W.W.I - Volunteer Training Corps

Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury 16th October 1915

NORTHBOURNE FENCIBLES

PRESENTATION TO HONORARY INSTRUCTOR

TRIBUTE TO SQUIRE MORRICE

WHOM LORD NORTHBOURNE SUCCEEDS AS PLATOON COMMANDER

A very interesting gathering took place at Northbourne on Monday evening, when in the Men's Club Room a handsome gold watch with engraved inscription, and an illuminated address were presented by Lord Northbourne, on behalf of the Fencibles, to Q.M.S.I. Hollamby, R.M.L.I., who has acted as honorary instructor of the unit. There was nevertheless a note of sadness about part of the proceedings, in the thought of the recent and unexpected death of Squire Morrice, platoon commander of the unit, and a vote of condolence as passed with the family. The interesting announcement was made that Lord Northbourne, Commissary for East Kent, had consented to become Platoon Commander in succession to the late Mr. Morrice.

The Northbourne Fencibles paraded in uniform about 40 strong, in the garage at the Vine, and then marched to the Club Room, which was very attractively decorated with flags etc.

On the motion of the Rev. W. M. Shepherd, vice platoon commander, the Rector of Northbourne, Rev. W. Ceidrych Thomas, who is chaplain of the unit, was voted to the chair, and he was supported by Lord Northbourne, Mr. G. C. Elliot, sub Battalion Commandant Cinque Ports Batt., K.V.F, Vice Platoon Commander Rev. W. M. Shepherd, Qr. Mr. Burgess, and others.

The Chairman said they had all heard of the tragic news which came to him that day week, that their Platoon Commander had died suddenly in Italy. ......

Vice Platoon Commander Shepherd announced the following appointments of section corporals: Messrs. Jupp, Seath, Struthers and Moat. These appointments, he remarked, were interesting as they were rather geographical and they would be able to "round up slackers."

Lord Northbourne's Tribute to the Late Squire.
Ardent Local Patriotism.

......... No doubt he had known Mr. Morrice very much longer than anyone else there, and he might say a word or two about him. Most of them were probably aware that Betteshanger formerly belonged to Mr. Morrice's grandfather[1], and was sold by him to the late Sir Walter James in 1850. Mr. Morrice's grandfather married a sister[2] of his (Lord Northbourne's) grandfather, so that Mr. Morrice was not only a friend but his relative. If there was one thing more than another that was rooted in Mr. Morrice's character and disposition, it was his ardent attachment to his old home. It was quite impossible to exaggerate Mr. Morrice's attachment to his neighbourhood and the old home of his ancestors. They all knew that Mr. Morrice was very fond of sport, and he went to different and distant parts of Europe in its pursuit. Many years ago, when travelling in the Arctic regions, he was very nearly overwhelmed by snow and frost, but a rescue party found him, and when he got to a more or less civilized neighbourhood he produced from his pocket a memorandum to the effect that if he died it was his urgent wish that his bones should rest at Betteshanger, and though he had only in recent years become possessed of property in the neighbourhood of The Vine, they knew he had some land in the adjacent villages of Studdale, Stoneheap and Little Mongeham still belonging to him.

The Presentation

He believed, Lord Northbourne continued, they were all trying to do their best. Some perhaps could do more than others. Some, may be, were becoming rather infirm, and were not so capable as those who were in the full vigour of manhood or youth, but everyone could do his little best. In connection with the formation of that unit there was one man; they all recognised, who had done - actually done, not talked about it - more than anyone, and that was their Sergt.-Major and instructor. (Applause.) ......

First of all he had to present an address, which he would read:

"To Qr. Mr-Sergt. George Hollamby, R.M.L.I. We, the officers and men of the Northbourne unit of the East Kent Fencibles, desire to put on record how highly we esteem your services as voluntary drill instructor of our corps. The gift we ask you to accept may be intrinsically of small value compared with the acknowledgement due to you; but you will nevertheless believe it to be a genuine expression of our enthusiastic appreciation and hearty gratitude. - October 11th, 1915."

Signed: Northbourne, Commissary; W. M. Shepherd, Vice-Platoon Commander; W. R. Burgess, Q.M.; E. M. Fuller, Sergt.; F. E. Green, Sergt., H. T. Solley Sergt., George Struthers, W. Moat, A. J. Jupp, A. Seath.

At the foot of the address a note was made: "Our Platoon Commander, F. L. H. Morrice, Esq., died suddenly in Italy while this testimonial was being got up."

Lord Northbourne added: I should like also to give you something, perhaps more substantial. We have here a gold watch which we hope will last your lifetime, and that you will be able to hand it on to your successors, who ought to be proud to think that the Northbourne unit were proud of their instructor. (Cheers, loud and continued applause, and Kentish fire).

Q.M.S. Hollamby said he was sure it was a great pleasure to be there, but it seemed just at that moment to be a difficult matter to speak. He could usually talk to them - (Laughter) - but this was certainly a surprise to him. He expected, he might as well say, some little present at the end of the war. Could he take it that it was the end? (Lord Northbourne: I wish it were.) Well, all the words he could say would not thank them for these gifts. One thing they had done that he had never remembered before - they had kept a secret. (Laughter.) He could only say to one and all "Thank you for the present." He could assure them it would be handed down as a proud possession. .......

The handsome gold watch, which was supplied by Mr. R. Turk, of High-street, Deal, bore the following engraved inscription: "To Qr. Mr. Sergt. Hollamby, with appreciation for his services as Instructor, from the Northbourne unit of the Kent Fencibles." ......

Note:
[1] - Frederick Edward Morrice (1778-1858).
[2] - Frederick Edward Morrice married Elizabeth Ellison (1786-1855) in 1848.