History of the Wolds Wagoners Special Reserve - page 24
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 |
SLEDMERE W A R MEMORIALS T 'he two memorials at Sledmere to the Wagoners Special Reserve should be seen by everyone connected with the R.A.S.C. In the Yorkshire Herald of 5th July, 1920, is a description of one of these memorials:- 'The memorial, whit'll is of a noble character, has been hi lilt to the designs of the late ("obnel Sir Mark Sykes, and its originality is characteristic of him. It slum Is 20 feet high on an octagonal, bast*, and has a round central column surrounded by four slender columns. It is built of white Portland stone and the work has been done by Mr. A. Barr, the estate mason. The principal feature of the memorial is a series of sculpturing executed by Mr. Carlo Magnoni, of London, to the designs of the late Sir Mark Sykes. These are on the central column, and depict the activities of the W a g o n e r s R e s e r v e from its inception. Round the top of the column is seen a plan of the field at Fimber, where the annual wagon 22 driving competitions, organized by Sir Mark, took place. Next is depicted Captain Sykes, A.S.C., enrolling t h e m e n , and an inscription testifies to the fact that 1,000 men were enrolled from Martinmas, 1912, to 1914. The reservists are next depicted in the harvest fields receiving their mobilization papers, and further on they are shown bidding farewell to their wives and children. Their embarkation for France is depicted, and on the bottom of the column are examples of German pillage and cruelty, and the series concludes with a representation of a Wagoner Reservist facing four Germans. Underneath are several verses, being the composition of the late Sir Mark Sykes, inscribed in Saxon English:- When fra thease wolds XII hundred men Came forth fro' field and fold and pen To stand agair' the Law of Might To labor and to dee for right And so to save tl\e world fro' wrong To shield the weak and bind the strong. These steanes a noble tale do tell Of wliat men did when war befell And in that fourteen harvest-tide The call for lads went far and wide To help to save the world fro' wrong To shield the weak and bind the strong. Good lads and dames our Ridings pride These steanes are set by this road side This tale your childrens bains to tell On what ye did when war befell To help to save the world fro' wrong To shield the weak and bind the strong.' These simple lads knew nowt of war They only knew that Gods own Law Which Satans will controls must fall Unless men then did heed that call To gan to save the world fro' wrong To shield the weak and bind the strong. Ere Britains hordes were paved or planned The lads whae joined t/iis homely band To Normandy had passed o'er sea Where some were maimed and some did dee And all to save the world fro' wrong To shield the weak and bind the strong. |
| Book number | R0397 |