History of the Wolds Wagoners Special Reserve - page 20
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 |
REMAINDER OF THE WAR E arly in 1915, it was necessary to review the purpose for which Reserve Parks had been included in the original B.E.F., because by then there was one Park for each division in France, and, as units, Parks were no longer required to carry reserve supplies. To all intents and purposes, from then onwards Reserve Parks were to perform functions similar to Auxiliary Horse T r a n s p o r t Companies, which were columns of animal-drawn wagons available for use when and where required. Their loads might be road material, pit' props, or rations, according to circumstances, and it was inevitable that most Parks lost their identity and had very little, if any, connection with the division after which they were numbered. The majority of Yorkshire Wagoners remained as drivers with their original units. The work performed by the wagoners throughout the war was most praiseworthy, and the care they bestowed on their animals, 18 frequently standing in very exposed positions, often with mud nearly up to their hocks, saved many a pound of horseflesh. In due course promotion was offered to those wagoners considered likely to make good N.C.Os., but it was generally refused, as they much preferred to remain in charge of a pair of horses to which they were so attached. There were many occasions when the use of mechanical transport was difficult, or even forbidden on account of the bad state of the roads, and under such circumstances horse transport was in great demand, and the wagoners were in their element. A l t h o u g h t h e s e Yorkshire Wagoners were posted to units which were mainly spared heavy casualties, they were invaluable in the early days of the war, and amply fulfilled the purpose for which that great organizer and patriot, Sir Mark Sykes, had planned. Our transport service would not have achieved so great a success had not these one thousand skilled drivers been immediately available on the outbreak of war. Wagoner 22 7 Tom Bulmer, MM. born 1891 at Arram Gate House. He worked on Wolds farms and enlisted in the Wagoners Reserve 7th July 1913 at Driffield. When mobilized, 5th August 1914, he was drafted straight into the A. S. C. He went right through the war and saw much action. Tom Bulmer was awarded the Military Medal 1 si September 1917 for gallant action in the field, when he was also wounded. |
| Book number | R0397 |