RECRUITS FOR NEW BATTALION

Over 300 Have Joined Ashton Territorials

VOLUNTEERS FOR SERVICE ABROAD

Saturday, October 10, 1914:

Recruits for the new Ashton Battalion of Territorials are coming forward at a splendid rate. Up to date over 300 have joined and recruits are being received at the rate of 25 a day which is as many as the staff at the Armoury, with their other important duties, are able to deal with. All the recruits are of an excellent character. During the week the men have been paraded every day and taken on a daily route march led by drums and bugles, their appearance attracting much public attention and favourable comment. They receive a guinea a week. Practically all the recruits have volunteered for foreign service.

ANOTHER 130 RECRUITS IN ASHTON

Saturday, October 17, 1914:

During the week another 130 recruits have been added to the new Ashton Territorial Battalion, making a total of about 450. Recruits are being enrolled as fast as the staff at the Armoury can deal with them. Below we give the names of the recruits who have been accepted since we published the list last week.

[However, not everyone was happy with the results of the various recruiting drives …]

SCENES AROUND THE ARMOURY

Saturday, November 7, 1914:

The Rev. A. C. Sinclair, vicar of St. Stephen’s Audenshaw, in the Parish Magazine makes a strong appeal to the parishioners on behalf of sobriety amongst soldiers. He says: –

I do not write as a fantastical teetotaler. As most of you know, I am not even a pledged abstainer. I write merely from the standpoint of a Christian citizen, deploring the necessity which drives me to speak. There seems to be no possible room to doubt that we are face to face with a great increase of drunkenness, and of the other moral evils which follow in its train. One’s own observation and the testimony of many others who have had opportunities for forming an accurate judgement, combine to assure one of this. Soldiers on their way to join the forces get into the train – sometimes need to be lifted into them – in a state of intoxication, and among many of those who are left behind increased drinking is rife.

 As regards other evils, continues the Vicar, I will only invite anyone who wishes to be convinced of the truth of these words to spend a little time outside the Armoury in Old-street, and watch the conduct and listen to the conversation of some of the recruits with the young women who hang around its doors.

RECRUITING RECORD IN ASHTON

The New Double Company System

240 ENLIST IN JUST OVER A WEEK

Saturday, January 9, 1915:

Ashton has achieved something in the nature of a record recently in regard to rapid recruiting for the Territorials. The advent of the new double company system of training in platoons, instead of sections, constituted a re-arrangement of the 9^th (Ashton) Reserve Battalion Manchester Regiment, stationed at Southport, as a result of which an order was received by Captain R. Lees, commanding the depot of the 9^th Battalion at the Ashton Armoury, to obtain recruits for two companies, which meant an additional 240 men. On Wednesday evening recruiting ceased, the requisite number of men having been obtained in a little over a week. They will form one company, and until further orders are received, they will remain in training at Ashton. They are a fine body of men, and among the applicants very few were rejected on the grounds of physical fitness by the medical officer, Dr. Corns The standard of height is 5ft 3in and the recruits were 19 years of age and older. They were required to sign a declaration for service abroad.

Facilities have been provided for training the men at Ashton golf links at Hr. Hurst, and the Secondary School playing field near the Infirmary, whilst the Brushes shooting range will be available for firing practice. Captain [George] Makin and Lieuts. A. Conner and Wilkinson have been transferred from Southport to assist Captain Lees in the training of the men. On Sunday morning the new recruits will parade at the Armoury, and will attend divine service at Albion Congregational Church.

THE MANCHESTERS

One of the Most Famous Regiments in the Army

RECORDS IN RECRUITING

Saturday, January 23, 1915:

The Manchester Regiment is one of the oldest and most famous in the Army. It has a famous fighting history, extending back 230 years. It has fought in almost every part of the globe. Upon its colours are registered battle honours which have been won in Egypt, Egmont-op-Zee, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Peninsula, Alma, Inkerman, Sevastopol, New Zealand, Afghanistan 1879-1880, Egypt 1882, South Africa 1899-1902, and the defence of Ladysmith.

The 1^st and 2^nd Battalions of the Manchesters are now fighting at the front. Casualties are heavy, and the men look to their native city and county to fill up the gaps which the heavy fighting causes. Any man in the Manchester zone who thinks of serving his King and country should enlist in the Manchester Regiment; he could not be serving under finer tradition, with finer soldiers. He could not be trained under better officers. Everything which can be done to make the raw recruit into an efficient soldier is carefully seen to at the Regiment’s headquarters at Ashton-under-Lyne.

It is of interest to note the following particulars of what such recruit secures on enlistment. There is no delay in providing a full khaki uniform; there is a free issue of underclothing – two suits, three shirts, three pairs of socks, boots, ties, soap, razor, shaving-brush, tooth-brush, hair-brush, and comb, hold-all, muffler, braces, watertight kit-bag, knife, fork, spoon, etc. Three blankets and sheets are issued CLEAN to each recruit. The barracks and huts all have fires, and tents are not being used until the weather becomes favourable. The men at Cleethorpes live in houses. The catering is carefully attended to, good food being provided. Breakfast comprises bread, butter, tea and meat; dinner meat and vegetables, and puddings; tea bread, butter, tea and jam or meat; supper soup, bread and cheese. As much as may be required is provided.

The formation of the Manchester Regiment is of considerable interest at the present, when such strenuous efforts are being made to raise a large number of men that are still required.

The 1^st Battalion, now at the front, is commanded by Lieut.-Colonel E. P. Strickland, and was moved from India to France with the Indian contingent. The battalion was the old 63^rd Foot, and traces back to 1683. The men comprising the 1^st Battalion are made up of serving men doing their 12 years, and Reservists, or ex-soldiers from the 4^th Battalion.

The 2^nd Battalion is commanded by Lieut.-Colonel H. L. James, and was at the Curragh at the commencement of the war. It was one of the first Battalions to reach France. The 2^nd was the old 96^th Foot, formed from the Minorca Regiment in 1804, and on July 1^st, 1881 it became the 2^nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. It is made up of serving men doing their 12 years, and Reservists or ex-soldiers from the 3^rd Battalion.

The 3^rd and 4^th Battalions are stationed on the Humber defences at the present time. The 3^rd is commanded by Lieut.-Colonel H. K. Oram, and is used as a special reserve for the 2^nd Battalion at the front.

The 4^th Battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel J. H. M. Jepp, D.S.O., is also on the Humber defences, and is used as a reserve of the 1^st Battalion. It is on account of the heavy drafts which have had to be sent from the 3^rd and 4^th Battalions to the 1^st and 2^nd Battalions of the Manchester Regiment, now at the front, that the special appeal is being made for further men this week.

From the 5^th to the 10^th Battalions are Territorials; from the 11^th to the 14^th are special battalions formed for the period of the war. The 16^th to the 23^rd are the well-known City Battalions, for which recruits are also still wanted. The 24^th Battalion is that formed at Oldham.

Special efforts are being made to ensure the largest number of men possible during the next few days, and it is hoped that the Manchester Regiment will secure the first place in the choice of all recruits who are enlisting at the present time.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester has kindly given his consent to the men of the Manchester Town Hall for additional recruiting. This, in conjunction with the fact that it is for the famous Manchesters that the call is being made, should bring a large number of recruits to the regiment during the next few days.

Recruiting is now in progress and will continue until Monday, 1^st February. The City Battalions are being simultaneously recruited at the Town Hall and recruits may join any of these battalions should they prefer to do so.

TERMS OF ENLISTMENT IN TERRITORIALS

New Army Order Regulations

Saturday, May 15, 1915:

An Army Order provides that during the remaining period of the present war, the age for enlistment or re-enlistment in the Territorial Force will be from 19 to 38 instead of from 17 to 33 years as hitherto except in cases of Inns of Court Officers’ Training Corps and the Artists’ Rifles. Ex-non-commissioned officers, Regulars and Territorials, not below the rank of sergeant, may be re-enlisted up to the age of 50, other ex-non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force up to 45. Enlistments for general hospitals will be restricted to men between 17 and 19 and over 38; shoeing smiths, saddlers and telegraphists may be enlisted up to the age of 50.

National Reservists who are required for the special purpose of guarding railways and other vulnerable points will be enlisted into the Territorial Forces in companies supernumary to existing battalions in that force. As far as possible, the selected battalions will be those raised in the district in which these ex-Nationalist Reservists are to be employed. The companies will number 120 all ranks, and will be organised in groups, each group being under the command of an officer termed the Supervising Officer, or Area Commandant or Section Commandant Lines of Communication. Each company will have three officers not above the rank of major appointed to the Territorial Force Reserve. No ex-Officer under the age of 40 will be accepted unless medically unfit for more active duties, and in no case will officers over the age of sixty be taken for this service.

National Reservists, except men employed on Government work, will be enlisted for one year or for the duration of the war in the rank of private, promotions being made after final approval to the extent authorised. Enlistment will be for service in any place in the United Kingdom. No man under the age of 38 medically fit to perform the ordinary duties of a soldier will be enlisted in these companies, and no man over 50 will be accepted. A new service of Territorial Force numbers commencing at 20,001 will be authorized for National Reserve numbers.

