History of the Wolds Wagoners Special Reserve - page 7
Image details
| Corps | RPC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Books |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | History of the Wolds Wagoners Special Reserve |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1988 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1908 |
| Late date | 1983 |
| Transcription |
I n the early part of 1913, Sir Mark Sykes, Bart., of Siedmere, conceived the idea that good use might be made in war of the knowledge and skill possessed by the wagoners of Yorkshire. On the farms of the Wolds it was customary for lads to drive horses all the year round in pole-wagons, like those used in the Army, both from the seat, and also postilion fashion. He came to the conclusion that the training which these lads had acquired would be of far greater value to the Army than their worth as mere man-power, and he thought that their enlistment as drivers would preserve their skill for the use of the country so that, in case of war, it would not be dissipated in units where it would be lost. Following out this idea, he approached the War Office with the suggestion that a corps should be formed, of which the men should, in return for a small yearly payment, undertake to give their services as drivers, at home or abroad, in case of war. No other service was demanded of the men who, when they were called up, came with no military training of any kind, to offer their skill in driving teams and the care of horses. The suggestion was accepted by the War Office and, the idea having been worked out with the help of some young farmers of the district, the Wagoners Special Reserve was formed. From then onwards the Army authorities gave considerable support to this scheme for building up a reserve of drivers. At the outset, credit was due entirely to Sir Mark Sykes, but later to the War Office, for allocating these wagoners to Army Service Corps units, mostly Reserve Parks, and including them in the original British Expeditionary Force. Thus, members of the 'Wagoners Special Reserve' had the honour of being the first civilians to serve their country overseas in 1914. Illustration of the imiumhnle badge worn by all members of the Wrt/fmira Reserve. The head of the horse in ini\ikand the surrounding cartouche fwneJ in blue enamel with gilt lettering, Throughout the text the word Wagoner has been spelt with ono#, it was felt that this was in keeping with the original spelling on the membership 5 |
| Book number | R0397 |