Keep the Home Fires Burning - detailing wartime life in the towns and villages mentioned.

B.S. 1914 Oct. 10th Sat.

Called up as a reservist at the outbreak of war, Police constable Lanning, of Olney, was severely wounded at the battle of Mons. Writing to a comrade in the Bucks Constabulary, he says that on August 1st they began a forced march, and he fought in four engagements until, on September 1st, shrapnel smashed his collar bone, leaving his left hand and arm paralysed. For ten hours he laid helpless in a wood, before being taken prisoner by the Germans. He and his wounded comrades were later rescued by French soldiers, and he is now in a French hospital.

B.S. 1915 Jan. 9th

A letter addressed to the editor;

“Dear Sir. As a member of the Olney Ambulance Division doing my “little bit” in the service of my King and Country, I should be very pleased if some of your readers could inform me as to the qualifications necessary for promotion in the St. John Ambulance Brigade. In common with a number of my comrades from Olney I was called up before the war started and for five months we have been serving in the Naval Hospital. En route we learned that Pte. Knight had suddenly been promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and although there were men in our party with at least ten years seniority in the Division, we accepted loyally the position. But, since we have learned that other men (one at least of whom at the time of our departure had not even passed the first course of First Aid Lectures) have now been promoted, we are at least entitled to ask: What special qualifications they possess that they should be placed in command of men who have had many years experience in the work backed up by sound hospital training? Truly the ways of our authorities are past finding out. It may be that some special aptitude or some great natural instinct gives the right to the position, but surely it would be exceptional to place a man of two months or even two years training at home in a position to command men of from 6 to 18 years practical work. We should be most grateful if anyone could enlighten us on this matter. I cannot as a mere Private write glowing accounts of our little doings, but I would thank you for allowing me space for this letter.

Yours truly,

A DISILLUSIONED PRIVATE OF THE OLNEY DIVISION.”

B.S. 1915 Jan. 9th

A letter to the editor;

“SIR. It gives me great pleasure to announce that, in response to my letter of the 17th Dec., the handsome sum of £23 0s 6d was contributed towards the Christmas dinner of the Bucks (Service) Battalion, a very welcome addition to the funds. I hear that the dinner was an unqualified success.

I am, sir, yours faithfully,

W.G. BOWYER,

Weston Manor, Lt.-Col. (retired).

Olney, Bucks.”

B.S. 1915 Jan. 16th

Mrs. Grindon, the wife of Dr. F. Grindon, of Olney, is leading the ladies of Olney - and the neighbouring villages - in preparing and forwarding comforts for the troops abroad. In fact on Wednesday last, January 13th, she made her third visit to Northampton Hospital, taking 230 new laid eggs and a quantity of mince pies, cakes, oranges and chocolate for the wounded soldiers who are being tended there. During the week she has received the following appreciative letter, written by the Matron of the Hospital;

“Dear Mrs. Grindon. I hardly know how to express my gratitude to you, and all the kind friends at Olney, for their very kind and generous gifts of 230 eggs, cakes and mince pies for the wounded soldiers: also for the oranges and chocolates for the children which you so kindly brought to the hospital to-day. The soldiers greatly appreciate the gifts, especially the new laid eggs, and also the many kindnesses which they have received from their many friends at Olney. With many thanks, yours sincerely, MARION BRYAN (Matron).”

At Olney (where in July 1915 a Munition Works Bureau opened, with ‘skilled mechanics desirous of helping their country in the manufacture of war material’ asked to contact Mr. A. Hopper, at 6, Midland Road) whilst many of the men are working ‘at hard pressure’ in the manufacture of footwear for the troops, Mrs. Grindon has organised a Working Party in the town, in which the members meet once a week to make shoes for wounded soldiers. Some go to Northampton Hospital, with the remainder being sent to Mrs. Alfred Paine, at Bedford. She then forwards 200 pairs every fortnight to the British Expeditionary Force at the Front.

(As a pupil of Dr. Harding, of Bedford, Mrs. Grindon’s daughter has recently passed the Metropolitan Examination of the Royal Academy of Music, and has obtained the Diploma of L.R.A.M. (pianoforte).

