August 1914 in Audlem

August 1914 in Audlem

The following items were taken from the Crewe Chronicle by Maureen Morgan and the Market Drayton Advertiser by Sarah Hill, summarised by Celia Bloor.

• The assassination was in the local papers on July 4th, just a small paragraph. The situation was obviously deteriorating as reservists were ordered to mobilise on Monday August 3rd. Some were on summer training camps and probably never came home before setting off for France.
• There was panic buying of food until the weekend when the shelves were probably pretty empty and some prices rose steeply.
• On August 5th the Square in Nantwich was crowded with people wanting to see the soldiers off. Foreigners needed to report at their local police station and were only allowed to travel with a permit. This will have affected our Baron Truschler of Holly Farm, Woodhouse lane.
• While the advanced guard of the expeditionary force landed in France on the 7th, on Sunday the 9th the 3rd Battery of the Cheshire Brigade Royal Field Artillery, containing many local men, marched through Audlem on their way from Crewe to Market Drayton.
• It poured with rain and one of the horses threw its rider in Shropshire Street. The unconscious soldier was ferried to Market Drayton in a borrowed motor car.
• On the 14th among other Audlem men, Henry Noel Atkinson son of the former vicar of Audlem (he was born in the vicarage) embarked. At this time many horses were requisitioned including 20 from the Baron. Meanwhile the anniversary services were held as usual.
• The Market Drayton Advertiser of the 22nd says that a Volunteer Local Defence League met in Dr Stain's field. Drill and rifle shooting were to be taught.
• At Mons many of the regulars in the 1st Battn the Cheshires were killed and on the 24th George Henry Morrey of Audlem who enlisted in 1904 and was put in the reserves in 1912 having served in the East Indies, was taken prisoner and held until January 1919 – a prisoner for 4 years and 136 days!

Throughout the month men were enlisting. I hope to eventually have some figures for who signed up where and when if their service records survive.

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