Sunday, 31st January 1915

Robert Cresswell, the ex-policeman who had been promoted Corporal (see 12^th November) was ‘severely reprimanded’ having been found gambling in his billet at Finchampsted. The witnesses to the offence were CSM Harry Dewhirst (see 29^th January) and Cresswell’s fellow Settle recruit, George Jellett (see 7^th September).

Saturday, 30th January 1915

Jonathan Kendall Smith, who had died at Connaught Hospital on 25^th January, was buried at Weston (All Saints) Churchyard.

Friday, 29th January 1915

Having spent six days in Connaught Hospital being treated for deafness, Robert Newhouse (see 24^th January) was discharged, with a note in his records that there had been no improvement in his condition. Lt. Stones of the RAMC recommended that Newhouse should be discharged from the Army.

Harry Dewhirst, Company Sergeant Major to Tunstill’s Company, was formally appointed Warrant Officer Class II. Although not one of Tunstill’s recruits, he was one of the ex-regular NCO’s who had been posted to the new Battalion in the Autumn of 1914 (see 18^th September 1914).

Thursday, 28th January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Eversley.

Wednesday, 27th January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Eversley.

LCpl. William Alfred Walmsley Gaunt (see 12^th December 1914) was promoted Corporal.

Tuesday, 26th January 1915

The concerns expressed by J.B. Priestley about the scattered nature of the billeting arrangements in the Camberley area (see 25^th January) were reflected upon also by 2Lt. Robert Stewart Skinner Ingram, (see 30^th October 1914) in a letter home to his parents in which he also commented on the death of Pte. Jonathan Kendall Smith (see 25^th January).

(Notepaper headed:
Bannisters
Finchampstead
Berks)

c/o J.W. Martin Esq.

My Darling Mother and Father

We got out here yesterday afternoon after about a 13 mile march. Only one of my men asked to drop out on the way. One of mine died of pneumonia last Monday (ie yesterday) at 2.30 am in hospital. Very sorry indeed as he was doing quite well, though slow. As in the last billets, I seem to have struck a very good egg again. Three of us are here. Unfortunately it’s over a mile from my Company, so have hired a bike from the local blacksmith. 

As soon as I hear that Tom will be at the Priory next Saturday night, I’ll apply for the night off. 

Love to the family.

Your ever loving son.

Robert

(Ingram and two of his fellow officers were billeted with Mr. James Wentworth Martin, a retired public works department manager).

Pte. William McEvoy (see 26^th December 1914) was reported as being absent without leave; he would return on 2^nd February. The nature of his punishment is unknown.

Pte. Tom Pickles, who had earlier created quite a stir over his comments about conditions at Frensham (see 16^th October 1914), was confined to barracks for three days, having been absent from roll call at 12.30pm parade at Eversley.

Saturday, 23rd January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Camberley.

Friday, 22nd January 1915

Tunstill’s Company paraded, along with the whole of 23^rd Division, for inspection by Lord Kitchener and by the French Minister of War, Alexandre Millerand.

Kitchener and Millerand on a similar inspection, on this occasion of French troops and accompanied by Joffre and Foch.

However, a sudden deterioration in the weather turned what should have been a routine event into a severe trial for the men. The author of the official Divisional history referred to it as:
“a day that few who took part will ever forget. The inspection was timed for 2.30pm but M. Millerand had, unfortunately, been delayed, and did not arrive until 3.30pm. Snow fell during the morning and was lying four inches deep on the   parade ground at 12 noon, when heavy rain set in. The men, in their blue serge uniforms and civilian greatcoats, were soaked to the skin … It was a most trying day for all concerned”.

The author of the battalion memoir also commented on the event, “The day was a very bad one, snow and sleet falling for several hours. After parading for a couple of hours on Queen’s Parade, Lord Kitchener passed in his car along the road and the parade was dismissed”. He also made it clear that the rigours of the day proved too much for the Battalion C.O.; “As the result of this parade Colonel George Rainier Crawford C.B. (see 30^th December 1914), who had commanded the Battalion since its formation, was taken ill and was never able afterwards to be with us. He was greatly beloved by all ranks and was largely responsible for the very high standard which the Battalion had already reached.” (The exact date on which Col. Crawford left the Battalion has not been established, but he was certainly still serving on 12^th February).

J.B. Priestley also referred to the day in a letter home to his family, “What a day it was! All the morning it snowed heavily, and then after dinner changed to a veritable tornado of sleet. Well over twenty thousand of us lined up on our parade ground and then we had to wait over two hours in the most awful deluge of sleet, cold and pitiless, that I have ever known. After the first ten minutes we were soaked through and the rest was a matter of sheer endurance. And the review consisted of six motor cars driving past us on the road!”

