Ross Gazette 24th December 1914 - Page 3
Ross Gazette 24th December 1914 - Page 3
Image displayed may not be an exact representation of the image in the library. Colour and contrast may differ.
Image Details
| Date | 24/12/1914 |
|---|---|
| Type | Newspaper |
| Format | |
| Language | English |
| Area | Ross Gazette |
| Collection Holder | Herefordshire Libraries |
| Date of Publication | 24th December 1914 |
| Transcription |
eing offered a large Discount off Cost . me Thonsands of Yards of ORROCKSES ' ANNELETTES , RILLS , and SHIRTINGS . rrockses ' Warm Flannelette ght Shirts , fall Men's , 3/11 , 11 . FIELD KNICHT , HEREFORD . RESPONDENCE . SD FOR THE HEREFORD TERRITORIALS . DITOR OF THE Ross Gazette . very grateful to you for pub- nneal for the 1st Herefords The response has been far he- ectations . I enclose a list of up to date this afternoon , in to have it . With very many for your valuable help . rs faithfully . KATHARINE A. CROFT . Court . Hereford . 1S . 1911 . se who have contributed from rict are Mrs. Clive , £ 5 ; the Brockhampton Court , £ 1 6s .; m Smith , 1 1s .; Mrs. Clayton , A. Wadworth , £ 1 1s .; Mrs. T. 2s . 6d Mrs. Barclay . 4s .: £ 1 1 etc. RATION ALLOWANCE . prron oF THE Ross Gazette . recent issue of the " Gazette " clear the air on the Separation t is , however , not quite clear A soldier's wife would like to good man's wife fares who , is per week from his pay , separ- ce 9s .. three children at 2s . 6d . 6d .. total £ 1 1s . 9d .; but she ed £ 1 per week . This is the od deal of difficulty in the minds le . The S. and S. F. A. are not hake up to wife money if the not pay 3s . 3d . per week , as they by doing so they will he sub- wicked man who refused to sup- When the men refused to e . The for the wife to fight it out band . Tommy's wife asks who ht if her husband allows her eek and she gets 3s . 6d . The seem to be well looked after . someone to look after the good my themselves to allow 5s . 3d . see we get it . aking you . I am . A SOLDIER'S WIFE . TE MR . WADE , OF WELSH BICKNOR . EDITOR OF THE Ross Gazette . Four kind permission I would my little tribute to the late Mr. of Welsh Bicknor . hown the deceased for over 40 e heing a member of the Lyd- istrict Flower Show Committee , am Secretary , I can speak from f his sterling worth . On this is advice was always sound and taking the keenest interest in of the society as he did , we have ts strongest supporters , and his deed hory difficult to fill . long acquaintance , I can con- that to know him was to revere him , and although we differed t made no difference to our hich was always true and sin- her remarkable trait of his that he was always the same . e met him there was the same e same courtesy , and a more man it would he impossible to t in the career of the deceased mpressed on my memory . which renders may probably remem- some 25 or 26 years ago at the occasion of a presentation tt for his heneficence in build- nd reading room for the inhabi- village . I had the privilege of a large gathering present from surrounding district , and the the honour of making the pre- d most admirably did he acquit was really an eloquent speech , alogiums were passed by those s excellence and delivery . Ir . Wade was truly one of Eng- sons and a most useful member unity , and the fact that he was ial steward of the late Rev. Al- or so many years , and has since implicit confidence of Mrs. Al- nd every member of the family , es . had the pleasure of his ac- ill undoubtedly endorse my own that the late Mr. Wade was nature's gentlemen . iss him , and the couplet which famous man who passed away go can fervently re - echo to the mourn to - day : the touch of a vanished hand . sound of a voice that is still ! " he time - our deepest sympathies rrowing widow and relatives in bereavement . Yours truly . C. T. BISHOP . S RIFLE CLUB . STMAS PRIZE SHOOT . ing is a list of the prizewinners No 1 held on Thursday and Score arkes 97 orton 97 np 96 ne 94 t ' 93 21 93 ebb 93 abl 92 92 all 92 own . 90 90 POOL SHOOTING . es . 7 : R. E. Webb , ; A. Ash- Gang 3 : Lloyd , 3 ; G. Tyler , all M. E. Pown , 1 ; C. 1 . Winton , 1 : J. E. Dunn , 1 ; F. NG APPOINTMENTS HEREFORDSHIRE HOUNDS will meet mber 26 .. King's Street , Hereford sher 29 .. ........ Kilpeck ary 2 ... At 11 a m . OSS HARRIERS . New Inn mber 26 ...... New Inn , Hentland aber 29 . At 11 a.m. Benbill Entertaining the Wounded SMOKING CONCERT AT THE NEW INN . It was a happy thought on the part of the organisers in arranging the open smoking concert in honour of our wounded soldiers who are now home from the front on sick furlough . This pleasing function took place at the New Inn Hotel , on Friday , and though the night was dark and stormy , a good company assembled in the large room to participate in this happy gathering . A patriotic programme of songs and recitations was arranged , while an opportunity was given those wounded men present to relate some of their experiences at the front . This they , did , and their reregrinations in the French and Belgian Territorials , as well as their actual experiences under fire and in the trenches were listened to with rapt atten- tion . Mr. S. Greatrex Yates , father of Capt . R. Greatrex Yates , of B Company 1st Here- fordshire Foreign Service Battalion presided , and supporting him were Major J. Kellv . Mr. G. M. Morton , Mr. H. J. Pike . Mr. I .. U. Wooler , Mr. C. E. Gray , Mr. Jay , and several other prominent townsmen . Germany and the War . INTERESTING LECTURE BY MR . ARTHUR POTT . One of the most interesting lectures on Germany and the causes of the war ever given in Ross was that which Mr. Arthur Pott , of Goodrich House , delivered in the Ross Corn Exchange on Thursday evening last . In spite of the inclement weather there was a large attendance , over which Mr. S. Greatrex Yates , of Berkeley House , There was no charge for ad- presided . mission , but a collection was made