell then unveiled the memorial, which had been covered with the Union Jack.

‘Let saints on earth in concert sing’ was the closing hymn, and this brought a brief but very impressive service to a close. The memorial consists of an oak tablet beautifully embellished by very fine carving, and bares the words ‘In proud and grateful memory of Charles King, Herbert Tester, William Joseph Thorndike, of the Crawley postal staff, who made the supreme sacrifice 1914-1918. Their name liveth forever more.’ Mr Harry Bacon executed the tablet, which hangs in the public counter.

Rifleman Charles King was with the Post Office Rifles when he was killed in action at Ypres on 20^th September 1917 at the age of 38. His body was never found and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

Herbert Clark Tester was a rifleman with the London Rifle Brigade when eh was killed in action on 23^rd September 1916 at the age of 19. His was body was also never found and he is commemorated on Thiepval memorial.

Serjeant William Joseph Thorndike appears to have survived his time as one of the Old Contemptibles and was serving with the Military Police Corp when he died at the age of 45 on the 21^st March 1918 in Egypt. He is buried in the Kantara war memorial cemetery 50 kilometres south of Port Said.

Very happy to have passed another milestone in my quest to track down as many names of the Fallen of Crawley as possible.

Centenary Misgivings

As welcome as the renewed interest in the Great War is and as worthwhile as some of the centenary projects are – the IWM lives of World War One – is an example, I am beginning to have serious misgivings about the centenary.

Firstly, the BBCs laudable efforts since the beginning of the year particularly the Hastings and Ferguson debates have been rather let down by the quite ridiculous The Crimson Field. Having caught up with the series and watched it until its conclusion I have to confess to finding it complete and total bilge. Of course I am aware that the programme is designed for entertainment first and as such most historical detail can be cheerfully cast aside in the name of ratings but some of the bizarre coincidences the soap opera like nature of each characters storyline and the complete lack of commentary by anyone that mentions anything to do with the actual fighting are just some examples.

Shelling only seems to take place once every other episode and nobody ever seems to get their hands, let alone their uniforms, dirty. The weekly arrival of a convoy of wounded, accompanied by some heartfelt plucking of various string instruments seems to be the only real acknowledgement that a war is taking place. Various characters seem to have enough time on their hands to make secret assignations in the woods or to slope off to the nearby town for a jolly. Virtually every Great War cliché has been explored in this first series and I fully expect that if a second series is commissioned one of the characters will start writing poetry. Utter tripe!

But far worse is the recently launched Football Remembers Project. As I understand it the football connection is being introduced to commemorate the football match that took place between British and German soldiers during the Christmas truce of 1914.  There’s just one problem. There is no valid historical evidence that any such football match ever took place. The brilliant author Henry Williamson, who was actually at the front on Christmas day 1914, does say that a football was kicked into the air and several men chased after it. He also reports that a game was proposed to take place behind German lines. The idea that any Officer would let his men go off behind enemy lines to enjoy a kick about is ludicrous. There is no doubt that the truce took place but the main priority of the men of both sides, after exchanging festive pleasantries, was to bury their dead. I cannot imagine that the men would be quite happy to have a game of football whilst being surrounded by the torn bodies of their dead comrades. It could hardly be said that the shattered landscape of No Mans Land would be a conducive surface for the beautiful game. Some re-thinking is needed.

We should always bear in mind the dangers of re-writing history. The stories of those terrible times and the people that lived through them should not be embellished or ‘sexed-up’ in the name of entertainment or because that’s what we wanted to have happened. That generation deserves to have the facts and nothing but the facts told about it. We should also consider that history will remember our generation for how we marked the centenary. We must be very careful to stick to the facts and not pass on our version of what happened then.