Concert, PoWs, Scouts, Volunteer regiment (1917)

Post date: Feb 03, 2014 12:11:46 PM

Extract from Parish magazine of November 1917

NOTES AND NOTICES.

The delay in the issue of the Magazine this month has made it possible to publish, just at the right moment, an account of the starting of a Wateringbury platoon of the Volunteer Force: it would have been of less value if deferred till next month.  The same may be said of the Nursing Association's accounts, which came to hand at the last moment. We believe that if new members tender their payments for the year within the next few days the fine for late payment will not be exacted. Without the matter referred to above, and Mr. Smith's interesting account of the Scout Rally, which also has just come to hand, there would have been space for an Article (already in type) on the Te Deum drawn up to explain a new method of chanting it, more in accordance with its content and meaning, which it is proposed to adopt in Church Service.

With Col. Warde's permission the convalescent wounded soldiers in Barham Court Hospital1 gave a concert in the Church Rooms on the 8th November, in aid of the funds of the Y.M.C.A. The items were mostly of the funny type, and the performers showed much talent.  We crowded nearlv 240 people into the rooms, using the side room as well as the large one, and took in all the sum of £8 6s. The expenses came to 12s., and the difference may have to be reduced by payment of the entertainment tax but, if so, we hope to get the tax refunded for the benefit of the Y.M.C.A. War Funds.

We welcome the opening of a "Tabard" Library at Fellowes' shop, but it has rendered unnecessary the continuance of the ""Popular Book Club" at the Church Rooms, from which books could only be exchanged  once a week at a fixed hour.  It has  been  decided,  therefore, to close the latter on December 6th, when the subscription runs out.  Started some years ago by Mrs. Lambert, who with the  help of Miss Lambert, has neatly covered all the books, the library has served a useful purpose. All those who have used it will wish  to  express their gratitude to Mrs. and Miss  Lambert, and Mrs. and Miss Maude Benfield, who have throughout given up time to preside at the weekly exchange of books.

C.E.Z.M.S.—The following note, received from Miss Fremlin, was inadvertently omitted from last month's Magazine :—" A parcel of hospital necessaries has been sent off, kindly made and given by friends in the village."

Mr. E. A. Smith is appealing for funds to enable him to send, as he did last year, a Christmas present to all the old boys of the school who are serving their country in the Forces.  Last year the Vicar also, with the help of a parishioner, sent a New Year's present to all the men (being parishioners) on  the  Intercession List. This year he proposes not to duplicate but to supplement Mr. Smith's effort by sending to all parishioners who are serving and are not on Mr. Smith's list. For this purpose he will be glad to receive small subscriptions from any who would like to contribute. They should be sent at once, as there is no time to lose.

KENTISH PRISONERS OF WAR.-Mrs. W. W. Blest writes to say that Lord Harris is sending out another appeal for funds to supply comforts to the Kentish soldiers who are prisoners of war; and to ask all those who subscribed to the fund last year, and any others who may wish to do so this year, to send him their subscriptions (addressed to Broomscroft) without waiting for any further or personal appeal from him. Amid the many calls upon our private resources we are apt to overlook the needs of the prisoners: little information as to their condition is allowed to leak out of Germany, but the little we hear reminds us that there is no need more sore than theirs, no stronger claim upon our consideration. The subscription list will be published in the December Magazine.

SCOUTS' CONFERENCE AND RALLY AT CHATHAM.—Chief Scout Sir Robert Baden Powell visited Chatham on October 13th and 14th, on the first day to attend a Patrol Leaders' Conference at the Town Hall, and on the second to hold an Inspection of Scouts from the Northern half of Kent. The conference was entirely arranged and carried out by Boy Scouts, and only "B.P." himself was allowed to be present at the Conference. Four Papers on different Scout subjects were read and discussed by the boys, three in the afternoon and one in the evening session, the Chief Scout summing up after each session. The Paper for the evening was by P. L. Reg. Rogers (Wateringbury Troop) on the subject " How to deal with the Slacker," and brought forth over an hour's animated discussion. The Chief was very pleased and afterwards expressed a hope that the associations concerned would have the Papers, etc., printed. This will probably be done.

The Rally on Sunday, the 14th, will be long remembered by all present. The weather was magnificent, and the 2,000 Boy Scouts, Wolf Cubs, and Girl Guides with their colours, the visitors, Naval and Military Officers and the Royal Marines Band made a splendid show on the Barrack Square. Sightseers were even perched on the roofs of houses opposite! Lady Baden Powell attended the Rally and inspected the Girl Guides, while the Chief did the same for the Scouts. As there were not many Girl Guides, Lady Baden Powell came round to the Scouts and was just able to reach the Wateringbury Troop and have a talk with the C.M. and S.M. before the National Anthem was called for. The whole parade then marched off, with their bands playing, to the Empire Theatre, where a Scouts Own was held, at which the Dean of Rochester and others assisted, and Mr. Geoffrey Elwes (Head Quarters Gazette Editor) gave a splendid address. Whilst this was going on B.P. was meeting the Scout Officers at the Masonic Hall for the purpose of an informal chat, after which all proceeded to the Empire Theatre to listen to an address by the Chief. Ringing cheers greeted the Chief on his entry on to the stage, which was filled with Scout officials, officers of both services (many of them Scout workers), Mayors of the three towns, the Dean of Rochester, Major Whitcombe (District Com.), and Mr Alex. J. Tassell, the prime mover in the whole business.

