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SHILLINGSTONE AND THE ARMY  

THE Dorset Regiment was raised in 1702. Besides service in Ireland, in the West Indies, and in many Continental wars, it was the first King's regiment to go to India (in 1754), and it bears the proud motto, "Primus in Indis." In 1825 it went to New South Wales to guard the convicts. Through the " Green Linnets," as the regiment was nicknamed, Shillingstone men saw life in every continent. But there are still in existence muster rolls of the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth, which record the men of the village who possessed arms and were capable of using them. This ancient spirit still animates the residents in the village, and fortunately we have a full and complete record of all those who went from Shillingstone at their country's call during the last five years, to fight on behalf of freedom and right.

           During the period before compulsory service, Shillingstone, in comparison to its population, sent more men in response to the call of the Colours than any other village in Great Britain. It is well, as some recognition of what these men have done, and as an example for those who will come after, that their patriotism should be adequately recorded.

           The following list includes all the men from Shillingstone who have served in H.M.. Forces:

                       Lieut.-Colonel H. M.. Tasker, 1st City of London Regiment incut.

                       Commander Charles Forbes.

                       Commander Wyndham Forbes, D.S.O., Croix de Guerre.

                       Major Jack Forbes, R.G.A.

                       Major Vivian H. Seymer, D.S.O., M.C., R.F.A.

                       Major R. I. Tasker, llth County of London Regiment, J.P., T.D.

                       Captain Athol Chichester, Devons.

                       Captain Charles Quarrell, Royal Sussex Regiment.

                       Captain Charles Adams, Welsh Guards.

                       Lieutenant Raymond Trent, M.C., 8th Somerset Light Infantry.

                       Lieutenant Charles J. Quarrell, 8th Royal Berks.

                       Lieutenant Richard F. Lowndes, 60th Rifle Brigade.

           The most notable feature of the voluntary recruiting in the parish was that our men began to join up immediately after the declaration of war. Learning from the Rector that 66 men out of a population of 565 had enlisted voluntarily, Mr. Basil Thomson now Sir Basil Thomson) wrote to The Times enquiring whether this was not a record. He also informed Lord Stamfordham, who mentioned it to His Majesty. A letter of commendation, quoted below, was received in reply. The letter to The Times provoked a friendly newspaper controversy.  Other correspondents wrote to that paper also giving good records of their villages. These suggested to Lord Northcliffe the idea of starting a " Bravest Village Competition," which was entrusted to the Editor of the Weekly Dispatch.  In order to make it universally known he gave instructions that a circular asking for returns should be sent to the Chairman of every Parish Council in Great Britain. The conditions specified were: (1) that the maximum population, should be 3,000; (2) that the 31st January, 1915, should be the latest date for receiving returns; (3) five gentlemen, whose names were given, were nominated as adjudicators. After a long interval it was announced that the total number of returns was about 400, of which 326 were good enough for analysis. The promised prize was a beautiful cross, designed by Sir George Frampton, who had patriotically volunteered his services. This was awarded by the Editor to Knowlton, Kent, which, having a total population of 39, had sent eleven men from its six houses. He stated that he found it difficult, when the accountants' analysis showed this to be the best percentage, in deciding in favour of so small a place, so had referred the matter to Sir Frederick Smith, who was the Attorney-General. He advised that as no minimum population had been stated, and because of some historical associations connected with Knowlton, that the cross should be awarded to it. Against this decision the Rector of Shillingstone protested, giving three reasons for his doing so: (1) that the appeal had been made to villages which had Parish Council populations; (2) that the gentlemen who were to be adjudicators had not been consulted; (3) that the proper English word for a place which only contained six houses was a hamlet, not a village. The Editor replied to this by re-stating the difficulty he had experienced, but having taken the advice of the highest legal authority in the land he would abide by his decision, and that there the subject must end. Being convinced that this was not the right decision, the Rector then wrote to Viscount Northcliffe, placing all the essential facts before him. The answer to this letter was a statement that the matter was receiving consideration, and that a further reply would be sent. This came from the Manager of the Legal Department of the Associated Newspapers, Limited, who stated that the matter had been referred to him, and that he had made a further examination of the returns

           He gave the names of the twenty villages who had the best percentages, including Shillingstone, but adding that the Editor could not be expected to make awards to so many. Having made an analysis of these, the Rector was able to show that Shillingstone was not only one of the first twenty, but one of the first eight, and having compared the population of these with those given in a Clerical Directory, was satisfied that the true position was better than this. In response to this the adjudicator admitted the correctness of the claim to be one of the first eight, and offered the Rector the opportunity of examining these. At the interview which followed it was agreed that the population of the census of 1911 should be taken as the basis. This reduced the number to three, and after further search in the case of one of these, the correspondent had taken the names of all the men who had their quarters in the marquees, and sent this in for his return. This of course was not the intention, as the men had no other local associations with the place, which reduced the claimants to Shillingstone and a small village in Hampshire. As the population in this return was correct, and the names in it were given by the Chairman of the Parish Council, and their correctness certified by the Rector of the parish, and the percentage decimal points better than Shillingstone, it appeared that it should be regarded as the victorious claimant. However, on making a further examination of this interesting document, Dr. Cooke made the joyful discovery it was dated 26th February, 1915. As the 31st January was the date given after which no returns should be received for the Competition, he pointed out that the February claimant should not have been accepted. The reply to this was that the Editor had decided to include them, which led the Rector to claim that he must be allowed, in that case, to add his "February Men." The reasonableness of this could not be questioned, and this placed the matter beyond doubt that Shillingstone was entitled to the premier place

           This result was reached on the Rector's third visit to the London offices of the adjudicator, who congratulated him on his perseverance, and gave him two promises: (1) that he would write to Major Squires, of Knowlton, and suggest that he should accept a silver replica of Sir George Frampton's Cross, " as he ought to do under the circumstances;" and (2) failing his being

able to arrange this, to advise his Directors to award twenty-five guineas to Shillingstone. The outcome of this was that Major Squires would not agree to do what " he ought to have done," and so the twenty-five guineas became the first subscription to the Shillingstone Cross. There are often compensations where there have been disappointments, and these are afforded by the consideration that in so far as the Cross is a memorial to those who have made the Great Sacrifice in the war, the one erected is more suitable for that purpose, and the fact that the cost of it was given by public subscriptions, which involved a real sacrifice on the part of many, should all the more endear it to the parishioners

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The War Memorials.

DESCRIPTION OF SHILLINGSTONES' TWO WAR MEMORIALS.                                    Page 108

           The design of the Cross was selected by the War Memorial Committee from a book submitted by Messrs. Former, Brindley & Co., Ltd., London. The choice was that of one of the most ancient and beautiful of Celtic Crosses, and the work of copying it was entrusted to this firm. In response to an appeal by the Rector, the Bath and Portland Stone Firm Ltd., kindly consented, from patriotic reasons, to present the Portland stone of which it was constructed. The height of the Cross is 12 feet, consisting of two steps, the base and the shaft. The work of the sculptors has been universally admired. On the shaft is the following inscription:

                                         " This Cross was erected by public subscriptions ' in memoriam ' of the honourable place taken by this parish in the Great War 1914-1919, and specially of those from its Roll of Honour who gave their lives for their country."

   On the base is carved a laurel wreath, within which a message of commendation, sent by command of King George, which reads: " His

Majesty is gratified to learn how splendidly the people of Shillingstone have responded to the call of the Colours. I imagine this must be a record."

The following are the names of the 25 heroic men engraved on the sides and back of the base:—

1914.

Edward Philips.

Frederick Newman.

Jack Hart.

1915.

Walter Inkpen.

David Herbert Robins

1916.

John Clarke.

James Light.

Jack Stainer.

Albert Laws.

Edward Starks.

Robert Hart.

Ernest Inkpen.

Arthur Frederick Ridout.

Bertram Inkpen.

1917.

Frederick Charles Tooze.

William James Laws.

Reginald Sidney Hart.

Frederick Newman.

1918.

Albert Edward Adams.

Alfred Mesher.

Sydney White-Rogers.

Ernest George Woolridge.

1919.

Arthur John Clarke.

Additional Names.

Percival S. Read, 1918.

Ernest W. E. Gladstone Read, 1919.

