The culmination of
Tunstill’s campaign was the assembly of the recruits in Settle. At the same time other
contingents destined to serve with Tunstill gathered in other towns and villages
across the area. They then came together at Steeton and Silsden Station from
where they marched to Keighley for a civic reception. From Keighley the Company
travelled by train to Halifax where they were billeted in the Victoria Hall.
The events were extensively reported in the local press, and what follows is a
combination of reports from the Craven
Herald, the Ilkley Gazette, the West Yorkshire Pioneer and the Keighley News.
Prior to departure, both
Gilbert Tunstill and his fellow recruits wrote letters which were published in
the next edition of the Craven Herald.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE CRAVEN HERALD
Dear SirToday sees the finish of recruiting for this Company, and we are 87 strong. My only regret is that some of our recruits failed to pass the medical test.
Although they failed to pass every consideration and honour is due to these men. They will always have the great privilege of knowing they did their best and showed their loyalty and willingness to serve King and Country in this supreme hour of need.
With regard to the 86 men who have enlisted with me, may I, without any undue boastfulness, say that Settle and the district from which they are drawn, may indeed be proud of them. They are a credit to their country, and will nobly uphold the traditions of their district and Regiment.
I also wish to heartily thank all those who have so readily and generously given me their help and time in this undertaking, which has ensured its success, including yourself as Editor of the Craven Herald.
Yours Truly
H.G. TUNSTILL
(Private in the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment)Otterburn,
September 21st 1914
TO THE EDITOR OF THE CRAVEN HERALD
Dear SirWe wish, through the medium of your valuable paper, to express our grateful thanks to the people of Settle for their generous hospitality and kind and useful gifts and for their enthusiastic send-off.
We beg also to thank the performers at the Concert and the Band.
From Austwick
- William (Billy) Hoyle, Wilson Pritchard, Samuel Shepherd, Fred Swale, John William
Thistlethwaite, George Thistlethwaite.
Airton -
Kayley Earnshaw.Arncliffe - Percy Hodgson, John Simpson.
Bolton-by-Bowland - Irvine Clark, Jim Coates, Richard Davies Ellison, Harold Greenhow, Edward Victor Grubb, James Mason, Robert Singleton, Joseph Chapman Syers.
Bell Busk - Leonard Fox.
Clapham - Albert Edward Dury, Arthur Herbert Procter.
Grindleton - William Irvin Bell, James Wilding Clarkson, Joshua Crossley, William Walker.
Gisburn - Anthony Lofthouse , John Robinson.
Hellifield - James John Angus, Charles Graham, Thomas Harding, Charles Harwood, Sidney Hoar, John Ernest Linnett, Joseph Edward Preston, Thomas Procter, Christopher Ralph, Norman Roberts, Fred Graham.
Horton - John Bruce Davidson.
Ingleton - Hugh Robinson.
Longpreston - Arthur Bailey, Thomas Garnett, John Henry Hitchin, Henry Edward Horner, William Jones, James Kayley, Job Kayley, Arthur Lawson, William Henry Metcalfe, Joseph Parker, William Procter, William Rawlinson.
Langcliffe - Richard Butler, Thomas Henry Edmondson.
Marton - John Beckwith.
Malham - James Swinbank.
Newsholme - Thomas Edward Askew, Carl Parrington Branthwaite, Benjamin Ashton Butler, William Henry Scott.
Otterburn - Harry Gilbert Tunstill.
Settle - Robert William Bell, Ernest Campbell, George Clark, John Thomas Cockerill, Robert Cresswell, Herbert Dickinson, William Edward Gibson, George Jellett, Thomas Laytham, Robert Henry Maunders, Robert Newhouse, Walter Umpleby, Thomas Walsh, Solomon Richard Webb.
Stainforth - Walter Dinsdale.
Slaidburn - Edwin Isherwood, Walter Isherwood, Abel Moore, Charles Edward Parker, George Whitfield.
Wigglesworth - Fred Metcalfe, George Oversby.
Waddington - Joseph Barrett Hartley, Albert Herd, Harry Smith, Thomas Rigby, William Watson.
Of these 87
named individuals, 77 have already been identified as having volunteered at
particular meetings during Tunstill’s campaign.
For the final
ten it has not been possible to identify their exact date of enlistment, but
all but one have been positively identified:
- John Ernest Linnett; 21 years old, he was originally from Leicester and had only recently moved to the Settle area (possibly to take up a job on the railway).
- Norman Roberts; see 6th August for details on Norman Roberts.
- Hugh Robinson; came originally from Caton, Lancashire and was a cousin of another Tunstill recruit, Joseph Edward Preston (see 8th September). Following the death of Hugh’s mother, Mary Ellen Robinson, in 1905, the family had become scattered, with the six children boarding with various families across North Lancashire and working in local mills, on farms or in domestic service. Hugh Robinson had been working as a farm labourer.