TO THE SINGLE MEN

An Ashton Territorial’s Appeal

Saturday, June 19, 1915:

TO THE EDITOR OF THE “REPORTER”
Sir – I have seen some of the letters to the shirkers of Ashton, and I quite agree with them. I expect if someone was to ask some of the single young men the reason why they did not join they would have the cheek to say, “My mother won’t let me.” But his mother won’t stop him from doing the “week-end toff” on Stamford Street, will she? Poor boy! Why can’t his mammie give him a tittty bottle or buy him a dummy tit, and put a card on his back with the words, “Mama’s darling!”

There are plenty of us here at Haywards Heath bursting to go to the front, and we can’t get there yet. We have left good homes, good work, and left the ones we love most dearly – our wives and children and mothers, and yet, those who are walking the streets creep out of the house like a mouse out of its hole to go and meet his best girl. If the girl had any respect for herself, she would take him to the nearest recruiting office and put him in and stay there while he passed the doctor.

I think if the married men had been the same as some of the single ones the war would have been over by now, and they would have found it out to their cost. Men – if you call yourself men – put some pluck into yourself and go and do your duty; don’t have insults pushed down your necks; don’t be forced to go – come of your own free will. Ashton will be the same when you come back. Go and join, and let your mothers and sweethearts see that you have got some pluck left in you yet. Don’t let it be said when the war is over, if you should meet one of your pals, “Did you stay at home?” What can you say? Think of it. Come now, and be able to hold your head up.

2/9 Manchester Regiment
Haywards Heath

TO THE EDITOR OF THE “REPORTER”

Saturday, June 19, 1915:

Sir – In last Saturday’s “Reporter” I read of young men not enlisting. I myself, a private in the 2/9 Manchesters, stationed at Haywards Heath, think that the young ladies of Ashton ought to have more sense than to speak to men who are able to join. I myself joined last November. I was at Southport till May. In my opinion the biggest part of the single men would rather talk round a taproom fire with the pint-pot in their hand than join the Army. I think myself every able young man ought to join in a time like this. When you read about your own pal being killed, I think it time someone also tried to get their own back.

There are 150 of our lot going to Sandwick for a little more shooting, and then they will be off to the Dardanelles. We ourselves are going through hard work at the present, but I myself would rather be at the front than here. In this war we need men, and without them it is impossible to win. I hope that single men of Ashton will come forward.
TOM BURNS

RECRUITING OFFICER CHARGED

Alleged Embezzlement at Ashton

Saturday, July 3, 1915:

At the Ashton Borough Police Court on Monday, William Redfern, who was formerly a recruiting officer at the Old Boar’s Head Inn, St Michael’s Square, Ashton, was brought up on remand, charged with embezzlement.

Mr. H. Hyde (Deputy Town Clerk), who appeared to prosecute, applied for a remand. He said that although the charge was for embezzling a sum of 2s 9d, the investigations had disclosed amounts considerably larger than that. The investigations were therefore rather involved.

The magistrates remanded the accused for a week.

RECRUITING OFFICER SENTENCED

A Charge of Larceny at Ashton

Betrayed Public Trust

Saturday, July 17, 1915:

At the Ashton borough Police Court on Monday William Redfern, formerly recruiting officer in the district, was charged with the larceny of £25 17s 6d, £3 5s, £2 11s and 2s 9d, the monies of the King.

Mr. H. Hyde (Deputy Town Clerk), who appeared to prosecute, said the defendant was appointed recruiting officer at Ashton on August 13^th, at an inclusive salary of £150 per annum. He had the entire control of the recruiting office at the Old Boar’s Head Inn, St. Michael’s Square, and he was responsible for the engagement and discharge of the clerical staff, and for the monies received and disbursed. Payments made by him were to be recorded in the usual Army cash book. Having kept a rough cash book the defendant came to the conclusion some time at the commencement of the year that it was in such a condition as to be apparently unfit for production to a superior officer for inspection. He had a fair copy of it made, and that copy had been taken possession of. It contained the various payments upon which these charges were based.

Owing to certain irregularities he was suspended on June 2^nd. The first charge, which appeared to be the most serious, concerned the insertion in the cash book of the name of a fictitious person, described as P.P.R. – a paid pensioner recruiter. At the outset, a pensioner, Colour-Sergeant Harman, was engaged as paid pensioner recruiter at a weekly wage of 17s 6d. In November last he was recalled to the colours, and there became a vacancy in the office. A clerk in the office, named Thompson, continued as a specially paid recruiter. After a few days he was taken ill, and died. From that time onward apparently weekly payments of 17s 6d had been entered in respect of a P.P.R., but there had been no such person in existence, and nobody had received the money.

When the recruiting office was established at the Old Boar’s Head Inn the defendant requested Mr. J. Walsh of the George and Dragon Hotel, to supply the necessary furniture. Mr. Walsh thought the furniture was being impressed, and that the defendant had a right to commandeer it, and that no charge should be made. Just before Christmas the defendant told Mr. Walsh he thought he had a right to payment. An account for £3 6s was made and receipted by Mr. Walsh, but no payment was made, the explanation given by the defendant being that receipts had to be sent to the army authorities before the money could be obtained. The item was entered in the defendant’s cash book as having been paid. In March, April and May weekly payments of 5s to a cook or assistant cook were entered in the cash book. The investigations showed that there was no such person in existence. Two receipts, each for £1, were signed by a Mrs. E. White, purporting to be payments made to her for cleaning or cooking. The person named had never been in the employment of the recruiting officer, and she had never received the amounts stated. An account for £3 2s 9d was received by the defendant from the Northern Hardware Company for goods supplied. Discount 2s 9d was allowed to the defendant, who entered the full amount in the cash book as having been paid.

In conclusion, Mr. Hyde said: “It will be an evil day for all of us if people who are placed in positions of trust like this betray that trust. The seriousness of this offence lies not so much in the amount misappropriated, but in the betrayal of the trust placed in him at a time of national emergency when we are compelled to trust those people who are placed in such positions.”

Frank Wilson Tetlow, retired hotel manager, 203 Park Road, Oldham, deposed to being engaged by the defendant in August last to act as clerk at the recruiting office. He bore out Mr. Hyde’s statement in regard to the death of recruiting officer Thompson, and said that no other specially paid recruiting officer had since been engaged.

The Defendant: Do you remember being appointed specially paid recruiter?
Witness: No
Defendant: You were appointed by Major Digby!
Witness: I never was.
Defendant: I distinctly say you were appointed. I gave you £2 each week, and you gave me 2s change. It was agreed to between you and I, all through the piece!
Witness: No. My wages were 23s per week, and afterwards they were increased to £2 5s per week.
Defendant: You know perfectly well that we agreed to divide. You received 10s every week and I received 7s 6d! – I have no knowledge of it whatever.
If the cash book could be found it would show his signature for the money as a specially paid recruiter. We divided it. It is right dead against me that that the cash book cannot be found.
The Magistrate’s Clerk (Mr. C. H. Booth): It was your book and you kept it.

Joseph Walsh, manager of the George and Dragon Hotel, Ashton, bore out the solicitor’s statement in regard to the receipt for £3 6s given by him in respect of the furniture.

The Defendant: It is very un-businesslike to give a receipt without obtaining the money. Do you generally do that sort of thing and receive no money?
Mr. Walsh: No, you said I should receive payment when the receipt had been sent to the military authorities.
Defendant: I say distinctly I paid you the money!
Mr. Walsh: No such thing.

Elizabeth Eleanor White, of Hurst, denied having received the amounts stated, and said she had never been engaged at the recruiting offices. She said the defendant had told her that she might be surprised to know that her name appeared on documents which would have to go to the War Office for cleaning and cooking.

The Defendant: She is not the Mrs. White referred to, it was only a joke.
Mrs. White asked why the defendant did not produce the other Mrs. White.

The Defendant: It was only a huge joke.
Mrs. White: I thought it was a huge joke until I was called here. It does not look as if it is a joke.
Defendant: To bring you in is absolutely ridiculous, because you are not the one referred to. It was only a bit of fun.
Mrs. White: I think it is a very serious position to put me in.
The Magistrate’s Clerk: It is very remarkable that you should have told this woman that her signature was on documents at the War Office.
Defendant: It is remarkable because I know the name is there.
Mr. Hyde: She has been subjected to an abominable persecution by the prisoner.
Defendant: I shan’t have that, now come!
Mrs. White: I shall speak the truth.

W. Thornley, partner in the Northern Hardware Company, Ashton, deposed to receiving payment of an account for £5 2s 9d from the defendant. The defendant said, “I suppose £5 will settle the account” and witness replied, “Oh, yes”. The defendant paid £5.

The Defendant: You generally put it down as discount?
Witness: Yes.

The defendant pleaded not guilty. He repeated his previous statement that the witness Tetlow was appointed special recruiter, and that the money was divided. He paid £3 6s to Mr. Walsh for the furniture. And Mr. Walsh gave him 26s.

The Clerk pointed out that it was strange that the defendant should send to the barracks a receipt for money which he had not received, and in respect of which he had sent a requisition.

