Craven's Part in the Great War
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Craven's Part in the Great War By Clayton, John T. English A Doctrine Publishing Corporation Digital Book This book is indexed by ISYS Web Indexing system to allow the reader find any word or number within the document. This Volume is presented to Lieut. Walter Yates. as a Memento of his having served his King and Country by joining His Majesty’s Forces during the Great War of 1914-1919. CRAVEN’S PART IN THE GREAT WAR COMPILED AND EDITED BY JOHN T. CLAYTON (Editor of the “Craven Herald,” Skipton) ASSISTED BY THOS. BRAYSHAW, ESQ., J.P., SETTLE FOR WALTER MORRISON, ESQ., J.P., OF MALHAM TARN, AND PRESENTED TO EACH MEMBER OF HIS MAJESTY’S FORCES WHO JOINED UP FROM THE SKIPTON PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION, OR TO THEIR NEXT OF KIN, AS A MEMENTO OF THE NOBLE PART THAT CRAVEN PLAYED IN THE GREAT WAR, AND THE HEROIC SACRIFICES MADE IN UPHOLDING THE HONOUR AND PRESTIGE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE THE WHOLE OF THE COST INVOLVED IN COMPILING, PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTING THIS SOUVENIR HAS BEEN BORNE BY MR. MORRISON [Illustration: WALTER MORRISON, ESQ., J.P. OF MALHAM TARN WHO HAS GENEROUSLY DEFRAYED THE WHOLE COST OF THIS PUBLICATION.] INTRODUCTORY NOTE. This volume of “Craven’s Part in the Great War” is a humble but sincere expression on the part of Mr. Walter Morrison, of Malham Tarn, of the gallant, heroic and self-sacrificing spirit shown by the sons of Craven in resisting the unscrupulous, malignant and prearranged design of Germany and her dupes to crush the British Empire and the civilised countries associated with her. Mr. Morrison’s anxiety to commemorate the part that Craven has played in the Great War, and to perpetuate the memory of those who have fallen or been otherwise stricken, found its solution in October, 1916, when, at a meeting at Mr. Morrison’s “mountain home” on Malham Moor, a board of trustees to see to the carrying out of the work was formed, consisting of Mr. Morrison (who has generously defrayed the entire cost), Col. John Birkbeck, J.P., Settle, and Mr. Thomas Brayshaw, J.P., solicitor, Settle. The task, which has entailed three years’ hard work in compiling what may, without egotism, be termed a unique record, was entrusted to Mr. John T. Clayton, editor of the “Craven Doctrine Publishing Corporation Digital Book Page 1 Herald,” who has had the valued assistance of Mr. Brayshaw and his extensive local knowledge of the Craven district. Everything that assiduous care and attention to detail could suggest has been done to make the record complete so far as the Skipton Parliamentary Division is concerned, and we are confident that the volume will be treasured as an honoured heirloom in every family whose representative has done his share in freeing our beloved Empire from the slavery of German hatred and military aggression. J. T. C. SKIPTON, October, 1919. [Illustration: H.M. KING GEORGE V.] [Illustration: F.M. DOUGLAS HAIG RT. HON. LLOYD-GEORGE ADMIRAL BEATTY] [Illustration: THE LATE EARL KITCHENER ADMIRAL JELLICOE F.M. Rt. Hon. VISCOUNT FRENCH] [Illustration: M. CLEMENCEAU MARSHALL FOCH GENERAL JOFFRE] [Illustration: M. VENIZELOS GENERAL PERSHING SIGNOR ORLANDO] AN EPITOME OF THE WAR. Few people in these Islands knew in the early part of the summer of 1914 that Europe was on the verge of the greatest war in history.The few men who had foresight and courage enough to warn us of the German menace were ridiculed, and when the Archduke Franz Ferdinand (nephew and heir to the Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria) and his wife were assassinated at Sarajevo, it was not realized that we had reached the opening stages of a long-drawn-out tragedy which would see Europe converted into a vast battlefield and cast a shadow over the whole world. Austria, at the instigation of Germany, made the Sarajevo occurrence the pretext for beginning a war they had already planned and organized. Serbia was to be made a scapegoat, and Germany was to take advantage of the international situation thus created to launch her schemes for empire development. There was a month’s delay, probably to allow Germany to complete her preparations. On July 25th, Austria sent a note to Serbia charging her with complicity in the Sarajevo crime, demanding the suppression of all Doctrine Publishing Corporation Digital Book Page 2 Serbian propaganda in the Dual Monarchy, and insisting that an investigation into the assassinations should be conducted on Serbian soil with the assistance of Serbian officials. GERMAN DASH TO PARIS. Serbia refused, and this was followed by a declaration on the part of Russia that she would permit no trifling in the Balkans. Meanwhile England was doing her utmost to pour oil on the troubled waters. One of her suggestions was a conference. This was turned down by Austria, who, on July 28th, declared war on Serbia. Thus began the hostilities which led to Armageddon. The challenge was taken up by Russia; in turn Germany declared war on both Russia and France; and finally Great Britain, determined not to tolerate the invasion of neutral Belgium, and refusing to contemplate the harrying of the French north coast, declared war on Germany. The fateful step was taken at 11 p.m. on August 4th. Germany’s preparedness for war gave her a tremendous advantage at the outset. The first blow was aimed at Paris, and in attempting this coup the Hun armies over-ran Belgium, destroying and plundering some of its greatest treasures and committing crimes which horrified the world. For a time the advancing army was irresistible, but eventually the forces of Sir John French and General Joffre put a stop to the enemy progress and at the first battle of the Marne, commenced on September 6th, caused the Germans to retreat in disorder. After the first onrush had been checked trench warfare was introduced, the line extending through Belgium, the north-east corner of France, Lorraine and Alsace, and thence to the Swiss frontier. Meanwhile, Lord Kitchener, realizing that the war must of necessity be a long and exhausting one, had commenced his great task of building up an army fit to take its stand with those of Continental Powers. There was a noble response and thousands of recruits were quickly trained and drafted out to play their part in the great adventure. AFTER THE MARNE. The relative positions of the Armies in 1915 altered little from those taken up after the battle of the Marne, but there were many historic events during that trying year--the capture by the British of Neuve Chapelle, the two battles of Ypres (in the second of which the Germans introduced poison gas), the heavy campaigning in the Argonne, the bombardment of Rheims, the French offensive in Champagne, and the British offensive at Loos. During the winter of 1915-1916 Germany’s initial hopes of success began to grow less rosy. The British Army continued to grow; Italy and Rumania joined the Allies; and on almost every side the Central Powers began to feel pressure. The outstanding events during this period included the smashing by the British of an onslaught from Messines Ridge and the repulsing of an advance towards Albert.There was terrific fighting at Verdun (where the French displayed heroic qualities), and the great Allied offensive on the Somme. There was also a British victory on the Ancre, and “tanks” made their initial appearance. ON THE WAY TO VICTORY. One of the most tragic events of the war occurred on June 5th, 1916, Lord Kitchener being drowned while on his way to Russia. Politically there were happenings of great importance, Doctrine Publishing Corporation Digital Book Page 3 one of the principal being the resignation of Mr. Asquith as Prime Minister and the acceptance of office by Mr. Lloyd George, whose work as Minister of Munitions had brought him into much prominence in matters relative to the conduct of the war. Early in 1917 the United States, after long deliberation, threw in her lot with the Allied cause, followed by Central and South America. Later Greece, chiefly through the influence of Venezelos, compelled King Constantine, the friend of Germany, to abdicate and enter the war on the side of the Allies; while China and Siam followed the example of Japan and protested practically against German lust for world power. Throughout the year there was heavy fighting on the Western front. In April the British captured Vimy Ridge, in June they annexed Messines Ridge, and in November took part in a magnificent episode at Passchendaele. By these operations they became masters of commanding positions, and for the first time the feeling was encouraged that the Allies were on the way to victory. GERMANS’ LAST BID FOR VICTORY. One of the most noted successes in 1917 was that at Cambrai on November 20th, while in October the French brought the famous ridge road, the Chemin des Dames, within their lines. “Unrestricted” U-boat warfare was commenced by the Germans early this year, and was a source of considerable anxiety to the Allies. Internally Russia was in the throes of revolution.The Czar abdicated on March 15th and a republic was proclaimed on September 15th. This was followed by the Bolshevist coup d’état on November 8th, and an armistice on the Russian front on December 6th. The winter of 1917-1918 was in the nature of the calm which precedes the storm. On March 21st, the Boche made his last desperate bid for victory, attacking on a 50-mile front between the Scarpe and the Oise. Results unlooked for by the Allies were the outcome.