This site has been made to commemorate the centenary of the Machine Gun Corps, whose training camp was established on Belton Park near Grantham in 1915. Find out how involved the Earl and Countess Brownlow were in supporting the troops.
At any one time between 1915 and 1922 there were thousands of men on the camp. The Earl and Countess might have lived elsewhere while the camp was on their land but we wish to show, through the items on this site, that they were committed to supporting the troops and were in residence at Belton much more in the war years than they had been in previous years.
Today, throughout the whole of the district, in stately mansions and in humble cottage homes, the lamented death of the Countess is genuinely and deeply mourned. It is difficult indeed to realise even now the distressing truth that her Ladyship, beloved by all, has passed away…
Unquestionably, the Countess was in the truest and best sense a Grande Dame. No one was more beloved for personal reasons than she. She was the first to be appealed to for support when any great effort of a national, patriotic or charitable nature was being inaugurated, and she was never appealed to in vain.
(Grantham Journal, 24th March 1917)
Which Countess had inspired this eulogy? What wonderful woman had earned the love and respect of not only her peers but also whoever had had contact with her? The answer is Lady Adelaide Chetwynd-Talbot (1844–1917), Countess Brownlow. She and her husband, Adelbert Wellington Brownlow-Cust, 3rd Earl Brownlow (1844 – 1921) were known affectionately as "Addy and Adelaide".
100 years ago the Earl and Countess Brownlow offered their parkland to the Army for the formation of the Machine Gun Corps (MGC). Some 170,500 officers and men served in the MGC; the men were trained to use Vickers machine guns at Belton and sent all over the world to all types of theatres of war. At any one time between 1915 and 1922 there were thousands of men on the camp. The Earl and Countess might have lived elsewhere while the camp was on their land and I was interested to find out how committed they were to supporting the troops and whether they were in residence at Belton more or less in the war years than they had been in previous years.
But Adelbert Wellington Brownlow Cust, 3rd Earl Brownlow, did not put his title before his duty to his country. He was an astute and cultured man; his decisions were based on self-interest certainly but also on his duty to those he felt depended on his benefaction. The public heard of his decision to allow the Army to use his estate as a training camp for the duration of the war in September 1914. Adelbert shrewdly made the offer before his beloved house could be appropriated and subsequently ruined; a fate that was to be suffered by other great houses. He and his wife had done more than any of his predecessors to improve the interior of the house, courageously deciding not to follow High Victorian fashion but to restore and maintain the original character of the house that "Young Sir John" had built in 1688. Offering his grounds meant that the house, on which they had expended such time and resources, would be spared.
PEER'S PARK FOR THE TROOPS
It is announced by the Press Bureau that the 11th (Northern) Division of the new force of 100,000 men will be stationed near Grantham, and that Earl Brownlow has placed the whole of Belton Park at the disposal of the War Office as a camping and training ground for the new troops during the war.
The War Office has gratefully accepted this patriotic offer.
Adelbert had succeeded to the title in 1867 at the young and vigorous age of 23. What changes he must have witnessed by the time he died at the age of 77 in 1921! What compromises he must have made when everyone’s world was turned upside down by the war.
The Earl and the Countess moved in exalted circles, entertaining the rich and famous e.g. Oscar Wilde, Disraeli and the Shah of Persia at their primary residence, Ashridge in Hertfordshire. They hosted literary soirees and were on the fringes of a Set called "The Souls". The group is said to have been named at a dinner party given by the Brownlows in 1888, when Lord Charles Beresford mocked their intensity: "You all sit and talk about each other’s souls – I shall call you the Souls".
Addy and Adelaide lived for much of the year either at Ashridge or at their London town house in Carlton House Terrace and may not have considered Belton to be their primary residence, but during the last three decades of the nineteenth century they devoted much time and money to remodelling Belton House showing that they cared for the house a great deal and felt a duty to ensure that it was maintained.