B.S. 1915 Aug. 21st

After being wounded in action - his injuries including a shot through the heel, and wounds to an arm and thigh - Private Frank Johnson, of the Northants. Regiment, has been spending a short leave at Olney with his friends and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Johnson. Before the outbreak of war he was employed by Mr. Lewis Thompson, grocer and provision merchant, and having joined the Army on his 18th birthday, he has seen a great deal of action at the front. Of most of his many experiences he has no desire to talk, but of some he has been more forthcoming. On one occasion he was locked in a hand to hand struggle with a large German soldier, and despite losing several front teeth, when struck by the butt end of his adversary’s rifle, he nevertheless managed to reclaim the situation and shoot the German dead. On another occasion, whilst under heavy enemy fire he carried two wounded officers to safety, and amongst the actions in which he has been involved are the retreat from Mons, the fighting on the Aisne, at Ypres, and at Hill 60. He was also in the charge at Aubers Ridge, one Sunday in May, and took part in an action at the end of which there were only three survivors - from the 300 of his regiment. Private Johnson speaks with gratitude of the gifts sent to the front by friends and relatives, and especially of the bottle of bullseye peppermints that he received in the trenches, sent by Miss Hipwell, of Olney. He is now making a rapid recovery from his wounds, and returned to his depot on Wednesday.

(At this period a special recruiting office is being opened at 17, Market Place, Olney, where recruits will be taken for all branches of the Service. Sergeant Ashley, who has recently been awarded the D.C.M., will be in charge.)

B.S. 1916 Aug. 5th

From the Medical Department Admiralty, Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve, the following information has been received with much satisfaction by Superintendent W. T. Knight and the members of the Olney Ambulance Division;

“1369 Private Charles William Roberts, Olney Division, to be acting first class sick berth steward. The private named is accordingly recommended for promotion to the rank of Corporal.”

Deputy Commissioner T. H. Woolston then writes to Superintendent Knight;

“It gives me great pleasure to have this testimony of good work and ability, which is entirely due to your training.”

Corporal Roberts was one of the original eleven Olney ambulance men, who joined up for active service a few days prior to war being declared.

B.S. 1916 Aug. 5th

Mr. W. T. Knight, boot and shoemaker, Olney, has acquired some very interesting and unique relics of war. They were brought home from the western front by his son, Chief Petty Officer W. C. Knight, who, well known in Olney ambulance circles, has been at the front for several months attached to the Royal Naval Air Service. Besides being able to bring away a German field rifle of the 1914 pattern, he also became possessed of a six-chamber service revolver. He also has a piece of the canvas and a bit of the splintered woodwork of brave Lieutenant Warneford’s aeroplane. Petty Officer Knight was for a long time attached to a Canadian contingent, and being very popular with the members, they presented him with a tobacco jar made out of the base of an 18lb. Shell, and a matchbox holder of a unique design. This has a French coin, from which rises a tripod of three rifle bullets, whilst the brass framework in which the matchbox rests is part of an exploded enemy shell. He has also brought home model coal scuttles and vases made from a French 73 shell, and vases and jugs made respectively from the cases of 18 pound and 13 pound shells.

B.S. 1916 Sep. 30th

Last Sunday, Mr. A. W. Harris, saddler and harness maker, of Olney, received the following communication from his son, Private Ed. Harris, of the 10th Middlesex (attached 2nd Norfolks.) He was taken prisoner at Kut el Amara, and writes from Yarbachini, Adand;

“Dear Parents and all at home, - I am quite well and trust that all you are. Write War Office for instructions. Meanwhile send warm clothing and some food stuff, toffee. Don’t send much until you hear from me. Let all friends know. Don’t worry. Hope to hear from you, if allowed, before long. Send thick sweater and strong pair trousers and socks. Kindest regards to all friends. De Grouchy well when last seen.”

B.S. 1916 Oct. 14th

Lieutenant Charles Stanley Hipwell, of the Queen’s Westminster Rifles (County of London Battalion), has been awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous bravery on the field. The honour was awarded under authority granted by His Majesty the King, dated October 3rd, 1916, and the record states;

“Lieut. Hipwell led a successful raid into the enemy trenches on the 23rd September, 1916, which resulted in the capture of prisoners. He engaged a fire bay full of Germans and silenced them with his revolver, remaining standing on the parapet while his men crossed the hostile wire, and thereafter until the last man had left for our lines. He went out again under continuous fire to search No Man’s land for a wounded man. The success of the raid was due to his determination and resourceful leading.”

