Saturday 23 August 2014

The Heroes Walk

It was immensely gratifying to see the commemorations in the Memorial Park in Crawley on my last visit. The display of photographs and the wildflowers that form the Heroes Walk were a splendid tribute. I spent an hour in the park and was very moved to see so many people walk from one picture to another to study the faces and images of the time. Of course the family photograph of Uncle Ted and Eddie is there and it made me feel very proud that one hundred years on residents of the town could see their faces. I hope that this tribute can continue throughout the centenary years.

Special thanks must go to Toby Shaw and Ruth Growney of the Crawley Borough Council. 






Monday 18 August 2014

First Troops Arrive in Crawley Amidst Anti War Protest

On Sunday afternoon Mr W. Kensett, so well known at Horsham for his peculiarities, attempted to address a gathering in the Middle Square on the subject of ‘Peace.’ He had himself advertise the meeting some days before, and at the appointed time Mr Kensett appeared and, mounted upon a box, commenced his speech. A numerous gathering had assembled and frequently interrupted Mr Kensett’s remarks, which were soon brought to an abrupt conclusion by some ladies present singing the National Anthem. For his own safety Mr Kensett was escorted to the Temperance Hotel, where he remained until the crowd had cleared away. The whole proceedings were of an unseemly character, especially on the Sabbath, and it was fortunate that those present did not show more resentment.

Meanwhile the first troops had arrived in Crawley. The papers report that:

Mounted troops to the number of nearly two thousand arrived at Crawley on Wednesday and were billeted in the town for two nights. The local licensed houses, the public schools, the YMCA, stables and other buildings were requisitioned for the men, and the horses were located in various fields and meadows in the vicinity.

The arrival of so many troops and horses occasioned much pleasurable excitement, and in the evenings of both days great crowds were about the streets. The Crawley Town Band kindly and thoughtfully turned out and rendered excellent music, and the enthusiasm of the large concourse of people were such as has never been equalled in this district.

The West Crawley Brass Band also came out on Thursday night and added much to the enlivenment of the town. The soldiers left the town with happy memories of their stay at Crawley. Full details of the troops’ movements are withheld in deference to the expressed wishes of the authorities.


This very first arrival of soldiers in the town was a precursor to the building of a ‘permanent’ soldier’s camp at Pease Pottage. Crawley, so often in the past a half way house between London and the Coast, was assuming the same role in war time. 

Thursday 14 August 2014

Crawley Coming to Terms with a World at War

Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty that followed the declaration of war, everyday life in Crawley did have some semblance of normality. The local cricket scores show that Crawley played at home versus the Pirates on Wednesday evening with darkness preventing a definite result. The game was well contested, and some hard hitting was seen. The fielding and bowling was very keen. Young Eddie Cook made seventeen with the bat and took six Pirates wickets that day.

The Crawley and District Rifle Club published their annual report which expressed its satisfaction on winning the Loder Shield and the Winterton Cup and various individual prizes, but in a notice issued subsequently Hon. Secretary A. E. Taylor writes:

“Since the report and balance sheet was printed the Crawley Rifle Club has been called upon to act as Volunteer Civil Guard, and a watch has been organised and is now acting by night at the culvert under the railway line at Ifield. This will entail some considerable expense, and as far as can be ascertained no grant will be available to defray the same. The club funds are not sufficient to bear the burden, and donations are invited. The committee are also opening the range free of membership subscription, and the opportunity has largely been responded to; many are now learning to shoot and fitting themselves for useful work if their services are required. Regular subscribers will greatly help on the work by remitting their subscriptions now so that available funds may not fail. The loan of a bell tent will be appreciated.”


The Rifle Club AGM took place on Friday of the following week. The Hon. Secretary explained the formation of a Civil Guard and read the correspondence dealing with the subject. When it came to election of officials, Mr A. E. Cook was again chosen as Hon. Treasurer, his brother Mr C. Cook to act as his deputy due to his absence on military duty. Uncle Ted was also selected as Club Captain and Uncle Chris re-elected to the committee. Amongst all the other people present it is also noted that Great Grandfather Bert was also in attendance. 

Sunday 10 August 2014

Dramatic Escape from Germany as War Looms

Colonel R. H. Rawson, until recently the Commanding Officer of the Sussex Yeomanry, had a thrilling experience during his struggle to reach England from Germany with his wife, Lady Beatrice Rawson, who was dangerously ill. Colonel Rawson decided on the 1st August to leave Freiburg, not withstanding that the doctors had ordered that Lady Beatrice should not be moved. With the assistance of Earl Winterton MP, a stretcher was obtained, and Lady Beatrice was placed on it.

“The only route was through Cologne,” said Colonel Rawson on Friday last to a representative of the press. “There was nothing but third class carriages with wooden seats, and the people were packed like herrings in a box. The train stopped a short distance from the Dutch frontier. German officials turned everybody out, and we were told to go into a Dutch train. We had to go a distance of about two hundred yards from one train to another. I was last, as I was carrying Lady Beatrice. When within fifty yards of the other train it went off and I was left stranded, with my wife lying prostrate on the stretcher. Lord Winterton had entered the train with the luggage, and he was taken away. We waited for two hours and entered another train. We were turned out of it, and German officials wanted to take Lady Beatrice to a local hospital, but she refused to go. We were told no one was allowed over the frontier. The rumour was that an attempt had been made on the life of the German Crown Prince, and this order had come after Lord Winterton had crossed over. Then there were four hours of great suspense.

“A German officer said if we would submit to having everything searched he would let us proceed. Our pockets were ransacked and we were then allowed to go on, and at last we were on neutral territory. At Rotterdam we carried Lady Beatrice to the Hook of Holland, and got into the last boat, I believe, which left the Hook, and arrived at Harwich.”


Colonel Rawson paid a warm tribute to German Reservists, who helped him carry Lady Beatrice to the train at Freiburg. They turned out of their seats in order that she could lie down and stopped their friends from smoking.