Читать книгу Craven's Part in the Great War - John T. Clayton - Страница 18

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On July 26th, 1914, the 6th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s Regt. went into camp near the little village of Marske for its annual training, and it was amid the peaceful moorlands of the Yorkshire coast that it heard the first rumblings of the storm to come. When the camp was suddenly broken up and the companies returned home on the fateful first Monday of August, there was a general feeling of tense expectation. They had not long to wait. At 6 p.m. the following day (Tuesday, August 4th), the orders for mobilization were issued from Skipton Drill Hall, and the Skipton men at once began to stream in. The outlying companies arrived during the night, and at noon next day the complete battalion, with a heterogeneous transport commandeered from willing neighbours, entrained for Immingham Dock under the command of Lieut.-Col. John Birkbeck, of Settle. The rapidity with which the change from peace to war conditions was effected is abundant testimony to the keenness of all ranks and to the practical character of the Territorial organization; but the chief credit of the successful move must be given to the sleepless labours of the three South African veterans, Capt. Sidney Marriner (Adjutant), Lieut. John Churchman, D.C.M. (Quartermaster), and Regimental Sergt.-Major Buckley.