Thursday, 21st January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Camberley.



The War Office wrote to Robert Clement (Bob) Perks (see 19^th January) confirming his appointment to a temporary commission as Second Lieutenant, and ordered that he should prepare to report to Oudenarde Barracks, Aldershot to join 10DWR. However, ahead of receiving the official confirmation, Perks had acted upon the notice published in the London Gazette and had made appropriate preparations, as is clear from his letter to his sister.

21/1/15

My Dear Joy

Just a line before Mother and I go to Mrs Stavert’s. Mother sends her love and hopes your cold is better.

If you ever see a morning paper you will have noticed in the Gazette among the Cadets and Ex Cadets of the O.T.C to be Sec. Lieuts. ….. R. C. Perks.

I have got and have had on full uniform except a belt but I have heard nothing from the War Office yet. Mother and I presume that it must be I, and Martin sent a telegram to congratulate me but I wish they had written.  It is dated Jan 15^th so that I have already earned 52/6!  I have also been to Skipton (no time to see you properly tho’ I walked round) and had stars put on the sleeves of my O.T.C. tunic and bought a stick.

I also telephoned to three Halifax shops and George was loaded up this morning with a parcel from Skipton.  Boots from Coton and half Hume’s shop and to-morrow I hope for a belt.  The parcels were addressed to Lieut R.C.P.

Dad is even more sure that it is my name in the paper.  Hence an account (I gather) was in the Guardian and Courier last night while the Evening Post said at the front of a column :- among the Temporary Second Lieutenants gazetted to-day is Mr R.C. Perks, of the Officers’ Training Corps at Melton College Oxford, who is the second son of Mr T.P. Perks, a well-known barrister practising on the North-Eastern Circuit.

In haste,

Bob

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

2Lt. Bob Perks

Images by kind permission of Janet Hudson

Wednesday, 20th January 1915

Whilst engaged in company training at Camberley (see 18^th January) Priestley experienced what he described as, “The hardest work I have done for some time ... We were marched out at night and had to dig trenches, within a certain time, in the darkness”.

As a result of a medical examination, it was recommended that one of Tunstill’s original recruits, Robert Singleton (see 14^th September 1914), be discharged from the Army; the grounds were stated as his having “flat feet and cannot march far”.

Tuesday, 19th January 1915

Tom Snowden, who had been examined on 14^th January, was formally discharged from the Army suffering from a “left inguinal hernia”.


The London Gazette published news of the appointment of a number of cadets and ex-cadets of OTCs to temporary commissions as Second Lieutenants with effect from 15th January; among them was Robert Clement (Bob) Perks (see 8^th January) who had recently successfully challenged concerns about his medical status.

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

Bob Perks, left, with his older brother, Martin Thomas Perks, pictured during their time at Oxford

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

Monday, 18th January 1915

‘A’ (Tunstill’s Men) and ‘B’ Companies returned to Camberley (see 7^th December) for further company training.

Sunday, 17th January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Aldershot.

At home in Keighley, Kathleen Conley, aged four, died as a result of whooping cough; she was the daughter of Pte. Patrick Conley (see 9^th November 1914), who was currently in training with 10DWR.

Saturday, 16th January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Aldershot.

Friday, 15th January 1915

A recruitment meeting was held in the schoolroom at Bolton-by-Bowland. One of the men to enlist was Norman Carey, who had originally volunteered to serve with Tunstill but had been rejected on medical grounds (see 14^th September 1914) .

A report of the meeting appeared in the Craven Herald on 22^nd January:

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

Recruiting Meeting

Under the auspices of the Skipton Division Parliamentary Recruiting Committee a meeting was held in the Schoolroom on Friday evening last. The weather was just about as unfavourable as could be, but in spite of that there was a fairly good attendance. Mr. C.B.E. Wright presided and briefly explained the object of the meeting, after which he called upon Mr. Bibbings, who gave an excellent address. Major Stewart, son in law of Mr. Wright, of Bolton Hall, who had been wounded at the Battle of the Aisne, also gave an address. He was received with great enthusiasm, the audience standing and cheering him for some time. The Rev. G.A. Coupe also spoke. At intervals patriotic songs and choruses were heartily given and Miss Hargreaves sang very successfully “Your King and Country Want You”. At the conclusion of the meeting three recruits were added to the already very satisfactory list, their names being Norman Carey, James Oddie and Christopher Parkinson. The same evening a meeting was held in the Schoolroom and was addressed by Mr. Farnsworth.

