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 probably just after war was declared. [postmark seems to be Sep 10th]. Note the soldier coming across the field and the horse and trap in the High St. |
1914 - An 'up to date horse ambulance' was obtained for
conveying injured miners to the Skelton Green and Brotton hospitals. When mines first opened a handcart was used. 28th June. Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne was shot in Sarajevo, starting the First World War. The killing of the Archduke was only the spark that ignited a powder keg of World problems. Nationalism and Imperialism were rampant. European wars in the past had been settled in pitched battles using short range cannon, cavalry charges, rifles and bayonets. At first it seemed it would be that way again. |
 The new wonder of the age - silent movies, with captions, backed by the local pianist and starring people like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford. |
The Germans invaded through Belgium, circumventing the well
prepared French forts in Alsace and Lorraine.
But once their lines of communication were stretched and the British and French built up their defences, the truth in hindsight is clear, but could not be seen by most at the time. Weaponry had reached a point of stalemate. The Generals, schooled in the old ways, often accused the troops of cowardice and devised plan after plan for throwing ever more flesh and bone of innocent young men against impenetrable defences to achieve the "breakthrough" that never really came. A small village, like Skelton, with a population of roughly
5000 had about 800 males between the ages of 18 and 40. |
 [Photograph kindly donated by Peter Appleton.] |
Of these well over 500 volunteered or were conscripted to fight.
Around 100 were killed and many more were wounded or suffered mental shock. Skelton's losses were repeated throughout most communities in Europe and much of the Commonwealth. 9 million lives would be lost and society would change for ever. July - The local 4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment were at Deganwy Camp in Wales for their annual training. 4th August. After declarations of war by other European countries Germany invaded Britain's ally Belgium and we declared war. 5th August - The 4th Battalion, now back at their HQ in Northallerton, received the order to mobilise for War. |
 [Photograph kindly contributed by John Dobson.] |
They were redesignated the 1/4th Battalion, as a new 2/4th Battalion
would be formed to take over their role of
Home Defence. The War Office announced that if 80 percent of the battalion were to volunteer for service abroad, it would be permitted to embark as a unit. 90 percent did so and such was the enthusiasm to fight for the cause, another two hundred recruits were ready and waiting to join the Battalion. 23rd August. Battle of Mons in Belgium. British and French retreat into France. 5th Sep. German lines severely stretched and allies forced them to stop at the Battle of the Marne. October - The local 4th Battalion moved to Newcastle and did not move to France until the following April. 14th Oct - Nov 22nd. The First Battle of Ypres. Each side
tried to outflank the other, north and west, digging in as
they went. |
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31st October - Death of JAMES H Y DAY, Royal Field Artillery. Home at 33 Boosbeck Rd, Skelton Green, N Yorks. Less than half of the 160,000 strong British Expeditionary Force were left unscathed. 29th Oct. Turkey enters the war on the side of the German led Central Powers. 16th Dec. New Marske Vicar reported - Confirmation Service disrupted by heavy gunfire as German Fleet shell coast, guns roared and the whole earth shook, the milkman had no one to knock up this morning! 21st Dec. First German air raid on Britain. 18th Dec. North Skelton Mine. John Martin Gavin, aged 46, died as a result of injuries received on 19 August 1914. Lord Kitchener was made Secretary of State for War and began an enlistment campaign. |