MARCH,
1915
VOLUNTEER
TRAINING CORPS FOR BRANDON - A GOOD START
A well-attended public meeting was held in the Paget Hall Brandon, where it
was unanimously decided to form a Volunteer Training Corps for Brandon and
the surrounding district. Sir
John Aird presided, and also on the platform was Colonel Brittain (from the
Central Association), Sir Henry Bunbury (Mildenhall), Dr W.O. Trotter, the
Rev. J.L. Wyatt, Captain Lee Barber, Mr A.J. Winter and Mr A.W. Rought
Rought.
Captain Brittain said –
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“The Government and the War Office wished to encourage
everyone to help in the present struggle, and they pointed out that
men who, through being over age or for other reasons, were barred from
enlisting in the Regular or Territorial Forces could join a recognised
Training Corps.
When their names were once put on the Corps register,
although they did not take any form of oath, they were under an
honourable obligation to remain in the Corps for as long as the war
lasted. Special
Constables could also join the Volunteer Corps, but it should be
clearly understood that they must always carry out their duties as
Special Constables before they could carry out any duties as members
of the Volunteer Corps. It
was presumed that the duties of a Special Constable would be over in,
say, three or four days’ time, and the men could then join the
Volunteer Corps.
It was often asked, “Of what use could these volunteers
be in case of emergency?” My
answer to that is that there are miles and miles of railway, as, for
instance in that county, which had to be guarded, not against Germans,
perhaps, but against spies and evilly disposed persons.
This work would be undertaken by members of the Volunteer
Corps, and which would release the Regular and Territorial forces to
go into the firing line.
With regards to arms, personally he was of the opinion that
if there were no rifles available, or there was no time to get them,
those on guard could be armed with ordinary shot guns charged with
heavy shot. Spies or
evilly disposed persons could not carry guns openly.
They would have to carry a charge of dynamite or revolver on
their person, and he considered a man with a shot gun had a very much
better chance, especially at night, and at a reasonable distance of 30
or 40 paces, than a man with a revolver.
It was advisable for members of the Corps to be in uniform if
possible, but the War Office, although they recognised Corps which
were affiliated to the Central Association, had promised no financial
assistance. It meant therefore that they must collect locally as much
money for the cause as possible.
Later there would, no doubt, be a county fund which would
help, but there was great difficulty in getting the rifles.
The principle point was for the men to learn their drill, and
that they do them all good, and they would feel they were trying to do
something to help the common cause.”
(Applause.)
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Sir Henry Bunbury said he saw a great number of gentlemen
present who, like himself, would be very much benefited by some drill
(Laughter.) Although they might
not be called upon to actually tackle a German, they would find that by
setting free the trained men they would be doing as much to help the country
as if they were actually engaged in the war.
(Hear, Hear.) One could
quite well understand the War Office not being able to do more for the
Volunteer Training Corps, because they were already at their wits end to
train and arm the men who were falling in the fighting army.
(Applause.) He hoped the
Brandon corps would be in sooner or later, and would appear in public,
because the sight of the old men in uniform would put the fear of God into
the hearts of the younger men, and lend them to join the Regular Army.
Sir Henry spoke of forming a Corps in Mildenhall, and offered
to meet the Brandon Corps halfway between the two places.
He felt sure Sir John Aird would help him in offering a prize to the
corps which did the distance in the best time.
(Laughter and applause.)
The Chairman –
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“I would not mind having a bet with Sir Henry that the
Brandon Corps will get the prize.”
(Laughter.)
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Questions were invited, and Sir Henry Bunbury asked whether
Colonel Brittain’s reference to shooting meant that the Corps were to be
instructed in firing with the rifle or shot gun.
Colonel Brittain said there were certain points laid down as
to what constituted a second class shot, and the officers in command could
guarantee that a man that was a second class shot by his performances.
He added that the practice could be obtained on a miniature rifle
range.
Sir Henry Bunbury inquired whether the drills must be
consecutive.
Colonel Brittain said a man was required to attend 40 drills
of one hour each in a year. If
he did it in less time, so much h the better.
If he liked to attend 20 drills of two hours each it would entitle
him to the efficiency badge.
Sir Henry Bunbury –
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“Will the drills be in the open air, and can you drill on
Sundays?”
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Colonel Brittain said that was a matter for the committee or
the commanding officer to decide. The
Brandon Committee would form its rules, and it was expected that the members
would carry them out. Personally,
he thought Sunday was a very good day.
If the Germans came here they might choose Sunday as much as any
other day. Anyhow, it was hoped
there would be church parades of the Brandon Volunteers.
(Hear, Hear.)
Replying
to another question, Colonel Brittain explained that if any member of the
Corps under the age of 38, not employed on any Government works, and not
medically unfit, was called upon to enlist in the Regular or Territorial
Forces, he would have to carry out his honourable obligation or resign his
membership of the Corps.
Sir Henry Bunbury –
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“I suppose he can resign at any time?”
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Colonel Brittain –
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“Yes, but, as I said before, you enter into an honourable
obligation to stay in the Corps as long as the war lasts.”
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The Chairman –
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“If a man has a business in Brandon absolutely dependant
upon him, and he cannot leave anyone in charge, would he be able to
join the Corps and be exempt from being called upon to enlist except
in case of invasion?”
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Colonel Brittain –
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“If he gave that as the only reason for not enlisting
when called upon, I am afraid he would have to resign from the
Voluntary Corps, because it would not be considered a sufficient
reason by the War Office.”
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Sir Henry Bunbury –
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““If a young man below age has been up before a Medical
Officer, and has been cast out as unfit because of some physical
infirmity, could he join this corps without any question of his being
called upon to enlist?”
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Colonel Brittain –
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“My answer to that is that he is perfectly safe.
He has been once discarded by the military authorities, and
could join this corps without any fear, whatever his age.”
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Mr Ridsale asked what was the position of the members of a
Fire Brigade.
Colonel Brittain –
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“Now you have bowled me out. (Laughter.) I
have not had that question asked me, but I should consider that the
fact of being a member of a Fire Brigade would exempt you.
I have, however, no authority for saying that.
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Mr Ridsale –
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“His civil duties would take precedence?”
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Colonel Brittain
–
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“Yes, because he is a fireman, but as soon as he has
finished his duty as a fireman he could do his duty as a member of the
corps. It is rather like
the Special Constable who would not do anything in the way of guarding
railways and such like until they had finished their job as Special
Constables.”
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Another question was asked –
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“Supposing a man joining the Volunteer Corps buys a rifle
or sporting gun, has he to get a licence to carry it?”
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Colonel Brittain –
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“No, but he would have to keep the rifle at the depot.
He would not be allowed to take it home.
(Laughter.)
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Names of prospective members were then invited and 33 were
handed in.
In proposing a vote of thanks
to the speakers, Mr Winter was sure that when they got some training and
began to feel their feet they would feel younger if they did not become so
in years. He thought they would
become a presentable corps, and hoped they would be an honour to Brandon.
Mr A Lee Barber seconded the
proposition, which was carried by acclamation.
Mr Rought-Rought said he believed that this was the
Chairman’s first appearance on a public platform in that town, and he felt
sure he might, on behalf of the people of Brandon, extend to him a very
cordial welcome. (Applause.)
They regarded it as a great honour that Sir John had come to settle
down there, and hoped he might long remain resident among them.
(Hear, Hear, and applause.) He
proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Sir John Aird for his services in the
chair. The proposition having
been carried.
The Chairman said he regarded it as a great honour to have
taken the chair at a meeting of men at Brandon who had answered the first
bugle call, and who would be ready to answer the next. Brandon, now he had come to live there, would have all his
good wishes. He took great
interest in the place in every way. (Applause.)
His only regret that evening was that their old friend Colonel
Hamilton, was not present. He
thanked Dr Trotter, Mr Rought Rought, and Mr Winter for the trouble they had
taken in helping him to arrange that meeting, and he thanked those present
for giving such a cordial response to the call of the Brandon Volunteer
Training Corps. (Applause.)
The meeting terminated, as it had
opened, with the singing of the National Anthem.
V.T.C.
– Some
forty men had handed in their names for enrolment in the newly formed
Brandon Volunteer Training Corps, by the time the first drill was held at
the Drill Hall on Wednesday.
At a
Committee meeting on Monday, Mr A.W. Rought-Rought was appointed Commandant,
and Colour-Sgt R. Wilby and Colour-Sgt Shears were chosen as instructors.
Until further notice, drilling would take place at the Drill Hall on
Monday evenings at 8pm and on Wednesdays at 7.30pm.
Men wishing to join were invited to attend the drills or to apply
personally at the house of the Hon. Secretary (Dr W.O. Trotter), any evening
after 8.30.
It had been arranged to post
notices and orders at the Drill Hall and at Owen’s Corner.
The Committee decided to solicit subscriptions towards the expense of
the Corps, and Sir John Aird has started the list with a donation of £5 5s.
V.T.C. – Within a few days the membership of
the Brandon Volunteer Training Corp had increased to about seventy, and the
drills were being well attended. Sir
John Aird had started the donations to the Corps with a donation of £25.
April, 1915
V.T.C.
– The
membership of the Brandon Volunteer Training Corps had now reached about
eighty. Sir John Aird, who in
addition to money contribution, promised to supply twenty-five rifles and
had shown a great interest by regularly attending the drills. Colonel Hamilton pointed out that if they were to be called
upon to deal with an invasion he was sure the Brandon Corps would not be
behind others in performing any work they were required to do.
This week Lady Aird was expected to inspect the Corps, and in various
ways the leading townspeople are evincing a keen interest in the progress.
May,
1915
V.T.C. – The newly-formed Brandon V.T.C. had
25 Martini Lee Enfield rifles donated to it following an inspection by Lady
Aird, who was accompanied by Sir John Aird, Miss Dolly Aird, and Col. And
Mrs Hamilton. Lady Aird
congratulated Colour-Sgt Wilby on the smartness of the men, and offered to
supplement Sir John’s gift rifles with 12 from herself, two more from Miss
Aird, and one from Master Aird. The
previous Saturday Colonel MacKenzie presented 20 more, so the Corps is now
well equipped in this respect. On
Wednesday week they were out on a route march along Mundford Road.
The attendance numbered about 56, and the march was smartly executed.
Another route march was arranged for Wednesday last.
V.T.C. – Drills are being carried out on the
playground of the school due to the warmer weather rather than in the Drill
Hall. One member, Mr T
Gardiner, has joined the Army and is engaged in transport work.
July,
1915
V.T.C.
– Details
of Brandon VTC:
Colonel
– Lord Cadogan
Commandant – Mr AW Rought-Rought
Assistant Adjutant – Mr Arthur Lee Barber
Platoon Commanders – Mr FW Ridsale
, Mr W Murrell
Sgt-Major – F Shears
Qtr-Master – Sgt R Wilby
Sergeants – W Edgington, G Whitta
, FJ Mount
, A Rolph
Corporals – A Newton
, A Dyer
, J Leach
, K Grimes
V.T.C.
– The
members of the Brandon Volunteer Training Corps have received almost the
whole of their equipment. They
have been in possession of rifles for some time, and about three parts of
the full number of uniforms have been delivered.
A band has been formed, consisting of three side-drums, a bass drum,
and nine bugles, and is receiving instruction from Bandmaster F Farrow.
Brandon Corps is designated H Company of the 2nd Battalion
Suffolk Regiment, of which Earl Cadogan is Colonel.”
V.T.C. – The Brandon Company of the V.T.C. journeyed to Bury St.
Edmunds, where, with other companies comprising the 2nd Battalion
Suffolk Regiment of the Volunteer Training Corps, they were inspected by
General Smith-Dorrien. The
Brandon men are now in possession of all their uniforms, besides rifles, and
they presented a remarkably smart appearance.
The Company paraded at the Armoury just before 11 on Sunday morning,
under the command of Commander A.W. Rought-Rought.
The other officers present were Assistant Commandant A. Lee Barber,
Lieuts F.W. Risdale and W. Murrell. Sgt-Major
Shears, Quarter-Master-Sgt Wilby, Sgts Edgington, G. Whitta, Grimes and
Newton and Corporals Leach, A. Rolph, A. Dyer, and J. Caban.
There were 84 of all ranks on parade.
Headed by the drum and bugle band, under Bandmaster Farrow, the
Company marched to the Railway Station, whence they were conveyed by special
train via Ely to Bury. Here the
bugle band led the way to the Great Eastern Hotel, where the Commandant
kindly provided refreshments. The
Company then proceeded to Angel Hill, where they joined the Battalion.
The band of the Suffolks now took the lead, and the battalion
proceeded to a spot near the Skating Rink.
After an inspection in line, the battalion marched past in column of
platoons from the right. Brandon
Company, who were No. 13 platoon, seemed to specially catch the eye of the
spectators, probably owing to their smart and finished appearance, and they
generously applauded. The
battalion was then formed up on three faces of a hollow square, the officers
being called to the front and individually complimented by the General on
the all round efficiency of the men. In
this respect Commander Rought-Rought received high commendation.
A return was made to Angel Hill for the dismissal.
Brandon Company marched on to the Great Eastern Hotel, led by its own
hand as before, and after partaking of refreshments by means of generosity
of the officers, entrained at 5.15pm for Brandon, which was reached about an
hour later. Leaving their
rifles at the Armoury, they proceeded to the Market Hill and were dismissed.
Regret was felt by the whole Company at the unavoidable absence of
Sir John Aird, who was away on business in connection with the Munitions
Committee. The corps owes much
to the influence and liberality of Sir John, and the members naturally
wished him present on what was undoubtedly an important day for them.
There were altogether about 906 on parade at Bury, the battalion
consisting of 16 platoons. A
word of praise is due to Mr Fred Farrow on the astonishing success he has
achieved with the bugle band. It
was only three weeks ago that they received the instruments, yet the lads
managed their bugles and drums so capably that they surprised even their own
colleagues. Recognition should
also be made of the work of Sgt-Major Shears, who, with the assistance of
Quarter-Master-Sgt Wilby, has brought the Company on wonderfully well with
their drills.
Commander A.W. Rought Rought has received the following
letter from Sir George W. Agnew, of Rougham ...
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“I desire to congratulate you on the fine appearance of
your officers and men on the parade ground on Sunday last, when our
Battalion had the honour of being inspected by General Sir H. Smith-Dorrien,
C.G.B. Bearing in mind
the fact that your company had no previous experience of Battalion
drill, it is all the more creditable that the men should have proved
so efficient. I thank
you, your officers and men, for parading in such good numbers on a day
when naturally the means of communication were somewhat difficult.
P.S. – I have just received a letter from Lord Cadogan
expressing his delight with ‘the good parade, which speaks volumes
for the keenness and patriotism of all concerned.’
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August, 1915
V.T.C. – A
large proportion of the members of the Brandon Volunteer Training Corps
attended Divine Service at the Parish Church on Sunday morning.
Assembling on the Market Place they marched to the church led by the
bugle band. Commander A.W.
Rought-Rought and other officers were present.
The sermon was preached by the Rector (the Rev J.L. Wyatt), who based
his discourse on the following text ...
Whoever shall save his live shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his
life for My sake shall find it. – St. Matthew xvi., 25
The Rector spoke of the magnificent work which our Navy and Army had done
during the war, and urged upon everyone the duty of doing his utmost in the
present crisis. As a concluding
voluntary, the organist (Mr A.E. Chapman) played “the Marsellaise.”
The corps afterwards returned to the Market Place, where before the
dismissal they were addressed in complimentary term by Sir John Aird and
Col. Hamilton. Sir John
complimented the Commandant and the officers, including Sergt-Major Shears
and Qr-Mr-Sergt Wilby, on the fine appearance of the Corps and the way in
which they had turned out. He
also spoke of the great amount of work the Commandant had done for the
Corps, and thought that without Mr. Rought’s influence and assistances the
Corps would not have made such a marked progress.
These remarks were acknowledged by Mr. Rought Rought, who said he was
only too pleased to do his level best for the Corps, and who gratefully
acknowledged the generous way in which Sir John Aird had backed up their
efforts.
On Monday the Corps had a route march to Lakenheath.
They paraded 71 strong at the Armoury just before two o’clock,
Commander Rought Rought and other officers being present.
About two hours later they arrived at Lakenheath were they met the
Mildenhall Company, and together proceeded to The Retreat, the grounds of
which were thrown open for inspection.
Later on both Corps were entertained to tea at the One Bell Hotel.
The Brandon Company re-assembled about six o’clock for the return
march, which was completed about 8.15.
It is worthy of note that two of the oldest members of the Corps –
William Talbot, who is over 70, and J Faban, who is between 60 and 70; did
the entire march without once falling out.
Mr Talbot was one of the old Suffolk Volunteers.
Sir John Aird has added to his former liberal gifts to the Corps by a
cheque for £100.
V.T.C. – A miniature rifle range had been provided for the use
of the Brandon Volunteer Training Corps in the grounds of Heath House, the
residence of Commandant Rought-Rought.
It was open for firing on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and enabled the
members get the proper percentage of points to entitle them to the
proficiency badge. Many of them
had already completed the required number of drills; and, ten members made
“possible” attendances (52).
V.T.C.
–
The Brandon Volunteer Training Corps attended Divine Services at Downham
Church on Sunday morning. They
were in the charge of Commander A.W. Rought Rought, and also present were Mr
A. Lee Barber (second in command), the Platton Commanders (Lieuts. Ridsdale
and Murrell) and Sgt Major Shears. The
Corps paraded at the Armoury at 9.34am, and headed by the bugle band, under
Bandmaster Farrow, marched to the church where morning service was conducted
by the Rector. On leaving the
church, the Corps proceeded to the drive near Downham Hall, where they were
subjected to a critical inspection by Colonel Mackenzie.
The colonel afterwards complimented the men on their smartness and
reminded them of Nelson’s last signal.
He also intimated that he would be only too pleased to do anything he
could for the Corps.
Commander Rought Rought acknowledged the kind words of the
colonel, whom he thanked for the rifles presented by the Colonel to the
Corps. Sir John Aird was
present and addressed a few encouraging words to the Corps. Leaving the park by the main entrance the men returned to the
Armoury, where they were dismissed.
October, 1915
V.T.C.
–
As the dark winter evenings arrived, the members of the Volunteer Training
Corps decided to make a change in the time of their weekly drill.
In place of the Monday evening drill, it is agreed to have drill on
Sunday morning at 9.30am. The commandant, Mr A.W. Rought-Rought, kindly consented for
these drills to take place in the grounds of Heath House, his residence.
The shooting practice will be on Wednesdays.
November, 1915
V.T.C. – Corporal J.W. Caban and Mr T.A. Green, of the
Brandon V.T.C., competed in the Brigade Cup competition at Broomhill Range,
near Woodbridge, on Sunday. The
conditions were 10 shots at 200 and 10 shots at 300 yards, the bull to count
four points. The light was bad
and the atmosphere misty, but some good shooting was seen, and the two
Brandonians worthily upheld the reputation of their Corps.
At 200 yards Mr Caban made top score of 34 out of a possible 40, and
Mr Green was two points behind him. At
300 yards Mr Caban put on 29 and Mr Green 23.
With a grand total of 63 Mr Caban headed the list in his own 2nd
Battalion. The cup and money
prize was taken by a Lowestoft competitor wait a total of 70 points.
Earl Cadogan afterwards congratulated the Brandon men on their
shooting.
