Newspaper report from May, 1915
COUNTY PALATINE BRIGADES ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY.
150TH BRIGADE SPORTS.
EARLY DEPARTURE OF TROOPS TO GRANTHAM
INSPECTION BY SIR W. H. MACKINNON,
K.C.B.
The 171st Brigade, the latest brigade to be billeted in St. Annes, will be
removed to Blackpool next week. This means removal of 1,000 men. Lieut.-Col. Gregory is in command
of the 171st Brigade, and Lieut. Gray has been transferred from the 149th to the 171st as adjutant.
Adjutant Lieut. Casbolt, is now adjutant to the 149th.
The Manchester and Blackburn Brigades have entered upon their last three weeks.
They are being drafted to Grantham, Lincolnshire for a brief period, and then to Aldershot.
Grantham is on the main line of the Great Northern Railway, and about 24 miles south of Lincoln. It
is a municipal borough with over 20,000 inhabitants, and engineering and agriculture are its chief
industries. The people of St. Annes will he sorry to lose such well-behaved troops, but the best of
friends must part. No effort will be relaxed to entertain our soldier friends right up to the
farewell.

Soldiers of the Royal Field Artillery
in fields off Headroomgate Road, 1915 (Houses in the background are on Highbury Road). The
Army had riding schools here.
The British soldier stands higher in the estimation of
the people of St. Annes since they have had the honour of taking some practical interest in
their training and welfare. Many residents have revised their opinions of their khaki
defenders since they have rubbed shoulders with them.
The 150th Brigade sports were an unqualified success
from several Points of view—perfect weather, big attendance and excellent sport. The
intention of the promoters was not to "make money," but to provide a good day's sport; hence
some 6,000 free tickets were issued. Generous townspeople at Blackburn and St. Annes came
forward and contributed a considerable sum towards the prize money. The full amount has not
yet been raised, and it only needs this hint, we feel sure, for the few remaining pounds to
be forthcoming. The secretaries (Mr. H. J. Carmont and Mr. J. Bowman), or the treasurer (Mr.
Ernest Hamer, J.P.), will be glad to hear from ladies or gentlemen who have not had the
opportunity of subscribing to the prize fund.
Everybody will sympathise with Lieutenant-Colonel
Dixon in the serious accident that befell his beautiful charger "Stella," immediately after
the sports. She was being ridden by Lieut.-Adjutant Gray along North Drive, and became
unmanageable. Lieut. Gray succeeded in dismounting, unhurt, but the mare attempted to leap a
few spiked railings at the corner of Mr. Boddington's garden, and became impaled. Three
spikes entered the breast of the horse, tearing the flesh deeply. Assistance came from
Wynslade, and the animal received veterinary attention as soon as possible. There are hopes
of the mare's recovery.
Three capital lectures have been arranged for the
troops by Mr. J. Gregory secretary of the Parish Rooms. To-night 'Mr. J. R. Gibbs will show,
by lantern views, some of the latest war pictures, and will give a chat on them to the
Manchester Brigade. The same lecture will be repeated to-morrow (Saturday evening), for the
benefit of the Blackburn Brigade. On Sunday Coun. R. Leigh will speak on "What Italy wants
from Austria" and his lecture will be illustrated by lantern views. Each lecture will
commence at 8.0 p.m., in the Parish Rooms.
INSPECTION.
The 149th and 150th Brigades were inspected on
Wednesday morning by General Sir William Henry MacKinnon, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.,
commander-in-chief of the Western Division. General MacKinnon was accompanied by his
aide-de-camp and Brigadier- General Abdy, and Brigade-Major Webb.
The inspection was very brief, and as the public were
unaware of the General's visit there were very few spectators. The troops were inspected as
they went through their usual daily drill, and General MacKinnon expressed the opinion that
they were a splendid stamp of men. He was greatly interested in the ingenious wooden model
guns with mechanical contrivances, invented by Lieut. Col. Dixon.
"TOMMY" AND BILLIARDS.
An interesting billiard match, between teams
representing the R.F.A. and St. Annes Liberal Club, was played on Tuesday evening, on the
Liberal Club tables. Results:
R.F.A. |
St. Annes
Liberals. |
100 N. A.
Wood
100 J. Sagar
93 J. R. Forster
75 R. P. Smith
18 H. Morris
57 W. Lord
100 S. Blackburn |
C. Benson 73
J Sykes 67
N. Jolly 100
W. H. Haworth 100
R. Clarke 100
T. R. Hoey 100
J. Tapley 87
|
543 |
627 |
150th BRIGADE
SPORTS.
