𝄞 They were called in from the glen,
And the country found them ready
At the stirring call for men.
Let no tears add to their hardship,
As the soldiers pass along,
And although your heart is breaking
Make it sing this cheery song:
Keep the home fires burning
While your hearts are yearning,
Though the lads are far away,
They dream of home.
There’s a silver lining,
Through the dark clouds shining,
Turn the dark cloud inside out,
Till the boys come home. 𝄞
1915
Six blasts of the hooter will be sounded in the event of Zeppelins approaching Swindon.
Committee decides to spend £2 a week on groceries for Wiltshire POWs.
20th January
George Bathe, STFC, Wiltshire Regiment, killed.
You can only get four of ‘the humble’ Woodbines for a penny now too, instead of five.
Licensing hours restricted too.
February 5th
Swindon Town Miniature Rifle Club propose that a local Volunteer Training Corps be formed with of men ineligible for the army but who could be trained for the possibility of confronting invasion.
An outdoor rifle range will follow at the Town Gardens and Gorse Hill School will be used for drilling.
The new Army Cyclist Corp is formed, based at Chisledon.
Its brief is to patrol the coast so as to respond with mobile alacrity in the event of invasion.
𝄞
Goodby-ee,! Goodbyee!
Wipe the tear, baby dear, from your eye-ee,
Though it’s hard to part I know,
I’ll be tickled to death to go!
Don’t cry-ee, don’t sigh-ee,
There’s a silver lining in the sky-ee!
Bon soir, old thing, cheerio, chin chin,
Nah-poo, toodle-oo, goodbye-ee!
March 10-12th
Goodby-ee,! Goodbyee!
Wipe the tear, baby dear, from your eye-ee,
Though it’s hard to part I know,
I’ll be tickled to death to go!
Don’t cry-ee, don’t sigh-ee,
There’s a silver lining in the sky-ee!
Bon soir, old thing, cheerio, chin chin,
Nah-poo, toodle-oo, goodbye-ee!
‘the desperate battle of Neuve Chapelle’
Wiltshire 2nd Battalion in the thick of it with terrible losses.
a letter home ran thus:‘It was a terrible fight, for all my poor mates fell, and how I came through is a miracle.
We are proud to say we drove the Germans out of their trenches and captured about 1,000 prisoners.
The Germans don’t like cold steel … It was a terrible sight to see so many dead with which the ground was littered’.
Lusitania sunk with two Swindonians on board: Mrs Chirgwin and Richard, her son, on board returning from a holiday in Cuba, killed.15th May
The large hall within the Town Hall opened as a ‘soldier’s rest’ with tea, meals and concerts – a welcome contrast with camp life at Chiseldon.23rd May
Battle of Loos sees men of Swindon in action: 2nd Wilts.
The Soldier’s Rest in Newport Street is so popular with its quiet facilities for reading, writing, tea and whist that 3,000 soldiers use it in just one weekend.
With costs increasing beyond the income from subscriptions, the committee decides it would have to charge 3d. a head per visit.
Sister Susie’s sewing shirts for soldiers,
Such skill at sewing shirts our shy young sister Susie shows!
Some soldiers send epistles, say they’d rather sleep in thistles
Than the saucy soft short shirts for soldiers sister Susie sews.
Such skill at sewing shirts our shy young sister Susie shows!
Some soldiers send epistles, say they’d rather sleep in thistles
Than the saucy soft short shirts for soldiers sister Susie sews.
Who’s for the game, the biggest that’s played,
The red crashing game of a fight? Who’ll grip and tackle the job unafraid? And who thinks he’d rather sit tight? Who’ll toe the line for the signal to ‘Go!’? Who’ll give his country a hand? Who wants a turn to himself in the show? And who wants a seat in the stand?
Rex Warneford shoots down a Zeppelin, when flying over Brussels. Awarded the VC.
The red crashing game of a fight? Who’ll grip and tackle the job unafraid? And who thinks he’d rather sit tight? Who’ll toe the line for the signal to ‘Go!’? Who’ll give his country a hand? Who wants a turn to himself in the show? And who wants a seat in the stand?
William Legget dies with his brother Ernest by his side:
‘He was a very brave chap and was very happy, right up to the last. I was proud of the way he stuck it out’ is what Ernest wrote to their mother.
