The King and Queen, accompanied by Princess Mary
paid a visit to Frensham Camp, “to the great delight of all ranks”.
The Times reported that, "On the Common some 10,000 troops were drawn up, and alighting from his car the King passed down the lines of the entire camp. His Majesty was heartily cheered on leaving."
The Times reported that, "On the Common some 10,000 troops were drawn up, and alighting from his car the King passed down the lines of the entire camp. His Majesty was heartily cheered on leaving."
Henry Clifford Harvey**, commented on the royal
visit in a letter home which was subsequently (3rd October)
published in the Keighley News.
KEIGHLEY MEN AT FARNHAM
AN APPEAL TO THEIR FELLOWS
The Mayor of Keighley (Mr. W.A. Brigg) has
received the following letter from Private H.C. Harvey, No.2 Platoon, A
Company, 10th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, Frensham Camp, Farnham, Surrey:
“I am taking the liberty of writing to you to let
you know that all the ‘Pals’ who enlisted at Keighley are having a fine time
here, and are very grateful indeed for all the kindnesses which were shown them
in the shape of blankets, cigarettes etc. We are progressing A1 in our new
sphere of life, and think that every young man who possibly can should enlist
at once. The food and sleeping here are excellent, and I am only expressing the
view of every one of us when I say that anyone who says the life of Kitchener’s
men is hard is a man with whom work does not agree. We cannot speak too highly
of the place where we are encamped. As regards our officers, they are perfect
gentlemen, our captain and colour-sergeant realising that we are people who
have left decent homes and good positions in order to serve our country in time
of need. We especially wish to convey our thanks to Captains Tee and Lansdale
for the way we were treated whilst under their charge. We have today (many of
us for the first time) been lucky enough to see our King and Queen and watch
them as they walked openly about the parade ground. Our idea of writing this is
to obtain, for our country, men who are, as you know, at this critical time,
very much needed”.
A postscript says, “Please convey our thanks to
the YMCA for their kindnesses”.
**Henry Clifford Harvey was 20 years old (b.16th
December 1893) and had been working as a telephone operator before enlisting.
He was the only son (though he had two sisters) of Walter and Ida Harvey, who
lived in Spencer Street, Keighley.
Pte. Harry Waller also commented on the royal visit and gave other
details of his life in camp in a letter to his parents. He was a 22 year-old
plumber from Todmorden.
“I am still in the pink. We are
in tents, twelve in one tent, two sleeping together with four blankets and a
waterproof ground sheet. We are as snug as bugs in a rug, although it is a bit
nippy washing in Frensham Pond at 5.30am. I have received the parcel from York
Street and thank them for it. The King, Princess Mary and Lord Kitchener
inspected us yesterday (Tuesday)”. In a further letter written a few days he
would add, “I am still in the best of health and stil busy. Hardly time to
wash. Will you please send me some soap as we cannot get any decent here and
have to pay dearly for it. Have had a ripping time, have not seen any rain yet.
Our daily routine is: 5:30 Reveille; 6:00 Parade – have one hour’s doubling and
finish with a ¼ mile sprint; 7:00 Breakfast, boiled aggs, bacon or boiled ham;
8:00 Parade, drill till 11.30; 12:00 Dinner, meat, potatoes and either peas or
beans; 1:30 Parade, drill till 3.30; 4:00 Tea, jam or sausage; 5:00 Parade and
go for a route march of 5 to 10 miles. After route march, go for a swim in
Frensham Pond, which is about 2 miles by 1 mile and nowhere deeper than 4ft.
6in.; 9:30 Lights Out. This is glorious country, all moor and pine woods”. In a
further postcard he added, “Just off on a night attack, 7:00 to 12:30. Rumours
of us going to south of France for winter. Have been served with another coat”.
 |
| Pte. Harry Waller |
An article which would be published in The Brighouse Echo on 9th October also referred to the royal visit: ‘Writing from Frensham Camp a local member of the West Riding Regiment says, “It is very hot in the daytime but fearfully cold at night. Last week we had the King and Queen, also Princess Mary, to visit us. There were 15,000 soldiers, so we were very strong. The moors are very big where we are camping. There is only a small village outside and the people are very patriotic. Many times people visit the troops and distribute cigarettes and fruit amongst them. The country round is most beautiful”.
Pte. Robert William John Morris was appointed Acting Sergeant; he was an ex-regular soldier, having served 12 years between 1895 and 1907. He was 37 years old, from Bermondsey, married with two children, and had been working as a post office mail porter
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