A GLORIOUS
DAY.
Field sports for the
150th (Blackburn) Brigade of the County Palatine Royal Field Artillery were held on the Clifton
Park Racecourse on Monday. The event was favoured with brilliant sunshine, and the large
attendance had nearly four hours of most enjoyable sports. Most of the events had a humorous
side, and whilst the flat racing was proceeding humorous "turns" were fought
out.
As a result the
sports were more interesting and entertaining than is usual with field sports. Pillow-fighting,
with the combatants mounted on a large horizontal pole, was the greatest fun, and this kept the
crowd amused for an hour. Then there was mop-fighting with the combatants mounted pick-a-back,
and mops dipped in flour.
Musical chairs for
mounted officers was a great success, some of the horses showing a great dislike to being pulled
in the rush showing chairs. The boot race and the sack race were also enjoyable novelties, and
in the sack race the competitors had the sacks tied round their necks, and they were required to
jump over a pole eighteen inches high. The competition for the best gun detachment introduced a
serious note, and the smart way in which the gun crews went through their work at the command of
Lieut. Emberson was loudly applauded.
Lord Derby and
General Abdy watched the gun drill, Lord Derby being received with hearty cheers. The judging of
the gun drill was done by General Abdy, who also judged the officers' musical chairs. General
Abdy said the work was so good that he could not make any distinction between them, and
therefore the prizes must he divided. The most keenly-contested events were the tugs of war, of
which there were three—one for the 149th, one for the 150th, and an inter-brigade tug-of war.
The conditions were a straight pull and no digging in. The inter-battery tug for the 150th was
splendidly contested, and amongst the troops there was great excitement. The inter-brigade tug
of war was a fairly easy win for D Battery of the 150th, who were thus the champions of the
day.
All the events for the 150th were inter-battery, an excellent arrangement, each man
competing not merely for his own honour, but for that of his battery. As a result there was an
additional keenness, each battery wishing to carry off the championship. During the afternoon the
band of the 150th played selections of music.
At the close the
prizes were distributed by Mrs. Abdy, who had at appreciative word for most of the
winners.
After the
prize-distribution Mr. Lawrence Cotton, J.P. of Blackburn, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs.
Abdy, said they had a pleasant afternoon and excellent sports. His duty was to propose .a vote
of thanks to Mrs. Abdy, the wife of their popular general for her kindness in distributing the
prizes. (Applause.) In any undertaking of such magnitude as they had entered it was always a
great benefit to have those in authority taking an interest in what was going on. It was
exceedingly thoughtful of General Abdy to come amongst them, and more so from the fact that he
brought his good lady. (Applause.)
Hearty cheers were
given for Mrs. Abdy, Mr. Cotton, Col. Dixon, and General Abdy.
General Abdy thanked
them for the way they had received Mrs. Abdy and himself. A great deal was due in fact,
everything except the organisation to the towns of Blackburn and St. Annes, for so handsomely
providing the prizes, and on behalf of the R.F.A. he tendered his most grateful thanks to them.
(Applause.)
Most of the success
of the afternoon was due to the great interest displayed by Col. Dixon, the President, Mr.
Ernest Hamer J.P., the hon. treasurer, and Messrs. Jas. Bowman and H. J. Carmont, the hon.
secretaries, and the officers of the Brigade who worked hard both in deciding heats and on the
day. The judges were Ald. S. Crossley, J.P., Mr. Lawrence Cotton, J.P., Cone. C. F. Critchley,
C.C., Coun. Hammond, Major H. N. Dixon, Mr. J. W. Carter, Mr. John Eddleston, Mr. W. P. Kay, and
Mr. R. Birtwistle, with Mr. F. Middleton as judge's steward. Capt. W. A. Smith was the starter,
and the officers of the brigade were the stewards.
RESULTS
100 yards-1, W.
H. Cook, A. Battery; 2, H. Place, B Battery; 3 M. Edmondson, Ammunition
Column.
Blind
driving—T. Hayes and J. Pitfield, D ; A. Smith and EL Cooper, A C; 3, H. Oldham and W. Jackson,
C.. •
Tug of war,
149th Brigade—A Battery. Tug of war, 150th Brigade- D. Inter-Brigade Tug of war, 150th
Brigade—D.