The defendant said there was no Mrs. White at all except on the first day when he appointed an old lady of that name, but she made a whole hash of the business by placing curry in the coffee pot instead of coffee and nearly poisoning one of the recruits. Although he offered 10s a week he could not get anyone to cook and he did the work himself. Having been a caterer he made the soup, coffee, and biscuits. He received the 5s weekly because he thought he was entitled to it, seeing that he did the work. He signed the name of White because it was the first name that came into his head.

The Clerk: Although there was no Mrs. White you forged her name!
The Defendant: No, I didn’t. I continued the payment in the old woman’s name. With regard to the 2s 9d not accounted for, it was a clerical error.

Mr. Hyde pointed out that the accounts were certified by the defendant as being correct.

Sarah Ann Walsh, wife of the licensee of the George and Dragon Hotel, was called, and spoke to receiving 15s from the defendant , who told her it was on account of the furniture. He told her to give the money to her husband, and said he would let him have the remainder later.

The magistrates sent the accused to prison for six months with hard labour in the first case, and three months in the other cases, two to run concurrently, or 12 months altogether.

The Prisoner: I thought you could not give me more than six months, otherwise I should have gone to the sessions.

The Mayor (Colonel C. R. Wainwright, T.D., D. L.): You would probably have got more at the sessions.

THE TERRITORIALS

Popularity of the Ashton Battalions

Saturday, July 10, 1915:

There are still at least 200 recruits wanted for the 3/9^th Battalion Ashton Territorials to complete the establishment. Recruits have been coming in at a steady pace up to this week, and it should not be long before the battalion is at full strength. Recruits who now join will be sent on immediately to Southport to undergo their training with the battalion. The Armoury in Old Street, Ashton, is an administrative centre, with Captain Ralph Lees in charge, and it will act as a sort of feeder for the battalion. Recruits could not join in more favourable circumstances than at present. The battalion is billeted at the seaside, on the Lancashire coast, in the best part of the summer season. The conditions are in fact ideal. The men will undergo their training amid the most lovely and healthful surroundings.

Ashton has done wonderfully well in supplying men for the forces at this time of national crisis, and it is a tribute to the great popularity of the Territorials that no less than three battalions are now in being, that is to say, nearly 3,000 men. Even more men have offered themselves than these figures indicate, as there has been a large percentage of rejections. The men of Ashton and district are eager to serve their country in helping to defeat the country’s enemies and crush the unspeakable Huns.

Many of the brave boys who were Territorials when war was undreamed of willingly offered themselves for war service when hostilities broke out, and have nobly sacrificed their lives on behalf of the loved ones at home. Their places need filling, the gaps in the ranks require to be closed. There are not wanting those who are ready to take their places. Some of the 2/9^th Battalion, which was formed as soon as the first battalion had left for Egypt, and have been in training in Southport, and more recently in Sussex, have left this country for the front, fully trained, and anxious to strike a blow for the dear old country. Now the third battalion will soon be completed, and in the course of time will themselves be ready.

There is yet time to join this gallant body of citizen soldiers, the brave Territorials who have received such high praise from General Sir Ian Hamilton, the commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, for their gallant conduct. Those who are desirous of “doing their bit” should apply at the Armoury, Old Street, at once.

BIG RECRUITING RALLY

Ineligible Men and Women Asked to Help

Saturday, August 28, 1915:

On Saturday next it is intended to hold a big recruiting rally in Ashton. A special effort will be made to secure recruits for all branches of the services.

The arrangements are not yet quite complete but Lieut. H. C. H. Scott at the Ashton Barracks is preparing a commemorative programme, details of which will appear in the next issue of the “Reporter”.

Lieut. Scott particularly desires that all ineligible men and women should form themselves into recruiters, and give all the help they can next Saturday. The loan of cars would be appreciated, and any suggestions would be welcomed by Lieut. Scott.

Recruiting for Territorials

Saturday, September 4, 1915:

During the week recruiting at the Armoury has been pretty brisk, but still more recruits are required.

There could not be a better appeal to those who are eligible to join the Territorials than the records of glorious deeds in this issue of the “Reporter”.  They should fill them with the sense of pride, and they should regard it as a proud privilege to be able to say “I am one of the Ashton Territorials”.

All recruits are equipped immediately on enlistment, and drafted to Southport, where the 3^rd Reserve Battalion are undergoing training under ideal circumstances.

APPEAL FROM TRENCHES

Ashton Territorial’s Letter to Young Men

Saturday, September 25, 1915:

A stirring letter to the young men of Ashton has been sent in a letter from the front in Gallipoli by Private Jesse Burke of the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Ashton Territorials, who resided at Watts Place, Dukinfield. Private Burke has been in the Territorials about four years and volunteered for active service at the outbreak of the war. In civil life he was a piecer at Newton Moor Cotton Spinning Mill. He writes: –

“I hear there are hundreds of eligible young men in Ashton who do not consider it their duty to fight for their King and country. Of course, we can’t all fight. Some must stay at home as munition workers, but I believe there are hundreds in Ashton who are doing neither. If we had those men out here it would make it much better for us, and perhaps bring the war to a close a little sooner.

Four months of hard fighting in a place where men are being shot while asleep in their dug-outs; never away from the scene of the fighting! Just think what it means, and see if it is right. There are men out here who have wives and children at home dependent upon them. They did not hesitate when their country called them.

I am sure we should get a lot more lads from Ashton and Dukinfield if we could only make them understand what we are going through. It is said that a Britisher’s best time is when he is in a dust-up. I would like to see the lads of Ashton who are not already in the ranks or munition workers rally round the old flag.

Their comrades have played a gallant part in Gallipoli in the past. With their help we could do more in the future, and bring home honour to the town of Ashton.”

SINGLE MEN AND RECRUITING

An Official Message to Ashton

POSITION OF THE MARRIED

Local Committee’s Inquiry

“GOVERNMENT PLEDGE WILL BE CARRIED OUT”

Saturday, November 20, 1915:

To the Editor of the “Reporter”

Sir – We enclose you a copy of letter with cutting from a circular recently issued sent by the honorary secretary of the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, 12 Downing Street, London, on Wednesday last in reference to a statement made by the Prime Minister as to the position of the married man. – Yours Faithfully.

J. C. BUCKLEY
J. FRANCE
J. EDGAR
Hon. Secs.
Parliamentary Recruiting Committee
Lord Derby’s Canvassing Campaign
Free Library, Old Street, Ashton

Dear Sirs – We shall be obliged if you will let us know at once the position of married men who have enlisted under the “group” scheme.

Our reason for asking this is that acting on the Prime Minister’s speech of November 2^nd, followed by Lord Derby’s statement of November 11^th, and the information contained in your leaflet 58 – that married men would not be called on until the single men had been summoned to the colours, many of our canvassers feel they cannot reconcile these statements with those made in Parliament last night, and are annoyed that after they have given an assurance to the married men that the single men would be called up first, and by that means got a large number to enlist in their groups, to find now that they were not justified in making use of these statements.

We feel sure you will appreciate the awkwardness of our position in having to meet our canvassers under these circumstances – Yours Truly

J. C. BUCKLEY
J. FRANCE
J. EDGAR
Hon. Secs.

The extract from the leaflet 38 is as follows: –

The Prime Minister on that occasion pledged not only himself, but his Government, when he stated that if young men did not, under the stress of national duty, come forward voluntarily, other and compulsory means would be taken before the married men were called upon to fulfil their engagement to serve.

Lord Derby is further authorized to state definitely that if young men medically fit and not indispensable to any business of national importance, or to any business conducted for the general good of the community, do not come forward voluntarily before November 30, the Government will after that date take the necessary steps to redeem the pledge made on November 2.

Copy telegram received 18^th November, 1915 –

To the Hon. Secretaries Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, Free Library, Ashton-under-Lyne

YOU CAN ASSURE YOUR CANVASSERS AND ALL OTHERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLEDGE INLEAFLET 58 WILL BE CARRIED OUT. CONTINUE TO CIRCULATE THAT LEAFLET AS THE DEFINITE DECLARATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.

HERBERT
Hon. Secretary P.R.C.
12 Downing Street, London

ASHTON RECRUITS

“Extremely Satisfactory”

Doubtless as a result of the Derby scheme the past week has been most successful in recruiting at the office of the Ashton Town Hall. Figures are not available but the numbers enlisted are extremely satisfactory. The rush began on Monday when more men presented themselves than have done in many a full week previously. The doctors and the staff had an extremely busy time. On Tuesday while the rush had somewhat subsided, there was an excellent return, while Wednesday was another great day. Thursday as usual was a slacker.

A feature of the recruiting has been the large numbers of married men … under the group system, and been placed in the reserves to be called up when required. Single men too have come forward but the majority enrolled for deferred service. More men are required for immediate service.

It should be noted that all the infantry regiments are now open, while the artillery brigades, the R.A.M.C. and the A.S.C. are closed. Men are required for the Royal Navy Reserve.

During the week a large number of railway men, employees of the Great Central Railway Company, have enlisted under the group system and they included married and single men.

Excellent arrangements have been made at the [illegible] rooms at the Town Hall for dealing expeditiously with a large number of recruits. Two doctors are in attendance and the men who present themselves receive every care and courtesy. If they come in under the group system they are released to return to their occupations as soon as possible. Excellent provision has been made for each recruit having a medical examination in private.

