Ickworth and the Great War (1914-1919)

Ickworth Research Group Pamphlet No. 1 Ickworth and the Great War (1914-1919) October 2015 Edition (revised 29 October 2015) Ickworth Research Group Pamphlets The object of the series of Ickworth Research Group pamphlets is to provide all staff and volunteers at Ickworth with a definitive, and fully researched set of information relevant to Ickworth. Each pamphlet covers a specific topic, be it a person, historical event, type of artefact, or general social background. Each pamphlet is fully researched and related to the story of the house, the Herveys, or the collection. The information contained in each pamphlet is fully authenticated, and referenced to primary, or secondary sources. Where the information cannot be fully authenticated, or is based on opinion, or anecdote, this is made clear, so that the information communicated to the visitors can be done with the appropriate level of caveat. Together these pamphlets form a comprehensive account of the scope of the accurate information known at the time of its publication, or revision, about all aspects of Ickworth. Pamphlet Catalogue Compiled and edited by members of the Ickworth Research Group (Caroline Baxter, Ann Henderson, Denise Margerum, Patrick O’Mahony, Peter McGee, Iris Taylor) Date of first edition: October 2015 Revised: January 2016 (Graham Parker) 2 Summary of Key Information Although a retired admiral, the 4th Marquess did not see active service in the Great War. He and the Marchioness were involved in many organisations contributing to the war effort. Their two daughters were involved in volunteer roles. Despite one noted attempt, the house was not requisitioned for military purposes. The estate was used by a number of army regiments for training exercises. Two firing ranges were set up within the grounds. As it was intimately connected to the surrounding communities the house and estate were affected by the social and economic impacts of the war. Two members of the Hervey family were affected by the war, one was killed, and the other suffered a long-term disability. A number of local families suffered greatly, 188 men from Horringer enlisted, 39 were killed. During the war, most activities associated with a country house and estate continued, for example, there were regular shooting parties held throughout the period. As with the Nation as a whole, the consequences of the war, and the social and cultural changes subsequently brought about, affected the house and estate. A less deferential society emerged in which household staff was no longer readily available, and increased taxation began to exacerbate the financial decline of the great estates. There are a few Great War artefacts held at Ickworth House today. 3 The Ickworth Estate and The Great War (1914-1919) Introduction The research team has attempted to study the impact of The Great War on the lives of people living and working on the Ickworth Estate at the time. To frame the area of research we have focussed on the ‘community’ that essentially worked and lived on the estate. This inevitably has included many families who lived in the village of Horringer, as it sits at the entrance to the Ickworth Estate and provided many of the domestic staff and estate workers. This is not an exhaustive study, but hopefully provides sufficient information to reflect the impact of the First World War on a rural community in Suffolk. The information in this summary is supported by various research documents produced by the team. Sources include Local Public records (particularly the Hervey family papers at the Suffolk Records Office), The National Archives at Kew, The Suffolk Regiment Museum, NT Papers, and research documents, various genealogy and history websites, the BBC, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and the Ickworth Oral History archives. One of the Great Estates – The Herveys The business of Lord Bristol’s Estate, managed with Ickworth House at the hub, had been running for four and a half centuries by 1914. The Hervey family had been associated with the site since the mid-fifteenth century. A rural community existed around the estate with the Hervey family at its centre. The Ickworth Estate was based on the economic model of all the great estates at the time, land and agriculture. An examination of the books of accounts for the Estate during World War One does not reveal any dramatic change or trauma to the day-to-day business. Rents and other income continued to be received at much the same level as before. The amount of land and livestock remained consistent. There are indications, however, of a slow and steady decline that began before the war and continued after it. This decline was probably the result of wider changes to world commerce and technology such as refrigeration and cheap food imports. By 1914 the Estate required regular cash injections from other sources, notably the Marchioness’ private wealth. The war did see many workers enlist in the forces. The remaining household staff and families ‘pitched in’ to keep things running. More food was grown and lawns were allowed to grow to produce hay for animal feed. According to the 1911 Census return the members of the Hervey family resident at Ickworth House were Frederick William Hervey, 4th Marquess of Bristol, Alice Frances Theodora Wythes, Marchioness of Bristol, and their daughters Lady Marjorie Hervey and Lady Phyllis Hervey. 