One
mile----Marsh, 149th Brigade; 2, McGowan, 149th Brigade • 3, Smith, D. Officers' race—Lieut. J.
N. Cotton, B; 2, Lieut. Norman; 3, Lieut. Smith, C.
Boot
race—Logan, C; 2, Nightingale, D. 440 yards flat race—Parkinson, A C; 2, Cook, A; 3, Peters,
C.
Three-legged
race--Haslam and Smith, D; 2, Swarkbrick and Eccles, A; Ridge and Pomfretr
B.
Veterans'
race—Corp]. Norton, D; 2, Sergt.-Major Burns, B; 3, Sergt.-Major Bull, C.
-
Barrel race—H.
Oldham, C: 2r King, B: 3, Breercliff, C.
Relay
race—Ammunition Column ; 2, B Battery; 3, A Battery. Ogden, B: 3, Culligan,
B.
Officers'
musical chairs—Lieut. Smith, B;
2, Lieut.
Emberson, C; 3, Lieut. Almond C. Sack race 73:i D; 2, A. Hollis, D; 3, S. Smith,
C.
Hun and ride
race ----A Battery; R, D 3, A C. •
Clowns costume
race—W. Whalley, B; 2, V. Geldard, A C; 3, C. Lund, A.
CROSS-COUNTRY
CHALLEGE.
Lieut. J. Gerald
Butterfield, the officer commanding "B" Battery, 169th Brigade (County Palatine) R.F.A., has
issued a challenge for cross-country running, as follows:—"I should be greatly obliged if you
could grant is a paragraph with regard to several of our men who are very good long distance
runners. We have at present in "B" Battery a, team of twenty who are the champions of the 169th
Brigade, and anxious to add further laurels to those already gained, the "13" Battery ,team wish
to meet a team of twenty from any battery, squadron, or company from any brigade or regiment in
or around Blackpool. This may seem a bold challenge, but as proof of the prowess of "B"
Battery's team I may mention that in an eight miles’ road race run against "A" Battery about ten
days ago we placed 16 of our men in the first twenty home, and also had the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th,
6th, 7th and 8th men home. Trusting that our challenge may be taken up by some regiment at
present stationed in or around Blackpool."
SOLDIERS'
CONCERTS.
Drive
Wesleyans.
The work at the
soldiers' institute at the Drive Wesleyan School, has been somewhat interfered with during the
last week-end. The military authorities took possession of the school-room for the use of their
headquarters. This of course meant that the soldiers could not utilise the room as they had done
before. The secretary however was able, through the kindness of the Primitive Methodist friends,
to arrange for the use of their schoolroom. The Friday evening concert was accordingly held
there and was attended by a large number of soldiers; several of the usual faces were missed,
probably owing to the fact of the change of room not being sufficiently known. The following
programme was given: Songs, "The Sleeping Camp." Mr. H Warburton; "The merry month of May," Miss
Martin; "All that I ask is love," Gunner Carol; "Nirvana," Mr. A. Beswick; "When the ebb tide
flows," Mr. H. Warburton ; and "Waltz-song" (from Tom Jones), Miss Martin. There was a cornet
solo, by Mr. L. Fielder, "The flight of ages," and a duet, "Watchman, what of the night?" by
Miss Martin and Mr. H. Warburton. Prof. Dacre also gave a conjuring turn. Mr. John Watts
presided and Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Bentley were the host and hostess, who provided the soldiers
with refreshments and cigarettes. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded by the men on the
proposition of Mr. A. E. Rawson, to Mr. Watts, Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, the artistes, and the
ladies who had looked after the refreshments. Next Friday evening's concert will be held in the
Primitive Methodist Schoolroom.
On Sunday evening the
social service was held in the church. Mr. Bentley played several organ solos, and well-known
hymns were very heartily sung, including, "Stand up for Jesus," "Hark, hark my soul," "0, it is
hard," "Forward be our watchword," "0 Lord of heaven and earth," and "God of our fathers." -Mr.
Bentley also - played "Cavalry March" (Jude), "Songs of melody" and "The war march of the
priests." Mrs. Bentley sang the solo, ''Down in the Valley," the soldiers joining in the chorus,
and Mrs. Herbert Walker, of Ansdell, recited "The false light of Rosilly." The Rev. W. A. L.