B.S. 1916 Oct. 21st

Serving with the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, Lieutenant Charles Stanley Hipwell, the second son of Mr. J. C. Hipwell, of Olney, has been killed in action. It was learned only last week that he had been awarded the Military Cross, for a conspicuous act of heroism, and he returned to the fighting line a day or so after being decorated. The official news of his death reached his father on Wednesday afternoon, conveyed in the following telegram from the London Records Office;

“Most deeply regret to inform you that Lieut. C. S. Hipwell, 16th Londons, was killed in action on October 15th.”

Two days before his death Lieutenant Hipwell had written a particularly cheerful letter to his father, by whom it was received on Thursday morning. Included was the following passage;

“Well, here we are, back again in the jolly old firing line with all the familiar noise, mud and rats. . . We had rather a strenuous rest last spell, as we were inspected by our Corps. General which naturally means tons and tons of cleaning, polishing and rehearsing. Any how, I am very pleased to say he was very pleased with us and said he had been told he might expect great things, but that like the Queen of Sheba ‘the half had not been told’ him; and he added that we were the finest battalion he had ever inspected on active service. Consequently everybody was sort of keen on life. I had to go through it though, which was truly awful. I was hauled out in front of the whole Battalion, made a speech about, and decorated with my Military Cross ribbon, &c. A really awful proceeding.”

By the same post, on Thursday morning the bereaved father also received a letter from another son, Lieutenant Frank Hipwell, who is serving in his brother’s regiment;

“I don’t know how to tell you, Dad. It will break your heart, as it has mine. Dear old Stan has been killed. Thank God it was absolutely instantaneous. I don’t know how to bear it through being out here with him. I loved him more than you can imagine. I was with him just before it happened. He was as happy as could be. It is something to know that he died happy. . . The General presented him with the Military Cross just before we came up to the trenches this last time. He was one in a million.”

Aged 29, Lieutenant Hipwell had been educated at Haileybury College, where he served in the Training Corps. Subsequently he entered the engineering profession, and served his articles at Faraday House, London. Later he became associated with the motor business of Messrs. Whiting, Ltd., Euston Road, but when the war broke out he joined the Queen’s Westminster Rifles as a private, being given his commission just before leaving for the front. His three brothers are serving with the colours. One is a lieutenant in the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, another is in the 3rd Queen’s (Royal West Surreys), and Melville is a despatch rider in the Royal Engineers.

B.S. 1917 Jan. 13th

His many friends in Olney have received the sad news that, whilst in captivity at Giessen Internment Camp, in Germany, Sergeant Harry Coles, of the 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Lancaster Regiment, has died of double pneumonia December 3rd, 1916. Aged 25, his home was at Hatch Green, Olney, although he had been born at Buckingham. Already in the Army when the war broke out, after many months of gallant service he became a prisoner at the second battle of Ypres a year and a half ago, and in a letter to the father of Sergeant Coles, a fellow inmate, R.S.M. Want, of the Cheshire Regiment, writes;

“I suppose you have heard already through other channels of the very much regretted death of your son. I wish to assure to you that your loss is also ours, and I am merely voicing the sorrow and sympathy felt by all the prisoners of war interned here. I have known your son personally for over 18 months and under conditions far different from those of ordinary everyday life - conditions under which a man’s true character is inevitably disclosed. In my capacity as senior British soldier in this camp, I can safely say that we had no more reliable, honest, straightforward man amongst our number than Sergeant Coles. He was always ready and anxious to support any movement for the welfare of others. He was a very familiar man with all in the camp, having many friends amongst our French comrades in misfortune. As an instance of the esteem in which he was held, on the morning following his death the German Sergt.-Major assembled each barrack separately and announced the sad news, causing it to be given out in both French and English how much he himself and the other Germans acquainted with him regretted his death. The German Sergt.-Major said he held your son as an example to all present of a true soldier and gentleman.”

Another comrade writes to the sister of the deceased, Miss Coles, of Hatch Green, Olney, saying that her brother was buried with military honours, in a service conducted by Sergeant Hardwick, of the Canadians, who is the pastor of the camp. A German clergyman also read the German burial service, and with a band playing the ‘Dead March,’ soldiers filed past the grave and saluted. Amongst the several beautiful floral tributes was a wreath from the interned French soldiers. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Hessen, Germany.

