Saturday September 12th, 1914
PUBLIC MEETING: RECRUITMENT
A public meeting was held in the old schoolroom, Holme, on Tuesday, for the purpose of enlisting recruits for Kitchener’s Army. There was a good attendance. Mr. R. M. Deighton, who presided, was supported on the platform by Col. Walker-Jones, Dr. Henderson, Messrs. F. L. O’Dwyer, John Somervell, Staff-Sergt. Percy Harrison, the Rev. W. Jardine, W. M. Hayton, and H. C. Tattersall.
Mr. F. L. O’Dwyer said he was not a war man at all, but he felt it was the duty of everyone in the present war to do all in their power to help the weaker nations. The people in Holme and Holme mills were already feeling the effects of the war, and would most probably do so for a long time. If any of the men offered their services to their country and were accepted they would have their work given back to them when they returned. Col. Walker-Jones appealed to the men to come forward and enlist. He himself had offered his services to his country on August 1st, but unfortunately he had been born too soon. He had, however, a son in the Navy who was helping to defend our shores from the Germans. Germany was wanting to have a go at us in England. Mr. H. C. Tattersall urged upon young men the need for immediate action. Mr. W. M. Hayton appealed to his fellow workmen to come forward and join the colours. Although he was married he had tried once and been rejected, but he was going to try again. Work round about was bad to get, and if the young fellows would come forward it would leave work for the older men who were unable to go and serve their country. Dr. Henderson made a stirring speech. Staff-Sergt. Percy Harrison, who spoke in place of Major R. Rigg, who was detained in Kendal, appealed to the young men of Holme, many of whom he knew personally, whom he had met many times on the football field. There was no time for football now they were playing a more serious game, and he hoped they would come forward and help their country. Mr. John Somervell made a rousing appeal to the audience. He was opposed to war and hated war intensely, but all knew the present war was going to be one which was for a lasting peace and in support of the weak; therefore he supported this war. Five weeks ago he was in Paris and he was glad to get home again. A day or so ago he was in conversation with a lady who had only just returned from Paris, and she told him stories of Belgian children who had been cut down by Germans in the streets and other awful atrocities which had been committed. Now the Germans were wanting to go for us, and if they were successful in capturing Paris, London would be their next goal, and we could picture to ourselves villagers fleeing before the Germans. He had two sons who had offered their services as dispatch riders, but could not get on. They had now enlisted with the colours. Although everyone would be sorry to part with their sons, yet they must be proud to see them stand up for their country and help to defeat the Germans. The Rev. W. Jardine also addressed the audience. At the close of the speeches the National Anthem was sung and recruits were called for. In response to the appeal 17 men gave their names in for enlistment. The village has now offered over 25 for service in all. Mr. H. C. Tattersall took the names of the recruits and the meeting closed with three hearty cheers for them.
PUBLIC MEETING: RECRUITMENT
A public meeting was held in the old schoolroom, Holme, on Tuesday, for the purpose of enlisting recruits for Kitchener’s Army. There was a good attendance. Mr. R. M. Deighton, who presided, was supported on the platform by Col. Walker-Jones, Dr. Henderson, Messrs. F. L. O’Dwyer, John Somervell, Staff-Sergt. Percy Harrison, the Rev. W. Jardine, W. M. Hayton, and H. C. Tattersall.
Mr. F. L. O’Dwyer said he was not a war man at all, but he felt it was the duty of everyone in the present war to do all in their power to help the weaker nations. The people in Holme and Holme mills were already feeling the effects of the war, and would most probably do so for a long time. If any of the men offered their services to their country and were accepted they would have their work given back to them when they returned. Col. Walker-Jones appealed to the men to come forward and enlist. He himself had offered his services to his country on August 1st, but unfortunately he had been born too soon. He had, however, a son in the Navy who was helping to defend our shores from the Germans. Germany was wanting to have a go at us in England. Mr. H. C. Tattersall urged upon young men the need for immediate action. Mr. W. M. Hayton appealed to his fellow workmen to come forward and join the colours. Although he was married he had tried once and been rejected, but he was going to try again. Work round about was bad to get, and if the young fellows would come forward it would leave work for the older men who were unable to go and serve their country. Dr. Henderson made a stirring speech. Staff-Sergt. Percy Harrison, who spoke in place of Major R. Rigg, who was detained in Kendal, appealed to the young men of Holme, many of whom he knew personally, whom he had met many times on the football field. There was no time for football now they were playing a more serious game, and he hoped they would come forward and help their country. Mr. John Somervell made a rousing appeal to the audience. He was opposed to war and hated war intensely, but all knew the present war was going to be one which was for a lasting peace and in support of the weak; therefore he supported this war. Five weeks ago he was in Paris and he was glad to get home again. A day or so ago he was in conversation with a lady who had only just returned from Paris, and she told him stories of Belgian children who had been cut down by Germans in the streets and other awful atrocities which had been committed. Now the Germans were wanting to go for us, and if they were successful in capturing Paris, London would be their next goal, and we could picture to ourselves villagers fleeing before the Germans. He had two sons who had offered their services as dispatch riders, but could not get on. They had now enlisted with the colours. Although everyone would be sorry to part with their sons, yet they must be proud to see them stand up for their country and help to defeat the Germans. The Rev. W. Jardine also addressed the audience. At the close of the speeches the National Anthem was sung and recruits were called for. In response to the appeal 17 men gave their names in for enlistment. The village has now offered over 25 for service in all. Mr. H. C. Tattersall took the names of the recruits and the meeting closed with three hearty cheers for them.