ASHTON TERRITORIALS

It is pleasing also to record a distinct improvement in the recruiting of men for the famous 9^th Manchester Regiment, the Ashton Territorials, whose men have gained military glory in Gallipoli. The number of men enrolled during the past week has been larger than for several weeks past, and the men are of a good and military? Type. Intending recruits should note that after the men are attested they are clothed and equipped within a few minutes.

The men are being drilled at the Armoury by Quartermaster Sergeant Burgess and are making good progress. Today, Saturday, a draft of about 70 men, consisting of recruits and Territorials who have returned from overseas, are being sent on t Southport to join the 3/9^th Manchester Regiment.

On Monday, a number of men from the Manchester Regiment came over from Southport to Ashton on a short furlough prior to being sent abroad.

THE GROUP SYSTEM

Local Men Coming Forward for Deferred Service

Saturday, December 4, 1915:

The officials who are responsible for the recruiting arrangements at the Ashton Town Hall have had a busy time during the past week. A good number of persons were dealt with on Monday, while on Tuesday the men came along in such large numbers that not all of them could be accommodated. Since then there has been a steady stream of married and single men, though no figures are available owing to the receipt during the week of a strict order from headquarters prohibiting the giving of information. The great bulk of the men were attested under the group system and placed in their respective classes to be called up when required.

The eyesight test for men enlisting under the Derby scheme has been abolished for the present. The number of recruits for immediate service was not large, the grouping system having had its effect upon enlistments for the regular army. Seeing that there is only another week before the closing of the period for attestation under the Derby scheme, there is every reason to expect a rush of men before next Saturday. It should be emphasised that every provision is made at the Town Hall for each recruit to have a private medical examination, and owing to the increased accommodation large numbers can be speedily dealt with. Men attending for attestation must bring their registration certificates, and these will be endorsed

ASHTON TERRITORIALS

At the Armoury recruiting has been far from brisk. This is perhaps inevitable seeing that Lord Derby’s scheme is occupying so large a share of public attention. There are still many vacancies in the ranks of the Ashton Territorials, and any recruits who may join will be clothed and equipped within a day of two, and despatched to Southport for training with the 3/9th Manchester Regiment.

ASHTON RECRUITS

Busy Scenes at Attesting Stations

GREAT RUSH OF MEN

More Recruits Than Could be Dealt With

Saturday, December 11, 1915:

“Better late than never, but better never late”, was a comment uttered at the Ashton Town Hall on Thursday night, as an eyewitness surveyed the thronged rooms and the efforts of recruits under Lord Derby’s scheme.

Although every possible effort was made to secure the services of gentlemen to act as recruiting clerks, and the attention of medical men to inspect the recruits, it was not humanly possible to deal with all those who had presented themselves, and their names alone could be taken.

Under such conditions long delays were, of course, inevitable. Some of the recruiting officers complained that it appeared that they were expected to crowd a year’s work into three days.

A ready answer is to hand for those who grumble at being required to spend several hours in the waiting rooms. The Derby scheme has been in operation for well over a month and those who have held back till the last minute had only themselves to blame if they did not receive immediate attention.

The authorities would like to see among the number a larger proportion of the young and the unmarried. Too many men to whom this description applies remain unregistered. Some of them are accused of saying that they never will register, and that they are quite prepared to take any risk that they may run by holding aloof. They have firmly embedded in their minds the belief that if conscription should come they will suffer no penalty through their refusal to enroll under the voluntary system. It is their duty, if they are physically fit, to hand in their names at once, leaving for subsequent settlement the question whether they are or are not entitled to exemption.

The canvas on the whole has been very well done but it is to be regretted that owing to the reluctance of sufficient canvassers to come forward the Hurst canvas has had largely to be undertaken, particularly in the west ward, by canvassers from Ashton. Even on Monday at least a hundred eligible men had not had a visit paid them by the canvasser, but to their credit a large number decided for themselves without waiting to be talked over upon their course of action.

THE ARMLETS

The armlets have not yet reached Ashton, either at the Town Hall, the Armoury or the Barracks, although on Thursday night one or two young men who had attested in Manchester were proudly displaying the Khaki and red symbol on their right sleeves. One young man we noticed had had his armlet stitched on, so proud was he of the badge of his attestation.

INCIDENTS OF THE RUSH

At the Barracks, so great has been the rush that the drill shed has been converted into a temporary recruiting office.

AT THE ASHTON TOWN HALL

On Thursday at the Town Hall the number of men was so great that it was impossible for the staff to cope with the recruits who came forward. As a result, whole groups of men were not dealt with, and they were invited into the Juvenile Court to give in their names. They are to present themselves for attestation and examination later.

At many public offices, works, mills, etc. in the district men who are within military age have been advised to attest. So during the week men who are employed at public offices have come forward. Arrangements are being made for the Ashton Borough Policemen to be attested and examined at the Police Offices in order to relieve the pressure at the recruiting office at the Town Hall.

THE ARMOURY

Some remarkable scenes have been witnessed at the Armoury. As the enlistment of men for immediate service has fallen off somewhat, Capt. Ralph Lees, Commanding Officer, and Lieut. Hyde offered their assistance at the Town Hall. From Monday, and each evening during the week, the Armoury has been opened for the attestation of men under Lord Derby’s scheme. Crowds of men have been dealt with, and on one or two evenings the pressure of men who came in batches from local works was so great that no fewer than four doctors were kept busily engaged in conducting the examinations. The medical men were Capt. Gordon Whitehead, R.A.M.C. who is attached to the 2/9^th Manchester Regt. at Southport, Dr. Corns, Dr. Price and Dr. C. S. Spencer.

INVALIDS FOR HOME

Saturday, April 24, 1915:

The under-mentioned N.C.O.s and men will proceed to England on Saturday 3^rd inst.:

Cpl. G. Litchfield
Cpl. J. Wilshaw
Pte. J. Ashton
Pte. W. Constantine
Pte. R. King
Pte. W. Wheatley
Pte. W. G. Collier
Pte. H. Oldfield
Pte. J. P. Millwood
Cpl. J. Irving
Pte. B. Renshaw
Pte. W. Fogg
Pte. L. Schofield
Pte. J. A. Black
Pte. W. Hunter
Pte. W. Whittle

[These men were respectively: 1612 George Litchfield, 1992 Joseph Wilshaw, 2164 James Ashton, 1577 William Constantine, 2107 Robert King, 2233 William Wheatley, 2188 William G Collier, 1707 Harry Oldfield, 1912 John P Millwood, 2163 John Irving, 2114 Benjamin Renshaw, 471 William Fogg, 2144 Lawrence Schofield, 2082 J A Black, 2023 William Hunter, 2215 William Whittle.]

CHASED BY SUBMARINE

Saturday June 12, 1915:

Early on Tuesday morning a number of Ashton Territorials returned home invalided from Egypt. They arrived about 7am at Charlestown Station from Dublin, via Holyhead, where they had been in hospital. Whist on the voyage home from Egypt, the hospital ship was chased for about 25 miles by a German submarine, but the ship escaped, and put into Cork, from whence the Territorials were removed to Dublin Castle Red Cross Hospital.

Amongst them were: –

Corporal Tom Goley of 54 North Street, Ashton
Corporal S. Steele of Boodle Street
Lance-Corporal H. Freeth of Wellington Street, Waterloo

When several of them called at the Armoury, they had a hearty reception from the boys who belong to the 3^rd Reserve Battalion of the 9^th, who were anxious to hear how their comrades were faring.

IN DUBLIN HOSPITAL

Under the heading of “At the Red Cross Hospital”, a Dublin newspaper includes the following names of men belonging to the 1/9^th Ashton Territorials amongst those who have been admitted to the Dublin Castle Red Cross Hospital. A number of these men have returned home to Ashton:

1647       Private H. Cook[e] 1614       Private Geo. Dinker [Tinker] 390         Lance-Corporal H. Freeth
1547       Corporal T. Goley
1784       Private  H. Hewitt
2034       Private  E. Hughes
1732       Private  W. Hargreaves
2181       Private  E. Leavsley [Leakesley] 1122       Private C.[L] Marsh
2196       Private Jas. Owen
1943       Private P. Pepper
497         Corporal A. Parkin[s] 1766       Private A. Reilly [Riley] 845         Sergt. [A.] Royle
124         Corporal S. Steele

The following was published in the Saturday January 9, 1915 edition of the Ashton Reporter:

ASHTON TERRITORIALS’ CHRISTMAS DINNER IN CAIRO

Above is a snapshot of the Ashton Territorials at their Christmas dinner in the Barracks, Abbassia, Cairo. The dinner took place in the Barracks Square. The photograph was taken by Lieutenant Forshaw, who kindly sends it to us to be published in the “Reporter”, with the permission of Lieut.-Colonel D. H. Wade, the commanding officer. Lieut. Forshaw assures us that the men of the Ashton Battalion in Cairo are quite contented and says he believes the Battalion “is the best fed and most healthy battalion in Egypt.”