The following information shows the depth of the Earl’s military experience as well as his civic and royal duties:
Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire since 1867; late of Grenadier Guards; Hon. Colonel South Lincolnshire Militia since 1868; Lieut. –Colonel commanding 2nd Batt. Bedfordshire Regiment, 1893-1901, and Hon. Colonel since 1901; Colonel commanding Home Counties Infantry Volunteer Brigade since 1895; Colonel and Volunteer A.D.C. to the late Queen Victoria, 1897-1901, and to the King since 1901; Hon. Colonel Lincolnshire Imperial Yeomanry since 1891; an Ecclesiastical Commissioner for England since 1972; Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board, 1885-86; Paymaster-General, 1887-89; Under-Secreary of State for War, 1889-92; a Trustee of the National Gallery since 1987.
(Taken from "Lincolnshire at the Opening of the Twentieth Century: Contemporary Biographies" Ed. W. T. Pike, 1907)
There are small engagement diaries for the years 1896, 1897, 1904, 1910, 1911 and 1914. Frustratingly there are no later ones. The 1904 diary was useful to show how much time he spent at each of his properties, as follows:
In August these notes are no longer recorded, but one can suppose that the year carried on in a similar way. It becomes apparent that the Earl and Countess were only present at Belton for approximately one third of the year prior to the First World War.
At the beginning of 1914, the Earl and Countess were engaged in social activities and it is clear that they were absent from Belton for most of the first six months (see Calendar for 1914 in the appendices). Adelaide had been unwell (she suffered from recurring bouts of bronchitis) as is evident from her apology for non-attendance at a Bazaar at Grantham in aid of Missionary Work in the Far East:
They had hoped that Lady Brownlow, who was so very kind to them, would have been there to open the bazaar. She hoped so herself for a while, but at last she was obliged to write and say she had been ordered abroad on account of her health, and she sent a contribution to show her interest and good wishes. (Applause)
(Grantham Journal - Saturday 21 February 1914 Page 2)
Lord and Lady Brownlow had always supported Grantham Hospital and continued to do so throughout the war, donating regular gifts of money as well as other comforts for the patients.
The Calendar for the first half 1915 is in stark contrast to the previous year. In 1914 there are accounts of the Earl and Countess entertaining in London and Ashridge whereas in 1915 there are articles in the Grantham Journal to show that the Earl and Countess were at Belton and fully engaged in activities to support the war effort and the Lincolnshire Regiments.
Among other things, Lord Brownlow, ever mindful of his duty as Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, wrote to Winston Churchill in January with regard to his request that the Admiralty consider Lincolnshire County, City and Ports as names for new warships.
Dear Mr. Churchill… that representations be made to the First Lord and the Board of Admiralty that one or more warships now being built should be named in associations with Lincolnshire, it being a maritime county, with important ports and having sent many of its sons to serve in our Fleets; the names H.M.S.Lincoln, H.M.S.Grimsby, H.M.S Boston, are suggested as suitable to represent the county generally, and it principle ports…
An association at the present time with names of warships would be a lasting memorial of this response to duty, and it would be recognition proudly to be felt by relations and friends of those who are serving our King and country by sea and land.
I have the honour to be,
Yours faithfully,
BROWNLOW
He did receive a response which was a little less than positive:
Dear Lord Brownlow, - I have your letter of 16th, and when the next opportunity comes to choose names for H.M. ships, I will not fail to consider the claims of Lincolnshire.
I should say, however, that experience has shown that there is some risk of inconvenient confusion if ships bear the same names as prominent seaports such as Grimsby. Yours faithfully,
WINSTON S. CHURCHILL.
(Grantham Journal - Saturday January 9th 1915 Page 5)
Both the Earl and the Countess, however, were just as active in their support of the local community. The Journal records on the 13th February that Adelaide arranged a concert and gave comforts to the troops:
The celebrations concluded with an enjoyable concert given in the Regimental Theatre, by the kindness of Countess Brownlow, whose interest in the Battalion had been manifested in a similar manner on previous occasions. There was a crowded house and a most happy time was spent.
(Grantham Journal, 13th February, page 5)
In February, while Addy was away on business, Adelaide formally opened the second YMCA Home at Belton Park and apologised for his absence saying that he had been unavoidably detained in London.