- Arthur William Bailey; came originally from Liverpool but had for four years worked for Mr. John Winter at the Craven Poultry Farm in Tunstill’s home village of Otterburn. He had just turned 18 when he volunteered.
- Thomas Henry Edmondson; he was born in Settle in 1881. He was the sixth of eight children born to John and Mary Edmondson. John was a bootmaker who lived and worked in Settle. By 1899 Thomas was the postman covering the area from Langcliffe to Malham Moor and in 1901 he was living in School Hill, Settle with his parents and four of his siblings, one of whom, his elder brother, Matthew, was also working as a postman. Thomas married Langcliffe girl Annie Harvey in 1905 and the couple set up home on the Green in Langcliffe. Their first daughter, Mary, was born in 1909 and a second, Muriel, in 1912.
- Robert William Bell; he was 28 years old and a very well-known figure in Settle. His father, Joseph Bell, had for many years run a business as a joiner, cabinet-maker, wheelwright and furniture broker in the town. Joseph Bell had also served on the Parish Council for a number of years, and had been a leading member of the local Volunteer Company, before retiring with the rank of colour sergeant. Robert William Bell had followed his father into the local territorials and had served seven years (from 1902-09), while his elder brother, James, had served 16 years, succeeding his father as colour sergeant. Both Robert and James worked in the family business.
- Herbert Dickinson; was 22 years old. He was one of two children of an unmarried mother (Isabella Dickinson). Isabella and her children had continued to live with her father, Richard Dickinson, at Albert Hill, Settle. Herbert worked as a labourer in the building trade, while his mother worked as a dressmaker.
- William Edward Gibson; was a recent arrival in Settle, coming originally from Kendal. He was 28 years old and worked in the local limestone quarries. He had married in 1909 and he and his wife, Nancy, had a four year-old daughter, Mary Hannah.
- Robert Henry (known as ‘Bob’) Maunders; he was born on 17th February 1891 in Selside, Horton-in-Ribblesdale; he was the seventh of nine children born to John and Mary Maunders (nee Thompson). His father, John, was originally from the village of East Hanney, near Wantage in Berkshire where his father had worked as a railway labourer. John worked for some time as a young man as a groom but for most of his working life he too worked on the railways. It may well have been work on the railways which had brought John to the Settle area. By 1911 the family had moved to 6, High Hill Cottages, Settle, and of their seven children only Elizabeth, Bob and Kate were still living at home. John was still working on the railway but Bob was employed as a grocer’s apprentice.
- Arthur Lawson; I am, as yet, unable to make a positive identification of this man; it would appear that he is likely to be the individual who appears in the official military records as William Lawson.
A Splendid Lot of Recruits
 |
| Tunstill's Men assembled in the Market Place, Settle |
 |
| Armband originally worn by "Tunstill's Man" George Smith |
The men, 86 in number, paraded in the Market Place at 7
o’clock on Monday morning and, after a little preliminary drill and other
instructions, and a parting speech by Mr. Morrison, fell in behind the Settle
Band, who once more lent their services in the public-spirited manner they have
displayed throughout the war. It could then be seen what a sturdy, likely
looking lot of men they were. A great proportion of them were from the country
farms, and it would be difficult to find a more promising set of recruits. Each
member of the Company wore a white armlet bearing the words “Kitchener’s Man”
in red letters and very proud of their “uniform” the gallant fellows were.
Escorted by a large crowd, which included Mr.
Morrison and many well-known residents, the Company marched in good style to
the station, at times singing, “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” (which Mr. George
Herd had given with great effect on Saturday) with great gusto. In the interval
before the train started they were each presented with a meat pie and grapes
from Mr. Birkbeck, fruit from Mr. Clark, a cigar from Mr. James Hunt and a
packet of cigarettes from Mrs. Nicholson (Ingfield Hall) and the Settle men
were especially favoured. In addition to the above gifts they each received
socks from Mrs. Birkbeck and a tin of cigarettes from Miss Geldard. Mr.
Christie, Mr. T. Dixon, Mr. D.H. Brayshaw, Mr. G. Thorpe, Rev. A. Ingilby and
others also rendered financial or other help to the send-off.
Resounding cheers were given for the men, fond farewells
were said, the National Anthem was sung and amidst the waving of handkerchiefs,
the detonation of fog-signals and hearty expressions of goodwill Settle sent
out a body of men to fight for their country of whom the whole district may
well be proud. Amongst those who witnessed the troop’s departure was Mr. G.G.
Robinson, Editor of “The Times” (George Geoffrey Robinson, born in Skipton in
1874 was editor of The Times from 1912-19 and again from 1923-41).
