Page 12 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side

From August 1914, Lord Kitchener’s famous poster “Your Country Needs You” was
widely distributed throughout the UK, and printed in local newspapers. There was definitely
no escaping the fact that the country needed men, and fast. But this hurriedly convened
campaign caused enormous problems for those who had the responsibility of organising
the many thousands of civilian volunteers into something which resembled a fighting army.

Many of the men who rushed to join up were convinced that the war would be over in just a
few short months and they didn’t want to miss out on the adventure. After signing on at
one of the many hastily convened recruiting offices, they were assigned to a Regiment. In
theory a volunteer could ask to join a particular Regiment, but it was often the case that
they were assigned to where men were needed. The majority of local men joined the Royal
West Kent Regiment and many more went down to the Woolwich Royal Artillery Barracks
to sign on.

However, their first enthusiasm was soon tested when they arrived by travel warrant to
their Unit’s barracks. During the first few weeks there was not enough of anything - from
uniforms to food, and sleeping accommodation often meant sleeping outside covered by a
blanket that they were able to grab from some other new recruit. But eventually the
authorities managed to get thousands of blue serge uniforms from the General Post Office,
and factories making Army uniforms worked flat-out to meet the unprecedented demand.
Large stocks were obtained from America and Canada and the situation gradually
stabilised.

The early conviction of a quick and decisive victory soon faded as the brutal conflict
dragged on year after year. There were severe food shortages. Back home men were not
around to help with the farmer’s crops and disabled ex-soldiers, many of whom had lost
limbs, were allocated to help on the land and the idea of allotments to grow extra fruit and
vegetables was encouraged. Ships bringing food from Britain’s far flung empire were
regularly being sunk before reaching our shores with their precious cargo.

Everyday life was a constant struggle, especially for families who had lost their man’s
wage, but eventually married women were given an allowance, as well as a small fixed sum
for each of their children. This regular income, however small, was actually an advantage,
because before the war they could never be sure of where the next penny would come
from. But once a woman lost her husband in the conflict, she would again be in serious
need of money. When Mrs Saunders of Manor Cottages, North Cray was widowed in 1917,
she had to wait several months before being allocated a widow’s pension of 35/- (£1.75) a
week for herself and her six young children.

A few local men, such as George Fiske who lived in Foots Cray could earn good wages at
the Government’s vast armaments factory, the Woolwich Arsenal, believed to be the largest
such factory in the world. But these fortunate few were being constantly harangued by the
women who felt that they should be serving alongside their husbands, sons and family
members. Many women did answer the call to take the men’s place but, with a never-ending
demand for guns and ammunition it was vital for the war effort that these highly skilled
engineers should remain at their machines. In 1901, Henry Glover, who was born and
raised in Foots Cray, was employed at the Woolwich Arsenal. He later emigrated to Canada
with his wife and young son and found employment on the Canadian Railways. But as soon
as war was declared Henry signed up at the Toronto Recruiting Office and was assigned to
the Sportsmen Battalion which left for France in October 1915. He probably was never able
to go back to see his wife in Canada again, but may well, of course, have visited family in
the UK whilst being given leave. He was killed in February 1918, and his name has been
included on the Foots Cray Memorial as well as on the Memorial Plaque located at
Toronto’s Old City Hall.

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