In the presence of a large and influential gathering the Countess Brownlow opened the second Y.M.C.A. Home at Belton Park, on Thursday evening…
In the course of a short and interesting address Countess Brownlow first apologised for the absence of Lord Brownlow, whose intention was to be with them that day, but unexpectedly, he had been detained in London… It gave great comfort and satisfaction in these sad and difficult times to Lord Brownlow and herself to think that, by giving the use of their Park, they were enabled to help in the work of preparing so large a number of men to take a front place in Army of the King. She felt they were, as Nelson said to his captains, "A band of brothers"
(Grantham Journal, 13th February, page 4)
By the end of February Lord Brownlow was back in Belton and attending a meeting in Nottingham to pledge Lincolnshire’s support for "Bantams". Throughout March and April Addy and Adelaide continued to support the troops with gifts of shirts, socks, helmets and other woollen garments and it was with real sadness that the earl and Countess waved goodbye to the troops of the 11th Division as they processed out of Belton Park.
Not a soldier was there who could, or did, complain of lack of social pleasure, and thus it was there grew up an attachment between the troops and the people which made the parting a matter of sincere regret on both sides. Hence, at the time of their leaving the soldiers were cognisant of the fact that they took with them the heartiest wishes of the whole community for their future success, and above all else, a safe return…
On entering the town in Manthorpe road the column passed in full view of Lord and Lady Brownlow, who time after time waved their farewell to officers and men who had fitted themselves for service in Belton Park.
(Grantham Journal, 10th April 1915)
In contrast to the previous year, Lord and Lady Brownlow were present at Belton for the whole of the summer months (except for one short visit to Ashridge, where they no doubt had responsibilities that needed their attention) and there are 23 recorded activities directly related to their support of the war effort. It is worth reflecting on the fact that in 1915 both the Countess and the Earl were now 71 years old and Adelaide was often ill with bronchial illnesses. It must have been a great effort to attend meetings, chair meetings, entertain the troops etc.
The previously tented camp was dismantled during 1915 and a new one constructed, this time consisting of huts. The newly formed Machine Gun Corps (MGC) moved into the camp in October. There appears to have been some secrecy about the MGC, for, as far as I could discover, there are no direct mentions of it in the Grantham Journal in the war years. The camp is described as a “Training Camp” but no details are given.
The schedule of hospitality, entertainment, Red Cross duties continued throughout 1916 with the exception of October (perhaps another visit to Ashridge). Addy and Adelaide spent some time in London sometime after 19th February to attend the Opening of Parliament but were not away for long as on the 4th March Lady Brownlow opened a new C.E.T.S. Hut for the Harrowby troops. It was also reported Countess Adelaide showed kindness to departing soldier:
Lady Brownlow once again showed her sympathetic interest in the soldiers who have been training either at Harrowby or Belton Camp. During the whole of the night, large numbers of troops were leaving for other quarters, and, thanks to her Ladyship, each man was able to take his departure having been refreshed with hot coffee or tea, and a substantial meat pie…
The troops were also the recipient of useful prayer-books, given by Countess Brownlow, while the public, who took a very keen interest in witnessing their departure bestowed on the soldiers liberal gifts of sweetmeats, cigarettes and tobacco.
(Grantham Journal, 18th March 1916)
By the end of March it would appear that Lady Brownlow was once again ill as it is recorded that her husband presented certificates to a number of nurses on her behalf. Addy was also present Harrowby Camp for the Military Cross-Country Race:
At the conclusion of the race, the prizes were presented to the successful runners by Earl Brownlow, who, in handing over his cup to Lieut. Canham, wished the Corps every success and hoped that, by their efforts, the war would soon be brought to a climax. Cheers were subsequently raised for his Lordship, on the initiative of Col. Lascelles, who returned thanks to Lord Brownlow for his kindness in allowing them to not only live in, buy cut up his beautiful park in the way they were doing.
(Grantham Journal, 22nd April 1916)
1916 was Addy and Adelaide’s busiest year of the war – I have found 46 different records of their activities at Belton. A most important date for the Brownlows was 20th July 1916. A notice in The Times announced:
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, July 20. The King, who was accompanied by the Queen, inspected units of the Machine Gun Corps and of the Royal Naval Air Service Training Establishment to-day. Their Majesties honoured the Earl and Countess Brownlow with their presence at luncheon.