on behalf of the Prince of Wales National Relief Fund . and we understand that a sum of over £ 5 was realised . During the evening two very appropriate songs were sung by Mr. B. Restall and Mr. F. P. Cooper , while piano . forte selections were played by Miss K. Proctor . The CHAIRMAN said that Mr. Arthur Pott was so well known to them as a talented one who always had the lecturer and as happy knack of interesting his audience : that , in introducing him , it was quite un- necessary to enlarge upon his many qualities or to speak of the whole - hearted way he put his energies into any good cause . When their never - tiring hon . secretary , Mr. Harry Pike , The CHAIRMAN said he considered it a great honour to preside over such a gather- ing , and to be able to welcome there those brave men who had been serving their King and country on the other side of the Eng - mentioned this lecture , the committee at once entirely agreed , feeling that it would be as successful as the other events which had recently been held and had now become his- tory . Mr. Pott had come there to help on the Prince of Wales National Relief Fund and to give them his instructing and inter- esting lecture . As they all knew , this fund had reached well over £ 4,000,000 , of which £ 1,000.000 had already been distributed in the relief of distress . They had , however , decided not to make a charge for admission . but that a collection would be made , and he hoped the result would he that a bumping sum would be sent to headquarters . He ap- pealed to their generosity to give what they liked - what they considered what the lec- ture was worth to them - and he was sure Mr. Pott's lahours would not be in vain ( applanse ) . He also reminded them of the necessity there would be for the relief of the distress and enormous suffering through the Scar- bombardment of Hartlepool and borough . lish Channel . It was a very honourable posi- tion for them to hold , for those men had been fighting for those of them who had had to stay at home , and for those who had to protect the shores of old England . During the last few days they had had an example of what the Germans would do for this country had it not been for the protection of the British Army and Navy . They were there that night to do honour to some ( ot those men who had come home from the front wounded ( applause ) . They much re- gretted that they were wounded , but on the other hand they congratulated them on com- ing home at all , especially when they con- sidered that so many of their comrades had been left behind , never to return home again . He could not find words to express his feelings towards those gallant men who had gone forth to fight the battles of those at home . It was not all beer and skittles . It was had enough in the South African war , but the conditions then were nothing like so terrible as they were in this war . and all honour was due to those men who had gone forth to endure the great hardships during this great crisis ( applause ) . It was an un- thankful task , and he felt that he could not sneak too highly of their fellow Britishers . who had made snch sacrifices on behalf of their country . He therefore gave those men who had come home from the front a most hearty welcome , and he hoped if they recov - infamy which the enemy had stamped upon ered sufficiently to reioin their regiments again , that they would he able to welcome . them home again to Ross , and to wish them the future . He was therefore going to ask them to drink to the health of those men . and he was sure if Lord Kitchener were Mr. ARTHUR POTT said that he did not propose to follow the easy course of descant- ing upon the magnificent performances of our army , or the still easier one of reaping con- tempt upon the gross barbarity of German statesmen and soldiers , for patriotism de- manded knowledge as well as sentiment , and no words could deepen the idelible brands of THE The ROSS GAZETTE THERSDAY , DECEMBER Christmas Mails . Tel . 23.1 Under contract with the Postal Authorities , we are again providing a fleet of Motor Cars to carry the Christmas Mails . The whole of the outlying districts are being served , and there will be no delay , either with the Christmas Presents or the news from the Front . BUTCHER & CASSON , Ltd. , THE MOTOR HOUSE , ROSS . THE 1ST HEREFORDS ( AND B COMPANY IN PARTICULAR ) . 24 , 1914 . Local War Items . barrow would probably have been the most convenient vehicle . Unfortunately he was permitted to remain , and his idiotic inter- jections proved a source of amusement to a section of the assembly comprised of irre- sponsible boys and youths , who evidently perceived something vastly humorous in an Press Association Telegrams . There has been a generous response throughout the county to the Christmas ap- " Ross Gazette " Office , peal for the 1st Herefordshire Regiment , so Wednesday afternoon . that the men will be able to have as good a dinner as possible under the circumstances on exhibition of persistent bad manners . SERIOUS FIRE IN LONDON . Christmas Day . The men are experiencing all the discomforts of active service under A fierce fire , unfortunately attended with the worst possible conditions , and we can Herbert Drummond , who attended at great street , Bloomsbury , London , in the early Continuing , Forester says : - " Mr . W. fatal results , occurred at 31 , Gloucester- safely say that no previous Christmas dinner personal sacrifice to address the meeting , will have been so welcome to any of the men . did so under great difficulties in consequence hours this morning . The flames spread of this unbecming conduct . He , however , rapidly , cutting off any chance of escape The Lecture given by Mr. Arthur Pott , proved more than a match for his interroga for those in the upper portion of the at Ross Corn Exchange on Thursday last , tor , particularly when the latter delieverd house . brought