Village History

Directories

Other Information

W.W.I - The Northbourne Volunteer Training Corps

Everyone is familiar with the BBC Television programme 'Dad’s Army' based on the exploits of the Home Guard during the Second World War. But almost a quarter of a century before there was a similar organization during the 1914-1918 Great War. Volunteer Training Corps were being formed all over Britain at that time, and mainly those above the military age were eligible to become members. Rules were set by a central body in London, the Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps (C.A.V.T.C.) and in late 1914 the corps were formed into county regiments.

By March 1915 there were at least forty-eight volunteer units in Kent. Lord Harris administered the Kent regiment, which was formed from a number of battalions; each formed of between four and six companies. A company comprised 240-300 men, although most did not reach full strength. Each company was formed from 4 platoons (a platoon was about 60 men) and each platoon was broken down into four sections. In the case of Dover the corps were able to form two companies and by October 1915 the Kent force was said to consist of almost 10,000 members^[1].

In the early months of the war, Volunteer Corps were formed in the local towns and some men from Northbourne went to Eastry and Sandwich to drill. By the beginning of 1915 villages were creating their own platoons and the Northbourne platoon was initiated by Mr. Aubrey Waterfield and formed following a meeting at Northbourne school on 28th January 1915. Weekly orders for the Northbourne Platoon appeared in the local newspaper in the spring of 1915. Northbourne Platoon, along with other local platoons, was part of "A" Company (Sandwich and District) of the Cinque Ports Battalion.

On Sunday 22nd August 1915 a drill at Eastry on Cooper's Meadow consisted of about 150 rank and file uniformed volunteers^[2].   The platoons present were:

• Platoon No. 1 - Eastry and Ash.
• Platoon No. 2 - Northbourne (Which included a fife and drum band under Bandmaster F. E. Green).
• Platoon No. 3 & 4 - Sandwich.

There was no government grant towards the cost of equipment and each member of the corps had to provide his own rifle and clothing. A red armband, or brassard, was provided with the letters 'GR' (Georgius Rex) in black, so in the case of a German invasion the wearer would be identified as a legitimate combatant. Consequently the volunteers  acquired nicknames such as 'Grandpapa's Regiment' and 'Genuine Relics'. The Kent force was known as the 'Kent Volunteer Fencibles' and wore a 'KVF' lapel badge^[3].

In the event of a German invasion, if the corps encountered the enemy on there own, the aim would be to constantly attack and harass them until sufficient troops could be assembled to attack in force. More realistically the army envisaged making use of the volunteers' local knowledge as scouts to the regular army. They also considered the corps as acting in a support role, supplying ammunition and undertaking entrenchment work. On 27th-28th November 1915, there was a weekend at Knockholt in Kent for instruction in trench work; these trenches formed part of London's defences. From February to about July 1916 the platoon regularly carried out work on the foundations of the army camp at Stonar near Sandwich. Volunteers 'who were not able to go through the hard wear and tear of campaigning', lighter duties were outlined, such as guarding prisoners, buildings and supplies, clearing the countryside of cattle to deny support to the invading army and directing civilian evacuation.

The organisers of the Volunteer Corps were also aware that the initial enthusiasm may wane, particularly as no one knew how long the war might last. The Adjutant of the Cinque Ports Battalion, Colonel Buttanshaw, at Deal on 17th September 1915 said:

I don't think we perfectly realise the serious proposition we have in front of us, and as I say, don't let us be too inclined to listen to people who say that it is all right and that the war is going to be over in three months or even six months. It may be so, but don't let us slacken our efforts for that reason, because I am sure you will agree with me that it is just as likely to last three years. We must go on keeping up our preparations and our training.^[4]

In March 1916 the War Office took over the administration of the Volunteer Training Corps, absorbed it into the armed forces and renamed it the Volunteer Force. Many men exempted from conscription were compelled to enlist as volunteers and eventually the volunteers were given army issue uniforms and weapons.

Orders for the week were printed in Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury, for example 5th June 1915:

Kent Volunteer Fencibles
Northbourne Unit
Orders for week end 12th June 1915

Monday - Musketry instruction and shooting, outdoor range, 6 o'clock, Instruction, Q.M.S. Hollamby, R.M.L.I.
Tuesday - Route March, Tilmanstone, 7 p.m.
Wednesday - Band Practice; Instructor, Bugle Major Marsh R.M.L.I.
Thursday - Official Inspection, 7 p.m. All members are requested to attend. Brassards must be worn.
Saturday - Band Practice, 5 p.m.

FREDK. MORRICE commandant

At a Northbourne meeting on 11th October 1915, just after the death of the Platoon Commander - Frederick L. H. Morrice - the 'Northbourne Fencibles' was said to be about 40 strong.