An anchor, ancient style, the symbol of hope (Hebrews vi. 19), is engraved on the reverse side of the base, and beneath the Latin words, " Pro Deo et pro Patria."

           The German field gun and carriage were awarded by the War Office on the application of the War Memorial Committee, through their chairman, the Rector. Sir Basil Thomson did much to further the application, as well as the Earl of Shaftesbury, Lord-Lieutenant of the county. Earl Haig also kindly supported the application, referring appreciatively in his letter to the Dorset Regiments which served under his command. It is regarded as a good specimen of a camouflaged enemy field gun ¹ The gun metal plate, presented by Sir Basil Thomson, bears the inscription: " Captured in the Final Advance, September, 1918." "( Presented by the War Office to the Parish of Shillingstone in recognition of its magnificent record in Voluntary Recruiting."                                

                                   The original intention was to place the Cross in the churchyard, and some preparation, in the way of pathways, was made for it, but when it was known definitely that the gun would be awarded to the parish, and when a number of our returning men joined with others in expressing the wish that both memorials should be placed together in a more public place, the subject was reconsidered. The question now arose as to how this could be carried out, and the problem was solved when Mrs. Kyrle Chapman kindly offered to give a sufficient portion of the allotment field for this purpose. It had been recognised for some time that this corner of the Okeford Fitzpaine road was a difficult and dangerous one, and a grant of £50, made by the District Council, was spent in rectifying this, and the consequent widening of the road has been much appreciated.

¹Shillingstone is the smallest village to which such a trophy has been awarded.

       No better or more central position could have been chosen, situated, as it is, opposite the school and the post office. The preparation of the site was undertaken conjointly by the War Memorial Committee and the Parish Council, the latter

contributing £20 from their funds towards the expenses of the site for the gun. September 24th, 1919, will always be a memorable day in the history of the village, for on that day the Cross was unveiled and the gun handed over. The following particulars of this interesting ceremony are taken from the Western Gazette of September 26th, 1919:

           The Great War, with its miseries, horrors, and tragedies, did not fail to leave its mark upon the village life of Shillingstone. Many returned wounded, or suffering in other ways, from the terrible experiences of modern warfare, and no less than twenty-five have made the supreme sacrifice. Nevertheless a great deal of satisfaction is derived from the fact that Shillingstone ranked first among all the parishes in England, Scotland, and Wales, by virtue of the large proportion of her men who joined His Majesty's Forces before January 31st, 1915, namely ninety men out of a population of 565, a record which will lastingly stand to her credit and to the credit of the men who earned for her such a coveted distinction.

A War Trophy.

          That Shillingstone' s war record has not been unnoticed is proved by the fact that of the eight German field guns and carriages, allocated to Dorset, one was offered to Shillingstone, upon the recommendation of Earl Haig and the Earl of Shaftesbury. This was accepted, and whilst the space on the right-hand side of the entrance steps is occupied by the Cross, that on the left now accommodates the now harmless weapon of war. Together they form a striking contrast, but an awe-inspiring spectacle, and they are a most fitting reminder of the grave menace from which the country was so heroically delivered.

                                 An Open Air Spectacle.

           The unveiling ceremony will live long in the memory of those who took part in it. The open space before the memorial was densely crowded, and the weather being fine, the proceedings were most impressive. The clergy and choir robed at the church and were joined at the rectory by the Bishop of Salisbury (the Rt. Rev. Dr. Ridgeway), and they then proceeded to the site chanting the Litany. There they were met by a procession formed at the station, which, headed by the Blandford Town Band under Band-

master F. Bellows, consisted of a number of ex-Service men in uniform or mufti, the Mayor and Corporation of Blandford in their robes, accompanied by the two mace-bearers. likewise in their official attire, and a number of .the parishioners. Seats were reserved for the relations of the men who had died and for the demobilised men. "The chair was taken by the Rector, and he was supported by General the Earl of Shaftesbury (Lord-Lieutenant of the county), the Countess of Shaftesbury, Sir Basil Thomson, K.C.B., Majors Colfox, M.P. for the division, Dugdale, J.P. (Fifehead Neville), Seymer; Lady Thomson, Mrs. Cooke and Mr. E. J. Cocks (chairman of the Parish Council), Archdeacon Carpenter, the Revs. E. R. Overton (Vicar of Blandford), who acted as Bishop's Chaplain, M. J. W. Morgan (Rector of Yetminster), B. Hill (Rector of Woolland), L. S. Plowman (Rector of Ibberton).

