The war at home....
Much was going on in the villages in support of the war.
Instructions for the civil population were issued....
Other matters were of concern too - the shooting of homing pigeons was subject to action....
Patriotic Meeting
A newspaper reported that at East Winch:-
"the schoolroom was well filled on Tuesday evening 22nd September when a meeting was convened by Mr. F G Thorne (Heacham), for the purpose of giving some particulars of our position in the war, and with a view of influencing recruits towards joining Lord Kitchener’s army. Mr. William Goodwin occupied the chair.
A letter was read from Sir William Lancaster expressing regret at his inability to attend through engagements in London.
Mr Thorne, who addressed his hearers, dwelt upon the origin of the war, its progress up to date and future prospects of positive success against the enemy. He also set forth a strong appeal to all those present eligible for service to consider their responsibility and loyal duty for joining the forces.
The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr. Thorne and the singing of the National Anthem".
Meetings were arranged to explain the reasons and the progress of the war...
During 1916 conscription was introduced.
Numerous appeals were heard by local tribunals, from those seeking exemption, many claiming that essential workers could not be spared, but also some on compassionate grounds.
From a newspaper cutting of the time....
Application was made by the proprietor of a game farm at West Bilney for a married horseman-labourer. He had 360 acres arable and now had 11 men and two boys. - A member of the Tribunal said he thought the man could not be spared, for a good number of men was required on a game farm. – Mr. Glenny; I am afraid that the rearing of game cannot be said to be a national necessity. – Exemption refused.
Conditional exemption was granted to an East Winch teamman, 34, married: a horseman, 32, married and five children (four under 12) at Grimston: a married journeyman baker, 33, at Gayton: a married milkman and baker, 33, at Harpley: a married milkman, 33, on a farm at Gaywood with 130 cows (six men had “gone to the war”): a Westacre farmer with 2,317 acres who was asked by the Chairman, amid laughter, whether he had advertised for anyone to take his place: a carpenter, wheelwright etc. 34, of Harpley: and an agricultural traction engine driver, 36, of Grimston.
Recruiting continued ....
Fall In
Written by: Harold Begbie
'What will you lack, sonny, what will you lack,
When the girls line up the street
Shouting their love to the lads to come back
From the foe they rushed to beat?
Will you send a strangled cheer to the sky
And grin till your cheeks are red?
But what will you lack when your mate goes by
With a girl who cuts you dead?
Where will you look, sonny, where will you look,
When your children yet to be
Clamour to learn of the part you took
In the War that kept men free?
Will you say it was naught to you if France
Stood up to her foe or bunked?
But where will you look when they give the glance
That tells you they know you funked?
How will you fare, sonny, how will you fare
In the far-off winter night,
When you sit by the fire in an old man's chair
And your neighbours talk of the fight?
Will you slink away, as it were from a blow,
Your old head shamed and bent?
Or say - I was not with the first to go,
But I went, thank God, I went?
Why do they call, sonny, why do they call
For men who are brave and strong?
Is it naught to you if your country fall,
And Right is smashed by Wrong?
Is it football still and the picture show,
The pub and the betting odds,
When your brothers stand to the tyrant's blow,
And England's call is God's!'
Harold Begbie
Support for the war effort.....
A SEWING PARTY has been set on foot by Mrs Whalley and a number of other ladies in the village for the purpose of making garments, bed linen and other suitable articles for use by the Red Cross Society. So far the cost of material has been covered by voluntary contributions to a fund established in the parish for this specific purpose.
A second parcel of useful garments has been forwarded by the ladies’ sewing party to the Red Cross Society. It included a number of body belts, some of which were knitted by girls in the school.
After the summer vacation work was resumed by the members of the Mothers’ Union on Wednesday afternoon at the Vicarage, when the Ladies’ Red Cross sewing party united with it for an indefinite period.
Newspapers also reported that...
WAR WORKERS – In response to a canvas made throughout the parish some months ago, most of the available women have since been employed in farm work and will be so engaged until after the cereal harvest. A well-known farmer’s daughter has been following the drill, roller and harrow in a most effective manner during the past few weeks. There are prospects of a heavy hay crop on all sides, and the report concerning corn and roots is so far equally encouraging.