LETTER FROM COLONEL WADE

The Mayoress of Ashton, Mrs. C. R. Wainwright, has received a letter from Lieut.-Colonel D. H. Wade, commanding officer of the 9^th (Ashton) Battalion Manchester Regiment Territorials in Cairo, in acknowledgement of her kindness in instituting a fund for the provision of a Christmas treat for the Territorials. The letter is as follows: –

9^th Batt. Manchester Regt.
Kasr-el-Nil Barracks, Cairo
27^th December, 1914

To the Mayoress of Ashton-under-Lyne

Dear madam, – I am requested by the N.C.O.s and men of the 9^th Battalion the Manchester Regiment to ask you to accept their most hearty thanks for your very great kindness in collecting and sending the Christmas fund, which enabled me to give the N.C.O.s and men a first rate Christmas dinner of beef, turkey, plum pudding, fruit, etc. on Christmas Day. The tables were laid in the Barracks Square, and I hope to send you by this mail or the next a photograph of the men taken when the dinner was almost finished, and another when they were giving three rousing cheers for the Colonel and the kind people of Ashton who contributed to the fund, and to whom all are extremely grateful.

It would have done you good to hear the men’s expressions of gratitude on every hand, and the resounding cheers which they gave for you and His Worship the Mayor at the close of their much enjoyed feast.

Please accept yourself, and convey to the donors, the sincere thanks of myself and the officers for the generous gift to the battalion I have the honour to command.

Yours Sincerely
D. H. Wade, Lieut.-Col.
Commanding 9^th Batt. Manchester Regt.

A BANDSMAN AND THE CHRISTMAS TREAT

A brief account of the doings of the Territorials during the Christmas festivities is contained in a letter received by Mr. William Adams, builder and property repairer, Smallshaw, from his son Bandsman William Adams, who is stationed with the battalion. He writes: –

“Many thanks for the Christmas presents. I am pleased to say we have had a pretty good Christmas taking it all through. On the Wednesday before Christmas we went on parade at one o’clock in the afternoon, and marched about 10 miles, followed by tea on the desert, after which we got down for the night. It gets very cold here at night. We have had several night marches until about midnight. Christmas Eve was like an ordinary night, but on Christmas morning about 6am our band formed no the Barrack Square, and played the Christmas Hymn, which was appreciated by all the men. We had dinner altogether on the Barracks Square, and a fine time it was, as we had turkey, roast beef, potatoes, sausages, Christmas puddings, fruit and minerals. So you see we had a fine spread after all. Our photographs were taken as we sat at the tables. The band played whilst the men were having their dinner. On Boxing Day sports were held for the troops in Cairo, so I played with the band there all day. Last Sunday I went into a large Mohammedan mosque, and it was fine. Whilst out on one of the night parades we saw a star which looked almost like an electric light. It was described as the “Star of Bethlehem”. It was the sight of a lifetime. We have seen many fine sights including the Pyramids and Sphinx and many of the great buildings and curiosities.”

THE DINNER WAS GRAND

Private William Collier of Wimpole Street, Ashton, who is one of the 9^th Manchesters writes from Cairo: –

“We had a fine Christmas here. The dinner was grand. I am having the time of my life. There are some sports here today (Boxing Day) and “Ti” Cropper has entered for the 100 yards race. “Ti” Cropper is a corporal now. Talk about the army being “rotten”, I am not sorry that I joined the Territorials. We have been having a hard time with the training, but we finish with it next week and then it will be O.K.”

Each edition of the Ashton Reporter had a small “Personal” column. Several of these columns contained very short (one or two sentences) of information regarding certain prominent people of the district including Officers of the 9th Battalion. Those entries, as they relate to the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, are provided here.

Personal

Saturday, January 3, 1912:

Lieutenant J. A. Dearden, of the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, now at Curragh Camp, Ireland, has been appointed to succeed Captain Minogue as adjutant of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Ashton Territorials), and will take up his duties in March.

Saturday, September 5, 1914:

Captain R. Lees, who underwent an operation at the Ashton District Infirmary last week, was removed from that institution to his home, Trafalgar Square, on Wednesday. He is progressing satisfactorily.

The following promotions appeared in the London Gazette this week: 9th Batt. Manchester Reg. – Sec. Lieut. H. C. Shaw to be Lieut. (Sept 2). The following to be Sec. Lieuts. :- W. H. Lillie, O. J. Sutton, H. G. Shatwell, J. M. Wade, J. S. Marsden (to be superny.) (Sept 2). Lieut. Shaw is a son of the Mayor of Ashton.

Several changes to the personnel of the Ashton Battalion Territorials is contemplated. As Major E. Garside will, it is expected, be detailed for home duty , and will not proceed on foreign service, it is understood that Captain Nowell will be promoted to Major, and Lieutenant Kershaw to Captain. Mr. A. E. Stringer, B.Sc., science master at the Ashton Secondary School, has joined the battalion as second lieutenant, and he, along with Captain Nowell, who has been in command of the depot at Ashton, will leave today (Saturday) in order to join the battalion at Bury.

Saturday, September 12, 1914:

Lieut. Birchenall has been deputed to take temporary charge of the depot of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Territorials, at the Armoury, Old-street, Ashton, until Captain R. Lees is sufficiently restored to health to be able to take over the duties. Both volunteered for foreign service with the battalion.

Saturday, September 19, 1914:

The following appeared on Tuesday in the “London Gazette” : 9th Battalion the Manchester Regiment – Major J. Broadbent, retired list, late of this battalion, to be second lieutenant.

Saturday, October 3, 1914:

Sergeant F. Jones who is now with the Ashton Territorials in Egypt, has been gazetted a second lieutenant dated September 30^th.

Lieutenant D B Stevenson has returned to Ashton from St. Anne’s, where he had been recouperating after an attack of pneumonia which prevented him from going out to Egypt with the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Territorials). He has again volunteered for foreign service.

Captain R. Lees is at present at Blackpool recouperating and progressing favourably. When encamped at Bury with the Ashton Battalion Captain Lees was compelled to return to Ashton to undergo an operation at the Infirmary. He has again volunteered for foreign service.

Saturday, October 17, 1914:

Captain Ralph Lees is sufficiently restored to health to be able to take up duties in command of the depot of the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Territorials, at the Ashton Armoury.

Saturday, March 13, 1915:

Captain Ralph Lees, who paid a visit to the depot of the 9th Batt. Manchester Regiment Territorials, at Ashton Armoury, last week end, has been acting as adjutant and instructor of musketry since his removal to Southport a few weeks ago.

Saturday, April 3, 1915:

Sergt.-Major Holt, instructor of the 9 (Ashton) Batt. Manchester Regiment, Territorials of Alexandra-street, Ashton, has returned invalided from Egypt, and is receiving treatment at the Whitworth-street Hospital, Manchester. Serg Major Holt has served 28 years in the Army. His son, Lance-corpl. Holt, left with the 2nd Manchesters for the front on August 4th. He has been wounded in the knee by a bullet, but is again in active service.

Saturday, July 31, 1915:

Lieutenant Arthur Connery in a letter to his brother QMS J. T. Connery from Malta, says that he is getting on favourably. His mouth has regained the normal aspect, and the pieces of broken teeth have been extracted by the military dentist. He is to come home by the next transport.

Lieutenant F. A. Makin, of the 1/9^th Ashton Territorials, has so far recovered from a serious attack of enteric for him to write letters to his friends at home. In the one dated July 18^th he states that the doctor has pronounced him convalescent. It is now the eighth week since his admission into the Deaconess Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.

Saturday, August 7, 1915:

Quartermaster Sergeant Boocock 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Territorials of Katherine Street, Ashton has returned wounded from the Dardanelles and is at present under treatment at the Tabernacle Hospital, Southport. His son, Private Alfred Boocock of the same Battalion writes saying he has arrived at Malta on the way home.

Major E. Garside commanding the 3/9^th Res. Battalion Manchester Regiment, Ashton Territorials, who are now in training at Southport was the adjudicator in a trench digging competition at the Botanic gardens on Saturday between wounded soldiers from the Homeopathic [Cottage] Hospital and Meols Hall [Convalescent Hospital]. The occasion was [illegible] garden party and the Mayor distributed the prizes.

Saturday, August 21, 1915:

Lieut. Col. D. H. Wade 1/9^th Manchester Regt. (Ashton Territorials) who was wounded during the fighting on the Gallipoli Peninsula is still in the Whitworth Street Military Hospital, Manchester, and is making good progress.

Saturday, August 28, 1915:

Lieut. F. A. Makin. The Nest, Taunton Road, Ashton who has been laid up for eleven weeks with enteric at the Deaconess Hospital, Alexandria wired to his wife as follows: –

“Arrived 3^rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. Probably few days here.”

The telegram was received yesterday, Friday morning. Lieut. Makin is in the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Ashton Territorials) and was taken ill while fighting at the Dardanelles.

Saturday, September 4, 1915:

Lieutenant R. G. Wood of the Ashton Territorials, whose leg was injured in an attempt to save a sergeant in the Oldham Territorials, is now in a military hospital in Torquay.

The late Lieutenat-Colonel Thomas Hethorn Cunliffe, of the Warren, Wood Road, Whalley Range Manchester, who was in command of the 2/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Ashton Territorials, and died suddenly in Summer, left unsettled property of the gross value of £3,234 with net penalties £1,463.

