Wednesday 19th August 1914

Mr. Walter Morrison presided over a public meeting at the Victoria Hall, Settle, for the purpose of electing a local Distress Committee for dealing with any cases which might occur in the district during the War.

Walter Morrison

Morrison would became a key figure in Gilbert Tunstill's campaign to raise, equip and maintain his Company of volunteers. 

An excellent account of his life and career can be found at: http://www.kirkbymalham.info/KMLHG/morrison/morrison.html

Robert Ingram’s elder brother, Dr. Thomas Lewis Ingram wrote a personal letter to Percy Illingworth,** MP for Shipley and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in Asquith’s government, in an effort to expedite his brother’s application for a commission; he clearly believed that, in a situation in which the War Office would be overwhelmed with applications, ‘friends in high places’ might be required. 

“My Dear Illingworth, 

I am troubling you again and for this please forgive me. My young brother is applying for a commission in the new army and his papers have been sent in by the OC East Surrey Regiment who told him that, although he was backing him, there was such a rush that he did not stand much chance without outside influence. My young brother has just left Harrow with a good record. C.G. seventh form, school middleweight and championship cup for best all round athlete in the school. His headmaster, Ford, signed his papers for him. Could you do anything for this boy? His papers were sent in to the War Office last Monday. His full name is Robert Skinner Ingram; aged 19; address The Priory, Wimbledon. I signed in for a civil surgeon in the RAMC and am now waiting to be posted. 

Please excuse my worrying you with all this but the lad is mad keen to go and is really just the stamp they want. He was 5 years in the school corps and was a non-com. 

Yours sincerely 

T. Ingram"

 

**Percy’s cousin, Dudley Holden Illingworth, was the owner of Hanlith Hall, Kirby Malham, and a prominent figure in Gilbert Tunstill’s local community; he would become much involved in the campaign to raise Tunstill’s Company. This connection between Ingram, the Illingworths and Tunstill may well have influenced the appointment of Ingram to join Tunstill’s Company.