in over £ 5 for the Prince of Wales ' himself of the extraordinary statement that Before the arrival of the fire Relief Fund . Besides that the lecture itself the war was being carried on by the poor escape , a man named Lawrence leaped was a very powerful and instructive one , and for the advantage of the rich . To this out- from one of the windows and was killed . showed in plain English the attitude of Ger- rageous assertion Mr. Drummond immediate- When the flames were subdued , the charred many towards England for many years past . ly replied , amidst applause , that , at the pre- bodies of a woman named Mrs. Bengarter At last the so - called German " Kultur " sent moment , there are по classes has opened the eyes of the whole civilised and no politics in this country . It and her son , who occupied rooms on the world , and the universal wish is that there is hoped , for the sake of the good repute of top floor , were found . shall be no such " Kultur " existing at the Drybrook , that some means of preventing a conclusion of this war . The war pictures repetition of the disorder at this meeting , were splendid . on future occasions , will be discovered . " Our men at the front are suffering from the weather , and we hear that Private Charles Luckett , son of Mr. E. Luckett , LONDON CORN MARKET . Wheat , 1s . dearer ; flour , 6d ; barley , 6d . , and maize , 9d . to 18 . Lower Foxall , Weston , Ross , was admit - Illustrated Roll of Honour Wheat , 20,050 ; barley , nil ; oats , 1,990 ; ted to one of the general hospitals at Bou- logne , on November 80th , suffering from frost bite . We wish him a speedy recovery , and hone he may soon be able to assist in giving the Germans a warm time in the near future . Capt . Percy A. Clive , M.P. for South Herefordshire , has written the following let- ter to the President of the Unionist Associa- tion prior to his leaving for the front . The letter was dated November 18th , and it reads : " I hope to be in France with one of the Battalions of my regiment , the Grena- dier Guards , soon after you get this , but I do not want to leave England without a word of farewell to you and all my constit uents , many of whom I look forward to meet- ing at the front . I should like to congratu- late you on the recruiting campaign organis- ed by the Unionist and Liberal Associations , and to express a hope that your efforts will be continued . For though the success has been great and Herefordshire has sent a brave contribution already , still Lord Kit- chener tells us that more are needed if vic- tory is to be assured . Certainly any healthy unmarried man incurs a grave responsibility to his conscience and his country if he doesn't come forward now and get himself trained to help . No excuse of work to do at home ought to deter him unless it is ab- solutely impossible to find someone else to do the work . ' but for the fact that lying prophets were still In the piping times of peace , when ' twas cruiting mesting in the constituency , but quiet in the land , even a happier and more prosperous life in century , and the story of her ambition began been told that Germany bullied France , that Britain's sons came forth in thousands and even going home for the last three months . there , he would be one of the first to drink to their jolly good health ( applanse ) . greeted with musical was The toast honours ... Major KELLY then addressed those pre- sent , and said he was going to call them " gentlemen , " but that he thought was quite unnecessary , because the British soldiers had proved themselves all along the line that But he they were thorough . gentlemen . rather preferred to call them comrades , he- cause as comrades they were all animated by the same spirit . He was an old volun- teer , and had served from the vear 1860 to the year 1899 , doing nearly 40 years ' ser- rice in the time of the late Queen Victoria ( applause ) . He did not think he had had a fair chance , because during his time of ser- vice it was a time of peace . Why if he had had the opportunity to go . he would have gone to the recruiting office at the double ( applause ) . He saw there had been a re cruiting office opened in High - street , and that a sergeant had been sent down for the express purpose of recruiting . He was glad to think that so many young men of Ross had come forward , and had done their duty to their King and country - all honour to them . But he wanted to see every young man of military age going to this recruiting office , and enlisting himself in Lord Kitch- ener's Army or some other of His Majesty's forces ( applause ) . They were there that evening to do honour to those men who had returned home wounded from the front . The men out there had had an awful time during the last few months , but still many more would be wanted to crush that Prussian mili- tarism that wished to dominate over Europe . They had had a splendid lead given them by the Belgians , the French , and their own British Army , for they all worked together . and fought side by side , and endured the same hardships as comrades all along the line . Then they had the Russians in the East doing their duty , and altogether they had to teach the Germans something of what the real sense of duty was . Germany was not going to do as she thought - conquer the whole world . This war would have to he fought out to a finish , because if they made . peace now , Germany would in a few years to come rise up again , and they would have to go through the whole business again . This war must be fought out not only to secure peace for their chidlren , but for their chil- dren's children ( applause ) .. He believed that every day England was realising this more and more . In his further remarks , themselves . Disregard of honourable obliga- tions had marked German policy for half a with the attack of Austria and Prussia upon Denmark in 1864. Despite our own treaty