(The Times, Court Circular 22nd July 1916)
By December 1916 it is apparent that the Countess has again been struck down with bronchitis:
Lady Maria Welby (who appears to be taking more and more of the roles that had hitherto been fulfilled by Countess Adelaide) said how very sorry she was that Lady Brownlow, who really should have opened the Sale, was unable to be present, owing to a severe bronchial cold.
(Grantham Journal, 16th December 1916)
At a time when she really should have been resting, Adelaide was determined to do her bit for the war effort.
One only has to look at the Calendar for 1917 (see appendices) to see how a double tragedy impacted on Addy. The month of March saw not only the death of his heir, Harry Cust, but also his beloved Adelaide. He struggled on with the most important meetings and responsibilities but by September he left Belton to go the North of Scotland, presumably to grieve and there are no more records relating to him in the Grantham Journal for the rest of the year.
A tribute to Adelaide was reported in the Grantham Journal and is worth reading in its entirety but here is a section of it:
THE LATE LADY BROWNLOW
A Tribute by a Friend
Last week there vanished, quietly, unnoticed almost among world-shaking events, one who combined with most unusual personal beauty and distinction a character of rare nobility and a mind of a high order… Adelaide Countess Brownlow died on March 16th, at her house in Carlton House-terrace…
Arriving at her beautiful homes in Lincolnshire and Hertfordshire she began in 1878 a long life of unceasing usefulness and care for others. Many who knew her only as a hostess in splendid surroundings, her natural beauty and charm enhanced by a perfect setting, never suspected the passionate love of the poor, the burning longing to help the sick and the suffering, which ceaselessly stirred in her heart. But gradually all her poorer neighbours knew it, and knew also that she was not satisfied unless she knew personally every soul in every one of husband’s villages – their characters and peculiarities, their troubles and difficulties…
Then came the war; Belton became one of the great camps of the country, and Lady Brownlow set herself to know personally as many as she could of the 18,000 constantly changing men of the New Army encamped in her husband’s park. The effort was too much for her. Her constant solicitude for all around her, the strain on her vivid imagination and loving heart of the suffering caused by the war told seriously on her health. Besides the constant entertaining of soldiers in her houses and in the camp, as well as in the Grantham streets on their departure for the front, Lady Brownlow, as head of the Red Cross in Lincolnshire, was constantly furthering the work of nurses and of women patrols, in these untiring activities wore herself out.
(The Times 21st March 1917 Appendix 11)
The language and sentiment in this piece may not be to our more modern tastes, but it does give us a good indication of how much Adelaide was admired.
Lord Brownlow’s activities were now very much reduced; it was as if he could not go on without his soul mate. He did continue to give financial support to the Belton Military Hospital and it was reported on 23rd June that he “bestowed Cadet Commissions at the Church Lads’ Brigade” but without any evidence that he was actually present. I cannot find any articles or records to describe what he was doing between September and December 1917. When his wife’s cousin, Louise Talbot, was married at Belton on 18th September 1917 he was unable to attend as he was in the North of Scotland. He received and replied to many messages of condolence but did not take part in any of his usual activities.
One can only assume that he was grieving and wished to be alone and away from Belton.
In January 1918 the Earl was once again in Belton and donated festive greenery for the Westgate Hall Soldiers’ Club New Year Celebrations. He continued to take a lively interest in the welfare of the troops by supporting the YMCA and other agencies that provided comfort for the troops. In June he writes a letter to promote support for the American YMCA- but he did not attend the meeting. At the end of June it is noted to the Earl is one of the patrons of the Old English Fair to support the MGC Prisoners of War Fund, but again did not attend the Fair. It seems probable that had Adelaide still been alive they would have attended and enjoyed the support they were able to offer.