It may be that Norman Carey again failed to pass his medical as no record has been found to indicate that he ever entered into active service (he married 8^th February 1919, at which time his occupation was given as ‘tobacconist’). Norman died in 1957. However two of his brothers, Harold and Alfred, were killed in action (see www.cpgw.org.uk)

 

Thursday, 14th January 1915

Two more of Tunstill’s original recruits were discharged on medical grounds.

Charles Belton Eyre (see 29^th December) was formally discharged from the Army on the grounds that he was “not likely to become an efficient soldier”; he had been found medically unfit on 29^th December. Charles Eyre was subsequently awarded the Silver War Badge, given to those who had been discharged on account of illness or injury. He married Lily Bland Jackson on September 13^th 1919 and they subsequently had five children - George Richard, Kathleen, Harry, Ruth (better known as 'Bunty') and Charles Belton. Sadly Charles Belton jr didn't survive infancy, having been born and dying in 1927. Charles Belton snr. ran his own haulage company (C.B.Eyre and Sons.). Initially he lived in Thirsk (George Richard was born there) and then moved to Northallerton where they remained. It seems that Charles ran an early, and unofficial, sort of bus service, picking up the farmers' wives from all around the district (Thirsk, Northallerton, Romanby, Lazenby etc) with their produce and taking them to the markets held in the various villages and towns. Lily was well known for her patience and skill with animals and was often called on to look after waifs and strays. Charles died in 1967.
(I am indebted to Pat Adams for the information about Charlie’s life after the war).

The other man discharged was William Lawson (see 7^th September); the details of his medical history and his life after the war are currently unknown.

A third member of the Company, Tom Snowden, (see 16^th September) was medically examined and found to be suffering from a “left inguinal hernia”. 

At home in Keighley, Florence Teal, wife of Pte. Fred Teal, gave birth to the couple’s second child; a daughter who would be named Dorothy. Fred Teal had enlisted in Keighley in September 1914, having previously served for a period in the territorial battalion. He was 28 years old and had been working as a woolcomber.

Wednesday, 13th January 1915

The Earby members of Tunstill’s Company, who had been home on leave (see 11^th January) returned to Aldershot, receiving “a hearty send-off at the Station” (Craven Herald, 15^th January).

Leonard Fox was released from hospital following his treatment for scabies (see 2^nd January).

Tuesday, 12th January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Aldershot.

Monday, 11th January 1915

The eight Earby men who had been posted to serve with Tunstill’s Company were entertained at the local Conservative Club whilst home on leave (see 7^th January). The event was reported in the Craven Herald:

EARBY

Kitchener’s Men Feted

On Monday evening eight of the Earby Pals who have been home on furlough from Aldershot were entertained to supper at the Conservative Club, of which they were all members prior to enlistment. Their names are: Ptes James Pilkington, Reginald Watson, Willie Gaunt, Edgar Shuttleworth, Wright Firth, Thomas Tuley, Allan Wharton and James Walker. The supper was provided by the Misses Holgate, confectioners, Water Street, to whose catering the highest compliments were paid. The company, of whom about 60 were present, afterwards adjourned upstairs to the Albion Hall where the “fleeting hours” sped in a most convivial manner under the genial chairmanship of Mr. Walter Willis. Music, both vocal and instrumental, was interspersed with speeches. Patriotic fervour was the order of the evening which was brought to a close at about 3.30 am, by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”. The toast of the evening, wishing the Pals, “Good health, God speed and a safe return” was submitted by Mr. C. Francis, supported by Mr. W. Watson and responded to by Ptes. Gaunt, Firth and Shuttleworth. Songs, chiefly of a patriotic flavour, were contributed by Mr. Herbert Lord, Messrs. J.W. Blackburn, P. Wormwell and Ptes. E. Shuttleworth and R. Watson; cornet solos by Mr. Edwin Firth and Mr. Squire Firth and recitations by Mr. Willie Watson.

Leonard Fox was released from hospital following his treatment for scabies (see 2^nd January).

 

Sunday, 10th January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Aldershot.

Saturday, 9th January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Aldershot.

Friday, 8th January 1915

Second Lieutenant Frederick Hird (see 9^th December) was posted to serve with 10^th Battalion; he would become one of the officers serving with Tunstill’s Company.

Horace Dunn was released from hospital following his treatment for scabies (see 2^nd January).


Following the recent concerns about his fitness for appointment to a commission, Robert Clement (Bob) Perks (see 30^th December) underwent a second army medical examination. The result, in the words of a telegram to his family, was that he, “Passed Doctor easily”.