AUSTWICK
Departure of recruits
The five Austwick youths who have enrolled in Mr. Tunstill’s
company left early on Monday morning to join the other members at Settle.
Although they left at 6 am there were quite a number of the working population
out to see them off at 8.30 from Settle station. Later in the day Lieut. Noel
Clapham (Austwick Hall) left to take up duties, this making a total from the
village of eleven young men who have responded to the call of King and country.
LONGPRESTON
The men from Long Preston who have responded to the call
towards making up the 100 sought by Mr. Tunstill, C.C., left home early on
Monday to join those who were leaving Settle for training. Their names were:
J.Airey, T.Garnett, C.Harwood, J.H.Hitchin, H.Horner, W.Jones, J.Kayley,
W.Mason, F.Metcalfe, H.Metcalfe, J.Oglesby, J.Parker, W.Procter, J.Rebanks,
W.Rawlinson and R.Taylor. Those who had previously joined the ranks of either
the Regulars or the Territorials were: Capt.T.Preston, O.Dawson, J.Cowgill, J.Arthurs,
J.Jackman, R.Carr, A.Carr, A.Evans and J.Foster, some of whom are training at
Healing near Grimsby and they write that they are looking well and getting fit.
GRASSINGTON AND DISTRICT TO THE FORE
In the enthusiastic recruiting by local ladies and gentlemen
to raise a company for Lord Kitchener’s Army to be called the Upper Wharfedale
Company, proud results have followed; no less than 20 having obeyed the
nation’s call. The names will be found in another column. To each recruit there
was presented by the local committee a shirt, and a pair of socks, and they
also received each a pipe, tobacco and cigarettes on their departure on Monday
for training. They were photographed by Messrs. Crowther and Grimshaw. A large
number went to the railway station to say goodbye.
CONSTITUTION OF THE COMPANY
The 3rd Wharfedale Company, which includes a
number of men from places in Airedale, is to form part of the 11th
Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment (actually they would become part of 10th Battalion), and
on Monday morning they were under orders to mobilise at Keighley.
The men from this part of Wharfedale proceeded to Keighley
by the 8.10am train from Ilkley via Skipton and as the Menston and Burley
recruits entrained at their respective stations, and others were picked up at
Skipton and elsewhere, there were only eight to entrain at Ilkley.
In all, 240 dalesmen were to soldier together, belonging to
the following places: Settle 87; Keighley 50; Grassington 18; Cowling, 18;
Ilkley, 16; Bingley, 11; Skipton, 10; Burley, 10; Earby, 8; Menston, 8;
Addingham, 2; and Silsden and Otley one each.
Altogether over 2,000 recruits have been secured from the
Airedale and Wharfedale Recruiting Districts during the month it has been in
charge of Captain J.H. Stanley Tee, who is now rejoining the 6th
Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment.
ENTHUSIASM AT THE RAILWAY STATION
The eight men leaving Ilkley on Monday morning were given an
enthusiastic send-off. They marched from the Ilkley Drill Hall to the Ilkley
Railway Station, headed by the Ilkley Brass Band, who have shown a splendid
spirit of patriotism by playing both sets of recruits through the town on their
departure, and also through Addingham in the case of the first men to leave,
besides giving their services on several other occasions – a little bit of
self-sacrifice in their country’s service that ought not to go without public
recognition.
The Burley and Menston men joined forces with their comrades
at the top of Brook Street and all marched together into the Railway Station
and on to No.3 platform.
They were accompanied by Sergeant C. Baker and on the
platform Captain Mercer, Captain Lansdale and Mr. F.H. Humphries, J.P. joined
the party. Captain Mercer now being attached to the Army Service Corps.
No.2 and No.3 platforms were crowded with people and prior
to the departure of the train the band played appropriate selections, finishing
up with “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem. Profiting by the experience
of the previous recruits from Wharfedale, most of those leaving this district
on Monday had provided themselves with a warm blanket or rug.
The men were heartily cheered as the train steamed out of
the station, and they were also given a salute by the firing of detonators
placed on the lines.
COWLING - DEPARTURE OF RECRUITS
Stirring scenes were witnessed in Cowling on Monday morning
last when the eighteen recruits for Kitchener’s Army left. Nearly the whole of
the inhabitants turned out to witness their departure. Prior to leaving, each
man was provided with a blanket by Mr. Everett Binns, a ‘soldiers friend’ and
handkerchief by Mrs. Hudson Naylor (out of the proceeds of the Vicarage fund);
and a sprig of white heather and handkerchief from Mr. and Mrs. Watson Hartley.
Other presents included boots from the Vicar, cigarettes etc from Mrs. Hill
(Bay Horse), kit bags and hold-alls from Mr. H. Newman; cigarettes from Mr.
