Page 10 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side v1

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.