B.S. 1917 Apr. 21st

Writing to the relatives of Private Joseph Longland, of Olney, Lieutenant Thomas states that he was killed during an advance against some German positions. “He made an excellent soldier and we all thought well of him.” Serving with the Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry, Private Longland, a native of the town, was previously in the employ of Mr. F. Morgan, and latterly worked for Mr. Dawes, a builder, in Olney. Also regarding Olney, Mr. Joseph Peters, of West Street, has learned that his son in law, Private Albert Gathergood died on March 31st from wounds received in action the previous day. He was badly injured by a German shell, just after the British troops had captured a French town from the enemy. Born at Rushden, he was the son of Robert and Maria Gatherwood, of Croxton, Norfolk, and leaves a widow, Maria, and two children 28, Coalbrook Mansions, Bedford Hill, Balham, London.

B.S. 1917 May 5th

Two official telegrams have been received this week regarding Lieutenant Harry Hipwell, of the Seaforth Highlanders. The first stated that he was missing and probably wounded, whilst the second said that he was “missing, believed killed.” A German field post card has also been received, dated and signed by Lieutenant Hipwell on the day that he was officially reported missing. However, whether before or after the battle is not known. He is the only son of Mr. H. Hipwell, of Bedford, and his wife and four children live at Olney.

(Private Hipwell was killed in action on Monday, April 23rd, 1917, and is buried in Brown’s Copse Cemetery, Roeux, Pas de Calais, France.)

B.S. 1917 May 5th

Private Thomas Andrews, of the Duke of Bedford’s Regiment, is reported to have been badly wounded in the recent severe fighting in France. His sister is Mrs. Crouch, of 7, Dartmouth Road, Olney, to whom on April 25th the Reverend T. Davies, Chaplain of the Forces, writes;

“Your brother has asked me to write to tell you he has been wounded. He was hit in the right knee last Monday while taking part in an attack on a village held by the Germans. His wound is not dangerous. It is naturally very painful. I saw him in a field ambulance yesterday afternoon. After his wound had been dressed he was sent to a central clearing station. From this he will probably be passed on to a base hospital.”

Aged 29, Private Andrews joined up two years ago, having previously been employed at Messrs. Hinde and Mann’s boot factory. He went to France on July 10th, 1916, and on one occasion, during an attack by his regiment his clothes were ripped from his back by barbed wire, and on another occasion he was obliged to stay in hospital for a while with frostbitten feet. Well known as a local rugby player, in his younger days he won many prizes for running and swimming.

Other Olney men reported to have been wounded include Private Charles Nicholls, of the Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry, whose home is at Beauchamp Terrace. His wife received a field card on Tuesday morning, but the extent of the wounds are not known. Having previously been employed at Messrs. Hinde and Mann’s shoe factory, he enlisted on August 1st, 1916, and went to France in November. He has four children. Private Jesse Harris, of the Bedfordshire Regiment, is in hospital at Epsom, suffering from wounds recently received in action in France. He joined up on April 26th, 1915, and throughout his 15 months in France escaped until now without a scratch. He was formerly employed as a boot operative at Messrs. Cowley’s factory in Olney, and is well known in local football circles, as are his brothers. One is in the Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry, with two others in the Bedford Regiment. Another brother twice volunteered for service, but was rejected on each occasion. They are the sons of the late Mr. T. Harris, and of Mrs. Harris, of High Street, Olney. Private William Berrill, of the Bedford Regiment, is now in hospital in Dundee, suffering from unspecified wounds recently received whilst in action in France. Twenty two years of age, he is the third son of Mr. and Mrs. John Berrill, of 15, Berrill’s Court, Olney, and having joined up at the end of November 1915, was previously employed by Messrs. Hipwell and Co. A brother was killed in action some time ago.

B.S. 1917 May 12th

At the end of last week, news reached the wife of Private Alfred (“Archie”) Field, of the 2nd Battalion, Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry, that her husband is reported to have died of wounds in France. He was aged 43, but despite being past the age of military service had nevertheless enlisted last year, and had been in France for only a few months. As a young man he gained a reputation as a Rugby footballer, and the excellent training he received with the Olney Club enabled him to become one of the finest three quarter backs of his day. He played for the Northampton club on many occasions, and for a while was ‘the shining light’ in the Leicester XV. In his later career, as a footballer he joined the Rochdale Hornets, and became their captain for two seasons. He was also a fine swimmer, and also an excellent cricketer. As for everyday life, he was employed in the lasting room at Messrs. Hinde and Mann’s shoe factory at Olney. He was the son of Archer and Hannah Field, of Olney, and his younger brother, George, who joined up at the beginning of the war, and has risen to the rank of lieutenant, paid a short visit last week to his native town of Olney, where the widow of his brother, Sarah, and her three children reside at 87, High Street..

