W.W.I - Volunteer Training Corps
Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury 5th June 1915
NORTHBOURNE
The Northbourne unit of the Kent Volunteer Fencibles had their first inspection by Recruiting Officer (Col. Dauglish), on Thursday evening, May 27th. Over forty adults and 27 boys fell in at The Vine garage, and marched from there to Northbourne Park. The boys are being trained as a drum and fife band, and with their music led the unit, which was under the command of the Rev. W. M. Shepherd as vice-commander, supported by Mr. Green, leading the boys, and Messrs. Fuller and Solley acting as section commanders, while Sergt. Major Hollamby, R.M.L.I., who has been invaluable as drill instructor, put them through their various movements. Squire Morrice, the commander, supported by the chaplain and secretary, was in attendance upon the Inspecting Colonel, Lord Northbourne, the Commissary for East Kent, electing to take his share in the vigorous and well executed movements of the rank and file. On their return to the garage, the Colonel spoke in the most complimentary terms of the unit and its officers, and especially remarked upon the capacity and skill of the drill instructor. Now that it is known who are allowed to be members, they will be uniformed and properly equipped at the earliest possible opportunity. The progress made is very gratifying, the recruiting results have been exceptionally satisfactory, and the spirit of comradeship and goodwill, apart from the value of the unit as Fencibles, is exercising a unifying power all round. Mr. Aubrey Waterfield, now a Lieut. in the Northants Yeomanry, was the first to initiate the movement at Northbourne, which under the capable hands of Squire Morrice, assisted by a keen and enthusiastic staff, has developed so satisfactorily, and gives great promise. Others followed his example, and have "joined on." Lord Northbourne's generous support and active interest has helped to make the movement a means of absorbing every available ounce of strength from Northbourne and neighbourhood in defending our country, when it is being attacked by the most inhuman, unscrupulous, and unrighteous assault it has encountered in all its history.