4 The Family at War The Marquess held many positions in the County in peacetime. He was at the time, Hereditary High Steward of the Liberty of St Edmunds (covering the whole of the old county of West Suffolk), Chairman of the County Council, President of West Suffolk General Hospital, and a member of West Suffolk Education Committee. He had been MP for Bury St Edmunds but resigned from Parliament to take his seat in the House of Lords when he inherited the title in 1907. The Marquess served in the Royal Navy, achieving the rank of Captain, and was retired with the rank of Rear Admiral in 1911. He did not see active service during the Great War. However the Marquess did contribute to the war effort through his support and participation in several bodies set up during the war. West Suffolk Military Tribunal Set up under the Military Service Acts 1915-16 following the introduction of conscription, the Marquess was chairman of the Tribunal, which adjudicated on matters arising under statutes that required military service of all males aged 18-41 unless exempted due to occupation or declared ineligible by a medical board. By June 1916 748,587 men nationally had appealed against conscription. Most were given temporary or conditional exemption. In the same period 700,000 men had enlisted in the army. 16,500 men registered as conscientious objectors, and most accepted alternative services such as caring for the wounded. There were 1350 ‘absolutists’ who refused to perform any service that might aid the war effort. They were subjected to public scorn Poster image courtesy of IWM and abuse, and were later imprisoned. Naval and Military War Pensions Committee The Marquess was a member of this committee that was charged with supplementing State Pensions and Separation Allowances to soldiers, sailors and their families, and the Health and Welfare of disabled servicemen. War Agricultural Committee The Marquess was an Executive member of the Committee; he was co-opted as the chair of the County Council. The Marchioness was also co-opted onto this committee for her work regarding the organisation of female labour. These committees were set up in each county to facilitate meeting increased demand for ‘home grown’ food. Wheat was a particular problem. There was plenty of wheat available in Canada and the USA, but the demand in Europe was extremely high (principally France, Italy and the UK) and the shipping tonnage available to transport it was insufficient. This situation was further exacerbated by the German campaign 5 to sink allied ships. Later in the war the committees could direct farmers to turn pastureland over to arable production under the Cultivation of Lands Order No. 3, 1917. The Marchioness was also involved in organisations that contributed to the national effort during the war. British Red Cross Society The Society together with the Order of St John’s Ambulance raised Voluntary Aid Detachments, trained in First Aid, Nursing, Cookery, Hygiene and Sanitation. They worked in hospitals, rest centres, work parties and supply centres. They also provided the first motorised ambulances to the battlefield and set up centres for recording the wounded and missing. The A ward at Ampton Hall Auxiliary Hospital Marchioness became Acting President of the West Suffolk Branch. There were a number of Auxiliary Hospitals set up across the County in buildings such as Town Halls, Schools, and Manor Houses. One such hospital was set up in Ampton Hall, near Bury St Edmunds, at the instigation of the West Suffolk British Red Cross Society. Between 1914 and 1919 the hospital treated 6,568 sick or wounded soldiers. Red Cross record card for Lady Marjorie Lady Marjorie, the elder daughter, also Hervey served with the Red Cross in 1918, at the Northgate Street Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. Women’s Agricultural Committee (WAC) The official County Handbook at the time states ‘WACs interest themselves in all matters that concern agricultural or rural women. The committees were formed to encourage women to work on the land during the present scarcity of male labour.’ From 1917 the duties of the committees were expanded to include the welfare of National Service Women Volunteers for The Land Army. The President of the West Suffolk Committee was the Marchioness of Bristol. In April 1916 the Marchioness gave a statement that approximately 5,000 women had volunteered to work on the land in West Suffolk.

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