HARVEST operations have become general during the past week throughout the parish. The condition of the grain is such that unless the weather immediately becomes more settled, the risk will be a very hazardous one.
HARVEST FESTIVAL at the Parish Church on Sunday the services were both bright and impressive in character. Special Psalms and hymns were used and thanksgiving prayers offered for a bountiful harvest. There were large congregations. An early celebration, as well as the morning service, was conducted by the vicar (Rev. H.F.E. Whalley), assisted in the evening by the Rev. H.S. Radcliffe, rector of Gaywood, who was the preacher. The interior of the church was prettily decorated with sheaves of corn vegetables, pot plants and a choice varity of cut flowers. Offertories amounting to £4. 11s. 7d. were taken in aid of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
WHIT SUNDAY SERVICES at the church were of a festival (sic) character. In addition to the usual floral decorations in the chancel, each of the windows at the east end were bedecked with red poppies, cow parsley and ivy. A beautifully made cross was placed at the oak pulpit front; a profusion of seasonable flowers was also tastefully arranged round the font. Miss Kathleen Valentine presided at the organ. The sum of two guineas has been sent to Lynn Hospital, being part of the day’s collections.
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES
Christmas Day services at the church, three in number, were conducted by the Rev.H.F.E. Whalley (vicar), that in the afternoon included some well-chosen carols effectively rendered by the choir. The building was decorated with holly and other seasonable foliage, with a quantity of white chrysanthemums arranged in the chancel. The collection for the day, exceeding two guineas, were on behalf of the West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital. On Sunday the services were practically repeated, and the National Anthem was used on both occasions.
Local Government continued to operate...
A LADY OFFICIAL – Miss M G Huns, during the war period, has been appointed assistant overseer and parish council clerk at East Winch – this in succession to the late Mr. W J H Adams.
ELECTIONS. At a meeting of the parish council on Tuesday evening, the Rev. H.F.E. Whalley (Vicar) was re-elected chairman, with Messrs. H.U. Rose and J. Underwood as overseers, the former also to act as vice-chairman.
Other matters of life and death continued...
BIRTH
The wife of a platelayer named Turner, who has charge of the Walton road level crossing gates of the G.E.R., gave birth on Friday to three boys. One died shortly afterwards
MARRIAGE
A report of the wedding of Miss Whalley, the vicar’s eldest daughter, to Mr. Charles Ernest Clowes, the second sun of the late Mr. Chas. T Clowes and Mrs. Clowes, of New Brunswick was published.
“The service, which was choral, was conducted by Rev. Canon Morley Stevenson, Principal of the Training College, Warrington, uncle of the bride, assisted by Rev. H.S. Radcliffe, rector of Gaywood, the latter delivering a short address. Five hymns were sung accompanied by the choir, including “The voice that breath’d o’er Eden” as a processional; The service concluded with the “Nunc Dimittis.”
As the wedding party left the church Mr. L Shinkfield played Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.”
The bride, given away by her father, was attired in a white silk dress, embroidered with white marguerites (the name flower of the bride) handsomely trimmed with Carrickmacross lace ( the gift of Mrs. Maude); She wore a pearl necklace……..
After a reception by the bride’s parents at the Vicarage, Mr and Mrs Clowes left by motor for London for their holiday, after which they will sail for Canada.”
An extensive list of presents included from the groom to the bride, a piano; from the bride to the groom a pearl aquamarine tie pin.
Amongst other presents, the East Winch Sunday School scholars gave a trinket box and calendar.
A later report records the sudden death of Mrs. Clowes….
DEATH.
We regret to record the sudden death of Dorothy Margaret, wife of Chales F. Clowes, Esq., and eldest daughter of the Rev. H.F.E. and Mrs. Whalley, which occurred on Friday at Oromoeto, New Brunswick. A cablegram delayed in transmission, was received late on Sunday afternoon by the Rev. H.S. Radcliffe, rector of Gaywood, who accompanied by Mrs. Radcliffe, immediately journeyed by motor to East Winch vicarage to personally break the lamentable news. On Monday, the day fixed for the funeral abroad, a memorial service, with specially chosen prayers and a celebration of the Holy Communion, was conducted by Mr. Radcliffe at 9 a.m. in the parish church, there being a number of condoling friends in attendance, besides the sorrowing parents.
Other marriages reported were those of
"Mr. Harry Alfred Burfield, second son of the late Mr. Sidney Herbert Burfield and of Mrs. Burfield, of Bildeston, Suffolk and Miss Sarah Jane Underwood, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Underwood..." The report also gives an impressive list of presents received by the bride and groom.
and also of
"Miss Ethel Frost, second daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Frost and Mrs. Frost, local post-mistress, and Mr. William Rye, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Rye of Blackborough End, Middleton..."
PRESENTATION
Last week upon the retirement of Miss E. Frost, assistant post-mistress in the parish, she was presented as a mark of esteem, after upwards of ten years’ faithful service, with a handsome gift of table silver and cutlery, subscribed for by parishioners here and friends in the immediate neighbourhood. The presentation was made by three lady residents who had undertaken the collection of voluntary contributions. Miss Frost expressed her gratitude to all who so generously had contributed to the useful and highly appreciated souvenir.
COTTAGE GARDENS
The judging of the cottage gardens on the Hall Estate was conducted by Mr. Wiles, head gardener at Middleton Hall, with the following result:
1. Walter Dix; 2. Benjamin Neale; 3. Scarlett Reeve. Thirteen other tenants gained more than 25 marks out of a possible 30, and they secured consolation prizes.
They were placed by Mr. Wiles in the following order: Messrs. Drew, Arter, Reed, Flood, W.Reeve, Ayres and Fetteridge equal; Bolt, Groom and Miller equal; Burfield, Stanforth and Brown.
Mr. Wiles adds: “I found the gardens in excellent keeping, as a whole point or so above 1915, very clean and neat, well cropped, and a considerable amount of judgement used in the choice of crops. By the numerous questions asked there appears to be a lively interest taken in the gardens”.
ACCIDENT
A mishap occurred at the foot of the Church hill on Tuesday afternoon. Miss J Durrant, assistant teacher at the school, was thrown from her cycle as the result of a collision with the vehicle of Mr. Bunfield, who was driving home from Lynn market to Pentney. The rear wheel of the cycle was wrecked. The young lady escaped with a sprained thumb and a somewhat severe shock.
As always - money and labour relations continued to concern people....
NATIONAL WAR SAVING FUND
An informal meeting took place at the Vicarage on Monday evening to consider the possibility of setting on foot an association in connection with the National War Saving Fund.
Those present were Sir William J Lancaster, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwyn, the vicar, Mr. H F Gamble and others. A provisional committee was formed to obtain the views and wishes of parishioners.
SOCIALIST MEETING: THE LABOURER’S LOT.
Mr. S S Bennett (Shop Assistants’ Union), of Lynn, presided at a meeting held on Sunday on East Winch Common under the auspices of the King’s Lynn Branch of the National Clarion Fellowship.
The Chairman said the fellowship was a section of the Socialist movement in this country which was not a political movement, its members believing that before they could attain the true Socialist State they must have the bulk of the community demanding the change required. The principal objection often used was that Socialism meant “dividing up.” To show the futility of this proposal, he instanced the money in this country. There was little over £100,000,000 in money in this country and this divided equally would only bring each individual about £3. Did not they think Socialists would be fools to waste time negotiating for a division which would only bring in £3? Take the wealth of this country. Wealth was not all money; wealth was stock. The total wealth in tis country was estimated at about £11,500,000,000, which, if divided, would make each share about £280. If it were possible, how could one sell his share of wealth worth £260 to someone else when no one had more than £3 in money? When Socialists suggested that the whole people should own and manage the land and capital of the country, they did not mean that individual members of the nation should own parts of the land and capital, but that the whole people should own them. At the present day the nation owned thousands of acres of land known as Crown lands, also arsenals, docks, ships……
The social calendar remained important....
SHOOTING
A two days’ shoot took place last week on the estate of Sir William Lancaster. There were seven guns and these secured a very creditable quantity of all descriptions of game. On Monday gifts of pheasants, wild duck, partridges, hares, etc. were distributed to the tenants and others in the parish. Sir William Lancaster and his party returned to London on Saturday evening.
