History of the Wolds Wagoners Special Reserve - page 26
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 |
Col. Sir Mark Sykes died on 16th February, 1919, whilst attending the Peace Conference in Paris, so he ne/er saw the completion uf this memorial. T h e ceremony of unveiling was performed by Lieutenant-General vSir Ivor Maxse, K.C.B., G e n e r a l Officer Command ing-iiv( StidF, Northern Command, in September, 1920, in the presence of many wit){oners, Nearby, in the Chureh of St. Mary, standing within tilt; grounds of the Sykes family estate, there rests on a special oak desk the 'Book of Remembrance.' This unique memorial records the 1914-1.8 wnr services rendered by all men from the Wolds of Yorkshire, whatever their regiment. It was handed over one Sunday in April, 1924, to be held in custody for ever by successive vicars and churchwardens of St. Mary's, Siedmere. J. Fairfax-Blakeborough, M.C., in his book 'Sykes of Siedmere,' describes this Book of Remembrance as 'a large folio volume of 270 pages, bound in pigskin; aeroplane fabric is used in place of paper, and the 24 beautifully illuminated pages are mounted neatly and skilfully on the fabric. It contains the names of those who gave their lives and those who served in the 5 th Yorks Regiment and Wagoners Reserve during the European War. Village by village the names of men from the Wolds, whether a r t i l l e r y m e n , i n f a n t r y m e n or wagoners, are recorded, and in many instances family details are included. Against each wagoner is shown the particular Reserve Park or Bridging Train he joined. A large number of Yorkshiremen who joined regiments of the line were subsequently posted to the transport sections, due no doubt to their experience with and love for horses. In almost every case their record of gallant service was a very fine one, and is so described. The country owes a great debt of gratitude to the late Col. Sir Mark Sykes for his brilliance in many spheres, but the R.C.T. in particular will wish to remember him for his foresight in being instrumental in raising this Corps of Wagoners, whose members were ready when they were most wanted. This then is the story of the select band of 1,200 men, who through their basic skills as wagon drivers unknowingly carved a place in the history of the English for perpetuity. |
| Book number | R0397 |