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

Bob Perks, left, with his older brother, Martin Thomas Perks, during their time at Oxford

Image by kind permission of Janet Hudson

Monday, 25th January 1915

Tunstill’s Men, along with the whole Battalion moved to the Eversley area for three weeks’ battalion training. The move clearly provoked a degree of apprehension and unrest, as reported in a letter home by Priestley:

“I am told that Eversley is a very desolate spot and, as the work is very hard, we look like ‘going through it’ …  The whole battalion has come this time and we are living all over the place. Finchampstead and Cressley are adjoining hamlets, one can barely call them villages for there are houses merely scattered here and there, and only a couple of shops for both places. We are living as we can; some in stables and haylofts, barns, coach houses etc, some in a school, and others, including myself, in empty houses. But we are not all together, as at Camberley, but scattered all over the place. God knows how we are going to get anything to eat! They gave us breakfast this morning in barracks, then we walked the 12 to 14 miles here”.

Jonathan Kendall Smith, who had signed up in Ilkley and joined Tunstill’s Company along with the other Ilkley volunteers, died at Connaught Hospital from pneumonia. He was the fourth member of the Company to die in training. He was 26 years old and before enlisting had worked as a farm servant for a number of families in the Ilkley area. He was one of six children of Jonathan and Emma Smith who had farmed land near Askwith; after his father’s death, his mother had kept up the family farm.

Robert Singleton, who had been examined on 20^th January, was formally discharged from the Army on account of his having flat feet, which left him unfit to march any distance. However, Robert Singleton would subsequently re-join the Army. Although the details of his subsequent service have not been established, he is known to have been on active service in Greece in November 1916, from where he wrote a letter home which was subsequently reported in the Craven Herald.

Pte. Arthur Walton (see 30^th December 1914) was reported by Sgt. Henry Carrodus (I am, as yet, unable to make a positive identification of this man) and Pte. Owen (unidentified) as having been ‘drunk in town about 9pm’; on the orders of Col. George Rainier Crawford (see 22^nd January), he would be confined to barracks for 14 days.

Sunday, 24th January 1915

Robert Newhouse (see 17^th September 1914), one of Tunstill’s original recruits, was admitted to Connaught Hospital, to be treated for deafness.

Thursday, 7th January 1915

The Earby recruits who had been attached to Tunstill’s Company returned home on one week’s leave.

Wednesday, 6th January 1915

A Christmas party for soldiers’ children was held at the Conservative Club in Settle; the event was hosted by Mr. John Moore, who had been prominent in the organisation of Tunstill’s recruiting campaign.

Tuesday, 5th January 1915

Reginald Hancock was released from hospital following his treatment for scabies (see 2^nd January).

Charles Edgar Shuttleworth (known as Edgar) was appointed Acting Unpaid Lance Corporal and transferred to ‘D’ Company. He was one of the Earby recruits who had volunteered in Skipton on 9^th September and had subsequently been attached to Tunstill’s Company. Aged 25, he was the son of Charles Shuttleworth, the owner of the Victoria weaving shed in Earby and had been working in the family business along with his two brothers. Edgar Shuttleworth’s administrative and managerial experience would seem him promoted eventually to Company Quartermaster Sergeant.

Monday, 4th January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Aldershot.

Sunday, 3rd January 1915

Tunstill's Company remained in training at Aldershot.

Saturday, 2nd January 1915

Several members of Tunstill’s Company were affected by an outbreak of scabies (a contagious skin disease, which spreads readily in instances of close contact). At least three men were hospitalised and treated at Connaught Hospital.

Leonard Fox was one of Tunstill’s original Settle volunteers (see 11^th September). Horace Dunn had enlisted in Keighley on 12^th September; he had stated his age as 19 on his attestation papers but was actually aged only 16. Prior to enlisting he had been working as a fitter’s apprentice with Dean, Smith and Grace, a large engineering company based at Worth Valley Works in Keighley. His mother, Agnes, had died in 1906 leaving her husband, Benjamin Dunn, a chimney sweep, with the care of four young children. Reginald Hancock was another of the Keighley recruits. He was 19 years old and originally from Yeadon but recently had been living with his father, Edwin and stepmother, Mary in nearby Guiseley (Reginald’s mother, Eden Hancock, had died in 1907). Both Reginald and his father worked as weavers in the local woollen mills.

Friday, 1st January 1915

Support for the men of Tunstill’s Company who had returned from leave to resume their training at Aldershot continued, with the weekly edition of the Craven Herald reporting that the Cowling Distress and Belgian Relief Committee, “have this week sent to the Cowling recruits stationed at Aldershot a number of under vests”.

Pte. William Baxter (see 15^th December 1914) was reported as not having returned from leave; he would report back to the Battalion at 8am on the 6^th January; on the orders of Captain Lewis Ernest Buchanan (see 16^th November) he would be confined to barracks for five days.