A Final shoot of the season on the estate of Sir William Lancaster took place on Saturday.
ENTERTAINMENT
The scholars of the church Sunday school, numbering upwards of 50, were entertained on Tuesday evening by the vicar and members of his family, assisted by Mrs. W. Goodwyn, Miss Childs, Mrs H.U. Rose, Miss Chapman, Mrs. Bolt, Miss Raphael, Miss Durrant, Mr. C. Clowes and Mr. F.R. Bolt. There was tea and a gaily decorated Christmas Tree (holding many prizes, including some for children who had won them by punctual and regular attendance as well as by satisfactory progress throughout the year) was stripped. The party then witnessed a number of lantern pictures.
THOUGH...
CRICKET CLUB
It has been resolved by the existing committee of the Cricket Club, not to hold any meetings whatever during the forthcoming season owing to various circumstances associated with the war.
AND
Broken Record
In sympathy with their brethren engaged in the present war both at home and abroad, the members of the Star of the East Branch, Loyal Ancient Order of Shepherds, have resolved not to hold their usual Whit-Monday festivities, this being the first occasion of any such suspension for upwards of fifty years
14th November 1914 - Bilney (West)
With the help of the parishioners and friends, Mrs Bell has been able to forward a large parcel to The Red Cross Soc. Containing shirts, socks, mufflers, and knitted helmets.
December 1914 - Winch (East)
The children at The Council Schools have subscribed a sum of money in aid of the funds of the local ladies sewing party which is assisting The Red Cross Society.
A sum of money has been raised covering the cost of a substantial parcel of tobacco and cigarettes to be forwarded as a Christmas gift to the soldiers of the C company 1st. Norfolk regiment.
On Wednesday afternoon the school closed for the Christmas vacation and will reassemble
on January 11th.
The usual variety of seasonal gifts by Sir Wm Lancaster and others have this week been distributed to a wide circle of Parishioners while about 10 days ago five large trucks of coal arrived for the recipients of The Church and Town Lands Charity and members of The Parish Coal Club.
14th December 1914
Belgian Refugees
On Sunday at the Parish Church collections were made at each of the services on behalf of the Belgium refugees housed in the local neighbourhood.
School activities carried on....
Eight scholars have been appointed to make a house-to-house collection weekly under the direction of the Rev. H.F.E. Whalley and Mrs. Bolt in aid of the National Egg Collection for the wounded. Their first canvass, made on Monday, resulted in 127 eggs being secured.
On Wednesday afternoon the school closed for the Christmas vacation and will reassemble
on January 11th.
A total of 706 eggs has been obtained during the past six weeks by the eight scholars appointed for the collection and they have been forwarded by the vicar to the National Egg Collection Society.
And so did Fund Raising for the village....
On Wednesday afternoon a rummage sale took place on the Vicarage lawn in aid of a fund for renovating the church organ. The net sum realised was £4 14s 1½d.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT
A most enjoyable afternoon was spent on Friday by the Sunday school scholars and junior members of the choir, in the Hall grounds where much preparation had been made for their reception. After a short service in church with a brief address by the vicar (Rev. H.F.E. Whalley), the children proceeded to the Hall where a hearty welcome was given them by Sir William Lancaster, the Misses Lancaster and a party of friends.
The well-arranged programme of sports and other games was commenced with great enthusiasm, tea being served in the open at half-time, when racing was resumed until dusk. Mrs Whalley, assisted by Miss Lancaster, was then asked to present prizes to upwards of 20 successful competitors. The vicar, after thanking Sir William Lancaster, called upon the children to express their appreciation by cheers. The quick response was given with much spirit. Just before leaving the grounds, the young visitors were again refreshed with lemonade, cake, buns, etc.
C.L.B. continued with regular church parades
After attending service on Sunday at the church the C.L.B. (under command of Sergt. S. Neal) were inspected on the Vicarage lawn and later were served with refreshments.
On Sunday evening the usual monthly parade to church was made by the C.L.B. and subsequently Pte. S. E. Underwood, at home on short furlough, put the company through a short series of smart exercises.
The C.L.B paraded to The Parish Church on Sunday. After service they were drilled by
Sergt. J.Morris in the presence of their instructor, W.H.O Rose. The Vicar took the salute.