Earlier, in May, Addy did attend a parade:
On Sunday they (i.e.2nd Batt Lincolnshire Volunteer Regiment) then paraded at 8 a.m. and proceeded to the Peasecliffe Rifle Range, the march past being witnessed by the Lord Lieutenant of the County (Earl Brownlow)…
(Grantham Journal Saturday 25th May 1918 Appendix 12)
He also continued to take an interest in the people of the community; he sent a congratulatory gift and message to Mrs. Bolt, a widow, in October on her 100th birthday. She had lived at Belton for many years and Addy remembered how Adelaide had visited her often and was interested in her welfare.
It has to be stated, however, that although the Earl took his responsibilities as Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire very seriously, his stamina seemed to be diminishing. Adelaide’s love and support was no longer there; I could find only 14 records of any war related activity – and most of those were from a distance rather than in person. In 1916 I had found 47 activities, many of which were personal appearances of either the Earl or the Countess, and often, both.
As one would expect the Calendar for 1919 (See Appendix 3) represents a much lighter tone. There were parties for the returning soldiers, badges for CETS huts workers who had completed specified hours, medal ceremonies for the MGC, medals presented to police officers, entertainments for demobilised soldiers and a county wide meeting to plan the triumphal return of soldiers from overseas. The Earl took an active role in all of these.
He showed his concern for returning soldiers by supporting them in practical ways e.g. he provided accommodation for a returning hero:
Owing to the kindness of Lord Brownlow, he was comfortably situated so far as a home was concerned.
(Grantham Journal Saturday 14th June 1919 Appendix 13)
Having gathered all this evidence it is apparent that Addy and Adelaide did their utmost during the war to support their local community and the war effort – there is no disputing the fact that they did spend much more time at Belton during the war years than they had previously.
It is not surprising to know that they felt it their duty to support those who depended on them. They were already known for their patronage, as is evident from this section of an article by Geoff Spencer written for the "Friends of Ashridge" website:
It was the period of great landlords, many of whom took their paternal and social responsibilities very seriously. The Brownlows did a great deal of disinterested and enlightened work and although today it would no doubt appear very presumptuous, kept a watchful eye on both the physical and moral wellbeing of their tenants.
They built new houses and cottages, and provided the village with a church and schoolroom and houses for the Rector and Schoolmaster. They were active in promoting or supporting various village organisations, such as the Clothing Club, Bedding Club and Girls Friendly Society and attended various village functions, sometimes with “suitable and appropriate gifts of clothing and blankets”. Older members of the village remember that everyone who lived in a Brownlow cottage received a joint of beef at Christmas. A Hearse was kept at Ashridge House for use of anyone who had a death in the family.
The Brownlow Estate’ researched and written by Geoff Spencer
www.friendsofashridge.org.uk
Adelaide’s heart especially may have been with Ashridge but both she and Addy were aware of the necessity of being in Lincolnshire at this dreadful time. The Earl had an important and influential role as Lord Lieutenant and the Countess was active in the Red Cross, supporting nurses and ensuring that the troops were as comfortable as they could be at this time. In order to fulfil these functions they had to be at Belton for prolonged periods.
Now that the deadly situation of the war was over, Addy could return to the sort of life that he had led before 1914 – or could he? His partner was no longer with him and, as we have already seen, they had always supported each other. He was now an elderly man and he was aware that society was changing.
Not only Belton but all country houses faced a crisis in the twentieth century. For hundreds of years the power in Britain had belonged to the landowners and their huge country houses were the expression of that power. Their size and acreage had brought local prestige – the overwhelmingly positive articles in the Grantham Journal bear witness to the fact that the Brownlows were held in the highest regard in the local community and that local people depended upon them for patronage and employment. With this local authority came national power in Parliament.
Following the First World War landowners were forced to accept a reduced position. Genuine democracy was introduced in the form of county councils which were taking the place of magistrates and with a truly representative Parliament, the power of the landowners was eclipsed. Acreage was no longer the way to political influence and had become more of a liability than an advantage.
It is interesting to note that Addy was aware of the situation and it is recorded in the journal that he began to sell off land:
LORD BROWLOW’S BEDFORDSHIRE ESTATE: Estate – of 37 lots of Lord Brownlow’s Totternhoe estate, