Saturday 10th July 1915

An article published in the Keighley News drew attention to measures which had been put in place by a local mill-owner both to encourage his workers to invest in war loans and also to reassure workers who had already volunteered to serve, or were contemplating such, that their employment with the firm would be protected. Several men who had worked for the Company had enlisted in September 1914 and had been among the Cowling recruits who had been absorbed into Tunstill’s Company (see 16^th September 1914). Prominent in the recruits had been John Hartley jnr., son of the owner of the Company and who worked as Company Secretary. He had already been promoted Lance Corporal (see 20^th December 1914)

COWLING FIRM’S PATRIOTISM

Messrs John Hartley (Cowling) Ltd, Acre Mill, Cowling are encouraging their workpeople to invest in the war loan by offering the 5s. and £5 bonds at a discount of 5s. on the £5. Those joining or who have already joined the Army or Navy will, on returning home, be given the option of restarting work with the firm as far as possible on their old work, or failing this the firm will give an equivalent in wages for the time being in work of a similar kind. Any skilled workman who enters a munitions factory for the duration of the war will have the same option on returning as those who have joined the Army or Navy.