Taylor, who presided, gave a short address on "Discouragements." The host and hostess, who
provided refreshments and cigarettes, were Mr. and Mrs. Herbert George.
PARISH
ROOMS
The social hour at
the Parish Rooms was very well attended on Sunday evening, over 200 soldiers being present.
Refreshments were provided at the interval.
An excellent
programme was arranged which consisted of two monologues by Miss may Baines entitled “Christmas
Bells” and “Laugh and the world laughs with you.”
Songs were sung by
the following: Mr Firth, "For you alone," and "Mother Machree ;" Gunner O’Niel, "Down the vale,'
"The toilers," and "Thief ;" Miss Melbourne of Preston, "England," and "Somewhere voice is
calling ;" and Mr. George Campbell "Rolling down to Rio," and "For till green." Miss Dickenson
and Miss Baines were the accompanists.
The concert at the
Parish Rooms, on Wednesday evening was packed to the doors. The refreshments were generously
provided by Mr. and Mrs. King and Mr. and Mrs Whittle. Songs were sung by Gunner Howarth, Gunner
Wills, Miss May Baines and Mr. Firth; comic songs by Driver Thompson and Gunners Wright and
Gildea; Miss Grundy and Lieut. Craig Cameron gave recitals which were highly appreciated. Then
was a competition with ten entries, and the first prize was won by Gunner Mahone, a
contortionist, who did some very clever items The second prize was divided between Gunners
Howarth and O'Neill and Driver Robinson; and consolation prizes were won by Gunners Wills,
Gildea, Allan and Thompson.
Congregational
Church.
The week-end concerts
in St. George's Hall were again largely attended. On Saturday Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Milne
generously defrayed the cost of refreshments and the Rev. G. Stanley Russell M.A., presided. The
artistes ware Miss Rosie Heyle, Mist Lily Sutcliffe, Mr. Wright and Mr. Albert Heap, Miss Evelyn
Cooper (of Fairhaven), and Miss Dorothy Dean, who gave an excellent sketch, "My
Valentine."
Gunner Malone and two
other soldiers gave turns which were greatly appreciated. The accompanist was Mr. T. A.
Clarke.
On Sunday evening Mr.
and Mrs. T. A. Riley were the host and hostess: and Mr. Riley presided. The artistes were Miss
Jessie Clegg, Miss Gladys Riley, Miss Jessie Lord, Mr. A. Heap, Mr. J. Milne, Gunner Malone, Mr.
T. A. Clarke and Mr. S. H. Clarke. The accompanists were Mr. S. H. Clarke, Mr. S. Clegg and Miss
Riley. A brief address was given by the Rev. G. S. Russell. The host and hostess were heartily
thanked for their hospitality.
Y.M.C.A.
ST. GEORGE'S HALL.
There is no sign of
falling off in the popularity of the Y.M.C.A. at St. George's Hall, and the use of the room for
reading, writing and recreation is as great as ever. Since the troops came to St. Annes over
16,000 letters and postcards have been written and posted in the V.M.C.A. rooms at St. George's
Hall, and the Baptist Church lecture hall. The number of pledges taken is 926. With the number
of troops along the coast steadily growing, this work of the Y.M.C.A. is increasing, and there
are institutes at St. Annes, Lytham and Fleetwood. Mr. Lemuel Jones, the local secretary, is
seeking to secure premises, for the 169th Brigade at Blackpool, whilst the 165th, at Fleetwood
(many of whom were in St. Annes), have now a cheerful gathering place in London Street,
Fleetwood, where there are social hours on Sundays and "snickers" on Tuesdays. At Weeton, where
8,000 men are expected to encamp, arrangements have been made for the erection of a hut, which
is being transferred from Morecambe.
Socks and articles of
clothing continue to be received from admirers of the Y.M.C.A. work, and one lady in sending a
parcel writes: "I hear on all sides much praise for he work of the V.M.C.A., and it is
independent testimony from young men who have °Med, of whom we know a good
many.'
BAPTIST LECTURE
HALL.
A very successful
social hour for soldiers was held in the Baptist Lecture Hall, on Sunday evening. The Rev. P. B.
Watson Cowie, M.A. presided, and Mr. Lemuel Jones, secretary for the. Y.M.C.A., gave an
interesting address to the soldiers, on "The proclamation of pardon." Miss Gladys Brearley gave
two recitals, and Miss Clegg sang two solos.
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