The Northbourne Volunteer Training Corps was described in the Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury, 23 September 1916:

The Volunteers present were in uniform, including Acting Platoon Commander Rev. W. Shepherd^[5] Chaplain Rev. W. Ceidrych Thomas^[6] and Quartermaster W. R. Burgess. Lord Northbourne^[7] who commands the platoon, was unable to be present owing to his being away in the North of England, but a telegram was received from his Lordship and Lady Northbourne conveying their best wishes for the success of the show. At 3 o'clock the proceedings were opened by Mr. G. C. Elliot, of Hull Place, Sholden, the Battalion Sub Commandant, who was accompanied by Mrs. Elliot.

Platoon Commander Shepherd introduced Mr. Elliott, in brief and interesting speech, and referred to the work of the Northbourne Corps. Sub Commandant Elliot expressed the pleasure it afforded him to open the show, in the unavoidable absence of Lord Northbourne. One thing he had noticed about Northbourne - they did so well anything they took in hand. It was certainly the case in regard of their work as Volunteers, and considering the comparative absence of facilities, situated in the country as they were, the work they had done was most creditable. He also spoke of the importance of the Volunteer Force in the present national emergency.

And the event where the Corps turned out in force? The 12th Northbourne autumn flower show! Some of the proceeds were to go to Corps funds and it was said, “The pecuniary results were most satisfactory, and the Corps funds will benefit by a substantial sum.”

Most of the Kent volunteers trained as infantry but there were also cyclist and motorized units and a squadron mounted on horseback known as the East Kent Mounted Scouts. These were formed in connection with the East Kent Hunt in November 1914. They held regular drills at Bridge, Northbourne, Ashford, Minster and Faversham^[8].

The largest rally of Volunteers since the start of the war was held at Ashford on 24th February 1918. Eight battalions of the Kent Volunteer Regiment and one battalion of the Sussex Volunteer Regiment were inspected by Field Marshal Viscount French. The Cinque Ports Battalion was present including the Northbourne platoon, under the command of Lord Northbourne. The whole parade was said to comprise 195 officers and 4,026 men.

In December 1918 it was announced that members were to 'return their rifles, bayonets, gas masks, steel helmets (and haversacks belonging to the Royal Marines) ... And to hold all articles of clothing and equipment in readiness for return in the event of their being called upon to do so or to deliver them up if leaving the neighbourhood.'

After the end of WWI Lord Northbourne entertained the Volunteers to a supper, on 28th February 1919. It was said, 'All had made sacrifices in the war, and of those who had passed through Northbourne School no fewer than 21 had made the supreme sacrifice, and five former members of their platoon had laid down their lives for their country... Over 100 men had been on the books of the platoon, 41 of whom had joined the regular forces; two at least had won the Military Medal'.^[9]

The government issued certificate of thanks to all members who served in the Volunteer Force.

MEMBERS OF THE NORTHBOURNE PLATOON

Frederick L. H. Morrice - Platoon Commander, until his death in Italy in 1915
Lord Northbourne - (Walter Henry James, 1846 - 1923, 2nd Baron) Commissary for East Kent, and after the death of F. L. H. Morrice, he became Platoon Commander
Rev. Waldergrave Mutrie Shepherd - Vice-Platoon Commander[9]
Rev. William Ceidrych Thomas - Chaplain
William R. Burgess - Quartermaster
George Hollamby - Q.M.S.I. Honorary instructor
Frederick E. Green - Sergt. and Bandmaster and headmaster of Northbourne School.
Ernest Mackney Fuller - Sergt. - Master miller, Northbourne. He died 17 Sept. 1957, aged 82.
H. T. Solley - Sergt.
E. Dixon
George Struthers - Section corporal
William Moat - Section corporal - Builder and licensed victualler, Hare and Hounds, Northbourne, reported 11 Nov. 1916, aged 42.
A. J. Jupp - Section corporal
A. Seath - Section corporal
J. Amis
R. H. Amos
E. J Arnold
F. G. Brockman
H. Brockman
Wm. Brown
M. J. Clark
D. Ellender
John Fagg
Pte. William George Fagg - Stoneheap Farm, reported on 9/9/1916: aged 30, farming 290 acres.
Jas. Farrier
J. Gambell
Pte. Goldfinch
Pte. A. Hopper
G. W. Kemp
William J. Marsh, married, reported on 8/4/1916: aged 36, shoeing smith.
Jas. Newing
Alfred Pilcher
G. Richards
G. A. Wanstall
Alfred Wanstall
Henry William Wyborn - of How Wall, Finglesham, reported on 18/3/1916: aged 22, market gardener.