Blackhall Camp - Formation and training: Difference between revisions

'''Blackhall Racecourse''' was the location of the [[The Lonsdale Battalion - an introduction|11th Border Regiment (Lonsdale)]] Battalion Headquarters in Carlisle, Cumberland. It was the primary site used as a base of operations during the initial formation, recruitment drive and training of new soldiers before they were shipped overseas to fight in France and Belgium from 1916&ndash;1918. The Lonsdales at Blackhall was a decision based on several qualifying points, ultimately sanctioned by the Territorial Association. The site was required to have enough space for training in drill, manoeuvres and parading, and there had to be allowances for accommodation and office space.<ref name="david-carter">David Carter (2014). ''Carlisle in the Great War (Your Towns & Cities/Great War)''. Pen and sword Military. pp.34&ndash;35. ISBN 978-1783376131</ref> Blackhall was able to fulfil every requirement for a suitable military training ground.

==Battalion HQ - The heart of the Lonsdales==

On [[17 September]] 1914, approval of the Army Council was given (War Office letter No. 20/Gen. No./3162 (A.G.1) and an Executive Committee was formed.<ref name="lons-booklet">[[The Lonsdale Battalion Border Regiment, September 1914 to June 1915]].</ref> [[Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale]] and the Executive Committee<ref>The [[Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale|Earl of Lonsdale]] was appointed Chairman, with Colonel Weston, M.P., as Vice-Chairman, Major Binning, Mr. F. R. Hodgson, and Captain Wakefield were appointed Goveners of Local Committees, at Carlisle, Workington, and Kendal, respectively, and Mr. [[Gerald Spring-Rice]] became Hon. Secretary of the Executive Committee.</ref> decided to raise the "Lonsdale Battalion" in three detachments: Carlisle, Kendal and Workington.<ref name="lons-booklet" /> There were four companies in the three detachments: A and B Companies from East and North Cumberland were based at Blackhall Racecourse, C Company from Westmorland was based at Kendal, and D Company from West Cumberland was based at Workington.

==Supplying the men==

With war Office approval Lord Lonsdale was the powerhouse behind the formation of the Lonsdale Battalion; a unit in his own name funded with his own money. He brought the battalion together by appointing officers and ordering the weapons and munitions needed to arm his men, all at personal expense. The supply of uniforms did cause some issue. Not everyone had their own uniforms and those that didn't had to train in their own civilian clothing until a time uniforms could be supplied. Lord Lonsdale designed the uniforms himself, his preferred choice being khaki. However, "as khaki was then unprocurable, the uniform was at first of dark grey cloth, similar to that of the old Cumberland Volunteers; but some two or three months later a proper khaki-coloured uniform was supplied." <ref name="lons-england">[[Record of the XIth (Service) Battalion (Lonsdale) - In England]]</ref> As the harsher northern border weather closed in "neither blanket nor greatcoats could be obtained, Lord Lonsdale sent down a thousand of each from London." <ref name="lons-england" /> In addition, he also supplied "an ambulance waggon, a water-cart, with two pairs of black horses, and later on obtained thirty chestnut mules for the transport." <ref name="lons-england" /> When it came to insignia, the cap badge had to be distinctive and immediately identifiable. Lord Lonsdale's own crest was authorised for use, personally presenting a silver cap badge to every enlistee in his battalion. He wanted the best for his men and he wanted them to look the part.

==Commanding the Battalion==

Choosing the right officer to command any battalion has to be a carefully considered decision. Lord Lonsdale asked retired colonial officer [[Percy Wilfred Machell]], C.M.G. if he would consider returning to a position of command. Machell had spent much of his military career in Egypt, having served in the Nile Expeditionary Force, the Egyptian Army and Egyptian Coastguard, among others. When asked, he was living in his substantial retreat at Crackenthorpe Hall, near Appleby, Westmorland. A return to the military would shake the foundations of a quiet country life but he accepted and was granted the temporary rank of Lieutanant Colonel, which was eventually Gazetted on [[15 October]], 1914. By this point though he had spent his first month in post at Penrith, where he had made his headquarters, but on [[17 October]], "along with the Orderly Room Staff and Lieut. and Quartermaster Dawson, moved from Penrith to Blackhall and in a very short time the organisation of the four companies was in full swing." <ref name="lons-booklet" /><ref name="lons-england" /> Machell's prior knowledge of command enabled a structured and order approach to getting the required job done. He was by no means a cold and emotionless man, instead he was considered a caring man and was respected among his men. During October and November there was much "spade work" to be done. All manner of duties were done by himself in the early months. He was constantly busy with preparations having no Company Officers until his Adjutant, Captain [[P. G. W. Diggle]] of the 6th Border Regiment, was appointed on [[3 December]].<ref>The position of Adjutant was later appointed to Lieut. M Gordon.</ref><ref name="lons-booklet" /><ref name="lons-england" />

==The Battalion reaches full strength==

One week after the Battalion had been formed, Battalion HQ saw a meagre population of just 75 recruits. Just over two months later and the site had been transformed into something entirely different, supporting A, B and D Companies. On [[3 December]], the same day Captain Diggle was appointed the role of Adjutant, the War Office conveyed that the Lonsdale Battalion was officially to become known as the 11th (Service) Battalion, Border Regiment (Lonsdale).<ref name="lons-england" /> During December the hutments were being built as to accommodate the increasing number of recruits. One month later on [[3 January]] 1915, the Lonsdale Battalion had reached a total strength of 1,152 non-commissioned officers and men<ref name="lons-booklet" /> and on [[5 January]] all four Companies were now stationed at Blackhall and the Battalion was, on paper, attached to the 124th Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Collings. Training would continue in much the same manner until the men, some just boys, were deemed ready for battle. They were not ready just yet. The various skill-sets included scouts, stretcher bearers and signallers. Digging entrenchments and bayonet fighting had to be second nature, as would firing a Lee Enfield rifle and being able to handle the water-cooled Vickers machine gun, which would in late 1915 be replaced with the lighter Lewis machine gun.