It is doubtful whether the Empire Theatre has ever had such an audience before and probably it will be long before it is again filled in the same way, but by those lucky enough to be present the scene will never be forgotten. From Wateringbury ten Boy Scouts, four Wolf Cubs, the C.M. (Mrs. Smith) and S.M. (Mr. E. A. Smith), attended on the Sunday, sandwiching the journey between morning and evening services at Wateringbury Church! On the Saturday only P.L.'s and Seconds were allowed to take part, and those attending were P.L. Reginald Rogers, P.L. Geo. Shepherd, and 2nd Fred. Green.

May we close this brief account of a memorable occasion with an appeal for more Boy Scouts and more Wolf Cubs from our village. We only number about 28 altogether and we should have at least double the number. The best thing a boy can do for himself and his country now is to join the Boy Scouts, and the best thing his parents can do for the boy is to let him join.—E.A.S.

THE WATERINGBURY PLATOON OF THE 5TH BATTALION KENT VOLUNTEER REGIMENT.—On Wednesday, Nov. 7th, a successful meeting and smoking concert in connection with the Volunteer movement was held in Wateringbury, its object being to recruit a sufficient number of men to form a local platoon of the 5th Battalion Kent Volunteer Regiment whose headquarters are in Maidstone.

Mr. Walter Phillips, of the Hermitage, who has received a commission as Sec. Lieut, in the 5th Battalion, was responsible for organising the meeting. Lieut.-Colonel A. C. Borton, who commands the battalion, occupied the chair, and supporting him were Col. C. E. Warde, M.P. (Commandant, Mid Kent Group of Volunteers), Capt. F. H. Stevens, Capt. W. C. Price (Battalion Adjutant), Capt. C. B. Mercer, Capt. F. J. Bryan, and a number of officers of the battalion. Some of the convalescent soldiers at Barham Court provided a programme of music of which the audience were highly appreciative. Mr. Smith was the accompanist.

The object of the meeting was explained by Capt. Mercer, who stated that it was hoped to raise that evening a Wateringbury platoon of the Volunteer Force. The Battalion Adjutant (Capt. Price) explained that the role of the force was twofold. It was designed, in the first place, to form a trained body of men available for home service on emergency to supplement Regular and Territorial troops, and, secondly, to carry out certain guard and other duties prior to emergency by means of part-time service on a rota system.

On enrolment a Volunteer legally binds himself to come out for actual military service, in Great Britain, only if and when an invasion is imminent. Recruits must be not under the medical standard known as "C1." They are entered into Section "A" if they are over military age: into Section "B'' if they are of military age; and into Section "C" if they are under military age, and are therefore not due to come up for military service. On joining Section "A," "B," or "C" the Volunteer undertakes to perform a certain definite programme of training and to continue serving in the Force until the end of the war. The programme entails 14 drills of one hour each every month until the Volunteer is passed efficient by an officer authorized to supervise tests. After being passed efficient he is required to attend only 10 drills of one hour each month. For men employed whole time on agriculture special facilities are granted during the months from June to September inclusive.

The advantages of joining the Sections mentioned are as follows :—Free uniform and equipment are provided, greatcoats are issued and the regulation army boots supplied at only half the actual cost. Arms and accoutrements also are supplied free, and free issues of ammunition are made for practice in musketry in the open and miniature rifle ranges.

We understand that Mr. Walter Phillips has already secured 40 recruits, but still requires a further 20 men to bring his platoon up to full strength. Drill takes place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 10 a.m. As a temporary arrangement the drills are held at the King's Head Hotel, but it is hoped to obtain the use of one of Mr. Chamber's oast houses in the future.—Communicated.

Notes:

1.See also List of land and sea forces 1917 and War Savings again 1917  for other Wateringbury events involving wounded from Barham Court hospital. Charles Warde (born 1845 so over 70 years old at this time) was the long term tenant of Barham Court, Teston. During the war he established a military hospital at Barham Court to which wounded soldiers were sent direct from evacuation ships at Chatham. It had 36 beds and in all 530 patients passed through its hands. A photo of Colonel Warde and Mrs Warde in 1916 with war wounded at Barham Court is included in Joan Severn's book "The Teston Story". After the war Colonel Warde received a knighthood.