(Ernest would later be KIA.)
The Wiltshires arrive at Gallipoli. Their bravery will earn them the sobriquet: ‘The Iron Division’.
If I should die, think only this of me: That there is some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England …’12th July
Jim Chalmers, STFC, KIA Gallipoli, aged 37, Royal Scots Fusiliers.14th July
Edward Thomas joins up and writes ‘For These’: his reasons for enlisting.‘ … And also that something may be sent To be contented with, I ask of Fate.’My mum born and is named Nancy Mary Lorraine ‘in honour of our gallant French allies.’ It is Bastille Day.
Who knows it won’t be a picnic – not much- Yet eagerly shoulders a gun? Who would much rather come back with a crutch Than lie low and be out of the fun? Come along, lads – But you’ll come on all right – For there’s only one course to pursue, Your country is up to her neck in a fight, And she’s looking and calling for you.Wiltshires involved at Loos.
Poor Law Unions report a decline in vagrancy but an increase in the number of casual tramps.
Stratton Workhouse reports on a reduction in inmates and the provision of outdoor relief.
The roads continue to deteriorate with so much military traffic – and the streets are dimly lit
… potholes a constant menace.
If you want to find the old battalion,
I know where they are, I know where they are, I know where they are
If you want to find the old battalion, I know where they are,
They’re hanging on the old barbed wire,
I’ve seen ’em, I’ve seen ’em, hanging on the old barbed wire.
I’ve seen ’em, I’ve seen ’em, hanging on the old barbed wire.
I know where they are, I know where they are, I know where they are
If you want to find the old battalion, I know where they are,
They’re hanging on the old barbed wire,
I’ve seen ’em, I’ve seen ’em, hanging on the old barbed wire.
I’ve seen ’em, I’ve seen ’em, hanging on the old barbed wire.
Swindonian POWs number almost ninety – the total will not radically increase until the March 1918 German offensive.
The ‘Bantams’ arrive in town – men of five feet in height seen marching in unison with six-foot sergeants.
Scarlet fever epidemic hits the town: an embargo on the Soldier’s Rest.
Christmas Day
Stratton Workhouse inmates did have their usual dinner, a tree and a visit to the Arcadia picture house …Boxing DayIt was Christmas Day in the workhouse,Reading 4 Swindon 3
The ‘appiest day of the year,
Men’s hearts were full of gladness
And their bellies full of beer …
Swindon 4 Reading 2 (‘a farcical game in a hurricane.’)December 31stWe’ve watched you playing cricket and every kind of game,
At football, golf and polo you men have made your name.
But now your country calls you to play your part in war.
And no matter what befalls you
We shall love you all the more.
So come and join the forces
As your fathers did before.
Oh, we don’t want to lose you but we think you ought to go.
For your King and your country both need you so.
We shall want you and miss you
But with all our might and main
We shall cheer you, thank you, bless you
When you come home again.
“ Hopes that were high last New Year’s Eve have been brought down to the dust of realities…
We have learned that there can be no such thing as an easy victory; the price must be paid to the full.”
Public praise for individuals contributing to the war effort – for example:Mr Haine of Sevenhampton with one acre of cabbages and one of turnips; the Hon Mrs Agar with the crops from eight apple trees and five walnut trees.<\blockquote>𝄞
I don’t want to be a soldier,
I don’t want to go to war,
I’d rather stay at home,
Around the streets to roam,
And live on the earnings of a lady typist.
I don’t want a bayonet in my belly,
I don’t want my shoulders shot away,
I’d rather stay in England,
In merry, merry England,
And eat and drink my drunken life away.
Stuart Butler
I wrote this after contacting STFC and Northampton Town FC. I arranged a ceremony for Walter Tull, first officer of colour in the British Army, KIA 1918, when Swindon entertained Northampton in 2018. Walter had played for Spurs and Northampton before volunteering. He was so loved by his men that they went out into No Man's Land to try and retrieve his body. We had a reading from a Northampton supporter and Swindon teacher at the Cenotaph before our walk of Remembrance. The bells of Christ Church pealed for us. It was utterly moving. The constant, pelting rain seemed appropriate.
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