obligations the British Government , under Lord Palmerston and his following , refused to oppose that act of aggression , though Russia was eager to do so , and the result of the theft of the Danish provinces in that vear was to give Prussia an outlet to the North Sea and to menace England as she did to - day . Having stolen this territory with Austrian aid . Prussia first robbed her ally of any share of the plunder and next attacked her . The seven weeks ' war , ending at Sadowa , enabled the Prussians to annex the territories of Hanover , Hesse , Nassau , and Frankfurt ; and four years ' later the blun- dering diplomacy of Napoleon III . led to the war of 1870. This , however , might have been averted , even at the last moment , had not Bismarck , by the deliberate forgery of the Ems telegram ( and to this fraud von Moltke was a party ) made war inevitable . The result was the annexation of Alsace- Lorraine , and the imposition of an indemnity of two hundred millions upon France . Thus , by thre successive coups , each of which was marked by arrogance and fraud , the Prussian power was consolidated . A little later a check was administered by Great Britain and Russia , and Bismarck's attempt to bully France again was frustrated in 1875 by the firm attitude of Lord Derby . From this The We Roberts , Mr. Belloc ( all men of differen parties ) or that advocated by Sir John Brun- ner and Mr. Cadbury ? These questions would not be worth raising at this moment active . Within the last few days we had England did not desire peace , nor did Rus- sia , and that the violation of Belgium was merely a pretext . This was an effusion , not of the German official press but of Mr. G. B. Shaw . Anyone who could say this , know- ing the facts , was either a liar or a lunatic and the speaker was not aware that Mr. Shaw's sanity had been questioned . Government had faced a difficult situatica with courage and wisdom , and had the whole strength of public opinion behind it . The Opposition , Labour Party , and Nation alists had pledged their part as Britons should , and only a few curs barked . had splendid Allies , ready to sacrifice any thing , and the heroism of Belgium demanded that in the final settlement the fullest com- pensation possible should be made to her . Germany had justly incurred the ruin which must befal her . She was detested for her policy by all the world , and had for Allies only decadent Austria , moribund Turkes , and apparently Mr. Bernard Shaw . More- over , there was a penalty more bitter than that which we or any human power could inflict , which the Kaiser and his people would inevitably pay - the retribution that must follow foul crime ; and William II . would surely find that in the words of our poet of revolution : " For the side of the two - edged sword shall he bare , and its mouth shall be red , For the breath of the face of the lord that is felt in the bones of the dead . " Following the lecture a large number of war pictures , showing the fearful horrors of the war , were thrown on the screen by Mr. A. W. Ursell , and these were greatly appre- ciated , although the awful scenes merely gave one an idea of the terrible destruction that would be inflicted upon the towns and villages of England if ever the Germans were allowed to invade or again bombard this country . moment German hatred of England began . We knew from Lord Derby and Lord Russell how " Bismarck raved like a maniac and vowed revenge " During the next few years Germany , now united as an empire by the dissolution of the Austrian Bond in '66 , and the assasination of William I. of the imperial title in 1871 , made a point of fostering good relation with Russia , whilst our statesmen , following the evil precedent set by Lord Aberdeen , Palmerston , and Gladstone in 1854. showed suspicion and distrust of her . Russia , before the Crimean War , had been our ally for 200 years , and our subsequent policy in regard to her was both foolish and blundering . However , in the early nineties came a change for the better . The Kaiser had dropped his pilot and chose to steer his LIEUTENANT F. E. OAKELEY , R.N. On the motion of Capt . R. H. Verschovie a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Arthur Pott for his lecture . NATIONAL'S END . Lieut . own course , which for the next twenty - four years had been risky and crooked , and was now about to end in disaster on the Mus- covite rock . He embarked on a campaign of FAMOUS HEREFORD RUGBY INTER- petty insults to England , and we should re- member the Kruger telegram , the offer of It is with regret that we have to announce assistance to the Transvaal , which promise was broken when the crisis came , and above that the Admiralty has notified Mrs. James all the menace of the German navy , which Oakeley that her son , Lieut . F. E. Oakeley , was made obviously and almost openly R.N. , has " lost his life on duty . " against British sea power . This development Oakeley was a Hereford man . He was the began in 1898 , but was not appreciated until 1904 in this country . In the latter year the German danger began to be understood , and by 1911 the German navy had made such progress and that of England had been so greatly checked , owing to false economy , security . In the following years , therefore . our Government made real and successful Fleet . His brother , Capt . A. E. Oakeley , is efforts to recover lost ground and forestall the serving with the 9th Mounted Brigade Field designs of the Kaiser who had assumed the Ambulance in South Africa . Mrs. Oakeley title of " Admiral of the Atlantic . " The has received a telegram of sympathy and re- aggressive policy of Germany was shown also gret from the King and Queen , and all who by two other incidents - the annexation of know her will also sincerely condole with her . Bosnia and Hertzegovina , in which Austria's and her family in the bereavement they have bare - faced theft was supported by the Ger- suffered . man youngest son of the late Rev. James Oake- ley , of Holy Trinity Church , Hereford . Lieut . Oakeley was well known in Rugby football circles , being an English Interna tional half - back . No particulars of how the Lieutenant met his end were given in the was attached to Submarine C 17 Home A NOVEL CONCERT PARTY . joined the gallant band Of the army meant for home ; to attack the foreign hosts If they perchance should ever try to land upon our coasts . Then here's to the men who are ready day by day , Waiting to hear the call ; The letter further states : " I should like to have been able to address at least one re- military duties in London have prevented me These are strenuous times , but if all who can help , under God's providence we shall pre- vail . I shall hope to return again soon , when the sword is laid aside and the com- paratively uninspiring polemics of the plat- form can be resumed . " Whatever may be our political opinions , we all extend our heartiest congratulations Aid for the Motherland , or in another land , to Capt . Clive on his gallantry , and hope and Gladly to give their all ; Sturdy and strong , swinging along , trust he may have a safe return after a Singing a martial song , triumphant march into Berlin , when peace shall be proclaimed the wide world Come weal or woe , Britain we know Is proud of her Territorial Army . When the European War broke at last upon And the German troops in masses against the world , our men were hurled , The crack - troops of our " Terriers " strength- ened then our fighting men , Fighting , for Europe's freedom to defend our homes again . Then here's to the men , etc. " And among the gallant " Terriers , " when called upon to fight , We can count upon the Herefords to aid the cause of right . We know the men , we know their worth , we know their prowess too .. May their luck be great , their manhood true , their asses very few . Then here's to the men , etc. Good luck go with you all the way , you gallant men of Ross , Where'ere your lot may lead you , there's no crown without a cross ; Captain Yates will lead you well , and when you've crossed the foam You'll know you've done your duty well , while slackers skulked at home . Then here's to the men , etc. H.M.G.W. WILL THEY NEVER COME ? They are calling from the trenches , Listen ! calling loud and long : Won't you send us out more fighting men , Quick - witted , nimble , strong ? Can you estimate our suffering , Can you realise our plight P over . According Ocean has been in action in the Persian to some reports , H.M.S. two Herefordshire men . The one is stoker Gulf . Upon this vessel there appears to be A. R. Smith , son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith , of Brampton Abbotts , near Ross , and the other is a Kington man .. for Ross and District . We propose publishing early in the New Year a Roll of Honour of the Men from this district who are serving their King and Country . We appeal to our readers to assist us to make the Roll as complele as possible by sending us the Name , Regiment , or Ship , and Home Address of any of their friends who have not been already in- cluded in the various lists which have appeared in these columns . -ED . R.G. LOCAL WAR FUNDS . PRINCE OF WALES ' FUND . £ 8 . d . Previously acknowledged ... £ 110 19 7 LOCAL RELIEF FUND . Previously acknowledged Mr. T. W. Ryall's Employees Messrs . E. Turner and Co.'s Employees Employees Messrs . C. Lugg and Sons Ross Electrict Light Co.'s Employees 5 £ s . d . £ 295 5 8 04 1 18 10 0.10 £ 298 7 8 N.B. The Secretary wishes us to ask em- ployers to pay in their workmen's contri- butions in monthly instalments , preferably on the first Monday in each month . ROSS RURAL RELIEF FUNDS . PRINCE OF WALES FUND . Previously acknowledged LOCAL FUND . ... £ 126 Arrivals . British : Wheat , nil ; barley , 290 ; oats , 170 ; maize , 1,600 . Foreign : maize , 48,520 ; beans , 1,660 ; 3,580 grs .; flour , 56,570 sacks . peas , CHRISTMAS DINNER - A1 No. 38 , Lodging House , Over - Ross - street , on Christmas Day , at 12,30 , a good hot dinner will be given , to consist of roast beef , cabbage , and potatoes ; plum pudding ; mineral waters , tea , and coffee . - ROSE TOLLEY.- Advt . THE WAR . MORE CHECKS FOR GERMANS . TRENCHES TAKEN BY THE ALLIES . That the Germans are offering a stubborn resistance to the forward movement of the Allies in Belgium and France is apparent from Tuesday's official . summary of events issued from Paris . All along the line the German positions are being nibbled " at , and progress of a satisfactory nature is recorded generally . But there are sections of the field where the fierceness of the attack is being met with a desperate defence , and 1.o appreciable pro- gress " is the result . Sharp fighting has evidently taken place on the right bank of the Meuse , where , in the Consenvoye wood , the ground won on Sunday last was first lost and then recaptur- ed . We get news of a British repulse " in the German official message , which states that in order to recapture the positions lost at Festubert and Givenchy , on the previous day , desperate attacks were made by the British and French troops , " which were re- pulsed . " Farm Fire at Whitchurch . EXTENSIVE DAMAGE . Previously acknowledged ... £ 280 17 8 might easily happen after the electric calls The smoking concert in honour of the wounded men now on furlough in Ross , pass- ed off most successfully on Friday night last . at the New Inn Hotel . Notwithstanding the inclement weather , there was a good company present . It was very heartening to learn how gallantly the boys from Ross are bearing their part in this terrible strug- gle , for what our British Tommies are actually undergoing in France and Belgium is really too awful for words , but the British " D. " pluck and heroism with which they perform Mr. G. E. Eltome their duties will re - echo in the future his- Mrs. E. Lawton THE BELGIAN REFUGEE FUND . Previously acknowledged . £ 283 19 5 200 A COWMAN IN CUSTODY . At 6.25 on Tuesday morning , the Ross Fire Brigade received the alarm of a fire that had occurred in the out - buildings at Old Court Farm , Whitchurch , which is in the occupation of Mr. C. Edwards , a well - known agriculturist in this district . Through some fault in the mechanism of the electric fire 4 5 alarm at the Town Hall , this failed to work , and as many of the men , including the cap- tain and the contractor for the horses , did not hear the fire bell ring a thing that had been cut off altogether - the brigade did not get off until just after seven o'clock . But as soon as the full complement of men was got together , no time was lost in getting off . On their arrival at Old Court , the bri- 10,6 gade found a large building , comprising a 10 cowshed with loft over , a cowhouse , a two- bay barn , a stable with loft over , all adjoin- £ 286 19 11 ing , in full blaze . The building was 50 yards long by seven yards wide . The barn con- tained over thirty tons of wheat and barley straw threshed . There were two calves in the cowhouse , and unfortunately these got burnt to death . A quantity of implements Mrs. W. Williams , 3s .; Mrs. Crump , 1s .; were in the buildings . There were also some cows and ponies in the cowsheds and stables Mr. Little , 1s .; Mr. J. when the fire first broke out , but these were Jones , 1s .; Mr. A. E. l'aldwin , 1s .; Mr. J. fortunately extricated from their perilous Metcalfe , 1s .; Mr. Lewis ( 5 weeks ) , 5s .; Mr. position . This particular building was sur- Willis , 1s .; Mrs. Crump , ls .; Col. O. R. Mid - rounded by other large out - houses practi- Our Roll of Honour is still growing , and dleton , 12s .; Mr. J. E. S. Hewett , 5s .; Capt . eally of the same dimensions , containing un- among the latest recruits to join His Majes- R. H. Verschoyle , 5s . ty's forces from Ross and the surrounding district are Pte . G. J. Matthews , of Llan- grove , Grenadier Guards ; Pte . W. J. Roffe , Lydbrook , K.S.L.L ; Pte . J. J. Bevan , Brid - 1st Herefordshire Regiment right in the centre of these other places , and stow ; Pte . W. W. Cross , Ross ; and Pte . W. B. James , Whitchurch , the Herefordshire Territorials ; Pte . J. West , Ross , South Wales tory of the world as probably the outstand- ing feature of this the greatest and bloodiest war in history . Corpl . Thackway said at first the English boys have not the heart to fight in such a way as the Germans , but as soon as they see the cruelties and atrocities committed by their enemy , they soon get a heart like a lion , and fighting for all they are worth , and they never mind , the trials and hardships they have to endure . WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTIONS . £ s . d . Previously acknowledged ... £ 26 10 4 Mr. E. Passey , 2s . 6d . & Wall , 1s .; Mr. P. Mr. R. Best , 1s .; B COMPANY . £ 28 11 10 threshed corn . Another building was nearly full of hay , while in close proximity to this was a rick of hay , the millhouse , and the dwelling - house . The building ablaze was fortunately there was no wind to fan the flames , otherwise the whole block would have A been in jeopardy or probably gutted . Previously acknowledged £ 50 6 3 splendid supply of water was obtained from the brook close by , " enough to feed two jets " Ross Gazette " Office , playing cards ; all day , and this convenience , together with Madame Vanhooff ( New street ) , scarf ; Mrs. the excellent work of the brigade and other We understand that Corpl . A. G. Hicks , a Harris ' working party , socks and shirts ; Mrs. helpers , enabled the flammes to be got under , member of the " Ross Gazette " staff , now Cooper ( Rosedale ) , scarves ; Mrs. Verschoyle's and eventually the fire was extinguished , serving with the second Battalion Hereford - working party , shirts ; Miss Evans ( Wood- and the brigade was able to leave for home shire Regiment , at Aberystwyth , has now field House ) , belt ; Miss K. Keene ( Old Hall at five o'clock in the afternoon . been promoted to a sergeant . LancelCorpl . Court ) , scarves ; Mrs. Bellamy ( Benhill ) , W. C. Langford has also been made a cor- poral . We've been fighting now these three weeks , Borderers ; Pte . A. P. Goulding ; Army Ser- vice Corps . In the trenches day and night . Will you never wake up and listen ? Boasting , if you were Kitchener , You in " the pub " from seven . ' til ten ; What you'd do , and how , and when . Wet through , cold and tired , spent ! God ! one hour's sleep could it be got , Heaven's greatest blessing sent . The rain ! the wind ! the bursting shell ! The ceaseless vigil kept , The frost ! the snow ! the din of hell , O'er comrade slain we've wept . In water up to knee and thigh , From eve ' til morning dawn , Untended wounds , and bloodstained brow , To - morrow's dangers yet unborn . They are calling from the trenches , Perhaps your " pal " is one who calls , SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENTS FOR THE Lying " wounded " in the frost and snow , TROOPS AT THE FRONT . Emperor in shining armour ; and , secondly , the Agadir incident , when Teutonic bluff failed owing to the attitude of he Bri- tish Government . This set - back to the Ger- man bully was emphasised still further by the failure of her Turkish protege in the Balkan War and the fiasco of the Bulgarian war against Servia , which war was brought A British concert party under the direc about by German intrigue . Having lost pres- tige and seeing that the Pan - German scheme tion of Mr. Seymour Hicks leave on Sunday ( which included the domination of the Medit- morning next , with the permission of the eranean and the closing out of Russian from military authorities , to play for a week that sea ) was likely to fail , the Germans amongst our soldiers in France . in 1913 largely increased their army in order The company consists of Miss Ellaline Midst suffering that appals . You promised him when he went off , You'd follow quickly on , Yet , when he calls , you still hold back ; Is your love for him all gone ? him They are calling from the trenches , But the call will soon be o'er , Unless we send the help they want , And oh ! the shame upon us all , The help they all implore . Major Kelly referred to the recruiting meet- ings he had attended in tre Forest of Dean . and spoke of the apathy that prevailed that there was a general feeling of in- notification . At the outbreak of the war , he And all the while we're fighting , ... among the men there who had the idea that this was a rich man's war , and that they were not going to give up their wages to join the army . They also aid that the Germans were not coming over to England , and they did not appear to be very much disturbed about the war . Yet they were really fine healthy fellows , and they would have been all the better in the world for having undergone six months ' training , in which they would have been taught the true spirit of discipline . He ( Major Kelly ) was never prouder of his hoy than he was to - day ( ap- plause ) . He had riven his services , and he liked the work , and the other men liked it as well ( applause ) . In conclusion , Major Kelly referred to the heroic efforts put for- ward by the Belgian Army , and the devasta- tion and ruin that bad been perpetrated by the Germans whose whole object was to crush and destroy everything that came in their way . What they now had to do was to help Belgium , France , and Russia , to crush for ever this Prussian Militarism , and so gain to crush first France and then England . The Terriss , Mr. Seymour Hicks , Mr. Ben for the world an everlasting peace ( ap- pretence was that the increase was a reply Davies , Miss Gladys Cooper , Mr. Willie to the French Army Law , but this was a Great interest was caused on the wounded deliberate lie , the German move having oc- Frame , Miss Ivy St. Helier , Mr. Will van men present giving some of their experiences curred first , as may be seen in the recently Allen , and Eli and Olga Hudson . The en- while at the front and in the trenches . These published Yellow Book . This collection of tertainments , wihch will be given to the were Pte . E. Powell , of the South Wales documents also shows that the invasion of soldiers during New Year's week , will be of Borderers , Corpl . W. Thackway , of the Belgium and Holland was contemplated , and a kind suitable to the very special circum- K.S.L.I. , and Sergt . Smith , of the R.A.M.C. that the treacherous sowing of disaffection in stances in which the company have the All these men were given an enthusiastic the dependencies of England and France has privilege to find themselves . cheer on rising to speak , and on relating heen carried on for some years by Germany . Sir John French has approved the scheme their thrilling adventures they spoke of the These facts were all known to the Allied after consent gained in England .. The party hardships of a British Tommy in the trenches Governments . Why , then , was the country will give performances at various places the magnificent manner in which they still unready ? Chiefly because of the outcry along the lines of communications . It will fought under the most trying circumstances , of people too prejudiced to believe plain consist of twenty - two persons in all , and and the deceitful tactics adopted by the evidence . The Government was hampered they will play anywhere , at any time , and Germans in trying to steal a march on the for example by the " Daily News , " The in any place , as they may be desired , in the British soldiers , who , however , had now be- Nation , " and the Daily Graphic , " When open - air or under canvas . They will be come accustomed to these dodges , and took Mr. Blatchford called attention to the Ger- conveyed in ten motor cars which they are man peril in 1909 he was mocked by the taking over , and the whole arrangements During the evening , several patriotic " Daily News . " The same paper declared are completed , including transport and songs were sung by Mr. B. Restall , Mr. J. that attacks by airships need not be con- food , so that the minimum of trouble may A. Capewell . Mr. Smith , Sergt . Wheeler , sidered for a long time , and that the anti - be caused to the local authorities . The Colr . - Sergt . Clarke , Mr. C. J. Wright , jun . , cipations of an Armageddon must be moved managers to whom the various artists are Mr. C. E. Gray , Mr. H. T. Howell , Mr. A. J. on from 15 or 20 years . This was only three under contract are Mr. Oswald Stoll , the Ryall ; recitation by Mr. George Eltome ; years ago . The dismissal of Sir E. Grey Variety Controlling Theatres , and Moss Em- banjo solo , Mr. R. Mapp ; and fairy bell se- was loudly demanded because of his " fatal pires Ltd. , who have consented to release all lections by Mr. Paxton . A very pleasant antagonism to Germany . " The strengthen- concerned . The items selected for perform- evening was brought to a close by the singing of the Navy was opposed even as late as ance have been specially chosen with regard weeks in France , but she has now returned , ing of " God save the King " and " Auld this present year . Which was right , the to the conditions under which the concerts and will spend Xmas with her children at plause ) . no heed of them . Lang Syne . " policy represented by Mr. Blatchford , Lord will take place . If the call we still unheed , And Britannia weeps her laggard sons , Who fail her in her need . They are calling from the trenches , They are calling loud and long , While we at home , just sit and sing Our patriotic song . Oh ! youth of England , waken up ! Let's hesitate no more , Give of our best , join with the rest , Shew we're British to the core . Yes , they're calling from the trenches , And we'll answer clear , and strong , We are coming in our thousands , Shouting loud our glorious song . Long live our British Empire ! Death ! to the cruel Hun " England expects " but not in vain We'll fight until we've won . B. R. Mrs. Clive has been spending several Whitfield . From the letters that have been received from our Ross men at Aberystwyth , it ap- pears that the life there is most agreeable , and is doing them a world of good . Over one - hundred more recruits are required , and as our Terrors remarks , " You can tell any likely recruits th atthey will have a jolly good time at Aberystwyth if they will come forward now and join . " On their arrival at this popular Welsh resort , the men were given a real Welsh welcome . The Ross Red Cross Hospital is now under orders to receive wounded men from the front and these may arrive at any time . The hos pital is fully equipped now , and quite ready for the patients whenever they may arrive . scarves and mittens . Miss Yates thanks all those who have so kindly worked for her luring the last week , and would be most grateful for belts and mittens . E COMPANY . The outbreak was discovered about 5.30 in the morning , and it is believed that the cause is due to an accident - the upsetting of a lamp in the possession of Thomas Pride , the cowman . During the day the man came . and gave himself up to the police at Ross . It is rather difficult at present to estimate the damage , which was rather extensive . We understand the buildings and the pro- £ 25 16 6 duce was insured . The agents of the build- ings are Messrs . Apperley and Brown , of Previously acknowledged Donation from Mrs. Jackson . Shirts , belts , socks , scarves , and mittens Hereford . There was practically no sal- from Mrs. Gatfield ; mittens from Miss vage , as everything was either destroyed or Peachey ( Wilton ) , Miss Duncourt , Miss C. very badly damaged . The needs of the bri- Hall . gade were well looked after by Mr. Edwards , Mrs. Green wishes to thank the following to whom all sympathy is extended on the for knitting scarves and belts for her - Mrs . great losses he has sustained during the past Organ , Mrs. and Miss Watkins , Miss Hollo- few weeks . way , Miss Neil , Mrs. Bevan , Miss Palmer . SOLDIERS ' AND SAILORS ' FAMILIES ASSOCIATION . Previously acknowledged £ 282 3 6 ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION . Miss Harvey gratefully acknowledges kind At a special sitting of the Ross Police Court , before Mr. T. Matthews , on Wednes- day morning , Thomas Pride was brought up in custody charged in connection with this fire , and on the application of Supt . Broad , the prisoner was remanded in custody until Thursday , December 31st . The formation of a Battalion from the Forest of Dean is now in full progress , and the response up to the present is very good . A series of special meetings has been and is still being conducted in the Forest , at which politicians of all shades are speaking . At some of the meetings the conduct of some of To Friends of Territorials . the audience we are sorry to note is far from contributions of useful woollen garments to patriotic or becoming . We give below her collection for the above , from Mrs. Ll . As it is very difficult to obtain a complete Foresters " opinions of a meeting held at Green , Mrs. Lugg , Mrs. Potts , Miss E. Ar- list of local Territorials who are serving their Drybrook , which is only a few miles from mitage , Mrs. Harvey ( English Bicknor ) , Mrs. country , the Secretary of the Great War . Ross , but in the neighbouring county . Hudson and Mrs. Wilson , Miss Thair , Mr. Sale Committee ( Mr. H. J. Pike ) will be glad Stone ( Hereford ) , and from Mr. and Mrs. Wm . Bevan , woollen garments as well as a subscription in money . SOCKS FOR SOLDIERS . HEREFORDSHIRE MAID SERVANTS ' SHILLING SOCK to receive from parents or friends the full name and regiment of anyone from the dis- trict who is serving in a Territorial unit other than the 1st Herefordshire Battalion , 2nd Herefordshire ( Reserve ) Battalion , the Shropshire Yeomanry , Herefordshire A.S.C. , and the Herefordshire R.A.M.C. This is what Forester has to say : - " If any complaint at all can be raised , it is in connection with the meeting at Drybrook on Monday evening last . The gathering was well attended , and the majority of those pre- sent were manifestly sincere and serious in their appreciation of the grave national crisis confronting them , and in their desire to do all possible to carry out their duty to the above fund is stil open , and if any more Victuallers ' Association decided , soon after the community in such a perilous time . The domestic servants in South Herefordshire proceedings , however , were greatly upset , SOCK FUND Sir , Will you allow me space to say that The Hereford City and County Licensed the war broke out , to place boxes in each of will help by giving ls . each towards it , we and a spirit of unseemly levity introduced by will gladly receive the money . Miss Lighton , the licensed houses in the city , with the oh- frequent and asinine interruptions from Litley Court , Hereford , acknowledges a belt ject of augmenting the appeal by the Mayor member of the audience who appeared to be singularly loquacions , and to imagine that Ross . per Miss Jane Hughes , Baysham Court , ( Mr. G. B. Greenland ) on behalf of the the advertised , speakers were in constant Yours faithfully , It would have contributed largely to the need of his advice and expressions of opinion . general good had someone kindly taken him to his home for which purpose a wheel- FRANCES DUDLEY SMITH . South Bank , Hereford . Prince of Wales ' National Relief Fund . After the payment of expenses a deputation of the association , consisting of Mr. W. J. Gurney ( secretary ) , Mr. E. Hooper , and Mr. H. Tipping , on Saturday handed to the Mayor a cheque for £ 36 . |