Tempest (proceeds of collecting box), top coat etc from Mr. Seth Moore and
cigars from Mr. Arthur Stephenson. The company travelled by motor bus to
Steeton, where they were joined by other units, and thence on to Keighley, en
route for Frensham Common, Aldershot. Prior to their leaving, a service was
held at the Parish Church, conducted by the Vicar.
CRAVENS’ RECRUITS DEPART
STIRRING SCENES AT SILSDEN
Stirring Scenes were witnessed at Silsden and Steeton
Station on Monday morning last (21st
September) when a second contingent of recruits, numbering well over 200
and drawn from Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale, were assembled for the march to
Keighley. Among them was the batch of 90 (sic.)
which Mr. H.G. Tunstill, County
Councillor
The school children of Steeton, in company with their
teachers, headed the procession in Station
Road
In anticipation of the arrival of the men large crowds
assembled in the Skipton Road, and loud cheers were raised when the procession
came in sight. The Keighley Trade and Grammar students raised a hearty cheer as
the recruits passed the Technical Institute. Each man wore a ribbon on his
sleeve proclaiming the fact that he was ‘Kitchener’s Man’. Admiring comments
were passed upon the sturdy physique of numbers of them who hailed from the
Yorkshire Dales. A formal reception had been arranged to take place in the Town
Hall Square, and the men formed round the temporary bandstand, upon which stood
the Mayor (Mr. W.A. Brigg), Captain Tee and the Silsden Band.
On behalf of the Borough of Keighley the Mayor offered to
them – men of the 10th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment – a
most hearty and sincere welcome, and wished them all God speed on their way to
their training camp.
“You are going at the call of duty” he went on, addressing
the recruits, who were surrounded by a dense crowd, “to reinforce that Army, I
hope on the Continent. It will need every assistance possible to force upon the
German government those terms which alone can give lasting peace to the
Continent of Europe and the world for many years to come. You have come from
all parts of the beautiful country of Craven, and you are not the first men who
have answered the call to duty in this way. We read in the old chronicles of
more than 400 years ago how men from Linton to Long Addingham followed the
banner of Lord Clifford to Flodden Field, and did their duty there. We remember
also how a little more than a hundred years ago a Craven Legion was formed; and
a regiment of yeomanry was raised by the first Lord Ribblesdale to repel the
threatened invasion of the French; and now again at the call of duty you have
come from Craven not to repel the threatened invasion of the French but to
fight with them; not against an invasion of our country, but to repel an attack
upon the liberty and freedom of thought of the whole world. You must ever
remember when you do fight, that you are not fighting for territories or gold
mines, nor for gain of any kind, but for freedom against militarism, for right
against might, and for the great ideas which ought to, and will, we hope,
prevail in the future in every country in Europe” (Applause).
They owed great thanks to men like Mr. Tunstill, and to
every other man who had thrown himself into the work of recruiting. They owed
great thanks to Captain Tee for the ungrudging labour he was giving, and he
hoped before very long they would be able to send another 500 men from Keighley
(Applause).
Captain Tee, on behalf of the contingent, thanked the Mayor
for the hearty welcome accorded them and went on to congratulate the men upon
the splendid way they had conducted themselves during the march; they had
marched off without any misdemeanour on the road or cause of complaint whatever.
“You are joining the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment”, he added,
“which has an honour roll as fine as any regiment in the British Army. I want
you to do nothing whilst you are members of the regiment that will not add
lustre to its name” (Applause). Cheers were called for by the men for the
mayor, Captain Tee, Mr. Tunstill and Mrs. Tunstill. The band then played the
National Anthem, the recruits standing at the salute.
Afterwards the men went to the public swimming baths which
were placed at their disposal by the Corporation. Later they were provided with
dinner at the expense of the Mayor, who treated the band in a similar manner.
Shortly after dinner the recruits marched to the station, which was densely
packed with people; a crowd much larger than that which saw their arrival.
Before leaving, each man received a packet of cigarettes, and on the station
platform, at 2.30, as the special train for Halifax steamed out, a number of
fog signals were fired, the “Farewell March” being played by the Band.
In point of physique the recruits were a well set-up
contingent of men and from whom credit will no doubt accrue if they become
efficient early enough to be despatched to the scene of operations.
On arrival in Halifax
the Company were marched to the Regimental Depot on Gibbet Lane and assembled
in the barrack square. Here they were inspected by Lt. Col. Thorold, a former Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion. However, with the groundswell of recruitment which had
already taken place there was no room to accommodate the men in the barrack
complex. Instead they were marched back into Halifax to be billeted at the
Victoria Hall.
Dick Bolton (see 27th
July) was commissioned Temporary Lieutenant in the New Army; he would become
one of the original officers with Tunstill’s Company
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