(Private Field died of wounds on April 30th, 1917.)

B.S. 1917 May 19th

Much sympathy has been expressed in Olney and the surrounding district, following news that Private H. Kitchener, of the Sherwood Foresters, was killed by a shell on April 24th, whilst acting as a runner. Aged 19, he was the only son of Mr. J. Kitchener, late of Olney, but now living at Derby, and had enlisted last November. Prior to this he held the post of organist at the Congregational Chapel, Crewton, Derby, and was much esteemed by all who knew him.

B.S. 1917 Aug. 11th

For conspicuous gallantry on the Roumanian (sic) front, Petty Officer Tom Garner, of the British Armoured Car Corps, has been awarded the St. George’s Cross. The British Armoured Cars earned the warm gratitude of the Russian Commander in Chief for their part in covering the Russian retreat, and, personally congratulating Commander Locker Lampson, he decorated 26 of his men with the St. George’s Cross. In a recent letter, Petty Officer Garner writes;

“We have been in some very critical positions, and had some very hot times; but up to now our gun has been very lucky.”

The son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Garner, of Market Place, Olney, he volunteered soon after the outbreak of war, and during two years of active service has fought in France, Belgium, Russia, Asia Minor, and Roumania. Having also spent a whole winter in Lapland, he was last heard of on the Galician front, and his imminent promotion to Leading Petty Officer is well deserved.

(At the end of November 1917 Petty Officer Garner would arrive back at his home, 21, Market Place, Olney, therefore being able to celebrate his 21st birthday there, on December 1st.)

B.S. 1918 Jan. 12th

At Olney, Mrs. W. Freeman has received a card from her husband, Gunner W. Freeman, Royal Garrison Artillery, stating that he is well and is now a prisoner of war in Germany. Having been at the front for only three weeks, he was captured at Cambrai on November 30th, from which date he had been posted missing.

B.S. 1918 Jan. 19th

Captain L. Hipwell, the son of Mr. J.C. Hipwell, of Olney, has just received the following letter;

“To Capt. Hipwell, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regt., attached Trench Mortar Battery. I wish to place on record my appreciation of your continuous good work during the operations of this year, 1917. You have shown yourself to be a capable and hard working officer, often being of the greatest assistance to the infantry when carrying out shoots. - Signed Sir Sydney Lawford, Major General Commanding 41st Division.”

From the London Gazette;

“Capt. L.W. Hipwell, R.W.S. Regt. For reserve, to be succeeded, and to be acting Major whilst employed as general Instructor to Musketry and reinforcements camp.”

B.S. 1918 Jan. 26th

Private Peter Joyce, of the Beds. Regiment, was killed in action on December 3rd, and his wife has received the following letters from Second Lieutenant W. Ambridge, 5th Platoon, B. Company;

“It is with great and sincere regret that I have to inform you that your husband, Pte. Joyce, was killed in action on Monday, December 3rd. I am very sorry to have to convey this bad news to you, and it was very hard lines on your husband so soon meeting his end. He only came to the Battalion in the line on Wednesday last, November 28th, but very quickly made friends with the other men in the platoon, and was already well liked, and I myself am sorry to lose him. But Providence rules these things, and it was His will that this thing should happen. May He comfort you in your bereavement and help you throughout the years to come.”

In a subsequent letter, dated December 15th, he writes in reply to enquiries by Mrs. Joyce ;

“It is with the greatest regret that I have to tell you that of the death of your husband there can be no possible doubt, and I cannot therefore buoy you up with false hopes. You have my deepest sympathy and also that of your husband’s comrades. I was within 50 yards of the spot when your husband was killed, and, within a few seconds was on the spot, as the same shell which caused his death also wounded several of his comrades, and we all went to give what assistance we could. Of one thing you may be sure, and that is that death was instantaneous, and that your husband did not suffer any pain. I hope that Providence will help you in your trouble and help you to face the future.”

Private Joyce was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Joyce, of 49, Newton Street, Olney, and before joining up last July had been employed for about seven years at Messrs. Wm. Claridge’s factory at Rushden. He was aged 32.