The Derby Daily Telegraph

Wednesday 2nd September 1914


DERBY CLERKS ENLISTING

AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF

Remarkable scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed at the Derby Midland Station on Tuesday evening, when about 200 clerks left the town en route for The Curragh, with the object of joining the hussars.

These young men have been induced to join the colours by the activity of Major Sandwith, the superintendent of the Stores Department of the Midland Railway Company, whose old regiment is the 8th Hussars. As a reserve officer of that regiment, he was recently mobilised for duty, and has been appointed the officer in charge of the 10th Reserve Cavalry Regiment in Dublin. He recently returned to Derby on special leave, and at the latter end of last week he made an appeal to the clerks, more particularly those in his department to come forward and help their country.

The result was that some 120 clerks in the employ of the company decided to enlist, and expressed a desire to serve with Major Sandwith. Other clerks in large establishments in the town also came forward, including a a goodly number from Messrs Bemrose and Sons, Messrs Walkerdine’s, etc, and the idea is to form a battalion among themselves and keep together as one big unit from the same town.

Thus it came about that these recruits left Derby by a special train at eight o’clock on Tuesday night for Heysham, where they caught the Irish boat, and will in due course be attested and enrolled in Dublin. The news of their departure, at relatively short notice, spread with extraordinary rapidity, and an immense crowd assembled at the station an in its vicinity and gave them a remarkably fine send-off. The principal platform and the bridges overlooking it were absolutely packed with fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts - the latter appeared to predominate - and friends, and the crush was so great that the intention to have a parade of the men and the roll call had to be abandoned. Indeed, some of the budding soldiers experienced considerable difficulty in reaching the train, which, by the way, consisted of 15 corridor coaches, and prior to its departure the crowd joined in singing patriotic songs, “God save the King” and “Rule Britannia” being repeatedly rendered with unwonted vigour and enthusiasm.

Eventually the train steamed slowly out of the station to the accompaniment of deafening cheers and the waving of miniature Union Jacks, the crowd quite shouting themselves hoarse. It was a matter of general comment that the young fellows presented a very fine and smart appearance, and should make excellent soldiers after a little training. Several of them have already seen active service in the Boer war, and consequently their experiences will be decidedly useful, whilst amongst them are many well-known local athletes, including nearly a score of members of the Derby Rowing Club. These had a particularly rousing send-off from their comrades. Major Butler, of the Stores Department, was in command of the men.

Derbyshire Advertiser

Friday 4th September 1914


CLERKS AS RECRUITS

Amongst the clerks employed by the Midland Railway Company at Derby the spirit of patriotism has been demonstrated in the most practical way by joining the Colours.

For some time now Major Sandwith has been receiving the names of all men willing to serve in Lord Kitchener's new regiment of Hussars, whose barracks are at the Curragh, Dublin. A party of 165 men departed on Tuesday, and a second party is to go on Tuesday next.

The Midland Railway directors have arranged special facilities in order to encourage recruiting, the expense of the journey to Dublin being borne by the company, whilst the dependents of married men are to receive a substantial allowance, and all posts are to be kept open for the men on their return.

Major Sandwith asks us to state that any young man wishing to join the Hussars should send in his name and address or interview him at the Midland Railway offices, where he is in attendance daily. Any such recruit may join next Tuesday's detachment.

A remarkable scene of enthusiasm marked the departure of the men, on Tuesday evening, for the headquarters of the regiment at the Curragh. Several thousand people assembled at the station, crowding the longest platform from end to end, and cheered themselves hoarse as the train containing the recruits moved out.