The Wolds Waggoners - page 6
Image details
| Corps | RPC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Books |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | The Wolds Waggoners |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1988 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1908 |
| Late date | 1983 |
| Transcription |
THE WAGONERS ARE FORMED One of Sir Mark's particular concerns on his return from the Boer War was Britain's readiness should a European war ever break out. Contemporary experts all predicted a short war, so speed in getting the army into the field was considered vital. This, in its turn, meant that a fully trained reserve was necessary, and to this end, Sir Mark organised rifle clubs for the young men on the estate, and encouraged the Boy Scouts in the area. Just as important was moving the Army to the battle front once it had mobilised. The War Office estimated that it took six months to fully train an Army wagon driver to handle one of their pole wagons, where the horses were hitched to either side of a central pole rather than between two shafts. Sir Mark realised that one of the few, if not the only, areas of the country where pole-wagons were still in daily use was the Yorkshire Wolds - on his own estates and throughout the surrounding area. He thought that if these local men could be persuaded to join the Territorial Army, they would form a ready made pool of reserves skilled in handling pole-wagons, who would then be readily available on the outbreak of war. This would allow the British Army to take the field more quickly, since it would not be required to train men fror-i scratch. Sir Mark first approached the War Office with his idea as early as 1906. He suggested that a unit be formed, comprising skilled wagoners who, in return for a small yearly payment, would undertake to give their services as a driver at home or abroad, in time of war. No other military service was required, so the men would not be trained in drill or in firing a rifle. This he thought vital if he were to persuade farmers to support the new unit, giving them confidence that their wagoners would not be called away on exercise just as the harvest needed getting in, or at some other equally inconvenient time. At first he met with considerable opposition from official quarters. He later recalled, 'For six years [i.e. from 1906 to 1912] I was steadily repulsed, with all the ingenuity which bureaucracy and red tape can devise. The scheme was new, unprecedented, unheard of, unlikely to succeed, etc., etc., per omnia saecula saeculorum.' Sir Mark did not allow himself to be deterred. He set up driving demonstrations and competitions to show how skilled the drivers were in controlling their wagons, T)ut the official resistance A smart turn-out at one of the driving competitions. The man in the centre wearing a uniform is a policeman. |
| Book number | R0398 |