The Lonsdale Battalion Border Regiment, September 1914 to June 1915: Difference between revisions

Through the Border Regiment the sister counties of Cumberland and Westmorland have been honourably associated with British military history for more than two hundred years. During the progress of the tremendous fight which is now being waged for the freedom of Europe and the security of modern civilization – both of which are at this moment threatened by a peril more deadly than any recorded in our history – this Regiment has already justified and enhanced a reputation of which the Border Counties may well be proud. Cumberland and Westmorland are fittingly represented in that most deadly of all the fighting lines the world has known; the line which gears our island home from the destroying hordes who have laid Belgium waste.

 

Soon after the outbreak of war it became evident to those directing the Cumberland and Westmorland Territorial Force that, whilst a good proportion of Border Counties men were anxious to play an able-bodied man’s part in the struggle, many hesitated to offer themselves for general service without knowing where or with whom they might have to train and serve. The [[Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale|Earl of Lonsdale]], quick to see and understand this, submitted to the War Office a proposal to recruit a special local Battalion of Cumberland and Westmorland men. The approval of the Army Council was given (War Office letter No. 20/Gen. No./3162 (A.G.1), dated [[17 September|17th September]], 1914), an Executive Committee was formed, and it decided to raise the [[Lonsdale Battalion|“Lonsdale” Battalion]], in three detachments, viz., at [[Blackhall Racecourse]], Carlisle, at Workington, and at Kendal. The 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.

File:Colonel The Right Hon. Earl of Lonsdale.jpg|Colonel, The Hon. [[Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale|Earl of Lonsdale]]

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On [[15 October|October 15th]] the West Cumberland recruits were transferred from Workington to Blackhall Camp. The Westmorland men remained at Kendal until [[5 January|January 5th]], 1915, when (the hutments at Blackhall being completed) they were brought to Headquarters by Colonel Haworth, and handed over, 280 strong, as “C” Company.

 

The command of the Lonsdale Battalion was given to Mr. [[Percy Wilfred Machell|P. W. Machell, C.M.G.]], of Crackenthorpe, with the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel Machell in the Army from [[1 September|September 1st]], 1914. On [[17 October|October 17th]], 1914, Lieutenant-Colonel Machell proceeded, with the Orderly Room Staff and Lieutenant and Quartermaster Dawson, from Penrith to Blackhall. During October and November a great deal of hard spade work was done, and the foundations of the Battalion were well and truly laid in a spirit of practical patriotism, with every consideration for local feeling and good comradeship, and for the democratic ideals of the twentieth century worker. During these formative days of the Battalion’s earliest history it became clear to everyone in the Border Counties that this really was a Battalion of “Pals”, of comrades, and of Border men. From its Commanding Officer to the last joined recruit, all ranks worked together with a will, and in the friendliest spirit of unity, to make a Battalion which should eventually prove itself to be worthy of the best traditions of the British Army. There was here no suggestion of men working while the officers looked on. In the “Lonsdales” all realised that in this time of national emergency it behoved them to develop self-reliance to the utmost limit of their capacity. Lord Lonsdale’s unfailing generosity and watchful care were of the greatest possible value and assistance. The growing Battalion made its own non-commissioned officers; the Border Counties furnished its officers; and recruits, at the rate of some fourteen or fifteen a day, began to say that they would join the Lonsdales or nothing. The Battalion, in short, became an accomplished fact, a reality of Border Counties life.

File:Early group 01.jpg|An early group on the stands

File:Grandstand at Blackhall Racecourse.jpg|[[Blackhall Racecourse]]

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Captain [[P. G. W. Diggle]], Border Regiment, was appointed Adjutant from [[3 December|December 3rd]], 1914; and R.Q.M.S. R. Stanley was Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant from [[27 October|October 27th]], 1914, until his appointment to a commission on [[22 February|22nd February]], 1915. A noteworthy personality in the Battalion’s period of early development was Colour-Sergt. Cowie (Border Regiment), who acted as Battalion Sergeant-Major from [[1 October|1st October]], 1914, to [[20 May|20th May]], 1915.

 

The following is list of the officers of the Battalion at the present time:-

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| Adjutant – Captain P. G. W. Diggle

| Quartermaster – Lieut. J. F. Dawson

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| Captain R. Smith

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| Captain G.C. Rivington

| 2nd Lieut. H. Davidson

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| Major W.W.R. Binning