The Great War News from
Lancaster in 1914
30th October 1914
These pages include reports from the local press in Lancaster and
district from October 1914.
Local War Items
Several members of the Canadian contingent formerly resident in
Lancaster have been spending their leave in the town during the last few
days.
A draft of about 80 men left Bowerham Barracks last evening week, and a
further draft of about 50 left on Wednesday. Very few men are enlisting.
Lancaster people are asked to save their old newspapers, and to send a
card to Mr J Hartley, Meadowside, who will have the same collected by
boy scouts, and the proceeds will be handed to the Belgian refugee fund.
The amount handed over to the Mayor’s relief fund from the first
performance at the Palladium on Monday night is £17 4s and 5d. On
Tuesday evening next a similar performance is to be given, and the
proceeds will be devoted to the local Belgian refugee fund. The Mayor,
Deputy Mayor, and most of the Belgian refugees now in Lancaster will be
present.
Infirmary Beds
The following gifts have been received or promised for the special beds
at the Infirmary: sheets and pillow cases, Mrs B H Satterthwaite; bed
socks, Mrs Sproat; nightingales, Miss Tomlinson, Heysham House; beef
tea, the Mayoress (Mrs Briggs), Miss Leeming, Mrs Frank Storey.
5th Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment
Most of the men who were on furlough last week end rejoined the
battalion on Monday. It is expected that the battalion will shortly
proceed to Sevenoaks, Kent.
The Reserve Battalion is now about 848 strong, but there are nearly 200
more men required to attain full strength. It is reported that the
battalion will proceed to Blackpool for special training.
Another King’s Own Man in Germany
News was received on Saturday, at Endmoor, his home, that Sergeant J
Bamford, of the King’s Own, who was officially reported missing is now a
prisoner of war in the British compound at Sennitager, Germany. The news
came to his mother and sister in the form of a postcard in which the
sergeant said he had been wounded in both legs (in the action of August
26th), but was well in health, though lame. He said the British
prisoners were being treated as well as could be expected under the
circumstances. A brother of the sergeant, an ex-King’s Own man, lives in
Rosebery Avenue.
News from Sergeant J H Williams A Princess’s Kindness
Mr and Mrs Ellis Williams of Hanmer Place, Bowerham, have within the
last few days received a postcard from their son, Sergeant John H
Williams, of the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, who
has been missing since the fighting near Mons. On the address side of
the card, which is dated 16th October, appears the following note,
signed “Princess of Pless” :-
“I send you this from ----, where I saw your friend. I am a sister
there. He will soon be stronger, but must wait till the war is over to
come home.”
The postcard, which is addressed “To all,” states:- “I am in a large
hospital in Berlin (Templehof Garrison), and arrived here on Sunday from
Doberitz. I was wounded on 26th August in the right thigh at Harcourt,
in France. Was, of course, taken prisoner, as I could not move, and sent
back to Ligny, in Belgium, under a German guard. I remained there three
weeks and then moved to Cambrai, and so by train through Germany to
Doberitz, some 12 miles from Berlin. Here my wound took a turn for the
worse, and I was operated upon for abscess, and, unfortunately, they
struck an artery. I remained in hospital at Doberitz, but, with its only
being an improvised hospital they could do me no good. Anyhow, I was
taken to Berlin last Sunday (11th October) and was again operated upon
on the following Tuesday, and am now doing very well. When you write,
write on an open postcard. I don’t know how long I shall be here. I am
dying to hear from someone. I hope all are keeping well and in the best
of spirits. I have received no news whatever since the wire you sent me
in Harrow.”
Mr and Mrs Williams express deep gratitude to the Princess for her
kindly interest in forwarding the card.
Only a proportion of our collections
are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display
in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of
our collections which are held in store.