Saturday, September 18, 1915:

Captain Irvine Dearnaley and Lieutenant B. F. Robinson who joined the 2/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Ashton Territorials, at the end of last year, and have been with the Battalion at Pease Pottage Sussex, have this week been on a visit to Ashton. Both were looking remarkably well and fit. It is understood that Lieutenant Robinson is shortly going to the front.

Lieutenant R. G. Wood, son of Alderman and Mrs. R. Wood, of Stalybridge who was wounded in the Dardanelles while fighting with the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment is still in the Stoodly Knowle Park hospital for wounded Officers at Torquay, where he is progressing favourably. On Friday of last week their Majesties the King and Queen visited the hospital and conversed with all the Officers, including Lieutenant Wood, and expressed the hope that they would have a speedy recovery.

Saturday, September 25, 1915:

Captain I. Dearnaley, who came home on a short furlough from his battalion, 2/9^th Manchetser Territorals, returned to Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday.

Lieutenant Arthur Connery, who has come home wounded from the Dardanelles, has rejoined the 3/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment at Southport.

Lieut. W. M. Barratt, 1/9^th Manchesters, who left England for the Dardanelles at the end of June has been invalided home suffering from gastritis. He is in hospital in London and progressing well.

Private W. Wilson, son of Mr. T. Wilson, the head park keeper at Stamford Park, who has been fighting with the Aston Territorials in the Dardanelles, is now in hospital at Chelsea. In the same hospital are several Ashton soldiers including Corpl. W. Martin, son of Mr. Martin, Sutherland Street.

Lieutenant Harold H. Knight, of the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Knight of Arncliffe, Henrietta Street, Ashton, has been invalided home from the Dardanelles with a severe attack of dysentery and is now in a London hospital. His condition was somewhat serious, but his parents, who have visited him, report that it is now favourable.

Mr. Joseph Walsh, licensee of the George and Dragon Hotel, Market Square, Ashton, has received notice from the War Office that his only son, Private Harold Walsh, 1/9^th Manchester Regiment Ashton Territorials, has been slightly wounded in the Dardanelles. A week ago, Mr. Walsh received a postcard from his son intimating that he had been into the London and County Hospital, Epsom. Mr. Walsh journeyed to Epsom on receipt of the card, and found his son improving favourably, and in good spirits.

Saturday, October 2, 1915:

Lieut. And Quartermaster J. M. Connery, who has been invalided from the Dardanelles embarked for home on a hospital ship on Sept 16^th.

Major Lees of the 5^th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, Rochdale, is now acting as commanding officer of the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Ashton Territorials) at the Dardanelles.

Lieut. W. M. Barratt, 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, who has been invalided home from the Dardanelles suffering from gastritis, arrived at his home in Richmond Street, Ashton on Sunday after having been in a nursing home in London.

Lieut. Harold H. Knight, 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, who arrived at a London hospital recently, having been invalided home with an attack of dysentery from the Dardanelles, is making satisfactory progress toward recovery.

Information has come to hand during the week to Mr. Wm. Hamer that the body of his son, Captain Frank Hamer, has been found. He was killed during the severe fighting in Gallipoli, and received a Christian burial with military honours and a cross has been placed over his grave. This will be a source of satisfaction and comfort to the family and friends.

Saturday, October 9, 1915:

Captain G. W. Handforth of the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment has cabled to his family in Ashton that he is in care at Malta in hospital but his condition is not serious.

Sergeant T. Cropper of the Ashton Territorials, the former licensee of the King William Hotel, Stamford Street, Ashton is at Southampton suffering from dysentery.

Lieut. Colonel D. H. Wade commanded the Ashton Territorials who were present at the military funeral of Private S. Armitage at Hurst Cemetery on Thursday.

Captain T. Platt of the Ashton Territorials has arrived at his home in Newmarket Road, Waterloo, Ashton on sick leave. He is feeling much better for the rest, after his recent experiences at the Dardanelles.

Captain G. H. Okell was warmly welcomed by his many friends when he arrived at the Ashton Town Hall on Saturday with the Territorials who took part in the great recruiting demonstration. He expressed himself as much satisfied by the rest he has had.

Saturday, October 16, 1915:

Colour-Sergeant R. Jackson of the Ashton Territorials, is on his way home from the Dardanelles and is expected to arrive during the week ahead.

Major E. Garside, officer commanding the 3/9^th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, now at Southport, was in Ashton last week on leave.

Captain J. A. Dearden, the adjutant of the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, is going out to the Dardanelles to rejoin the Ashton Territorials. Captain Dearden was invalided home from Egypt.

Captain R. Lees, O.C. Administrative Centre Ashton Territorials, has been granted 14 days sick leave and is going to the seaside to recuperate. During the recent recruiting rally Captain Lees worked strenuously and has overtaxed his energies.

Major M. H. Connery, of the Ashton Territorials in a letter just received, says he is quite fit and still hopeful that the 9^th Manchesters may return before Christmas. Things were very quiet at the moment of writing.

Lieut. W. T. Forshaw, V.C., of the Ashton Territorials, who arrived on Tuesday at his home, Hillside, Fairfield Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, may pay a private visit to friends in Ashton prior to the conferring upon him of the Freedom of the Borough, which has been arranged for October 30.

On the arrival of Lieut. Forshaw at his home, Colonel Wainwright at once got in communication with him and definitely fixed up the date of the 30^th October for the occasion of the conferment of the Freedom of the Borough.

Saturday, November 20, 1915:

Second Lieutenant Gilbert Greenwood, son of Councilor and Mrs. H. T. Greenwood of Haywood, Mossley Road, Ashton, has returned home from the Dardanelles owing to enteric fever. Second Lieutenant Greenwood joined the 2/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment last year and went out with a draft of the 2/9^th Battalion.

Saturday, November 27, 1915:

Lieutenant Colonel D. H. Wade, is at present at Southport on light duty attached to the 3/9^th Manchester Regiment.

Lieut. H. H. Knight, of the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, has returned to Ashton from Wales, where he has been recuperating after the severe attack of fever which led to his being invalided home from the Dardanelles.

Lieutenant William Thomas Forshaw, V.C., Ashton Territorials on Wednesday visited Lancaster where until recently before war broke out he had an appointment under the education authority. On Wednesday night he joined Mr. Aldous’ prize choir in a concert for the Mayoress’s Comforts Fund. Lieutenant Forshaw was cheered for each of his songs and was given an address from the Town Council.

Saturday, December 4, 1915:

Lieutenant T. G. Hyde, of the 1/9^th Manchester Regiment, who has been invalided home, has been attached temporarily to the Administrative Centre at the Armoury, Ashton.

Lieutenant Colonel D. H. Wade, of the 1/9^th Manchester Regiment, has been nominated as a military member of the East Lancashire Territorial Association … due to the retirement of Lt.-Col. C. R. Wainwright, D.L., T.D., J.P., Mayor of Ashton.

Saturday, December 11, 1915:

Captain G. W. Handforth, of the 1/9^th Regiment has been granted another month’s leave.

Captain G. H. Okell is now at Southport with the 3/9^th Manchester Regiment, who are on the point of removing to huts at Codford, Salisbury Plain.

Lieutenant A. Connery, of the 3/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, visited Ashton on Wednesday, prior to proceeding from Southport to Aldershot with the Battalion.

Councilor H. T. Greenwood, on the motion of Alderman E. B. Heap, seconded by Councilor J. W. Pollit, was appointed at the meeting of the Ashton Town Council as an overseer of the poor, to fill the current vacancy caused by the death of Captain Frank Hamer.

Saturday, January 1, 1916:

Captain G. W. Handforth, of the Aston Territorials, who was invalided home some time ago, has now reported for duty, and has been passed for general service.

Saturday, January 8, 1916:

Lieutenant H. C. Shaw, (Ashton Territorials, son of the Deputy Mayor of Ashton, (Alderman H. Shaw), is in hospital at Oxford. He had been in hospital at Malta for some time.

Lieutenant R. G. Wood, of the Ashton Territorials, has returned to hospital at Manchester to undergo further treatment to his leg, which was injured at the Dardanelles.

Captain T. A. Platt, Lieutenant J. Broadbent, and Lieutenant S. Naylor, all of whom have been in the fighting in the Dardanelles with the Ashton Territorials, and have been home on sick leave, have rejoined the Ashton Territorials, 3/9^th Battalion, who are training at Codford, Salisbury Plain.

Saturday, January 15, 1916:

Colonel D. H. Wade, of the 1/9 Manchester Regiment (Ashton Territorials) left his home in Manchester on Thursday to rejoin his battalion.

Lieutenant S. Ruttenau, who was invalided home from the Dardanelles, suffering from enteric fever, proceeded to Codford on Monday, to join the 3/9 Manchester Regiment. He was in charge of a contingent of Ashton Territorials who were returning after being on Christmas leave.

Lieut. H. C. Shaw, of the 1/9th Manchester Regiment, son of Alderman H. Shaw, J.P., Norton Villas, Ashton, is at present at home on sick leave. He accompanied the first batch of Ashton Territorials to the Dardanelles, and took part in some of the desperate fighting there. On Oct 7th he had an attack of malarial fever, and was taken to hospital at Malta, where he remained for a couple of months. Then he proceeded to Southampton, and later on to Oxford. Lieut. Shaw is much better in health now, and his condition is improving.

