WW1 Mobilization

WW1 MOBILIZATION

August 1914

By Philip Wilson

Archivist Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum

4th August 1914

The Commencement of the Great War

War began at midnight on the 4th August 1914, when the time for the reply to the British ultimatum expired but already that afternoon the Official Telegram had been received by the Secretary of the Territorial Force Association which read: “MOBILISE 4th WARWICKS”

The message was immediately transmitted to the various Territorial Units and amongst them to the Warwickshire Yeomanry, through their Adjutant Captain E.H. STOCKER, to the respective Squadron Commanders.

‘D’ Squadron left Stratford on Avon on the 10th August little did they realise what was ahead of them or how long it would be before they would return home.

Mobilization commenced on the 5th August and continued until 10th August, when the Regiment,

organised in three Service Squadrons (‘A’ Squadron being absorbed), concentrated at Warwick.

All men serving in the Warwickshire Yeomanry carried in their top pocket a little blue card ‘Instructions on Mobilization’.

Button
Button

Mobilization commenced on the 5th August and continued to do so until 10th, when the Regiment, organised in three Service Squadrons (‘A’ Squadron being absorbed), concentrated at Warwick.

‘A’ Squadron mobilized on the 5th at Birmingham and were billeted in the City that night, but on the following day the Squadron was broken up, in accordance with the scheme of mobilization - one third of the men transferred to each of the other three Squadrons.

‘B’ Squadron mobilized at Warwick on the 5th and were billeted in the Town - the time was spent collecting horses for the Brigade Headquarters including daily drills in Warwick Park.

‘C’ Squadron mobilized at Coventry on the 5th, horses were collected, transport purchased locally and saddlery fitted. The enclosed picture shows them leaving Coventry on the 10th August, 1914, little did they realise what was ahead of them or how long it would be before they would return home.

‘D’ Squadron mobilized at Stratford-on-Avon – they arrived in Warwick on the 10th.

On completion of mobilization the three Service Squadrons with Headquarters Staff paraded on Warwick Common on the 10th.

On the 12th August the Regiment assembled in Shire Hall, Warwick – a very large majority of the men volunteered for service. The Brigadier having received equally satisfactory reports from the Worcester and Gloucester Yeomanry (the other Regiments in the Brigade) wired the War Office that the Brigade had willingly responded to the appeal.

On the following day the Regiment entrained at Milverton Railway Station for Bury St Edmunds and arrived there on the 14th, the Gloucesters and Worcesters reached Warwick on the 11th and followed to Bury later.

The Warwickshire Yeomanry commenced mobilization on the 5th August 1914 and continued to do so until 10th August, when the Regiment, organised in three Service Squadrons (‘A’ Squadron being absorbed), concentrated at Warwick.

Many of the men are billeted in houses in the town as evidenced by this postcard image which was posted at 8.15pm in Warwick on the 12th August 1914. In the top left hand corner of the reverse of the card are the words ‘11 Church Street Warwick’ – the message reads “Just a line to tell you I shall be going away tomorrow. We don’t know yet were we are going remember me to all at home...........’ Harry.

The four young men are Warwickshire Yeoman one of whom is Harry in what we believe may well be Hampton Street or Friar Street, Warwick although it’s difficult to identify the precise location as many of the houses in that area have since been demolished.

11 Church Street must be Harry’s billet for he is writing to his sister in Bishops Tachbrook and what of the writer of this message.

Well he is 1830 Pte Harry FOX ‘B’ Squadron 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry who enlisted in 1913 and was in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Band. Harry FOX agreed on the 12th August 1914 to serve overseas. His was to be a long war - he had the misfortune to be killed in France on 17th October 1918 when serving with the 100th (Warwick and South Nott’s Hussars) Machine Gun Battalion.

On the 13th August Regiment entrained at Milverton Railway Station and arrived at Bury St Edmunds on the following day. HQ is established at Fornham House and the remainder of the men and officers in the neighbourhood.

A period of intensive training commenced and continued until 24th August when the Regiment was inspected at Livermere Park.

The Warwickshire Yeomanry mobilized between the 5th August and 10th August, when the Regiment, organised in three Service Squadrons (‘A’ Squadron being absorbed), concentrated at Warwick. The enclosed photo was taken on or about the 10th August 1914 - 'Warwickshire Yeomanry , Market Place, Warwick.' Many of the men were billeted in houses in the town.

On the 13th August the Regiment entrained at Milverton Railway Station and arrived at Bury St Edmunds on the following day. A period of intensive training commenced and on the 24th August the Regiment was inspected by General ALDERSON at Livermere Park.

On the 29 th August they left for Bungay, bivouacking at Scole. They were then ordered to Norwich, and spent the night of the 30th August in a field outside the City.

On the 31st August they entrained for Newbury, and went into camp on the Race Course. Here the whole Brigade assembled comprising Warwick, Gloucester ad Worcester Yeomanry Regiments, with the Warwickshire Royal Horse Artillery and together they formed the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade.

30th August to 30th September 1914

The 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry spent the night of the 30th August 1914 camped in a field outside the City of Norwich. On the following day they entrained for Newbury, and went into camp on the Race Course. Here the whole Brigade assembled comprising Warwick, Gloucester and Worcester Yeomanry Regiments, with the Warwickshire Royal Horse Artillery and together they formed the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade. While in camp at Newbury a very serious stampede of horses occurred, resulting in many being badly injured.

On the 3rd September 1914 there was a Field Day and Scheme under the direction of Brig-General WIGGIN followed by an Inspection by General Sir Ian HAMILTON. Throughout September Brigade and Regimental Training were carried out on a daily basis.

On the 31st August 1914 the War Office, authorised the County Associations to form Reserve Units for each Service Unit of the Territorial Force, 60% of which had volunteered for general service, to be raised and trained at the original Headquarters of the Unit. Officers Commanding being ordered to submit nominations for commissions in these reserve units for consideration.

Lt.-Colonel R. CHARTERIS having already returned to the Headquarters at St. Johns, Warwick for the purpose, with the assistance of Lord WILLOUGHBY de BROKE, then commenced recruiting for the 2/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry.

Captain F.FLEMING (formerly Capt. 6th Dragoon Guards) was appointed Adjutant (21.9.14). Officers were gazetted as listed in Chapter V11 of ADDERLEY’s ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War.’

The Officer’s Mess was established at the Woolpack Hotel, Warwick. Recruits soon began to come in and, after being subjected to a preliminary riding test the best were enrolled. Foot drills and recruit training were carried out at Headquarters and on the Common. As horses were at first not supplied, a mixed lot of ponies and hunters were collected by Major EMMET and a Riding School was established at Warwick Race Course.

On the 30th September 1914 Lt.-Colonel F. DUGDALE 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry was succeeded by Lt. Colonel T.A.WIGHT-BOYCOTT (Staffordshire Yeomanry). DUGDALE then undertook the formation of the 2/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry..