Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 1

Newspapers listed Bridgwater Mercury 12 August 1914 Bridgwater and the War The Blake Museum, Bridgwater, possesses a file of YEOMANRY AND ASC MOBILISED. clippings from the Bridgwater newspapers – the Mercury and the Independent – covering the Great PURCHASE OF HORSES FOR THE ARMY. War (1914-1918). In the main they are the “Bridgwater and the War” columns from the Mercury A RUN ON THE SHOPS – RUSH FOR which record local war news. The headings of the PROVISIONS – RESERVISTS CALLED UP news stories are given here. While most are dated not Nearly 20 from the postal service, PC Fry, Capt BA all have the papers' titles.. Warry, JP, CA of Shapwick called to the Reserve of Officers. War was declared at midnight on Monday 3 August. BRIDGWATER NAVAL OFFICER The following day the editorial staff of the Lt Routh . Bridgwater Mercury compiled Agency reports of developments which featured greatly in the edition CANNINGTON ‘OLD BOYS’ AND THE WAR published the following day, Wednesday 5 August. BRIDGWATER SHIPPING AND THE WAR There was very little local news about it.. GUARDED RAILWAY BRIDGE Bridgwater Mercury 12 th August 1914 p 1 Somerset Bridge kept guarded day and night. th BW Independent 15 August 1914 p.2 PRICE OF BREAD NOT TO BE RAISED. Bridgwater Mercury 19th August 1914 p.2 Bridgwater Mercury 26th August 1914 p.3 25 MORE MEN WANTED – 5TH SOMERSET Bridgwater Mercury 2nd September 1914 p.4 LIGHT INFANTRY. Bridgwater Mercury 9th September 1914 p.5 BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS RETURN TO Bridgwater Mercury 16th September 1914 p.6 SALISBURY PLAIN. Bridgwater Mercury 23rd September 1914 p.7 Bridgwater Mercury 30th September 1914 p.8 BRIDGWATER VOLUNTARY AID Bridgwater Mercury 7th October 1914 p.9 DETACHMENT Bridgwater Mercury 14th October 1914 p.10 The VAD accepted an offer of the Bridgwater Rink Bridgwater Mercury 21st October 1914 p.11 and Club in St Mary St as an hospital capable of Bridgwater Mercury 28th October 1914 p.13 holding 72 beds, an operating theatre, &c. Somerset Bridgwater Mercury 4th November 1914 p.13 Cabinet Works, Church St offered 18 men at the Bridgwater Mercury 11h November 1914 p.15 disposal of the VAD and to make a number of beds if Bridgwater Mercury 18th November 1914 p.17 required. There was also the fitting out of railway Bridgwater Mercury 25th November 1914 p.19 carriages as ambulance vans being carried out at the Bridgwater Mercury 2nd December 1914 p.21 Somerset & Dorset station. Bridgwater Mercury 9th December 1914 p.22 Bridgwater Mercury 16th December 1914 p.24 DEPARTURE OF THE YEOMANRY AND ASC. rd Bridgwater Mercury 23 December 1914 p.25 REGISTRATION OF GERMANS. Bridgwater Mercury 30th December 1914 p.26 BRIDGWATER LABOUR PARTY AND THE WAR. BRIDGWATER DIVISION CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION Lt Col RA Saunders, MP. WEST SOMERSET YEOMANRY AND ASC AT ST MARY’S CHURCH Full details of the service and the Sermon. BRIDGWATER LADIES' EXCITING EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE Description of a weekend visit by Miss KL Everdell, Miss Roberts, and Miss FA Waddon to France at the beginning of the crisis arriving back at Southampton on Bank Holiday morning (Bank Holiday Monday was 3rd August in 1914). Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 2

BRIDGWATER GENTLEMAN’S FLIGHT FROM Court case of Henry Hannack an elderly itinerant GERMANY. musician with a wife in Cheltenham – Remanded pending reports.. ACCIDENTS – TWO Both connected with the purchase of horses for the GERMAN'S WIFE ARRESTED military. Mrs Alice Von Berks arrested at Nether Stowey for failing to Register.. FOOTBALL TO BE POSTPONED NOTE ABOUT RESIDENTS TRAPPED IN Bridgwater RFC postpone start of programme of GERMANY matches. ACTIVITY OF THE VOLUNTARY AID Bridgwater Independent 15th August 1914. DETACHMENT DEPARTURE OF THE ASC LECTURES ON FIRST AID AND NURSING AT For Salisbury Plain. BRIDGWATER HOSPITAL DEPARTURE OF THE WEST SOMERSET LOCAL FOOTBALLERS SERVING THEIR YEOMANRY COUNTRY – For Winchester. Bridgwater Club – J. Barbour, J. Reed, F. Tapper and F Spriggs THE WAR AND THE EFFECT ON LOCAL TRADE Albion Club – T. Billlings, J. Dibble, A. Holman, E. – UNEMPLOYMENT FEARED A. H. Churchill. Brick yard to be closed and all single men discharged. Married men to be transferred to other SPECIAL SERVICE AT SAINT MARY'S yards owned by the company. Fear of unemployment FOLLOWING SUNDAY in the collar factories and in shipping. Also there was Collection for the Prince of Wales's Relief Fund. the opening of a local fund in connection with the Prince of Wales for dealing with ‘distress consequent SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' FAMILIES upon war’. ASSOCIATION Col E. Trevor, the local representative soliciting BRIDGWATER VAD subscriptions. Rink & Club offered as hospital (See 12 August 1914). Cannington Branch request use of Cottage ROYAL NORTH DEVON HUSSARS FOR Home, Cannington if needed. FOREIGN SERVICE Note that the West Somerset Yeomanry have been LECTURES ON FIRST AID AND NURSING transferred from Winchester to Colchester.

FOOTBALL POSTPONED BRIDGWATER ARMY SERVICE CORPS Bridgwater RFC also includes a list of players who Letter from Major A. H. Peace, now at Durrington have left for active service.. Camp, Lark Hill, Wilts, requesting contributions for comforts. SKITTLES LEAGUE Opening of season postponed. NOTE ABOUT THE JAPANESE ULTIMATUM TO LT COL RA SAUNDERS MP AND HIS GERMANY TO MOVE HER WARSHIPS FROM CONSTITUENTS. JAPANESE AND CHINESE WATERS. Bridgwater Mercury 19 August 1914. MORE HORSES FOR THE ARMY Bridgwater and the War 60 or 70 brought into the town.. AN EVENTFUL WEEK DEPARTURE OF THE BRIDGWATER AND THE NATIONAL RELIEF A.S.C AND YEOMANRY FUND – THE MAYOR'S APPEAL – SPLENDID Detailed account. DONATIONS. MOTOR CYCLISTS CORPS ORGANISED – Quotes the telegram to the Mayor from the Prince of GERMAN ARRESTED IN THE TOWN. Wales and saying that £200 1 0 had been received so far. LUSITANIA'S DASH ACROSS THE SEA ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS BRIDGWATER SKITTLES LEAGUE A Bearer Company to be formed in he town. Season postponed due to the call-up. BRIDGWATER SEWING SOCIETY GERMAN ARRESTED IN THE TOWN Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 3

Letter about the formation of the group whose object was to make items for the Red Cross and similar QUEEN MARY AND UNEMPLOYMENT organisations. Mentions the fear that the formation of sewing groups would cause unemployment among BRIDGWATER POLICE RESERVE sempstresses. Letter from Mr Wm J. Davey, Head Constable asking for volunteers. Bridgwater Mercury 26 August 1914. Bridgwater and the War NOTE ABOUT A PRIVATE MEETING OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY WAR RELIEF A WEEK OF USEFUL WORK COMMITTEE. Red Cross Association Meeting Fully Equipped hospital to be provided HELP FROM THE BRIDGWATER VARIETY Great recruiting gathering on the East Quay. ARTISTS HOLDING A HORSE PARADE AND SPORTS AT THE ALBION GROUND BRIDGWATER'S THOUGHT FOR THE Proceeds to the local relief fund. WOUNDED – Report of the public meeting to set up the temporary hospital at the Bridgwater Rink in THE WAR AND LOCAL TRADE. Saint Mary Street. Worry about a trade recession. Advisory committee formed. THE CALL TO ARMS GREAT RECRUITING MEETING IN WORK FOR BOY SCOUTS BRIDGWATER “COME AND DO SOMETHING” SPEECHES BY MAJOR ARCHER-SHEE AND Text of appeal from Sir Robert Baden-Powell, Chief COLONEL TREVOR Scout, appealing for scouts and scout masters. Very full report. The meeting was called as the result of Kitchener's appeal for volunteers. RECOGNITION OF BOY SCOUTS Note about the War Office recognition. THREATENED INVASION OF ENGLAND IN 1756 BOY SCOUTS GUARDING THE RAILWAY LINE Text of a loyal address from the Borough published IN THE TAUNTON AREA in the London Gazette 24 April 1756 on the occasion Appeal for the donation of rations. of the threatened French invasion. BOY SCOUTS ACTIVITY IN BRIDGWATER AND A GOOD SUGGESTION THE NEIGHBOURHOOD St John's Church to ring bell at 12 noon on each day Guarding the reservoir on Wembdon Hill, the to remind people to say a prayer for the soldiers and waterworks at Ashford, railway bridges and the line sailors engaged in the war. near Highbridge and Durston stations. Cannington Industrial School offered to provide boys. BUSINESS AS USUAL Bridgwater Traders' Association appeal to customers AN APPEAL FOR TENTS AND RATIONS FOR not to hoard. THE BRIDGWATER SCOUTS SERVICES OF INTERCESSION WORTHY AND DESERVING OBJECTS Note that all local churches held intercession services Detailed report on the setting up of the Bridgwater the previous Friday.. Sewing Society. THE MOTOR CYCLISTS CORPS USEFUL WORK BY THE BOYS' BRIGADE Report of a meeting of this group. Account of their guarding duties. MUSIC IN AID OF THE RED CROSS FUNDS BAND PERFORMANCES FOR CHARITY Reports with detailed programmes of the two Band Mogg's Military Band from W-s-M and the B. A. concerts held in Blake Gardens the previous week. Christy Band booked to play in Blake Gardens. ARMY SERVICE CORPS RATIONS – Evidently YEOMANRY HORSE STRANGLED reports had been circulating about the Rations of the Report that the animal had fallen in the railway A. S. C. – List of daily rations quoted, namely waggon on the way to Winchester and strangled Bread, 1lb 5ozs, or 1lb of biscuits, or 1lb of flour itself. Meat (fresh), lb 4ozs BRIDGWATER DOCTOR VOLUNTEERS FOR Bacon 4ozs SERVICE – Dr Price, in partnership with Dr H. S. Cheese, 3ozs Pope had offered his services. Peas, beans or dried potatoes, 2ozs Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 4

Tea, 5/8 of an ounce Jam, 4 ozs MUSIC IN THE GARDEN Sugar, 3 ozs Announcement that the Salvation Army band would Salt, ½ oz play in Blake Gardens for Red Cross funds. Mustard, 1/20 oz MR C. K. TYNTE'S GENEROUS OFFER. – CEFN Pepper, 1/36 oz MABLY AS A CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL Lime juice essence 1/10 oz Mr Charles Kemeys Tynte of Halswell offered the Half-a-gill of rum and tobacco not exceeding 2ozs for property, [on the outskirts of Cardiff] to the those who smoke, issued at thediscretion of the authorities. G.O.C. Fresh vegetables when obtainable will be issued at UNREGISTERED GERMAN IN BRIDGWATER the rate of ½ .lb per ration. When these are supplied Case Dismisssed [See last week]. peas, beans or dried potatoes and lime juice will not COLLECTION AT SAINT MARY'S be supplied. Previous Sunday £22 13 3; Chilton Trinity £1 6 1. THE NATIONAL RELIEF FUND LOCAL LADY IN GERMANY Bridgwater's response – list of subscribers. Total to Wife of Mr E. Godfrey Page, [the architect] safe with date £489 10s. friends in Germany [see last week]. Hopes to return SPECIAL CONSTABLES IN THE COUNTY – soon. LARGE NUMBER ENROLLED AT BAND PROCEEDS BRIDGWATER. List of money taken at the two band concerts in Note that not many were from Bridgwater itself. Blake Gardens the previous week.. Continued on P 5. Bridgwater Mercury 2nd September 1914. SOMERSET AND THE WAR – FORMATION OF Bridgwater and the War THE COUNTY RELIEF COMMITTEE – THE CALL TO ARMS IN BRIDGWATER. GREAT IMMEDIATE STEPS TO BE TAKEN RECRUITING MEETING IN BRIDGWATER List of names of the Committee members. TOWN HALL LETTER TO THE EDITOR ABOUT THE SEWING Big batch of Police reserves enrolled. CIRCLE TAKING WORK AWAY FROM LOCAL INTERESTING INCIDENTS SEMPSTRESSES. Describes the mood of the town as anxious and Bridgwater and the Great War (Continued from P subdued although the Red Cross appeal warmly 6). responded to. BRIDGWATER SOLDIER'S PROMOTION PATRIOTIC SPEECHES BY DISTINGUISHED Frederick Marker who was in the Royal Field GENTLEMEN – including Lord St. Audries. Artillery promoted sergeant.

CATCOTT OFFICER AT THE FRONT RECRUITS FROM OTTERHAMPTON AND Lt R. J. A. Henniker, in the Duke of Wellington's COMBWICH. Light Infantry. His uncle, Major Henniker in the BRIDGWATER BUILT AMBULANCE WAGONS Royal Engineers. Bridgwater Motor Co Ltd at their coach works are BEARER COMPANY RED CROSS SOCIETY. building 2 ambulance wagons for the Red Cross. Weekly orders. NATIONAL WAR RELIEF FUND – LOCAL SALVATION ARMY COLLECTIONS RESPONSE The band raised £1 15 0 for the Prince of Wales's List of donors and donations given. Relief Fund. SPECIAL CONSTABLES FOR BRIDGWATER MORE HORSES FOR THE ARMY 78 townsmen enrolled. 52 despatched by the GWR for Tidworth, on LT ERIC WESTMACOTT , HMS ARETHUSA Salisbury Plain.. –‘KILLED IN ACTION LAST FRIDAY AT THE BRIDGWATER NEEDLEWORK GUILD BATTLE OF HELIGOLAND’ Letter about the meeting last week, with list of names Nephew of Maj Gen Westmacott of Edington. of donors. BRIDGWATER MOTOR CO LTD Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 5

Enlistment of 7 men to act as drivers for the ASC. Bridgwater Mercury 9th September 1914. Bridgwater and the War BRIDGWATER RECRUITS – 150. BOOM IN RECRUITMENT BRIDGWATER CURATE’S OFFER New Territorial Companies formed. Rev BF Davies as army chaplain– refused as over subscribed. RECRUITING BOOM IN BRIDGWATER Large numbers join Territorial Forces. BRIDGWATER DENTIST’S PATRIOTIC ACTION Mr WH Phillips – offered free dental treatment to SPECIAL CONSTABLES. those being refused enlistment on account of their teeth. SPORTS AND HORSE PARADE Funds for local effort. BRIDGWATER RUGBY CLUB – cancel fixture due to the war. BRIDGWATER OPERATIC SOCIETY Performance abandoned. BRIDGWATER OFFICER’S FLYING EXPERIENCE. FARMERS AND THE WAR Supply of food stuffs. PARLIAMENTARY RECRUITING COMMITTEE – Mr RA Saunders MP. LADIES AT WORK – WESLEYAN SECTION – BRIDGWATER SEWING SOCIETY. LOCAL RED CROSS SOCIETY APPEAL For beds, materials and also money. MR GEO. GILES Four sons serving in the somerset regiment. BRIDGWATER TERRITORIAL FORCE “C” BRIDGWATER SONS OF PUBLIC MEN COMPANY RESPONDING TO THE CALL. Extract from orders week ending 5th September 1914. BRIDGWATER EX ALBION CAPTAIN – MR HAH GUARDSMAN FROM ST AUDRIES CHURCHILL – Canadian Expeditionary Forces. Mr George Rymer. BAPTIST CHURCH – NON CONFORMIST– PATRIOTIC LOCAL PEOPLE STRONG CONTINGENT. People in the employment of Messrs. H. J. & C. Major – brick and tile makers contributing portion of LOCAL CRICKETERS’ ENLIST. their wages each week to the Prince of Wales. PREFERENCE FOR KITCHENER’S ARMY. LOCAL SEAMAN ON BOARD HMS HIGHFLYER SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS’ FAMILIES AB A. Letherby of Northgate. HMS Highflyer sank ASSOCIATION the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse. Subscription of £1 from Mr Mark Harman, North St. THE WAR AND THE BUILDING TRADE Due to the serious effect of the war on the building ROYAL ENGINEERS POPULAR trade, increase in cost of materials, stoppage of 2 members of staff from Bridgwater Electric Light contracts could result in unemployment . Co. enlisted Saturday last. A RECRUIT FROM STOGURSEY ANXIOUS ABOUT A FOOTBALLER Joseph Millard. Lt RJA Henniker of Catcott. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR BRIDGWATER MEN SERVING THEIR COUNTRY L.H. Hayter – Liberal objection to Soldiers’ votes 650 in the Regular Army, Navy, Kitchener’s Army John McGowen – The Call to Arms and the Territorial Army. 100 Special Constables with J. Cooke-Hurle – Appeal to Men of Somerset – the present mood of the town this should easily Sheriff of Somerset increase to 1000. Lt Col WF Westmacott – the pressing need for more INSTRUCTOR CALLED UP recruits Colour Sgt Instructor Paisey and Gamlen as A SOMERSET LADY – RECRUITMENT APPEAL Instructors for Kitchener’s Army. TO FARMERS, NORMAN OLDFIELD, WESTON- MOTOR CYCLISTS CORPS SUPER- MARE – SOMERSET WAR COMMITTEE Bridgwater Motor Cyclists Corp took test on – APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS OF LABOUR. efficiency to Cheddar Sunday last. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 6

MORE SPECIAL CONSTABLES OHMS BEARER CO. 31 more sworn in. To meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm at Dr Morgan’s School. SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS’ FAMILIES ASSOCIATION BRIDGWATER RESPONSE TO KITCHENER’S Monies received from Frank Hill, also those APPEAL collected by Mr Raynsford Everard. Over 100 men enlist this week. EFFORT BY CARNIVAL GANGS WEST SOMERSET YEOMANRY raised £2. Need 150 more recruits for foreign service. BAND PERFORMANCE FOR RED CROSS FUND A FIRM’S GOOD RESPONSE In Blake gardens. 6 staff from J Hook & Son, Grocers, Fore St have enlisted, compelling shop to close for 1 hour at A GOOD SEND OFF nd lunchtime due to a shortage of staff. The company 31 members of the 2 Bridgwater Company of the was sure the people of the town would understand. Army Service corps left for Salisbury Plain. HONOUR FOR BRIDGWATER MAN NATIONAL RELIEF FUND – List of monies One of 6 special despatch riders attached to Sir John collected. French’s staff is believed to be a Bridgwater man. A PATRIOTIC STREET – 73 MEN FROM ALBERT LOCAL GENTLEMEN IN KITCHENER’S ARMY ST ENLISTED – SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY BATTALION Messrs Lewis (4), Cook (3), May, Howard, Jarvis HB Peace, G Foley, Paul M Reed and H (3), Creedy (2), Saunders (3), Salway (2), Hamlyn, Burrington. Woodland, Chorley (2), Young (2), Kirk, Manley, Batley, Tapper, Lee, Letherby, Thomas, Porter, BRIDGWATER BOROUGH RED CROSS Turner (2), Frost (2), Salisbury, Dyment, Parsons, Response to appeal for equipment for proposed Hurford, Mullins, Slocombe, Staples (2), Pulsford, hospital for sick and wounded at the Bridgwater Kerslake, Rossitter, Coles, Longland (3), Parsons, Rink. Day Wall, Chapman, Court, Phillips, Smith and Lang.. LOCAL RESERVIST WOUNDED Pte Tom Parkman of Somersets from Wembdon, local ASSISTANT SURVEYOR ENLISTS postman. Mr Owen Barry, Assistant Surveyor for Bridgwater Rural District Council enlists in Kitchener’s Army. BRIDGWATER TRADESMAN’S PATRIOTIC OFFER – HICKMAN’S DRUG STORE, FOOTBALL ON THE PLAIN EASTOVER. Bridgwater RFC sent 15 rugby shirts for use by An advertisement for a collection being made in aid soldiers on Salisbury Plain. of the National Relief Fund, Wives of soldiers on EMPLOYEES KINDLY ACTION active service to get medicine for free..

Employees of Tone Vale Manufacturing Co. contrib- th ute £1 6s to local Red Cross funds. Bridgwater Mercury 16 September 1914 Bridgwater and the War SOMERSET RECRUITS REQUIREMENTS MR H Hickman, Chemist of Eastover forwarded to RECRUITING PROGRESSING STEADILY the Ladies Committee at Burnham supplies of Slowing down – totals now 700. Vaseline, ointments &c. for the new recruits at BRIDGWATER MEN WITH THE CANADIANS Taunton. Ernest A Hollister formerly of Bridgwater, Herbert T FLOWER SHOW ABANDONED Smith of High St, Bridgwater. Bridgwater, Wembdon & District Horticultural BRIDGWATER RURAL WAR COMMITTEE. Society abandon Autumn Show. WOUNDED OFFICER’S LOCAL CONNECTION – FOOTBALL CLUB DISBANDED Capt Besant, Royal Warwickshire Regiment – Bridgwater AFC disbanded until further notice. nephew of Col T Foster Barham. TWENTY-EIGHT PLAYERS SERVING THEIR BRIDGWATER SWIMMING CLUB’S FINE COUNTRY RESPONSE List of members of Bridgwater Rugby Club who List of names of those who have enlisted. enlisted bringing the total to 28. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 7

RECRUITMENT MEETING IN THE VILLAGES LETTER TO MESSRS SQUIBBS & SON, Cannington, Spaxton, Huntspill, Chilton Polden . BRIDGWATER, FROM BELGIAN FIRM. STOGURSEY RECRUITS. BELGIAN REFUGEES Offer of hospitality by local residents. FORTHCOMING CONCERT In aid of Prince of Wales Fund, to be held in the SONS OF PUBLIC MEN SERVING THEIR Town Hall, Bridgwater. COUNTRY – Foster, Corder, Helps, Westbury. NATIONAL RELIEF FUND Further Local Donations – list of donors and monies MOTOR DRIVERS FOR THE FRONT – given BRIDGWATER MOTOR WORKS CO. 5 men. BENEFIT AT THE BIJOU THEATRE Announcement LOCAL TERRITORIALS ON LEAVE. FORTHCOMING CONCERT AT THE TOWN RIVAL TO ALBERT ST RECORD HALL West St (Does not mention numbers enlisting from Announcement West St). Bridgwater Mercury 23rd September 1914. LOCAL OFFICER WOUNDED Bridgwater and the War Capt JYM Broderip. BELGIAN REFUGEES RECEIVED AT IMPORTANT CONTRACT FOR LOCAL FIRM WEMBDON Bridgwater Motor Works – order for transport motor 8 – detailed account on separate clipping. wagons . MORE MEN REQUIRED FOR HOME SERVICE. LUCKY ESCAPE Chas Creedy, HMS Pathfinder and HMS Heela. RECRUITING MEETINGS. SOCCER PLAYER SERVING KING AND RETURN OF LOCAL WOUNDED WEMBDON COUNTRY – Bridgwater Thursday Association SOLDIER Club. Pte Tom Parkman– with photograph – wounded after the Battle of Mons – detailed account. INTERVIEW WITH LOCAL WOUNDED SOLDIER LETTER FROM MR A W FORBES, LCpl F Hooper from Chilton Polden – detailed GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT AT THE account. FRONT– TO MR WH CHAPMAN, BRIDGWATER WAR RELIEF CONCERT SOLICITOR, HIS UNCLE Town Hall, 28th September in aid of Prince of Wales Alec Forbes was a well known Rugby player in Fund. Bridgwater – details of how he escaped injury, also asking for ‘Woodbines’ as tobacco is poor and MORE SPECIAL CONSTABLES. expensive. COMMISSION FOR MR HC HICKS COMMISSION FOR A BRIDGWATERITE Former Liberal Candidate Bridgwater Division . Mr JL King of Wembdon Rd – 2nd Lt in the 7th CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE Service Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. Letter from Herbert T Smith of High St, Bridgwater. MISHAP TO YEOMANRY RECRUITS A KINDLY ACT On Taunton Rd involving a motor cycle and side car Fruit and vegetables for the territorials on Salisbury ridden by LW Carder and a horse and cart owned by Plain from FJ Shere of Penel Orlieu. Mr S Gambling. PATRIOTISM OF GAS COMPANY’S Local Lady’s Experience in Germany EMPLOYEES Mrs Page of London formerly of Bridgwater. Howell, Redstone, Evitt, Perry, Gilson, Corder, PATRIOTISM OF BRIDGWATER LADS IN Hayward, Hill – plus others giving weekly CANADA contributions to the War Relief Fund. Letter to the Mercury, 2 men from Polden St with the 48th Highlanders. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 8

BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY – APPEAL FOR GIFTS FOR LOCAL TERRITORIALS BLANKETS Truck load of fruit and vegetables despatched to 160 needed – letter form Harold S Dosson, Salisbury Plain on Wednesday. It was sent by Mr FJ Quartermaster. Sheere of Penel Orlieu from gifts from farmers and residents of Bridgwater and the neighbourhood. Mr PUBLIC MEN’S SONS WHO HAVE ENLISTED DG Denman of Haygrove, Durleigh also sent a truck Haggett, Trotman. load of apples.

COMMISSION FOR LOCAL GENTLEMAN th nd Bridgwater Mercury 30 September 1914. AJ Petrocochino of Huntworth – 2 Lt Army Bridgwater and the War Service Corps south Western Brigade . LOCAL TERRITORIALS TO PROCEED TO INDIA Bridgwater Doctors for Active Service – NEW ARMY SERVICE CORPS COMPANY Dr EB Hartnell of Church St as a Surgeon Captain in RAISED a Cavalry Mounted Field Ambulance, called for Under the first 2 headlines there is a general training. It is understood that this mounted paragraph on Bridgwater and the War. Appeal by ambulance will be at the front within a month. Dr ASC raised nearly 100 men. Bridgwater now has Price who volunteered has a temporary commission nearly 600 men serving out of a population of as a Lieutenant with the RMAC. between 16,000 and 17,000 – only 2nd week of the TONE VALE EMPLOYEES AND WORKMEN war. Of 63 men employed by Tone Vale Manufacturing Co BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS SELECTED FOR Ltd at Bridgwater and Taunton 28 have enlisted in the INDIA SERVICE Army. Mr Harry van Trump, jnr, who served for two Full report plus list of those leaving for India. and half years in the Boer War, has enlisted in the ‘Colonial Infantry’ Battalion of the Regular Army. COMFORTS FOR LOCAL TERRITORIALS The firm is holding their jobs open until they return. Appeal from Major Aglen H Peace. GALLANT LITTLE BELGIUM BRIDGWATER MAN KILLED IN ACTION Letter from HMB Ker, dated 21st September 1914, Pte. Sidney Smith D Company – 1st Somerset Light secretary of the Bridgwater Incorporated Chamber of Infantry at the Battle of Mons. Lived in West St prior Commerce, Shipping & Agriculture, stating a to moving to Highbridge, parents live at Southbourne donation of £5 5s had been sent to the Belgian Relief Terrace, North St. Leaves wife and child – article Fund. contains excerpt from last letter to his parents. RECRUITS WANTED FOR THE ARMY SERVICE BRIDGWATER MEN WOUNDED CORPS Cpl DJ Gillespie – reservist – Somerset Light 50 more needed for the Bridgwater Company of the Infantry of Saltlands Avenue, Chilton St and Frank Army Service Corps. Stockham – also with the Somersets – Saltlands Avenue, Chilton St . F Baker – Gunner – Quantock BRIDGWATER RANGERS AFC Terrace, Bristol Rd – Battle of Mons – wounded in 11 members serving with the forces includes list of the leg and left hand – article contains excerpt of names. letter to parents from hospital. Lcpl S Southwood – WAR RELIEF CONCERT – AT THE TOWN HALL Somerset Light Infantry – wounded on 26th August – Announcement. parents live at Corporation Buildings. Pte Rainey – Polden St. NATIONAL WAR RELIEF FUND The Bridgwater Appeal – list of donors – Total of HUMOUR IN THE FLEET Fund to date £887 14s. Mr Pike, Crowpill Cottage Chilton St, serving aboard HMS Talbot sent copies home of ‘The Talbot BRIDGWATER ARTILLERY MAN WOUNDED – Observer’ – article has excerpts from some issues. Gunner F Baker, Quantock Terrace , Bristol Rd, injured and in a military hospital at Devonport – PETHERTON SERGEANT WOUNDED wounded in 3 places but recovering. Sgt Lang – Coldstream Guards – Battle of Aisne – son of Thomas Lang, Shearston, North Petherton. RECRUITING MEETING IN THE FAIR FIELD. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 9

BELGIUM REFUGEE FAMILIES IN A GOODLY PROPORTION BRIDGWATER 4 employees of Mr EH Hooper, draper, High St, have Mr & Mrs Moleworth, ‘Belle Vue’ Wembdon, house responded to the call. 3 left with the new ASC 2 families. Company on Monday last. REFUGEES INTERVIEWED YOUNG LADIES KINDLY ACT – On Wednesday Story of their experiences. last, market day, Misses D & E Denman and M Smith solicited cigarettes and tobacco to be sent to A LOCAL ARMY SERVICE COMPANY RAISED Somerset troops at the front. They collected 880 Army Service Corps – more men needed – 65 men cigarettes and £4 in money which was used to buy responded – big send off from S & D Station. 5,000 cigarettes. These have all been sent to the front. INTERESTING LETTER FROM TROOPER WS TH HOW TO BECOME EFFICIENT HOOK – 12 LANCERS call to ordinary people to attend instruction in the use son of Mr CJ Hook, grocers of Bridgwater & Yeovil. of the rifle, signalling and first aid in case of the need RECRUITS FOR KITCHENER’S ARMY to defend home soil. In the last 3 weeks 50 recruits sent to Taunton WOUNDED SOLDIERS HOME FROM THE LOCAL FOOTBALLER FOR THE FRONT FRONT Mr Walter Roman – former captain of Bridgwater Several in the Bridgwater district – article contains RFC also served in the Boer War. no details. MR ECM POYNTZ – GAZETTED TO THE PATRIOTIC LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM BEDFORDSHIRES Bridgwater Association Football team have Formerly of Bridgwater – one time captain of disbanded for the present season about 20 members Bridgwater Albion FC. have enlisted – article included list of names. PATRIOTISM IN A LOCAL BRICKYARD NATIONAL WAR RELIEF FUND Messrs Barham Bros – out of 40 employees 12 have Further local subscriptions – list of donors – amount enlisted assured jobs will be open for them on their to date £911 15s return. THE 7TH BUFFS – SINKING OF THE HOGUE – SOMERSET Lt RDR Troup of Wembdon granted a commission in BRIDGE MAN’S EXPERIENCE the 7th Buffs (Bucks & Hants). MR R Symons – gunner in the Royal Marine Bridgwater Mercury 7th October 1914. Artillery. Bridgwater and the War CANNINGTON WOUNDED AND MISSING – DEPARTURE OF LOCAL TERRITORIALS EN John Scully – Rifle Brigade – wounded st ROUTE FOR INDIA Fred Elworthy – 1 Devons –wounded Recruiting efforts during the Fair . Joseph Barrett – Rifle Brigade – missing Fred Williams – Rifle Brigade – missing . BRIDGWATER INDIA BOUND TERRITORIALS – Enthusiastic departure scene – detailed account. MAGISTRATES AND THE WAR – appeal for money and recruits. GENEROUS GIFTS FOR THE TERRITORIALS – INITIATIVE OF ALDERMAN WILLS BRIDGWATER SOLDIER MISSING Bridgwater Territorials going to India received gifts Pte Cooze – Somerset Light Infantry – Halesleigh Rd of tobacco, cigarettes, a pipe and a box of matches. NORTH PETHERTON SOLDIERS MISSING THE QUEEN’S THANKS TO A BRIDGWATER Pte Tom Roberts – Somerset Light Infantry – th GIRLS' SCHOOL Missing on 26 August – father lives at Queen St, Bridgwater Secondary Education Classes for Girls North Petherton donated £5 for vests and socks for the troops. Pte Edward Elder – Somerset Light Infantry – was rural postman before moving to Pontypridd. BRIDGWATER OIL MILLS EMPLOYEES AT PRESENT SERVING AT THE FRONT FIRST LOCAL AMBULANCE BODY FOR THE HC Yeandle, J Barbour, C Barbour, E Bell, T Rugg, FRONT W Gratton – all with the Territorials India Sgt Maj W Jones, native of Bridgwater, brother Contingent living on High St. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 10

J Thomas, S Burt, R Burt, R Searle – with the Soloman, S Towler, B Temblett, A Curry, W Curry, Army Service Corps S Hill, H Lynham, D Gillespie, F Gaylor, J Jeffries, E Ferris – with Kitchener’s Army . S Berry, I Vickery, F Crossman, A Tabrett, E Price, J Haste, A Culverwell, Arthur Culverwell, W Bull, THOUSAND MULES TO BE SENT TO S Pearce, B Pearse, J Pitman, B Pitman, S Smith. BRIDGWATER 1000 mules purchased from South America to be BRIDGWATER NEEDLEWORK GUILD billeted at Bridgwater. Letter detailing work completed for the Red Cross dated 6th October 1914. AUSTRALIANS IN BRIDGWATER passed through on Wednesday Morning. THE FIRE BRIGADE AND THE WAR 3 members serving their country – one on active THE SOMERSET ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY service in France and reported missing. Those wishing to enlist apply to Bridgwater Police Station on Monday next. SOMERSET TERRITORIALS AND FOREIGN SERVICE – A DISAPPOINTMENT ALLEGED GERMAN ATROCITIES Members of the 4th & 5th Somerset Light Infantry now Refutes previous tales of German atrocities. not all going to India. LOCAL TERRITORIALS MARRIED REPORTED GERMAN PRISONERS FOR F Berry and Bugler Slocombe – at St Mary’s on TAUNTON DISTRICT – A CAMP FOR MULES. Thursday morning – no other details. ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR ALEC W MORE MEN FOR THE ASC FORBES – HOW CIGARETTES ARE 10 more men enlist. APPRECIATED . YOUNG MEN’S ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND SECOND LIST OF SUBSCRIPTIONS AND THE WAR – ST MARY’S ST – SERVING IN DONATIONS VARIOUS BRANCHES OF HIS MAJESTY’S Total collected £68 14s. FORCES G Bishop, OW Berry, JW Colsey, LW Carder, E GOOD WORK AT WEMBDON Cook, GT Eveleigh, J Elsey, CC Grant, CC Harris, Wembdon branch of St Mary’s Sewing Guild – doing FE Hawkes, TVV Hook, HL Hillier, AE Mead, C work in connection with providing comforts for the Smith, B Strange, J Strange, EM Wheller, C troops Waddleton, WB Colthurst. Bridgwater Mercury 14th October 1914. KITCHENER’S ARMY RECRUITS Bridgwater and the War 48 hours Leave – Mr Jack Dunning, ?? of the 2nd Somerset Battalion. LOCAL TERRITORIALS SAIL FOR INDIA – INTERVIEWS WITH WOUNDED SOLDIERS IN LOCAL MEN WOUNDED AND MISSING – THE DISTRICT – GENEROUS BRIDGWATER Wounded – Cpl A Tambling – Coldstream Guards – RESPONSE TO OUR TOBACCO FUND Chedzoy, Pte Biddiscombe – Coldstream Guards – Headlines followed by a general paragraph. Bridgwater, Pte Blacker – Somerset Light Infantry – North Petherton, Missing – Pte Gray – Somerset NORTH PETHERTON SOLDIERS EXPERIENCE – Light Infantry – Enmore . SAVED BY HIS CIGARETTE CASE Detailed article giving Pte Chamberlain’s Old Boy of Cannington Technical School Wounded – experiences. Pte H Chamberlain – 1st Devons – Sgt J Scully – Royal Irish Rifles – letter detailing wounded in the right knee. Lcpl Taylor – Rifle wound. Brigade – wounded in the arm. SALE OF POEM – GWR AND THE WAR Mr WJ Sharkey – donated £1 to the Red Cross. Has run 2229 troop train since the outbreak of war. WEMBDON SCHOOLS’ GOOD RECORD – MULE DEPOTS NEAR BRIDGWATER E Biddiscombe, A Biddiscombe, R Biddiscombe, To be situated at Mr Norman’s Petherton Park and Raymond Biddiscombe (all of one family), S Coles, Mr Tilley’s, Alstone Court, Huntspill – grooms G Coles, C Coles, (all of one family), PArthurs, P wanted to look after the animals. Baker, W Baker, B Shakespeare, R Pepperall, F Woodley, J Male, A Parker, F Parsons, P Lorway, CARNIVAL COMMITTEE AND THE WAR G Sellick, H Reed, C Dibble, T Billing, F Lee, A No Carnival this year – Concert for War Relief Fund on November 5th at the Town Hall. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 11

BRIDGWATER GUARDIAN [of the poor] MAYOR OF BRIDGWATER’S APPEAL OBTAINS COMMISSION – Mr Ponsonby of Additional subscriptions on behalf of the Prince of Pawlett – in the Reserve West Yeomanry Regiment . Wales Fund – total now £971 7s 6d . MORE RECRUITS FOR THE ARMY SERVICE N.B. Piece of an article missing which gives details CORPS of the experiences of Pte Pitman – wounded – only Staff of Messrs Phillipps & Co – BL Hurst, CW the end of the article is with the clippings.

White, C Symons, – Army Service Corps Andover – st also Mr Digby Goldie . Bridgwater Mercury 21 October 1914. Bridgwater and the War LIFE IN THE TRENCHES Pte Arthur Parsons – 2nd Coldstream Guards – WOUNDED SOLDIERS RETURN TO THE brother of PC Morgan Parsons, Bridgwater Borough DISTRICT – INTERESTING INTERVIEWS. Police – asking for cocoa and matches. RETURN OF BRIDGWATER RESERVIST – PRINCE OF WALES NATIONAL RELIEF FUND INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF THE RIVERS Bridgwater Teachers Association – list of schools’ st contributions. Pte E Biddescombe – 1 Coldstream Guards – of 9 Chilton St – wounded in the left leg by a shell WEMBDON SCHOOL RECORD splinter at the Battle of Aisne – long detailed account Two more old boys – Ernest Chipp and Herbert of his experiences. Webb. FURTHER BRIDGWATER REFUGEES A PRISONER Mr & Mrs HI Humphry offered accommodation to a Capt JWM Broderip – with the Somersets – son of Belgian couple. Mr E Broderip of Cossington House, Bridgwater. BRIDGWATER LADS WITH THE CANADIANS THREE SONS SERVING THEIR COUNTRY Rev WW Bell Charlynch, Mr RJ Foley, JP Mr WG Richards – Mechanical Section ASC, Mr Bridgwater, Mr WH Smith , Bridgwater, Mr W CG Richards – 5th Somersets, Mr AG Richards – 6th Robbins, Bridgwater and Mr JN Trayler, Bridgwater Battalion Manchester Regiment. – have sons serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. THE BRIDGWATER MOTOR CYCLE CORPS more members. NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION – Tom Pursey of the Somersets – mother received a LETTER FORM A SOMERSET CORPORAL note written on a piece of wood which arrived safely Cpl Wilcox, A Company Somerset Light Infantry – through the post – due to lack of notepaper and letter to his mother at Middlezoy. envelopes at the front. BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS SAIL FOR INDIA OBTAINS A COMMISSION – MR ALEC FORBES In the early hours of Saturday morning the Company – ROYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT – of the Territorials, as part of the Wessex Brigade FOR MERITORIOUS CONDUCT ON THE FIELD sailed for India. OF BATTLE – Letter to his Aunt and Uncle , Mr & BRIDGWATER RELIEF SUB – COMMITTEE – Mrs Chapman of Ashley Villa, Wembdon. TH LETTER FROM THE MAYOR, DATED 12 SOMERSET SERGEANT’S NARROW ESCAPE OCTOBER 1914 Sgt C Wilcox of A Company Somerset Light Infantry, For the relief of cases of distress arising on account Writing to his mother who lived at 109 Bristol Rd He of the war – for civilians – list of committee had the pack cut off his back by a shell – asks for members. thick woollen socks and says that Tom Packman’s account in the Bridgwater Mercury of the 23rd FORTHCOMING FOOTBALL MATCH – September was correct as he was with him – see ANNOUNCEMENT letter for full details. For local relief fund. WOUNDED SOLDIER – COSSINGTON BRIDGWATER SOLDIER KILLED Pte Theobald, 2nd Coldstream Guards – sister Mrs Pte Alec Heard of the Somerset Light Infantry – Hallet, post mistress at Cossington – wounded in the parents reside in Old Taunton Rd, Bridgwater – Pte left knee – detailed account of his experience. Heard worked as a baker in Glastonbury . Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 12

WEMBDON SCHOOL RECORD INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH M. RENE Edwin Young, Herbert Webb, Edward Price, AUROUSSEAU Clifford day, Henry Green, Edward Culverwell. Belgian Refugee – detailed account. THE DEFENCE OF ANTWERP BRIDGWATER OFFICER OF DRAGOONS Polden Hill Marines Take Part – Ptes CJ Pittey, E KILLED IN ACTION Pittey, and F Chilcott of Chilton Polden and Brown 2nd Lt JD Patteson, 5th Dragoon Guards – originally of Moorlynch – detailed account by CJ Pittey. from Norwich – was in Bridgwater learning brewing with Messrs Starkey, Knight & Ford Ltd – whilst in SPIES AND GUY FAWKES DAY Bridgwater he resided with Mr Cop in St Mary’s St. Due to probable visits from Zeppelins Guy Fawkes celebrations cancelled – Carnival already cancelled BRIDGWATER RED CROSS DETACHMENT therefore cannot be used as a guide to any ‘German Details of equipping and repairing the Rink & Club aerial fleet’. as a hospital – also an appeal for a guarantee fund and appeal for mattresses and blankets. LETTER WRITTEN UNDER SHELL FIRE – BRIDGWATER SOLDIER’S VIVID EPISTLE – MAYOR OF BRIDGWATER’S LIST PTE W CULVERWELL 2ND BATTALION List of donors – total amount to date £979 5s. COLDSTREAM GUARDS – SON OF MR WJ CULVERWELL, BEAUFORT ARMS, ST JOHN’S A GENEROUS GIFT ST Mr WB Broadmead JP of Enmore Castle – £70 to Excerpt from letter written from billet one and a the special fund of the West of England Sanatorium, quarter miles behind the trenches – within reach of Weston-super-Mare, in connection with the war. the German ‘big’ guns. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES RESUSCITATION OF THE BRIDGWATER RIFLE Maj AM Henniker – brother of the late MR JG CLUB Henniker of Catcott. Detailed account THE VOLUNTEER RESERVE – LARGE LOCAL SOLDIERS MISSING ADDITION OF RECRUITS – WEST OF Pte Gray, Somersets of Enmore, Pte Randle, ENGLAND CABINET WORKS Somersets of Huntspill – te Gray reported missing 42 employees and the principal, Mr HI Humphry now officially informed he is a POW in Germany . have joined the Bridgwater Volunteer Reserve. RECENT RED CROSS CONCERT THE TOWN AND THE BELGIAN REFUGEES Thanks to organisers. Meeting held to consider the question of offering hospitality. VEGETABLE PRODUCTS TO OUR BRAVE DEFENDERS LETTER FROM CANNINGTON GUARDSMAN – Communication received by the Mayor from the HERBERT WAKELY 2ND BATTALION ‘Vegetable Products Committee’ London requesting COLDSTREAM GUARDS the setting up of a committee to supply fruit and Mother matron at the Cottage Home, Cannington vegetables jams, preserves &c free of cost to received a letter dated 9th October 1914 – been warships, army corps and depots, hospitals and other fighting since 13th August . institutions. WEST SOMERSET YEOMANRY – COMMISSION TOBACCO FOR SOMERSETS AT THE FRONT Mr CB Greenhill of Puriton Manor, Bridgwater as a fund has raised a total of £209 6s 3d equating to 8372 Lieutenant . and a half packets. A SCHOOL’S SPLENDID RECORD – BRIDGWATER VOLUNTEER RESERVE CANNINGTON NATIONAL To take part in a route march to North Petherton on 51 old boys serving in his Majesty’s Forces. Thursday evening. A NIGHT WITH THE BRIDGWATER MEN ON A CHILD’S CALL TO THE MANHOOD OF OUR SALISBURY PLAIN COUNTRY Correspondent's account of ASC Territorial Force, B A Poem by Hilda Harwood, Eastover Council Girls company Wessex Brigade at West Down South School, Bridgwater. Camp, Salisbury Plain, where his brother was serving – detailed account of an aspect of camp life – preparing for the arrival of the Canadians. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 13

Bridgwater Mercury 28th October 1914 . Driver W Tucker, 107th Battery Royal Field Artillery Bridgwater and the War – letter home detailing the appreciation of tobacco also description of conditions at the front. TOBACCO FOR THE SOMERSETS AT THE FRONT PROMOTION FOR CAPT HAROLD HICKS Total sum to date £284 1s 9d. Former Liberal Candidate – to 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers. MORE BELGIAN REFUGEES TO BE ENTERTAINED. BELGIAN REFUGEES AT WEMBDON 1 family left for Bath. CHEDZOY WOUNDED SOLDIER’S GRAPHIC STORY – VIVID SCENES OF THE BATTLEFIELD AN ERRONEOUS REPORT – PATHETIC HOSPITAL MEETING – Driver Osborne of Leicester not Bridgwater – Cpl AJ Tambling 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards – awarded the VC. wounded in left knee at the Battle of the Rivers – very detailed account of his experience. A GERMAN TIMBER CARGO Captured by the British, part of which has been WITH THE BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS ON bought by the West of England Cabinet Works, THE WAY TO INDIA – AN INTERESTING DIARY Bridgwater. – LIFE ON BOARD A TROOPSHIP Pte Clement Carver, Somerset Territorials, of Church LT ALEC FORBES St Bridgwater, – detailed account of his experiences Wounded – shrapnel not serious. on the troop ship. BRIDGWATER BELGIAN GUESTS BALTIC STEAMER ARRIVES AT BRIDGWATER Arrival of more refugees. – HOW THE GERMANS WERE DUPED Bridgwater Mercury 4th November 1914. Monday 19th October arrival at Dunball Wharf, Bridgwater and the War Bridgwater from Sundsvall the Swedish steamer August, with timber for Messrs Geo Hooper & Co TOBACCO FOR THE SOMERSETS AT THE Ltd, Bridgwater – description of how the vessel was FRONT boarded by German officers – when the Captain said Our Fund Reaches nearly £370. Fifteen Cases he was bound for Bridgwater the officer thought he Already Despatched – sum already received is £367 meant Bridgewater America. 1s 3d equating to 14,682 and a half packets – Messrs Martin Ltd, London have despatched 15 cases up to THE KAISER’S DREAM – POEM WRITTEN BY the 27th October – Each case contains 160 parcels MR WJ SHARKEY, BRIDGWATER plus matches – Lcpl Anglin wrote to his mother in Copies sold for the Bridgwater Mercury Fund for Albert St saying that the first consignment had tobacco and cigarettes for the Somersets at the front – arrived and how much it was appreciated. contains excerpt from the poem. ARRIVAL OF BELGIAN GUESTS CANADA AND THE WAR – BRIDGWATER Belgian refugees arrive in Bridgwater and are LADY'S STIRRING LETTER accommodated in Kings Sq – gifts in kind and money Mrs VJ Soper, native of Bridgwater now resident in and promises have been received. Edmonton – written to friends in Bridgwater detailing numbers enlisted. INTERESTING LETTERS FROM THE FRONT – SOMERSET OFFICER’S EXCITING BRIDGWATER MEN IN ‘BRISTOL’S OWN’ EXPERIENCES GLOUCESTERS Sub headings followed by general paragraph . Mr HW Cash, MR F Ballinger, and Mr H BRIDGWATER LANCE-CORPORAL’S Crossman. INTERESTING LETTER – VIVID DESCRIPTION A BATTALION FOR MEN OVER 45 OF BATTLE OF MONS – ‘WE HAVE GOT THEM Gunner JW Turner, Pawlett – men wishing to serve GROGGY NOW!’ but over 45. Lcpl J Anglin attached to A Company Somerset Light Infantry and went to France with the first BRIDGWATER VOLUNTEER RESERVE British Expeditionary Force – letter to his mother Continues to grow. who lives at 11 Court, Albert St, Bridgwater – gives detailed account of his experiences at the Battle of ‘JUMP FOR JOY FOR A GOOD SMOKE’ Mons – says ‘Stan’ , Lcpl Southwood – parents live in Penel Orlieu, Bridgwater, was wounded – they enlisted together a year or so ago – Mrs Anglin has 2 Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 14 other sons serving – Pat and – Jack who are stationed To Miss E Denman from Maj CP Prowse of 1st with the 3rd Somersets at Devonport and expected to Battalion Somerset Light Infantry – thanking her, her proceed to the front shortly. sister and Miss Hill for the Cigarettes they set – see report Bridgwater Mercury 30th September 1914. BRIDGWATER PRIVATE’S EXPERIENCES AT THE FRONT – ‘UNDER SHOT AND SHELL SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS’ CORRESPONDENCE EVERY DAY’ Asking for interesting letters from soldiers and sailors Pte WG Fudge of the1st Battalion Somerset Light on active service for publication. Infantry – was landlord of the Volunteer Arms, Union St, Bridgwater – went out with the 1st British A MONTH IN THE TRENCHES Expeditionary Forces – was at Battle of Mons – letter Pte J French of the Coldstream Guards – letter to his giving details of his experiences. mother at Sutton Mallet – had not had clean shirt for ten weeks. LOCAL SOLDIER’S NARROW ESCAPE – WOUNDED MAN’S HAIR SINGED BY A SHELL WOUNDED IN STORMING GERMAN Pte Walter Smith of the 1st Battalion Gloucester TRENCHES Regiment – went out with the 1st British Pte A Parsons of the Coldstream Guards – brother of Expeditionary Forces – staying with relatives at 101 PC GM Parsons, Bridgwater Borough Police Force – wounded in the right leg whilst storming German Wellington Rd, Bridgwater – wounded by a bullet in st the left thigh and by a shell in the right thumb – trenches on October 21 . detailed interview of his experiences. WEMBDONIAN’S SON WOUNDED CHARLYNCH MAN WOUNDED Pte William Sellars of the Somerset Light Infantry – Pte Tucker Coldstream Guard – of Charlynch son of Mr Charles Sellars, Tower House, Mount wounded in action. Redford, Wembdon – Pte Sellars married and lived in Pontypridd – is a reservist. ‘WE HAD TO SMOKE OUR TEA’ Pte J Grey of the Northumberland Fusiliers – letter FIREWORKS AND BONFIRE PROHIBITION home from the front detailing how he smoked 2 tea No large squibs or aerial fireworks after 8 o’clock allowances due to lack of tobacco. any night – also applies to bonfires . IN TRAINING AT THE WHITE CITY – WITH THE LOCAL TERRITORIALS ON THE th WAY TO INDIA – AN INTERESTING LETTER Letter from Rifleman Dursdon of the 12 County of Pte Graham Eveleigh – son of Mr T Eveleigh, London Battalion – formerly employed in Bridgwater Wembdon Rd, Bridgwater – on his way to India with – brother Bob serving with the Somerset Light the Somerset Territorials – gives details of his trip on Infantry . board the troopship and the sights he saw. WARRIORS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS – BRIDGWATER RESERVIST’S NARROW SHAVE Bridgwater Branch of the National Union of – STRUCK IN THE TOE BY A SHELL Railwaymen voted to support the ‘Daily Citizen’ Pte W Temblett, Royal West Surrey Regiment – of campaign of £1 a week for dependants of every Bath Rd, Bridgwater – letter detailing his experiences soldier and sailor killed or permanently maimed by in the trenches also refers to the need for cigarettes – fighting. was a reservist and was employed by the West of A TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN England Cabinet Works, Bridgwater before being Churches paid tribute to the fallen last Sunday – St called up. Mary’s rang a muffled peal in honour of the British NATIONAL RELIEF FUND – LOCAL LIST soldiers who have fallen. List of donors and amounts given – total fund to date LOCAL MEN PRISONERS OF WAR £1,014 12s 5d. Pte Rendall (West Huntspill), Pte Wilkins (Spaxton), WOUNDED SOLDIERS IN BRIDGWATER – both of the Somersets and J Barrett (Cannington) are LOCAL VOLUNTARY AID TO HOLD POWs of the Germans . THEMSELVES IN READINESS BRIDGWATER TRADESMAN WOUNDED Wounded soldiers expected in the next week or so – Cpl Trulufe, Cameron Highlanders – wounded in the temporary hospital to be ready at 24 hours notice. left foot – Reservist – had a hairdressing business in CIGARETTES FOR THE SOMERSETS – LETTER the High St, Bridgwater before being called up. OF THANKS FROM THE FRONT Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 15

GENEROUS WORKPEOPLE SOMERSET WAR RELIEF COMMITTEE Employees of Messrs HW Pollard & Son, Meeting at Bridgwater – Trade Unionist Contractors, Bridgwater have collected £1 4s 5d for Representation on the local Committee – The the Bridgwater Red Cross Fund – the same workmen employment of Belgian Refugees – Inadequate also raised £5 to supply tobacco for soldiers at the Pensions for Soldier’s Widows – full detailed report front. of the meeting . ARMY SERVICE CORPS – MORE MEN ENLIST – SOMERSET’S SPLENDID RECORD Bridgwater is supplying about 300 men to the ASC – 1 in 5 men between the ages of 18 and 45 serving in some of the recruits are Messrs LJ Facey, EWE either Kitchener’s Army or the Territorials. Wilcox, S Reading, F Patch, H Preece, C Ford, C Tottle, R Preece, R Payne, H Morris, F Sellick, CC BRIDGWATER’S BELGIAN GUESTS – Hartley, WA Geen (see 11th November 1914 edition SEVENTEEN ARRIVE IN THE TOWN – CIVIC for correction), PF Jarman, T Nash, F Baker, J RECEPTION AT THE RAILWAY STATION. Chipp, A Durston, WT Bowles, C Bale, EW THOUSANDS WELCOME REFUGEES Sparkes, T Bale, J Facey, H Burt, and BJ Jones – Detailed report. all of the men are from Bridgwater except Hartley who is from Over Stowey. INTERVIEWS WITH THE REFUGEES – INTERESTING STORIES OF THEIR EFFORT TO AID BELGIAN REFUGEES EXPERIENCES Ladies of Bridgwater selling bows in the Belgian Detailed article . colours, up to 15,000, on Wednesday and Thursday to th raise money for the local fund for housing Belgian Bridgwater Mercury 11 November 1914. refugees. Bridgwater and the War RECRUITING FOR KITCHENER’S ARMY – IN TOBACCO FOR THE SOMERSETS AT THE THE LAST WEEK 20 MORE RECRUITS FRONT – OUR FUND REACHES NEARLY £430 Since the war began about 250 from Bridgwater have Total now £428 19s 3d equating to 17,158 and a half enlisted in Kitchener’s Army – Bridgwater’s packets – donations from as far afield as Chicago and contribution to all the services is now well over Toronto – also a parcel of cigarettes of over 1,000 1,000. cigarettes collected by Miss Dorothy Apter, Heathfield, North Petherton. ON LEAVE – LARGE NUMBERS OF SOLDIERS BELGIAN FAVOURS’ DAYS IN THE TOWN – WITH KITCHENER’S ARMY AND STRIKING FINANCIAL SUCCESS – TERRITORIALS HOME ON LEAVE INTERVIEWS WITH WOUNDED SOLDIERS – Made Bridgwater look like a garrison town. VIVID STORIES OF THE BATTLEFIELD BRIDGWATER CANADIANS HOME – 2 Headlines followed by a general paragraph – about MEMBERS OF THE CANADIAN £130 raised on Belgian Favours’ Days – in the last EXPEDITIONARY FORCE AND NATIVE TO week 33 more Bridgwater men enlisted. BRIDGWATER HOME ON LEAVE THE SOMERSETS AT THE FRONT – WOUNDED th Pte FJ Davis, 48 Toronto Highlanders and Pte A BRIDGWATER MAN’S EXPERIENCE – Pte J th Spriggs, 78 Royal Nova Scotia Highlanders. Davey of the Somerset Light Infantry – wounded in BRIDGWATER VOLUNTEER RESERVE the right hand in a fight at la Bassée – returned home Reserve now to meet at the Butter market as the Rink to West St, Bridgwater – detailed account of his and Club is needed for the Red Cross hospital – experiences. article gives details of the meeting. CHEERFUL MESSAGE FROM THE FRONT – ‘ BRIDGWATER NEEDLEWORK GUILD THE OLD FLAG STILL FLYING: DON’T GET Details of a letter from Mrs ES Ware, hon. secretary DOWNHEARTED’ nd of the Bridgwater Needlework Guild to the Pte F Blackburn, 2 Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bridgwater Steam Laundry thanking them for the full Bays), – son of Mr H Blackburn, High St, Bridgwater th use of the laundry for articles for the local Red Cross – excerpt from letter to sister dated 28 October hospital. reassuring the family. SHAPWICK RETURN OF LIEUT ALEC FORBES – LOYAL All saints Day service in remembrance of those who NORTH LANCS – RETURNED TO BRIDGWATER have died in the war . Severely wounded in the fighting around Ypres – now convalescing. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 16

BRIDGWATER GUNNER'S BATTLEFIELD Stogursey recovering from wounds – detailed EXPERIENCES – HAND TO HAND FIGHT WITH interview of his experiences. THE GERMANS – PATHETIC ROADSIDE INCIDENT THE SALVATION ARMY – APPEAL FOR RED Gunner FA Baker, 29th Battery Royal Artillery – of CROSS AMBULANCE MOTOR CARS Fund to be set up for 5 ambulance cars for the front – Quantock Terrace, Bristol Rd, Bridgwater returned th home on Thursday evening bearing several severe Salvation Army Band to parade on Friday 13 scars of the war – wounded at the Battle of Aisne – November in support. wounded in the left hand and thigh and 3 places in CANADA AND THE WAR – BRIDGWATER the back – detailed interview of his experiences. GENTLEMAN’S IMPRESSIONS OF TORONTO LIFE IN THE TRENCHES – NEWS FROM A Extract from letter to Mr FE Shrimpton, Northfields, BRIDGWATER RESERVIST Bridgwater from his son Mr Harold Shrimpton. Pte A Bennett, Somerset Light Infantry – letter to his WITH THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS AT THE wife at Bath Terrace, Eastover, Bridgwater – except FRONT – BRIDGWATER FOOTBALLER’S detailing life in the trenches. EXPERIENCES Excerpt from 2 letters from Lance Sgt Clifford A CHILD’S LETTER TO WOUNDED SOLDIER nd Letter from Irene Kingslake, Paignton, Devon to Sgt Roman, 2 Batt. Coldstream Guards, of Bridgwater J Scully, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles – recuperating at to his sister in Minehead – detailing life in the Cannington. trenches. GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF LOCAL SOLDIER’S AND SAILOR’S TEACHERS CORRESPONDENCE List of contributing schools and amounts – total of Asking for interesting letters from soldiers and sailors £17 14s 6d. on active service for publication. RECRUITS FOR KITCHENER’S ARMY NATIONAL RELIEF FUND – THE LOCAL LIST In the past week 14 more enlist in Kitchener’s Army List of donors – total fund to date £1,018 4s 1d and a – with a total of 19 Bridgwater men enlisting in the ha’penny. week. NORTH PETHERTON ARTILLERYMAN’S EXPERIENCES AT THE FRONT – WOUNDED AT BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS ARRIVE IN THE BATTLE OF AISNE – Driver WJ Rich, 51st INDIA Battery, Royal Field Artillery – recovering from Cable from Capt DS Watson, commanding B wounds – detailed interview. Company Bridgwater Territorials, from Bombay – ‘Arrived. All Well. Distribute. Watson.’. FRENCH AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY TO SOMERSET SOLDIERS WITH THE SOMERSET TERRITORIALS INDIA Sgt WE Archer and Sgt GF Smith both of 1st Batt. BOUND – DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT BY Somerset Light Infantry – the ‘Medaille Militaire’ . PRIVATE JW COLSEY OF BRIDGWATER – BRITISH CRUISER'S VIGILANCE THE GERMANS MAY BE SORRY FOR THEIR Detailed account from Pte Colsey, son of Mr JJ CONDUCT – BRIDGWATER CORPORAL’S Colsey, Bridgwater of his voyage to India.. INTERESTING LETTER Cpl Harold Symons Leicester Regiment of NEWS OF BRIDGWATER POSTMAN Bridgwater – letter to his brother serving in the ASC Cpl DJ Gillespie, Chilton St– letter to his wife detailing life in the trenches. informing her that although wounded he was recovering but a POW. BRIDGWATER HUSSAR WOUNDED Trooper Herbert Bond, 10th Hussars – son of Mrs BRIDGWATER SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION Chas. Bond, Polden St, Bridgwater – wounded by Cpl Walter Pugsley, 3rd Coldstream Guards – mother shrapnel in the left arm in France. Mrs I Pugsley, 1 Redgate St, Bridgwater – killed in action 21st October at St Julien. POLICE RESERVE ROUTE MARCH ‘Specials’ to march to Cannington and back on INTERVIEW WITH STOGURSEY SOLDIER – Wednesday evening. THE SOMERSETS AT THE FRONT Pte E Harrison, 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, at present staying with grandmother at Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 17

INVALIDED HOME Cocker, LT Toms, WE Thorne, WJ Hill, FW Burget Pte D Jennings of the Somersets from Bridgwater (Stowey), WH Singleterry, W Lang, A Hooper, E invalided home from the front suffering from Pearham, CH Perryman, HA Barnett (London), rheumatism. and W Williams unless otherwise stated from Bridgwater LOCAL MAN ON THE ILL FATED PACIFIC CRUISER A RECORD DAY – RECRUITING FOR Larson from Huntworth – on the British Cruiser KITCHENER’S ARMY Good Hope ‘whose fate in the Pacific is more or less About 20 enlisted last Monday. uncertain’. FIERCE HAND TO HAND FIGHTING – A GOOD RESPONSE BRIDGWATER’S CORPORAL’S LETTER FROM An appeal for men of the National Reserve to form a THE FRONT new company for guarding vulnerable points in Great Cpl Joseph Anglin, A Company 1st Somerset Light Britain – about 14 required from Bridgwater so far 12 Infantry, to his mother at 101 Albert St, Bridgwater have applied. dated 3rd November – brief extract from letter. RED CROSS DEMONSTRATION THE GLORIOUS FIFTH – BRIDGWATER Took place in the Town Hall. ABANDONS ITS CELEBRATIONS THIS YEAR – CONCERT FOR CHARITY BRIDGWATER MAN WOUNDED Detailed account of the Carnival concert held at the Pte John Gilbert, South Wales Borderers. Town Hall. LOCAL PRISONERS OF WAR CANADA’S HOSTILE ALIENS Lcpl S [Stanley] Southwood (Somersets), Cpl d Article detailing situation in Canada with regards to Gillespie (Somersets), Pte Stockham (Somersets), ‘hostile aliens’ Pte A Gray (Somersets) Pte Cooze (Yorkshire Light Infantry) and Pte SH Gunningham (1st Somersets) – A BRIDGWATER OFFICER’S EXPERIENCES IN extracts from letter from – Pte Southwood to his THE WAR – VIVID IMPRESSIONS OF LIEUT mother and Pte Gray to his wife in Queen St ALEC FORBES – THE TRAGEDY AND Bridgwater – who says Walt Wilkins of Spaxton also HUMOUR OF CAMPAIGNING there – Pte Gunningham to his wife in Melbourne Extracts fro Lt Forbes diary – nephew of MR HW Terrace, Bristol Rd, Bridgwater . Chapman, solicitor of Bridgwater – gives details of his experiences in the trenches with the A KINDLY CONCESSION Gloucestershire Regiment . Bridgwater & District Laundry & Co Ltd are washing for the Belgian refugees at half price. Bridgwater Mercury 18th November 1914. Bridgwater and the War AN APPEAL TO THE NATIONAL RESERVE – 1ST (WEST) SOMERSET NATIONAL RESERVE, C RETURN OF A BRIDGWATER ASC COMPANY – COMPANY MORE BELGIAN REFUGEES TO BE For articles such as socks, gloves, body-belts, ENTERTAINED mufflers, pipes &c. for the coming winter. Further letters from the Front – Headlines – followed by general paragraph – 14th week of the war. WORTHY SONS OF A WORTHY SIRE Capt James is on the Headquarters Staff and Mr RB BRITISH INFANTRY’S GALLANTRY – James has received a commission in the Royal Horse SOMERSETS’ SHARE OF THE FIGHTING – Guards – sons of the late Mr AB James of Shovell WOUNDED PRIVATE’S PLAIN STORY Hall, North Petherton. Pte W Driscoll, 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, of Taunton – brother of Mr JD Driscoll, landlord of OPEN TO REFUGEES AND WOUNDED the Old Cock Inn, St Matthew’s Field, Bridgwater – SOLDIERS interview and detailed account. The Young Men’s Association, St Mary’s St – offering free use of the reading and recreation rooms A SCOUTS’ DEFENCE CORPS – GOOD to Belgian refugees and local wounded soldiers. OPPORTUNITY FOR LADS BETWEEN 15 AND 18 MORE RECRUITS FOR THE ASC – 19 MORE Letter from Mr WL Barnett, Scoutmaster of the 4th ENLIST Bridgwater Troop of Boy Scouts – Scouts’ Defence Messrs H Cridland, A Trunks, CW Thomas, S Corps for home defence – appeal for those wishing to Cornish, W French, LJ Porter, F Pearce, ET join. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 18

LOCAL MAN WOUNDED years of age – highly recommended for the Pte PJ Gilbert, 2nd Welsh Regiment – letter to mother Distinguished Service Medal – buried at Bethune . at Sydenham Terrace, Bridgwater – 2 shrapnel wounds on 21st October, one between the right eye CAPTAIN’S SPLENDID TRIBUTE – ‘A GLORIOUS PIECE OF QUIET HEROISM’ and nose, the other in the right wrist – progressing st well. Letter from Capt Percy R Worrall, 1 Battalion Devonshire Regiment, to parents of Cpl Harris says BRIDGWATER PRIVATE INVALIDED HOME – he was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct HIS EXPERIENCES AT THE FRONT Medal not the Distinguished Service Medal as in the Pte D Jennings, 1st Battalion Somerset Light previous article . Infantry, of Barclay St, Bridgwater – invalided home with rheumatic fever – detailed interview – mentions RETURN OF THE BRIDGWATER ASC HOME fighting beside Joe Anglin, – article also refers to his SERVICE COMPANY brother Cpl Geo. Jennings, 7th Dragoon Guards of From Codford St Mary. Provident Place, Bridgwater. THE VOLUNTEER RESERVE BURIED IN A TRENCH – THRILLING Route march on Thursday evening visiting EXPERIENCES OF A LANCER – INTERESTING Westonzoyland . LETTER FROM BRIDGWATER TRADESMAN’S WITH THE SOMERSETS AT THE FRONT – SON PRIVATE’S INTERESTING LETTER – GERMAN Trooper WS Hook – letter to his brother Mr HS WHITE FLAG TREACHERY Hook of Bridgwater – used as infantry in the trenches Pte EFM Lewis, A Company 1st Battalion Somerset – was buried when a shell hit the trench – whilst on Light Infantry, – two letters dated October 25th and patrol was taken for a German soldier by German November 5th to his wife in Gloucester Place, Friarn troops and managed to escape. St, Bridgwater – detailing life in the trenches – Pte LOCAL GIFTS TO WOUNDED BELGIANS Lewis has 3 brothers serving with the Somersets. Gifts sent to wounded Belgian soldiers at Weston- BRIDGWATER FOOTBALLER AT THE FRONT super-Mare from Bridgwater Secondary School for Another Letter from Lance Sergeant Roman – Lance Girls . Sgt Clifford Roman, 2nd Battalion Coldstream st THE LATE LORD ROBERTS Guards – extract from letter dated November 1 to Bridgwater learnt with regret the death of Lord Mrs Richards, 27 West St, Bridgwater. Roberts . BRIDGWATER MAN WITH THREE BULLET BRIDGWATER VOLUNTARY AID WOUNDS DETACHMENT – PRACTICAL Pte J [Jack] Young, (10992, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, – DEMONSTRATION IN THE TOWN HALL – eldest son of Mr C Young, Bristol Rd, Bridgwater – UNFURLING OF THE FLAG BY COUNTESS extract form letter to mother detailing wounds in the WALDEGRAVE face, back and wrist. Long detailed report. HOW THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS HAVE TOBACCO FOR THE SOMERSETS AT THE BEEN BATTERED FRONT Letter from wounded Bridgwater Corporal – Cpl Our Fund Reaches Over £480 – 5,000 Parcels already Steve Reed (Bridgwater), 1st Battalion Coldstream Despatched – total £480 14s 9d equating to 19, 229 Guards – letter to his sister Mrs F Higgins 81 West and a half packets – list of donors. St, Bridgwater – bullet through the fingers – letter gives details of the fighting. ‘THE KAISER’S DREAM’ – CONTRIBUTION TO OUR TOBACCO FUND BRIDGWATER VOLUNTEER RESERVE – Total £3 11s 6d from Mr WJ Sharkey from sales of DETAILS AND OBJECTS OF THE MOVEMENT his poem ‘The Kaiser’s Dream’. Detailed statement in respect of the Volunteer Reserve. THE ROLL OF HONOUR – SPAXTON CORPORAL DIES OF WOUNDS – YOUNGEST A BOOM IN RECRUITING AT STOGURSEY – 8 OF FIVE BROTHERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE OFFERED AND 7 ACCEPTED FOR THE ARMY Cpl John Alexander Harris, 1st Devons, (No. 8685) – Ernest Binding, Michael Binding, Ambrose son of Mr ET Harris, The Cottage, Charlynch Lane, Binding, John Rich, Ernest Richard, Edwin Howe, Spaxton – at Bethune Hospital, France on October Alfred Payne and William Webber – William 26th as a result of wounds received in action – 22 Webber failed the medical test. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 19

BRIDGWATER SERGEANT WOUNDED BRIDGWATER VOLUNTEER RESERVE Sgt Albert Hill, 12th Lancers – wounded in action – drills to take place at Dr Morgan’s School. letter to mother at Southborne Terrace, North St, Bridgwater – wounded in the right arm and hip, right LOST WITH THE GOOD HOPE arm also badly fractured – been in the army 15 years. Huntworth Man’s Last Letter to his Wife – Gunner Oken Frank Larson, Mead’s Building, Canal-side, VIVID STORY OF THE FIGHTING – INTERVIEW Huntworth – no official communication of his death WITH MR E TRULUFE – DESPERATE CHARGES at this time – letter from Port Stanley on October 8th – AGAINST THE PRUSSIAN GUARD extract from letter – personal. Cpl E Trulufe, Cameron Highlanders, High St, Bridgwater – Reservist called up at the outbreak of LOCAL RESIDENT IN NAVAL ACTION – THE war – wounded in the left foot at Ypres on October FIGHTING ROUND TSING-TAU 24th – was at the Battle of Marne – detailed account Leading Stoker W Larson [brother of Gunner O F of his experiences. Larson] – letter to mother. NEWS FROM A BRIDGWATER FOOTBALLER HOW THE PRUSSIAN GUARD WAS CUT UP – BRIDGWATER PRIVATE’S VIVID LETTER Pte Leslie Rossiter, RAMC – played for Bridgwater nd Rugby Club – letter to Mr R Washer at the Nags Pte Herbert Thorne, 2 Welsh Regiment – parents Head Inn, Bridgwater – saying he was at the front live at 125 Bath Rd, Bridgwater – invalided home and in good health. suffering from rheumatism – letter to mother from Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital dated BRIDGWATER FOOTBALLER AT THE FRONT November – details of time in the trenches . Norman Coates, Adrian Coates, motor cycle despatch riders with the British Expeditionary Force NEWS FROM A BRIDGWATER POLICE also PP Hope all have played for Bridgwater Rugby CONSTABLE Club. Shoeing Smith HJ Fry, Royal Field Artillery – served with Bridgwater Borough Police – reservist – letter to WELL-KNOWN LOCAL CORPORAL WOUNDED friend dated November 11th. Cpl Willcox, Somersets – wounded – postcard to mother at 109 Bristol Rd, Bridgwater. SCOUT DEFENCE CORPS – ENCOURAGING RESULTS. ST PROMOTION FOR MAJOR CB PROWSE, 1 ST BATTALION PRINCE ALBERT’S, SOMERSET 1 (WEST) SOMERSET NATIONAL RESERVE, C LIGHT INFANTRY – FOR DISTINGUISHED COMPANY SERVICE IN THE FIELD – Men needed to guard vulnerable points in Great Promoted to Lieutenant - Colonel. Britain. BRIDGWATER BOROUGH POLICE RESERVE POLICE RESERVE ROUTE MARCH – TO NORTH Route march to Cannington – between 30 and 40 PETHERTON took part. 50 attended. LT RJA HENNIKER WOUNDED BRITISH OPERATIONS IN AUSTRALIAN Lt RJA Henniker, Duke of Wellington Light Infantry, WATERS – INTERESTING LETTER TO A Catcott manor, Bridgwater . BRIDGWATER LADY Wm Ripley, 1st Class Officer’s Steward, HMAS LOCAL PRISONER OF WAR Berriman to sister at Bristol hotel, Bridgwater – Pte M Gillard, 1st Somersets, Union St.. At Doeberitz details of activities in Australian waters. Camp, Germany. SOMERSET TERRITORIALS IN INDIA – B Bridgwater Mercury 25th November 1914. COMPANY’S STATION – FROM THE ‘MORNING Bridgwater and the War POST’, CALCUTTA CORRESPONDENT 5th Somerset Light Infantry including B Company ENTRENCHED ONLY 200 YARDS FROM THE sent to Madras and Jubbulpore – arrived India GERMANS – BRIDGWATER GUARDSMAN’S November 9th . LETTER – Pte J Culverwell, Coldstream Guards, Bridgwater – letter to sister Mrs R. Pitman, Cattle ARMY SERVICE CORPS ENTERTAINED – AT ST Market, Bridgwater – describing conditions in the MARY’S PARISH HALL – ARRANGED BY trenches – says they have only 50 left from their 1st VICAR AND MRS LANGHAM Battalion. Short report. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 20

THE BELGIAN REFUGEES – MORE REFUGEES Accountant, Bridgwater – whereabouts of Pte Scully TO BE HOUSED IN KING SQUARE, BRIDG- unknown at this date. WATER. RECRUITS FOR KITCHENER’S ARMY BRIDGWATER RESERVIST SEVERELY 11 more this week – also over 30 joined the ASC. WOUNDED Pte A Phillips, 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry ASC AND NATIONAL RESERVE SERVICE – letter from General Hospital, Rouen to Mr Henry Service held at St Mary’s on Sunday last. Phillips, Fountain Inn, West Quay – right leg blown TERRITORIALS VOYAGE TO INDIA – off as far as the knee on November 5th – has brothers ANOTHER INTERESTING NARRATIVE FROM serving. PTE JW COLSEY BRIDGWATER CANADIANS’ VISIT Long letter detailing voyage. Sgt EA Hollister, Mr ANH Churchill, son of EH THE AWFUL SIGHTS AT THE FRONT – Churchill, Wembdon – are with the Canadian BRIDGWATER SOLDIER’S LETTER Expeditionary Force – native to Bridgwater . Pte Albert Bennett, 1 Somerset Light Infantry, of FORMER BRIDGWATER POSTAL OFFICIAL Bath Rd, Bridgwater – letter to adoptive mother Mrs INJURED – UNFORTUNATE FALL IN A BRICK E Webb, 3 Dyke’s Buildings, Eastover, Bridgwater – PIT dated 16th November. Pte W Pippin, RAMC – fell down pit wrenching knee and breaking several bones – letter to Mr Wm MORE RECRUITS FOR THE ARMY SERVICE Creedy, West Quay, Bridgwater. CORPS THIRTY- TWO MEN LEAVE FOR ANDOVER CHEDZOY SERGEANT KILLED IN ACTION – Names of recruits are CR Marker, JA Marker, HJ MUFFLED PEAL ON THE VILLAGE BELLS Cross, CH Gillingham, LG Fry, WH Nurton, P Sgt Ernest Fry, King’s Company, 1st Battalion Bull, J Taylor, JH Smith, HE Bond, B Hawkes, HJ Grenadier Guards at Ypres – was son of Mr & Mrs Duckham, AJT Boyce, F Depledge, C Wood, S Wm Fry, Ward Lane, Chedzoy – last letter to mother Burgess, J Bell, WJ Stone, W Woollen, C dated October 10th. Vearnecombe, FW Young, J Durant, WH Manchip, TERRITORIALS INSPECTED AT TAUNTON JF Cook, W Withers, J Hill, W Board, SA Bennett, 5th (R) Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. GW Stone, LC Hooper, RW Beer, JW Cresswell. DEPARTURE OF THE ASC HOME SERVICE CO – BRIDGWATER LANCE-CORPORAL BEEN BILLETED AT BRIDGWATER MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES – INTERESTING now under orders to move . LETTER FROM THE FRONT Lcpl J Anglin, 1st Somerset Light Infantry – contains BRIDGWATER GUARDSMAN’S EXPERIENCE communication from Maj Gen Wilson, commander AT THE FRONT – PROBABLE AWARD FOR 4th Division British Expeditionary Force – letter to GALLANTRY mother dated November 11th – Mentioned in Pte Elias Villis Perry, Coldstream Guards – of West Despatches possible Distinguished Conduct Medal to St, Bridgwater – shot through the hand twice at Battle follow. of Aisne – extract from account published in the ‘Isle of Wight County Express’ – detailing his experiences. BRIDGWATER TROOPER’S BAPTISM OF FIRE – THROUGH THE ORDEAL WITHOUT A COLDSTREAM GUARD’S REMARKABLE SCRATCH ESCAPE – FORMER RESIDENT OF Trooper Harold Sharman – son of Capt W. Sharman, BRIDGWATER – THRILLING NARRATIVE OF Victoria Rd, Bridgwater – only local resident with the THE FIGHTING North Somerset Yeomanry. Pte AJ Down, 3 Company, 1st Coldstream Guards – formerly of Bridgwater – letter to father in Taunton – NATIONAL RELIEF FUND – THE LOCAL LIST wounded at Langhemarck on October 22nd – long Total fund to date £1,020 19s 11d. detailed letter. MESSAGE WRITTEN 5,000 FEET IN THE AIR TO GALLANTRY OF LONDON SCOTTISH – A BRIDGWATER GENTLEMAN HEROIC ACT OF LOCAL INTEREST From Cpl HS Crowhurst, – to FJ Crowhurst, Letter from Pte Ingram, London Scottish – detailing manager of Bridgwater Motor Company – brother JV help received from Pte Sully, who was then shot in Crowhurst, Legion of Frontiersmen wounded and in both thighs – son of Alfred W Sully, chartered a Red Cross Rest Home in Southampton. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 21

Bridgwater Mercury 2nd December 1914. BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY Bridgwater and the War Employees of HW Pollard & Sons – 11s 6d ha’penny. LETTER FROM TROOPER BOWERMAN – A JOURNALISTIC CURIOSITY – BRIEF INDIAN WITH THE SOMERSET YEOMANRY WAR SPECIAL Trooper Cecil Bowerman, North Somerset Yeomanry Amusing anecdote. – to father Duncan Bowerman (of Messrs Porter & Bowerman, Weston-super-Mare) – dated 23rd WITH THE SOMERSETS AT THE FRONT – November 1914 – detailing time in action. BRIDGWATER MAN’S NARROW ESCAPE Pte WG Fudge, Volunteer Arms, Union St, ‘AN EVENING WITH BELGIUM’ – Bridgwater – 2 letters to wife. INTERESTING GATHERING AT BRIDGWATER – ADDRESS BY LOCAL BELGIAN REFUGEE – AT PRAISE FOR A BRIDGWATER SERGEANT THE BAPTIST SCHOOL HALL, BRIDGWATER In a Bristol newspaper – for treatment received at the Account of the evening events. Duchess of Westminster’s Field Hospital in Paris – where Sgt Maj W Jones of F Bearer Company, son of BRIDGWATER RESERVIST KILLED IN ACTION the late EC Jones, Bridgwater organises dining hall – DEATH WITNESSED BY BROTHER arrangements. Pte Ernest Baker, 1st Somersets – killed in action in Flanders – aged 28 – prior to war was employed by FOR THE REFUGEES IN BRIDGWATER – Mr Robbins, Church St, Bridgwater – leaves widow THOUGHTFUL NAVAL CONTRIBUTION and 4 small children, eldest under 9 – living in From WH Tucker, Mess 43, HMS Illustrious – 18s Redgate St, Bridgwater – extract of letter sent by from the sale of a poem. brother Pte Frederick Baker, 1st Somersets to sister in SUCCESSFUL TERRITORIAL SKITTLERS Polden St, Bridgwater detailing his death. Report of skittle match between C & B Companies th OLD CANNINGTON SCHOOL LADS – ONE (Bridgwater), 5 Somerset Territorial Reserve KILLED AND ANOTHER WOUNDED Battalion at Taunton. Cpl McManas, 2nd Coldstream Guards – formerly TOBACCO FOR THE SOMERSETS – AN pupil at West of England Technical School, ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM LIEUT-COL CB Cannington – killed in action at the Battle of Aisne – PROWSE – ‘THE COUNTRY NEED NOT BE ‘being blown to pieces’ – death witnessed by Sgt ASHAMED OF THEIR SONS’ – BRIDGWATER Lavery, former master at the school who was SERGEANT’S REPEATED GALLANTRY wounded in the leg. Letter from Lt Col Prowse expressing thanks for the tobacco sent by the ‘Mercury’ – plus mention acts of THE ‘ MERCURY’ AT THE FRONT – AN th APPRECIATION OF THE ‘GOOD OLD PAPER’ gallantry including Sgt C Willcox, on October 30 – Pte AJ Manchip, RAMC – letter to mother at 58 since severely wounded – parents live at Bristol Rd, Camden Rd, Bridgwater – sent German label home as Bridgwater. a souvenir . BRIDGWATER PUBLIC GENTLEMAN’S FINE BRIDGWATER MAN WOUNDED – ONE OF RECORD – FIVE SONS SERVING THEIR FOUR SONS IN THE ARMY COUNTRY – Lcpl H Giles, 1 Somerset Light Infantry – official RY Foley, JP, managing director of Somerset Trading intelligence to father Geo Giles, Polden St, Co Ltd - Capt Frank Y Foley in command of the Bridgwater – wounded October 31st – gunshot wound Active Service Army Company at present station at Bridgwater – Lance Sgt HA Foley and Lcpl GR in the right ankle – has 3 brothers in the army, 2 with th the Somersets at the front and 1 training with the 7th Foley, 6 Service Battalion, Somerset light Infantry – Somersets . Pte EB Foley, British Columbia Section of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and HY Foley of AN ECHO OF THE 1870 CAMPAIGN – A Swinburn, Hammersmith, Orange River County ‘PRUSSIAN DEFEAT’ IN THE BRIDGWATER called up for service with the South African Field DISTRICT – article about British neutrality in the Force. Franco-German war of 1870-71. LOCAL PRISONER OF WAR – TRIBUTE TO ALDERMAN’S SON ENLISTS – WILFRED GERMAN KINDNESS POLLARD Pte H Gillard, Somerset Light Infantry – postcard to Son of Alderman HW Pollard – enlisted in the ASC wife at Union St, Bridgwater – brief details of (Regularly Army). Mechanical support Section. conditions in the camp – 4 brothers in the army, 2 at Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 22 the front, third in the ASC and fourth in the Royal Marks, C Lewis, Wm Frost, Henry Hill, Ernest Field Artillery. Frost, HJ Symes, E Palmer, S Thyer, TE Walford, WJ Gilbert, WT Byrd, HB Stoneman, all from LOST ON HMS BULWARK Bridgwater unless otherwise stated. 1st Class Petty Officer EJ Ashford, brother of PC Geo Ashford – lived in Henstridge. MORE BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS FOR FOREIGN SERVICE – DEPARTURE FROM BACK FROM THE FRONT – BRIDGWATER BRIDGWATER ON THURSDAY SERGEANT MAJOR HOME ON LEAVE 5th Somerset Territorial Reserve Battalion to proceed Battery Sgt Maj FP Marker, Royal Field Artillery, for Foreign Service – Lt Luscombe and 80 Ammunition Column, 1st Division – account of Bridgwater members arrive on leave. fighting at the front. FAREWELL SERVICE AT ST MARY’S A WELCOME RELIEF – REST AFTER To take place on Wednesday for the Bridgwater PROLONGED TRENCH HOLDING Territorials leaving for Foreign Service. Lance Sgt C Rowan (Bridgwater), 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, 4th Guards Division – letter to DEPARTURE OF 8 BELGIAN REFUGEES FROM sister at Minehead. BRIDGWATER – GRATITUDE FOR THE TOWN’S HOSPITALITY WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE AT ANTWERP – Report .

VIVID NARRATIVE OF NATIVE OF th BRIDGWATER Bridgwater Mercury 9 December 1914. Now Interned in Holland – H Rich – son of J Rich, Bridgwater and the War Rhode Lane, Durleigh – in action with the Royal LOCAL BREWERY EMPLOYES (SIC) ENLIST – Naval Voluntary Reserve – letter to the paper – EMPLOYEES OF THE NORTHGATE BREWERY printed in full. OF MESSRS STARKEY, KNIGHT & FORD LTD TH BRIDGWATER RESERVIST AND THE ENLIST IN THE 5 SOMERSET LIGHT ‘GERMAN BOUNDERS’ – HARDLY HOME FOR INFANTRY CHRISTMAS Tom Jennings, Daniel Godfrey, Isaac Thomas, Shoeing Smith HJ Fry, Royal field Artillery – letter Walter Perry, Harry Baker, and Walter Thomas. to Inspector CM Story – won’t be home for THE GERMANS ‘CAN’T BEAT THE GOOD OLD Christmas. BOYS’ – BRIDGWATER SOLDIER’S MESSAGE HOME SCOUT DEFENCE CORPS – details of events for st the week ending December 5th. Pte E Glanville, 1 Somersets – short letter to friend in New Rd, Bridgwater. RECRUITS FROM SPAXTON – TO JOIN THE ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY BRIDGWATER GIFT TO HMS SKIPJACK – THE Arthur Charles Lang, Reginald Thomas Bruford, COMMANDER’S THANKS Ernest Edward Short, Ernest Cecil Hall, and Albert For fund raised in Bridgwater for the purchase of Henry Mullins. pipes. GIFTS TO THE BELGIAN REFUGEE FUND PRISONERS OF WAR IN GERMANY – £4 7s from Mrs Robbins, Church St, Bridgwater for BRIDGWATER POSTMAN’S LETTER TO HIS the sale of old newspapers – gift of vegetables from WIFE Cpl DJ Gillespie to his wife at 75 Chilton St, the Bridgwater Congregational Sunday School – th YMCA gives use of their building to the refugees. Bridgwater, dated November 20 – asks if Mrs Reed has heard from her son as he has heard he is a THE RAGTIME FLEET – prisoner of War – Reed’s letters had been returned Letter to Allan J Herbert, Liberal agent for and his family had had no news of him. Bridgwater division from his brother Percy Herbert, HMS Euryalus – brief account of his experiences. BRIDGWATER SOLDIER KILLED AT THE FRONT ARMY SERVICE CORPS RESERVE COMPANY – Pte John Hoyal, 1st Somerset Light Infantry on TWENTY-FIVE MORE RECRUITS – AT November 1st – would have been 20 on November PRESENT STATIONED AT BRIDGWATER 23rd – mother Mrs Lancaster, Clare Terrace, G Coles, CJ Stockham (Puriton), AH Owens, H Bridgwater. Searle, JG Ball, C Wood, B Turner, L Loubo, S Mumford, W Pocock (Wells), W Lynham, WJ Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 23

VETERAN’S CHANCE MEETING Wooler, A Woodland, TG Winter, EJ Young and J 5 veterans of the late 2nd Volunteer Battalion Prince Cook. Albert, Somerset Light Infantry, all are members of the National reserve. THE GALLANT FIGHT OF THE NORTH SOMERSETS – LETTERS FROM A SCOUT DEFENCE CORPS – EVENTS – WEEK BRIDGWATER TROOPER ENDING DECEMBER 12TH . Trooper Harold Sharman – 2 letters home to Victoria Rd, Bridgwater asking for things to be sent out – BRIDGWATER MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB suffering from frost bitten toes. Orders for week ending December 12th. NATIONAL RESERVE CALLED UP – A COMPANY VS. B COMPANY Call-up notices sent out. Match was held last Tuesday. LETTER FROM BRIDGWATER SOLDIER – SOMERSET SOLDIERS MENTIONED IN UNIFORM TWICE PIERCED BY BULLETS DESPATCHES Bandsman T Hook, 1st Somerset Light Infantry – son 2nd Lt H Lane, 1 Somerset Light Infantry also Sgt of Henry Hook, Bristol Rd, Bridgwater – 2 letters – WE Archer (6437) and Sgt C Wilcox (8572) both of in hospital unsure if wounded or invalided – the Somerset Light Infantry. mentions brother Percy Hook, 17, serving on HMS Illustrious. LOCAL OFFICER’S PROMOTION Lt RDR Troup, 7th Battalion the Buffs (East Kent BRIDGWATER RESERVIST TWICE WOUNDED – Regiment) to temporary captain – lives The Grove, BROTHER KILLED IN ACTION Wembdon. Pte Frederick Baker, 1st Somersets – wounded in Flanders in the right shoulder – aged 26 – of Polden ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE ASC – 2 SOCIAL St, Bridgwater – brother Pte Ernest Baker killed in AND CONCERT EVENINGS ORGANISED. action – see report in the Bridgwater Mercury dated LIFE AT THE FRONT – BURNHAM SOLDIER’S 2nd December 1914. INTERESTING LETTER WESTONZOYLAND MAN’S INTERESTING Letter to parents at Burnham. LETTER NEWS OF A BRIDGWATER WOUNDED Lcpl J Pitman, 1st Somerset Light Infantry – son of SOLDIER – A TRIBUTE TO FRENCH NURSES Albert Pitman, Lakewall, Westonzoyland – letter to Pte A Phillips, 1st Somerset Light Infantry, letter to sister dated November 27th – feels war will be quite a sister in Bridgwater – lost leg below the knee . long affair – gives details of conditions in the trenches. BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS FOR FOREIGN SERVICE – ENTHUSIASTIC SEND OFF – WAR RELIEF FUND REPORT OF THE SEND OFF Total now £1,021 19s 5d. Names of those who have been home on leave and BRIDGWATER MAN MENTIONED IN have been chosen for Foreign Service – Sgt W DESPATCHES Sanders, Lance Sgts CE Date, & AW Robins, Cpl C Sgt C Wilcox, 1st Somerset Light Infantry – see 2nd Brown, Lcpls W Channing, A Dennison, A Lewis & December 1914 issue for details. E Manley. Ptes W Besley, S Ball, AH Browning, G Bradshaw, AG Baker, A Board, W Bostock, AT RECRUITS FOR KITCHENER’S ARMY Carne, J Clarke, A Curry, PJ Dodden, W Durston, Total of 12 last week. A Dyment, S Durston, T Fudge, E Griffiths, R Goodman, F Gilson, C Frost, WT Hayman, F CANNINGTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL – TWO Hook, E Haste, FA Hill, EG Hill, C Hurley, L MORE OLD BOYS WOUNDED Hurley, T Humber, B Hubbard, F Harper, AT Lcpl DM McDonagh, Buffs and Bandsman C Jarvis, W King, J Lock, EG Lynham, C Lowman, McCarthy, Royal Scots Fusiliers – School’s E Lassiter, H May, A Martin, WJ Mumford, J casualties now 10 – 1 killed in action, 5 wounded Manchip, W Mysor, S Nurton, E Parker, GH Prew, with the BEF, 1 Prisoner of War, 1 wounded on HMS ES Pole, R Riddle, A Possiter, R Rowles, RM Pegasus, 1 wounded in the North Sea and 1 Robins, BJ Pearce, F Pope, J Phillips, C Parsons, A invalided. Reed, CG Richards, W Sandy, J Searle, B ‘A SOLDIER OF THE KING’ – Singleton, J Sanders, H Sanders, B Stone, G Appeal for more men for the army – between the Searle, E Taylor, FC Snell, R Turner, A Tabrett, G ages of 19 and 38. Vearnecombe, RJ Webber, W Willis, C Woolcott, H Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 24

MORE BELGIAN REFUGEES FOR Coldstream Guards – Pte F Baker, (West St, BRIDGWATER – 10 MORE EXPECTED Bridgwater), South Wales Borders – Thorne from rheumatism, Parsons from bullet wound in the left POEM ‘BELGIUM’ BY WJ SHARKEY OF knee, Baker wounded by a shell in the left knee – BRIDGWATER article gives their observations of life at the front – Poem printed. ‘soldiers have got so accustomed to death and wound Bridgwater Mercury 16th December 1914 . that reference to the fall of a comrade is now as Bridgwater and the War casual as the comment on the weather at home’. OUR TOBACCO FUND – £533 16S RECEIVED BRIDGWATER SERGEANT KILLED IN ACTION FOR 21,352 GIFTS – FUND NOW CLOSED – ‘HE DIED LIKE A BRAVE AND GALLANT Details of latest subscriptions. ENGLISHMAN’ APPRECIATION FROM THE FRONT Kindly Letter from the Commanding Officer – Sgt Pte AE Bennett, 1st Somersets –letter to his wife in Reginald Francis Arthur Dennett, 1st Battalion Bridgwater. Somerset Light Infantry – killed in action at Ypres on November 19th – 20 years old – parents Mr and Mrs BRIDGWATER MEN MENTIONED IN Fredk Wm, Dennett, Union St, Bridgwater – in letter DESPATCHES – CHEERY LETTER FROM A from his brother also serving at the front it is believed HOSPITAL that he was killed by a bullet whilst returning to the st Sgt C Wilcox, 1 Somersets – parents live in Bristol trenches after breakfast – letter dated December 6th to Rd, Bridgwater – letter to R Washer, Nags Head, Mrs Dennett from Lt Col CB Prowse printed in full – West St, Bridgwater – Sgt Wilcox was wounded by a article gives short account of Dennett’s army career. shrapnel bullet, which ‘went in at the shoulder, through the lung and was cut out of the centre of the THE ASC AT CODFORD – BRIDGWATER GIFT back close to the backbone.’ – progressing well, OF TOBACCO – APPEAL FOR CHRISTMAS should make a full recovery in less than 12 months. FARE Gifts of cigarettes and tobacco sent to the South- BRIDGWATER OFFICIALS ENLIST Western ASC Company from the people of AE Wadmore, assistant Borough Surveyor of Bridgwater – article contains a letter from Capt C Bridgwater and AA Hayman of the Borough Phippen thanking people for the gifts – also telegram Surveyor's Office – in the RAMC (Sanitary received asking for Christmas fare for the men on nd Company), 2 London Brigade. duty over Christmas – article gives details of the BRIDGWATER & DISTRICT TEACHERS AND presentation of tobacco. THE WAR FUND SCOUT DEFENCE CORPS List of donations and schools. Orders for the week ending December 19th. WITH THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS AT THE BRIDGWATER MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB FRONT – INTERESTING LETTER FROM Orders for the week ending December 19th. FORMER BRIDGWATER RESIDENT – HOW A SHELL DISTURBED A DINNER PARTY A COMPANY VS B COMPANY – RESULTS OF Driver Harry Greenwood, 68th Company of the ASC THE CONTEST. st attached to the 1 India Corps, on active service with OHMS BEARER COMPANY the BEF in France – letter to aunt and uncle, Capt and orders for the week ending December 19th. Mrs H Laver, 54 Monmouth St, Bridgwater – account of service in France . BRIDGWATER SOLDIER WOUNDED – Pte H Creedy, Dorset Regiment, serving with the Indian RECRUITS FOR KITCHENER’S ARMY Expeditionary Force – wounded November 17th – 13 more enlist in Bridgwater. information from Mr and Mrs Price, Chandos St, OFFICERS’ PROMOTIONS Bridgwater(aunt and uncle with whom he has always Lt GG Hartwright, ASC Company, promoted to lived) – degree of wound unknown – surmised that he Captain and 2nd Lt AJ Petrochino of the ASC was wounded in the encounter with the Turkish Company to Lt . Forces . DISABLED LOCAL SOLDIERS HOME FROM THE NORTH SOMERSET YEOMANRY’S FIGHT THE FRONT – HUNTSPILL WOUNDED TROOPER’S RETURN Pte Herbert Thorne (Bath Rd, Bridgwater), 2nd Welsh Trooper WJ Baker, son of WH Baker, Huntspill – Regiment – Pte A Parsons, (brother of PC GM wounded at Ypres – Mrs Baker received a postcard to Parsons, Bridgwater Borough Police Force), 2nd Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 25 say he was in hospital in Leicester and was wounded BRIDGWATER AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY in the mouth. – ENJOYABLE AND SUCCESSFUL CONCERT – Long detailed account – proceeds to go to aid the BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS IN INDIA – LIFE Belgian refugees and the local relief fund. IN A NAGPUR FORT Vivid letter from Private JW Colsey, – Letters to Bridgwater Mercury 23rd December 1914. father JJ Colsey, Fore St, Bridgwater – long extract Bridgwater and the War from several letters – article takes up a complete column. OUR TOBACCO FUND – NOW CLOSED – £536 3S 6D RECEIVED FROM 21,447 GIFTS – details of BRIDGWATER PRIVATE’S INTERESTING monies received. LETTER FROM THE FRONT – SOMERSETS CHEERFUL IN SPITE OF MANY DISCOMFORTS BRIDGWATER TERRITORIALS IN INDIA – – HOW THE ‘SMOKES’ ARE APPRECIATED MORE GRAPHIC LETTERS – FIRST Pte AE Bennett, C Company, 1st Somerset Light IMPRESSIONS OF EASTERN EMPIRE Pte Graham Eveleigh – son of T Eveleigh – letters to Infantry – letter to wife at 3 Bath Terrace, Eastover, th th parents and sister dated November 12 and Bridgwater, dated December 9 – details conditions th in the trenches, the water, the mud and the cold – November 15 – long detailed extracts giving details gives excellent impression of the terrible conditions of life and conditions . that were faced and how morale was upbeat. RECEPTION OF THE SOMERSETS IN INDIA th THE HARDSHIPS OF THE TRENCHES – Interesting Letter from Drummer H Haysham, 5 WESTONZOYLAND SOLDIER’S INTERESTING Battalion, C Company, Somerset Light Infantry – son of W Haysham, Wembdon Rd, Bridgwater – LETTER th Lcpl J [Joe] Pitman, Somersets – letter to mother at stationed at Jubbulpore – letter dated November 16 Lake Wall, Westonzoyland – long letter giving details – details life and conditions. of conditions in the trenches including the weather . ‘THE TIGER’S DANCE’ IN INDIA – WITH THE SOMERSETS IN THE TRENCHES – BRIDGWATER TERRITORIAL’S DESCRIPTION BRIDGWATER MAN’S NARROW ESCAPE Pte WJ Colsey, letter to father – details life and Pte Lewis, A Company, 1 Somerset Light Infantry – 2 conditions . letters to wife Mrs EFM Lewis, Gloucester Pl, Friarn ‘NOT THE SLIGHTEST DOUBT THE ALLIES St, Bridgwater – one dated November 22nd – gives WILL WIN’ – BRIDGWATER SOLDIER’S details of conditions in the trenches. CONFIDENT LETTER 1ST (WEST) SOMERSET NATIONAL RESERVE – Pte Harold Symons, formerly Leicestershire Regiment now attached to the cycle company of the C COMPANY th Letter from Col E Trevor – giving details of 6 Division – letter to his brother Cpl Cecil Symons, members failing to carry out their obligations. ASC – details role of the cycle company and life at the front. SOMERSET AUTOMOBILE CLUB’S GENEROUS GIFT SOLDIER’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE – Meeting at Weston-super-Mare – £50 towards INTERESTING PRESENTATION TO A providing a motor ambulance for war purposes. HUNTSPILL NURSE Nurse Clara Highnam, East Huntspill, Queen BRIDGWATER NEEDLEWORK GUILD – Alexandra’s Nurses at the Front – presented with a SOLDIER’S PILLOWS WANTED Testament by Soldier – a bullet past through the Letter from G Langham, president and ES Ware, Testament and his pay book saving his life. secretary dated December 15th – appeal for making pillows – gives details of how they are to be made, COMMISSION FOR DR CUTHBERT DUKES – size and where to send them. Son of Rev EJ Dukes, formerly of the Fore St Congregational Church – temporary Lieutenant in the THE TROOPSHIP IN WHICH BRIDGWATER RAMC in charge of local military hospital in Tring, TERRITORIALS SAILED – A COMPLAINT Bucks. ‘Truth’ – details the appalling conditions aboard the Alnwick Castle in which some of the Bridgwater THE VOYAGE TO INDIA – HOW ‘BRIDGWATER Territorials sailed to India. BOYS’ CELEBRATED THE FIFTH Extract from letter to Mr and Mrs W Champion, Middle Burnham from son Bruce – ‘… when a procession passed along the Bridgwater boys Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 26 wrapped in blankets and carrying brooms, rattling BRIDGWATER CORPORAL’S NOVEL plates and generally making themselves a nuisance’. CHRISTMAS CARD – FAMILY’S FINE MILITARY RECORD BRIDGWATER SOLDIER’S GRIM EXPERIENCES Cpl HJ Webber, 1st Somerset Battalion now attached – FOURTEEN HOURS WOUNDED IN A WOOD to the cavalry Brigade as a scout – parents live in Pte F Baker, South Wales Borders – returned to West Union St, Bridgwater – extract from letter giving St, Bridgwater – seriously wounded in the left thigh details of conditions – also Christmas card made possibly permanently disabled at Landrecies – from a postcard and a piece of his tunic cut in the interview describing experiences . shape of a heart and sewn on to the card – on it he BRIDGWATER SOLDIER INJURED AT THE wrote . FRONT 1914 A Merry Xmas Trooper Harold Sharman, North Somerset Yeomanry Just a piece of khaki all tattered and torn, – parents live at Victoria Rd, Bridgwater – accident th Cut from a coat that a soldier has worn, on December 14 – horse fell and rolled on him. It is not a gilt-edged or hand-painted card, CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO FOOTBALLERS But still it conveys my kindest regard. Christmas cards sent from Bridgwater RFC to RECRUITS FOR KITCHENER’S ARMY playing members on active service – gives inscription 9 during the last week. in the cards. A DOCTOR’S WORK AT THE FRONT – OLD MORGANIAN’S SERVING THEIR INTERESTING LETTER TO A BRIDGWATER COUNTRY LADY – letter to Mrs Dowdewell, 3 Alexandra Over 70 old pupils of Dr Morgan’s School serving in Villas, Bridgwater from brother Dr WB Bannerman the army. (Borough Medical Officer of Health at High Wycombe), now serving at the Front with the 3rd THE MERCURY AT THE FRONT – PIERCED BY A st GERMAN BULLET Cavalry Field Ambulance, 1 Cavalry Division – nd describes his work and conditions at the Front . Pte J Gilbert, 2 Welsh Regiment – wounded at Ypres on leave in Bridgwater – interview describing THE ASC AT CODFORD details of his injuries and how they were sustained – Appeal for Christmas Gifts – extract of letter from how a bullet past through his pack shredding ‘The commanding officer appealing for food for Christmas Mercury’ . dinner for those on duty over Christmas . COLONIAL OFFICER VISITS HIS OLD HOME – BRIDGWATER MAN’S ESCAPE FROM A SHELL Lt Herbert Osborne, King Edward’s Horse – son of Driver Percy Locker, ASC, of Bridgwater – short the late Edward Osborne of Bridgwater. extract from letter to an assistant at Messrs Nicholls & Co, Cornhill, Bridgwater. BRIDGWATER GENTLEMAN IN WHITBY – Colin E Brown, son of Brown, JP was in Whitby HUNTWORTH MAN KILLS GERMANS when it was shelled by the German Fleet. Pte J Rich, 2nd battalion Coldstream Guards – letter to father John Rich, Huntworth dated December 15th – VEGETABLES FOR THE FLEET giving details of experiences in the trenches – ‘I think Branch of the Vegetable Products Committee the war is going to last a long time’. established in Bridgwater – appeal for contributions. ARTILLERY DRIVER INVALIDED HOME LYNG Driver Willis, Royal Artillery – 37 Barclay St, Children of the Lyng Council School made small Bridgwater – invalided home with broken ribs – short articles for sale for the Belgian Refugee Fund – article as he declined to make a statement about his raising £1 3s experiences. Bridgwater Mercury 30th December 1914. AT THE FRONT WITH THE RAMC – Bridgwater and the War BRIDGWATER MAN’S PROMOTION – ‘MANY LIFE IN AN INTERNMENT CAMP – MORE MEN NEEDED AT ONCE’ – INTERESTING LETTER FROM LOCAL Cpl E [Edward] J Manchip, RAMC (13th Field RESIDENT ‘WE ENVY ALL OUR COMRADES Ambulance, 5th Division) – extracts from letters to AT THE FRONT’ mother at 39? Camden Rd, Bridgwater – giving Pte H Rich, (3224) RNVR, Collingwood Battalion of details of life at the Front – asking for shirts and the Rhode Lane, Durleigh – Letter to the paper date Bridgwater Mercury. December 17th giving details of life in an internment camp in Holland. Blake Museum, Bridgwater, World War I Newspaper Cuttings – 1914 27

COMMISSION FOR SPAXTON SERGEANT – MEN WANTED FOR THE ROYAL ENGINEERS MEMBER OF THE HARRIS FAMILY Details of an advertisement that appears elsewhere in Sgt Wm Tom Harris, 1st Royal Scots – commission the issue. in the same regiment – son of Company Sgt Maj ET Harris, The cottage, Spaxton – brother of Cpl John A AT THE FRONT WITH THE RAMC – Harris, 1st Devons killed in action on October 26th at BRIDGWATER MAN’S APPEAL FOR RECRUITS Givenchy. – ‘MERCURY’ THE FAVOURITE PAPER Cpl EJ Manchip, RAMC – extracts from letters to GIFT FROM NEW YORK LADY – PARCEL OF mother at 58 Camden Rd, Bridgwater – Mercury read SOCKS FOR SOLDIERS by others from Somerset – gives details of weather Parcel of 23 pairs of socks from Emily J Allen, and appalling conditions Auburn, New York. SOMERSET MAN’S BRAVERY AT THE FRONT Praise for Trooper WS [Billy] Hook, 12th Lancers – son of CJ Hook and brother of HS Hook – tribute from Sgt Bert Stevens, Yeovil, ‘gone to base with the drums of his ears gone wrong’ NAVAL COMMISSION OF OLD MORGANIAN Commission to Sub-Lt in the Royal Naval Reserve to RA Connor – son of Mr and Mrs W Connor, St John’s St, Bridgwater. RECRUITS FOR THE ARMY – Very slow lately, only about 6. HOME ON CHRISTMAS LEAVE Several hundred returned on leave. COMMISSION FOR A BRIDGWATER SOLICITOR’S SON – PM Reed, commission to Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry – joined as a Private and was promoted to Corporal prior to commission. LETTER FROM BRIDGWATER BOMBARDIER Bombardier WH Curry, Garrison Artillery (Heavy Brigade) – extract of letter to mother in Bridgwater giving details of experiences. READING MATTER FOR OUR SOLDIERS AT THE FRONT An Appeal – for light literature for the troops during their ‘off’ time. COMMISSIONS FOR LOCAL GENTLEMEN’S SONS – to HJ Cann (son of JH Cann, Gothelney, Bridgwater) in the Royal North Lancashire Regiment and HC Daniel (son of HT Daniel, JP, Manor House, Stockland, Bridgwater) in the 17th Lancers. LETTERS FROM A BRIDGWATER PRIVATE – Pte F Lewis, A Company, 1 Somerset Light Infantry – extracts from letters to wife Mrs EFM Lewis, Gloucester Pl, Friarn St, Bridgwater dated December 15th and December 21st – giving details of life in the trenches and parcels received and how they are appreciated .