Saturday, February 5, 1916:

Lieutenant Harold Knight, of the 1/9^th Manchester Regiment, who was invalided home from the Dardanelles through enteric fever, has returned to the 3/9^th Manchester Regiment at Codford.

Lieutenant R. G. Wood, of the 1/9^th Manchester Regiment, son of Alderman R. Wood, of Ridge Hill Lanes, Stalybridge, proceeded to Buckingham Palace on Thursday, and received his Military Cross from the hands of the King.

Captain G. W. Handforth, of the 1/9^th Manchester Regiment, who was invalided home from the Dardanelles several months ago, and has been with the 3/9^th Manchester Regiment at Codford, has been over at Ashton during the week, prior to going out with a draft of men.

Saturday, February 12, 1916:

Lieut. Naylor, of the 1/9 Manchester Regiment, paid a visit to Captain Ralph Lees at the Ashton Armoury during the week. He joined the 1/9 Battalion just before they went to Southport in November 1914. He was at the Dardanelles, where he lost the sight of his right eye.

Saturday, February 19, 1916:

Col. D. H. Wade, has arrived in Egypt. On January 27^th he visited some of the Ashton men at the Mustapha Base, Alexandria, and had a short conversation with them before proceeding to join the rest of the battalion, who were then at Tel-el-Kebir.

Saturday, February 26, 1916:

Captain F. Woodhouse, of Marple, nephew of the Mayor of Ashton (Colonel C. R. Wainwright, D. L.) is back in England on a month’s leave. With the 1/9^th Manchester Regiment he went through the campaign in Gallipoli, and is one of the very few officers who did not figure in the casualty lists.

The announcement appears in the “London Gazette” that Quartermaster-Sergeant J. T. Connery has been promoted to a second lieutenancy in the Manchester Regiment. This news has given great satisfaction to the many friends of Second-Lieutenant Connery in Ashton. In June last Second-Lieutenant J. T. Connery was mentioned in dispatches by Sir John French for gallant and distinguished services on the field, and recommended for a commission and decoration. Second-Lieutenant J. T. Connery is a son of Major H. H Connery, and quartermaster of the Ashton Territorials. All four sons of Major Connery have now commissions in the forces, and are doing good work. Second-Lieutenant Connery took part in the retreat from Mons with the 2^nd Battalion Manchester Regiment.

Saturday, March 4, 1916:

Lieut. F. A. Makin, has been called to Codford (Salisbury Plain), and is specified for permanent home service, light duty (office work).

Captain G. Makin (Codford) has been promoted Brigade Musketry Officer, supervising officer for four battalions, 4/5^th Lancashire Fusiliers.

Major Edward Garside, commanding the 3/9^th Manchester Regiment, now at Codford, has been gazetted Lieut.-Colonel, with seniority set out in the cadres of the permanent establishment.

Saturday, March 18, 1916:

Colonel R. B. Nowell, is temporarily in command of the 3/9^th Manchester Regiment (Ashton Territorials) at Codford, in the absence of Lieut.-Colonel Garside, who is at present engaged on other duties.

Saturday, March 25, 1916:

Lieut. T. G. Hyde, has been transferred from the Administrative Centre at the Armoury, Ashton, where he has been assisting Captain Ralph Lees, to the 3/9^th Battalion at Codford. Lieut. Hyde was with the Ashton Territorials in Gallipoli, and was invalided home on account of illness.

A large framed photograph of the late Lieut. A. E. Stringer, of the 1/9^th Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula on June 7^th last, has been presented to the Ashton Secondary School by Captain and Mrs. Ralph Lees. Before going on active service Lieut. Stringer was one of the masters at the school.

Saturday, April 1, 1916:

Captain T. A. Platt, of the Ashton Territorials, has been in Ashton during the week on battalion business.

Lieut.-Col. R. B. Nowell, of the Ashton Territorials, is now at his home in Handforth on sick leave, suffering from severe rheumatism.

Saturday, April 8, 1916:

Capt. G. H. Okell, of the Ashton Territorials, is now, we understand, acting as military representative at Sheffield Tribunal.

Lieut. J. Broadbent, Lieut. W. J. Ablitt, and a large draft of the 1/9th and a number of the 3/9th Manchester Regiment are on the way to join their old friends overseas.

Saturday, April 15, 1916:

Sergt. George Silvester, D.C.M., of the Ashton Territorials, has arrived at Whitchurch (Glam.) from Malta. He is making good progress towards recovery.

Saturday, April 22, 1916:

Lieutenant J. Broadbent, of the Ashton Territorials, who recently went out to Egypt with a draft, has arrived at his destination. He has sent a cablegram to this effect to his wife.

As the Armoury will be closed from Thursday night till Tuesday morning next, Captain Ralph Lees, the commanding officer of the administrative centre, will take a few days well-earned rest. He will spend his short holiday in North Lancashire.

Saturday, May 6, 1916:

Captain and Mrs. Ralph Lees have presented the Secondary School a fine framed photograph of the late Lieut. A. E. Stringer, and it has been hung in the school. Lieut. Stringer was killed in the Dardanelles on June 7th last year, after a brilliant bayonet charge. He was second master at the Ashton Secondary School. Captain Lees is a brother-in-law of Lieut. Stringer.

Saturday, June 10, 1916:

The teachers at Trafalgar Square School on Wednesday last placed a laurel wreath in the entrance hall of the school over the photograph of the late Lieutenant A. E. Stringer, B.Sc., to mark the anniversary of his death, June 7th, 1915.

Lieutenant R. G. Wood, 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, son of Alderman R. Wood, of Stalybridge, was on Tuesday night presented with a framed photograph of himself by the past and present students of the Stalybridge Technical School, in recognition of his gallant deed at the Dardanelles in saving a comrade, for which he was awarded the Military Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. The portrait is to hang in the school as a memorial of him.

Saturday, July 8, 1916:

Richmond House Hospital as at present the care of two gallant winners of the D.C.M. Sergeant Langford, R. E., (wireless squadron), and Corporal Pickford, of the 1/9th Manchetsers, whose exploits in Gallipoli will be remembered.

Saturday, July 15, 1916:

Captain and Adjutant Dearden, who went out to Egypt with the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (T.F.), is now engaged in staff work at the War Office, London.

Saturday, July 29, 1916:

Capt. George Handforth, of the Ashton Territorials, has been made adjutant to the Battalion.

Major John Broadbent, of the 1/9th Manchester Regiment, has been awarded the Volunteer Decoration for long service. He has 20 years service to his credit.

Saturday, August 5, 1916:

Company Sergeant-Major A. Binns, 9th Manchesters, has returned from the East, and is progressing favourably at the Alexandra Park Hospital, Stockport.

Saturday, August 19, 1916:

Major E. Howorth and Lieut. H. H. Knight leave England on Monday to rejoin their battalion the 9th Manchesters (Ashton Territorials).

Saturday, September 2, 1916:

Major M. H. Connery, M.C., Quarter-Master of the 1/9th Ashton Territorials, was yesterday (Friday) decorated with the Military Cross at Windsor Castle by his Majesty the King.

Saturday, September 16, 1916:

Major M. H. Connery, M.C., (Ashton Territorials) is now undergoing special treatment at the Whitworth Street Military Hospital, Manchester, and is making satisfactory progress.

Saturday, October 7, 1916:

Col D. H. Wade has been elected a member of the Council of the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes for the year 1916-17.

The “London Gazette” states that Second-Lieut. Connery, son of Major M. H. Connery, M.C., is transferred from the Manchester Regt. (T.F.) to a lieutenancy in the Machine Gun Corps. Whilst in the Ashton Territorials in Gallipoli, Lieut. Connery was wounded in the face.

Saturday, October 21, 1916:

Regt. Q. M. S. Harry Stringer of the Ashton Territorials, and Mrs. Stringer, have been in Ashton this week, and have received the congratulations and good wishes of a large circle of friends.

Lieutenant W. M. Barratt, 9th Manchesters, who saw service in Gallipoli, is now in France, and attached to the 4th Loyal North Lancs. He is the first officer of the 9th to see service in Gallipoli and France.

Saturday, October 28, 1916:

Major Nowell, who was in command of the Ashton Territorials for a period on the Gallipoli Peninsula, sailed for Egypt last week.

Saturday, December 9, 1916:

Lieut.-Colonel D. H. Wade, of the Ashton Territorials, who has acted as temporary Brigadier-General, has been mentioned in despatches. An extract from a despatch received from General Sir Archibald Murray, Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, dealing with the smashing defeat inflicted on the Turks in their attack on the Suez Canal early in August, states that of the East Lancashire troops commanded by Major-General Sir W. Douglas, K.C.M.G., C.B., only two battalions were in action on the 4th (August), but the force carried out a march under very trying conditions on the subsequent days. Acting-Sergeant J. Horsfield, of the Territorials, whose home is in Elgin Street, Ashton, is also mentioned in despatches.

