Newspaper article from 1901 giving a brief history of the Lytham
Volunteers.
PIONEER VOLUNTEERS
HISTORY OF THE LYTHAM CORPS.
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SERGEANT HOWARD'S RETIREMENT
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THE BATTALION'S COMPLIMENT
On the 13th December, 1859, a band of patriotic young men held
a meeting in Edmondson's shop, Market.square, Lytham, the result of which was to have far
reaching effects. Each wanted to be a military man of some kind, and so the volunteer company
was formed for Lytham. From the roll-book kindly lent to us by Mr. Thomas Fair, J.P., we find
that exactly 69 names were enrolled, as follows :
Adcock, John
Anyon, Thomas
Armstrong, T.
Atkinson, W.
Bell, W. H.
Brown, James
Bull, Thomas
Butcher, Elijah
Candlish, William
Cardwell, James
Cartwell, William
Clarkson, James
Clarkson, Richard
Cole, Thomas
Cookson, John
Cookson, Richard
Cookson, Richard
Collinson, —
Day, Charles
Dagger, Richard
Edmondson, T.
Edmondson, C. R.
Elston, William
Evans, John
Fair, Jacob
Fisher, William
Fisher, William
Fisher, Cornet
Greaves, James
Hardy, William
Harrison, Lawrence
Hincksman, W.
Hogg, Robert A.
Hull, Robert
Lang, Edward
Loose, William
Miller, Clement
Moon, John
Moore, John
Mouncey, Titus
Mycock, James
Mycock, William
Naples, F.
Nickson, John
Parkinson, J.
Rawlinson, H.
Rymer, James
Rymer, William
Salthouse, C.
Salthouse, John
Salthouse, John
Scott, William
Seed, Alexander
Seed, James
Stevenson, James
Swann, James
Thompson, R. T.
Townson, Bryan
Taylor, Henry
Wartenberg, S.
Wareing, Robert
Wilding, John
Warbrick, Richard
Whiteside, N.
Wood, Thomas
Woods, William
Worthington, G.
Wright, Thomas
Carter, —
The first officers were Captain Lennocks, Lieut. Thos. Fair, W. E. Stephenson ensign, and
Rev. R. B. Robinson, then Vicar of Lytham as the chaplain. Mr. Jacob Fair was colour-sergeant,
and Major Hincksman, O. R. Henderson, S. Wartenberg, and J. Wilding, sergeants. On Good Friday,
1860, the company had its first parade in uniform, to Blackpool, and one can readily imagine
the sensation they would make, and the pride they would take in their appearance. Sergeant
Instructor Cole was the first instructor to the corps, but at the end of two years he
unfortunately put an end to his life by shooting himself. Captain Lennocks and Lieut. Thos.
Fair did not hold office long—two years— Mr. W. C. Stevenson being appointed captain, Mr. (now
Major) Hincksman lieutenant, and Mr. Jacob Fair ensign. After four years' service the latter
retired, being succeeded by Mr. Wartenberg. In 1863, the company held their first camp in
Lytham—the first Volunteer encampment ever, held in Lytham.
In the following year Mr. Thos. Henry Clifton, father of the present Squire, was appointed
captain, became major, but two years satisfied his ambition. Mr. Hincksman was then put into
the proud position, with Mr. Wartenberg , as his lieutenant, and in 1881 the former was
promoted hon. Major. Six years later, he ended a long and honourable term of service, viz.,
about 28 years, to the deep regret of all connected with the Company., Mr. James S. Fair who
had joined as second lieutenant in 1882 was made captain, retiring in 1885. A non-resident had
then to be elected to the command, the choice falling on Captain Lucas, who holds the position
today (1901), Mr. P. Dandy who joined in 1898, being his lieutenant.
The corps has been specially favoured with capable drill instructors. After
Sergeant-Instructor Cole, came Sergeant-Instructor Hynes, an old Crimean man, and pensioner. He
stayed 14 years and was then compelled to relinguish the task on account of reaching the
prescribed age limit. Sergeant-Instructor Moore, an old sergeant from the Militia staff came
for eight years and their the company had the good fortune to get Sergeant-Instructor Howard
from the East Lancashire Regiment, in July 1884. His genial, kindly spirit soon bore fruit, and
there sprung up a bond of kinship between tutor and taught which attracted others to the happy
family. For 17 years Sergeant Howard fulfilled the duties honourably and successfully, for the
strength of the company rose in his term from 70 to 100, and one of his most pleasant memories
will ever be the service eleven of his boys have given to the country in the ill-fated South
African war. No instructor ever took more personal interest in his men. He was a virtual foster
father to each one, and his compulsory retirement on account of the age limit was deeply
regretted by them. But his urbanity has gone further afield than Lytham, and on Saturday
sergeant Howard received the appreciation of the battalion. In the orders issued by Col.
Mitchell, V.D., Commanding Officer to the regiment, appears the following eulogy :--
"Sergeant-Major G. Sanderson has been approved as Sergeant Instructor to the battalion, vice
Sergeant.Instructor Howard, relieved at his own request.
The Commanding Officer takes this opportunity place on record his high appreciation of the
valuable services rendered to the battalion by geant Mr. Howard during the long period of 7
years. Sergeant Mr. Howard, now retiring on his pension, carries with him into his retirement
the respect and esteem of all ranks of the battalion."
Such a splendid acknowledgment of service is so rare that Sergeant Howard is naturally very
proud of it. We congratulate him on such a tribute, and hope he will be spared for many more
years to continue his instruction to the schools of the district which Government has precluded
him from giving any longer to the volnnteer service.
The choice of his successor has not been lightly made. In fact one man had been chosen, and
actually paid a looking-round visit, but the Commanding Officer decided that he was scarcely
the man to come to a place like Lytham, and Sergt. Inst. Noble, of Bacup was then chosen. He is
an exceedingly smart-looking soldier, said to be very smart at drill, and that he is a popular
man is seen from the fact that the Bacup Conservative Club have presented him with a handsome
writing desk on leaving. We hope and believe he will prove a worthy successor to Sergeant
Howard.
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