C. H. Gould (Rector of Hammoon), J. Ridley (Rector of Pulham), C. S. Bower (Rector of Childe Okeford), and F. Etheridge (Rector of Okeford Fitzpaine).  The following were the members and officials of the Blandford Corporation present: The Mayor, Alderman J. J. Lamperd; Aldermen S. J. Norman and G. Dyke; Councillors B. Bunce, R. Groves, A. Cherry, T. A. Webb, S. Pond, G. Best, G. E. Gould, and A. H. Foote, W. H. Wilson (Town Clerk), E. G. Coombs (Deputy Town Clerk), H. Shipp (Borough Treasurer), and G. Hunt (Borough Surveyor).

           In his opening remarks the Rector described the Cross and read out the inscription, and also related the circumstances in connection with Lord Northcliffe's competition. He added that they were very much indebted to the sculptors for the way they had carried out their work, and observed that the Cross had a double purpose—to commemorate the patriotism of the parish as evidenced in their record for voluntary recruiting in the first six months of the war, and in memory of those brave men who had given their lives. The majority of those named on the Cross died in Northern France and Belgium, but two of them died in Gallipoli, two in Egypt, one in Mesopotamia, one as a prisoner in the hands of the Turks, one as a result of the operations in Palestine, one went down in the Good Hope off the coast of Chile, and one with the Queen Mary in the battle of Jutland.

The Cross Unveiled.

           "The Countess of Shaftesbury then unveiled the Cross, after which the 'Last Post'  was sounded by two buglers. The Rector next asked the Earl of Shaftesbury to present the gun, mentioning that it was captured in the final drive, and that none of their men were killed or wounded by it.

Presentation of the Gun.

           His Lordship in doing so said upon such a day and upon such an occasion as that they could hardly do otherwise than blend the glorious dead with the living, and the living with the dead. Life, after all, was common to both. That gallant band of heroes, to whom they had unveiled that beautiful memorial, had passed to the future life beyond the grave, whilst those who were left had still the remainder of life's journey before them, although both. had contributed to the proud distinction and record which Shillingstone held. He offered to Dr. Cooke and all his gallant people the warmest congratulations. The country was proud of them, and would always remember the gallant distinction which they had achieved. It was his special privilege as the Lord-Lieutenant of the county to hand over to Shillingstone the gun which had been specially sent to them to mark their distinction and record. He hoped it would always bear witness, not only to the present generation, but to those to come, that in Shillingstone, when the call of the country came, there was no counting the cost; the country's need was sufficient for them.

The Bishop's Address.

           The Bishop of Salisbury, having dedicated the Cross, gave an address. He referred to the beautiful appropriateness of the memorial to the purpose for which it stood. Nothing else, than a Cross could really have put before the people of that place through all time to come the meaning of what that day they had done. It stood to commemorate not merely those who in life offered their service, but those who sealed their service in death. The Countess of Shaftesbury then placed a large laurel wreath at the base of the Cross, and during the proceedings she was presented with a beautiful bouquet of pink carnations and white heather by little Miss Betty Cooke.

Votes of Thanks.

Lord and Lady Shaftesbury, the Bishop, the Mayor and Corporation of Blandford, the Blandford Town Band, who gave their services free, and the representatives of the County and District Council were cordially thanked for their presence, as also were those who by their efforts and gifts had brought the memorial to such a successful issue, on the motion of Major Dugdale seconded by Sir Basil Thomson, the vote being carried with cheers. "The choir, who were accommodated in the school yard, led the singing, the band accompanying. The hymns used were. "All people that on earth do dwell," "Fight the good fight," and "0 God, our help in ages past." The opening prayers were intoned and the responses led by the Rev. M. J. W. Morgan, and the service concluded with the singing of the Doxology and the pronouncement of the Benediction by the Bishop.

"There was a public tea afterwards in the Schoolroom. A collection was taken in aid of St. Dunstan's Home for the Blind and the War Seal Foundation for totally disabled soldiers and sailors."

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