Saturday, February 24, 1917:

Lieutenant Gilbert Greenwood, son of Councilor H. T. Greenwood, is now reported to have arrived in France.

Lieutenant W. M. Barratt, of the Ashton Territorials, is over on leave from France, at his home in Richmond Street, Ashton.

Under the War Office Authority, dated February 9th. 1917, Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Garside, Mem. Inst. C.E.. the late commanding officer of the 9th (Res.) Battalion the Manchester Regiment, has been appointed permanent president of the Garrison Quartering Committee, Mersey Defences.

Saturday, March 3, 1917:
Amongst officers whose names have been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered in connection with the war is Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Garside, Mersey Defences.

Saturday, March 10, 1917:

Lieutenant Bertram Robinson, of the Ashton Territorials, is over in Ashton on leave from France.

Captain G. Makin, who recently left Ripon for Edinburgh, has now arrived in Egypt.

Saturday, March 17, 1917:

Lieut.-Colonel D. H. Wade and Ashton Territorials have now arrived in France.

Saturday, March 24, 1917:

Lieut. W. M. Barratt, 9th Manchesters, attached 18th Manchester Regiment, has been promoted captain from February 6th 1916. He is the eldest son of Mr. Herbert Barratt, Richmond Street, and married Gladys, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Holderness, Heath Lea, Ashton. He served in Gallipoli with the 9th and went to France at the beginning of October 1916.

Saturday, April 14, 1917:

Lieut.-Colonel D. H. Wade, commanding officer of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Ashton Territorials), has been over from France on short leave, and has visited ,any of his friends and acquaintances in Ashton. He returned to France on Thursday.

Saturday, April 28, 1917:

Lieut. W. Ruttenau, of the Ashton Territorials, son of the principal of Messrs. Ruttenau and Co., leather, etc., manufacturers, Ashton, has been over this week from France on short leave.

C.Q.M.-Sergt. W. Eaton, of the Ashton Territorials, (a grandson of Alderman A. Shaw), is in Ashton this week, and will undergo training preparatory to taking up a commission.

Sergt.-Major Buckley, the crack shot of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, whose name used to figure conspicuously in the prize lists before the war, is in England to undergo training for a commission.

Captain George Handforth, of the Ashton Territorials, who prior to the war was on the clerical staff of the Ashton Borough Education Committee, and has been out with the Territorials in Egypt and the Dardanelles, has been over on furlough from France.

Saturday, May 12, 1917:

Colonel D. H. Wade, commanding officer of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, is now in hospital in Torquay.

Saturday, July 7, 1917:

Lieut.-Col. D. H. Wade, of the 1/9th Batt. Manchester Regiment, has been transferred to the Territorial Force Reserve, and has resumed his civil occupation of secretary of the Ashton Education Committee.

Saturday, July 14, 1917:

The name of Captain G. W. Handforth, 1/9th Batt. Manchester Regiment, appears in the list of officers mentioned by General Sir Archibald Murray in his despatch dealing with the Egyptian operations.

Saturday, July 28, 1917:

Major T. Egbert Howorth, 1/9th Manchester Regt., has arrived home from France on a few days’ leave. Major Howorth looks particularly fit, and will leave again for France on Tuesday.

Saturday, August 11, 1917:

Lieut. H. H. Knight (Ashton Territorials), son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Knight, Arncliffe, Henrietta Street, Hurst, has been over on short leave from France.

Saturday, August 25, 1917:

Company Commander F. A. Makin (Late Lieut. 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, T.F.), has resigned his appointment with effect from July 1st in the 1st Battalion (Manchester) Lancashire Volunteer Regiment.

Saturday, September 15, 1917:

Lieut. W. L. Connery, a son of Major M. H. Connery, has been promoted to captain, dated July 1st. He is now at Cleethorpes.

Major M. H. Connery, M.C., who was some time ago appointed adjutant and quartermaster at prisoners of war camp, at Loch Doon, Dalmellington, Scotland, has been over in Ashton this week. He looked exceedingly well.

Saturday, October 6, 1917:

The following appeared in the “London Gazette” on October 1st: “Manchester Regiment – Captain R. Lees is seconded for duty with Labour Corps, July 21st, 1917″. Captain Lees who was formerly officer commanding Depot the 9th Bn. Manchester Regiment, Armoury, Ashton, is now the officer commanding the 527 Employment Company, Labour Corps, with headquarters at Sootton Camp, Catterick, Yorkshire.

Saturday, October 20, 1917:

Capt. W. M. Barratt, 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, has left Whitworth Street Hospital, Manchester. Captain Barratt, prior to being invalided home from France, had had service in Gallipoli and Egypt.

Saturday, October 27, 1917:

Sister E. Cryer, who is in charge of Mottram Old Hall British Red Cross Hospital, has been awarded the Royal Order of the Red Cross (second class) for meritorious services since the war began.

There are several examples of errors and inaccuracies in articles and letters published in the Ashton Reporter during the war years. The point here is not to imply that there was anything intentionally published with errors but simply to serve as a reminder that just because an article or a soldier’s letter appeared in the Reporter does not mean that it was always 100% accurate.

Shot Armed Arab

The following letter was published in the October 31, 1914 edition of the Ashton Reporter:

A smart bit of work by a Dukinfield lad who was on guard at the Ashton Territorial Barracks in Cairo, is recorded by Private Herbert Fish, of the 9th Battalion. Writing to his father and mother, Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Fish, of 72, Astley Street, from Cairo, he says: –

“I am very glad to say I am still keeping in good health and good spirits. We have been able to see a bit more of Cairo since I last wrote. It is a fine place. You can spend days looking at the shops and big hotels. Last night (Sunday) I was on guard at the main barrack gates. I did my first post all right. The next time on was from 12pm to 2am. About 1.30am I heard footsteps so I challenged. He did not answer me after I had challenged him three times, so I fired at him and shot him through the neck. We brought him into the guard room to see who he was. He had a revolver in his hand, so it was lucky I fired when I did or else you might not have seen Bert again. Anyway, I am keeping the empty cartridge as a reminder of when I did guard at Kasr-el-Nil. He was an Arab. Today I had to go in front of the Colonel to give my evidence. The Colonel said that I did the right thing. Had I not done so, he said, I should probably have lost my own life and endangered others. The Brigadier-General said I was a very smart guard, and knew my duty. Not so bad, is it? I have been to see the Pyramids and Sphinx. They are fine things. Some of the stones are as big as our houses at home. Inside the base of the Pyramids are dozens of bazaars and shops. We do our marching at night instead of in the day time. We set out at eight o’clock and get back at eleven o’clock. It is simply fine. Talk about seeing life, it is not in it. If I had missed my chance of coming out here I should never have forgiven myself.”

However, in the December 26, 1914 edition the following was published:

Letter From Colonel Wade

To the Editor of the “Reporter”

Sir, I enclose a copy of a letter which speaks for itself. It was the result of a boyish prank. Private Fish did not anticipate the publication of the untrue and misleading statements which he now contradicts.

Whist I am writing may I also state that many of the accounts of the life of the Territorials and others in Cairo which I have read in your columns are merely the result of first and imperfect impressions. Again, many of the men of the 9th are experts at leg pulling.

Although we have had plenty of hard work, the change has done us a lot of good, not only from a military point of view but also physically. Generally, the health of the men has been good although I am very sorry to say we have lost two through sickness. With very few exceptions all have done their best to become soldiers in the true sense of the word.

Although our training has been greatly interrupted by having to provide guards at various places, escorts for prisoners, transports, etc., still the Battalion is a far different unit from what it was when we left Bury, and we are anxious to be given even a more substantive share in the task our country has undertaken.

If not taking too much space, I should like to say that I regret that I have not been able to reply personally to all those who have written me concerning members of the 9th Manchesters. I can assure them however that I have done what I could even to the neglect of my private correspondence.

Yours Faithfully

DH WADE, Lieut. Col.
9th Battalion, The Manchester Regt.
Kasr-el-Nil Barracks, Cairo
2nd December, 1914

From Private H Fish

To the Editor of the “Reporter”

Sir, I write the below lines to let you know that the letter you put into your paper about an Arab being shot in the neck at Cairo was absolutely untrue. There has been no Arab shot here. There was not a word of truth in it. I write this letter in contradiction to that letter. It is only right I should tell you this as it has made people believe something that was not true. Will you put it in your paper – I remain yours truly.

H. Fish
9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment
December 1914

Capt. J. A. Dearden

The following appeared in the October 16, 1915 edition of the Ashton Reporter under the “Personal” column:

PERSONAL

Captain J. A. Dearden, the adjutant of the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, is going out to the Dardanelles to rejoin the Ashton Territorials. Captain Dearden was invalided home from Egypt.

In fact, when Captain Dearden first arrived in the UK after being invalided from Egypt due to illness, he was granted 3 months leave to recuperate. This leave would have ended on October 12, 1915 and there must have been an assumption that he was fit for duty.  However, when he was medically assessed in October, instead of being passed fit he was ruled to be still unfit and awarded another 2 months leave. Captain Dearden was seriously ill and did not rejoin the 9th Battalion until after the war and he certainly did not return to Gallipoli. All of this information is provided in detail in Captain Dearden’s service record.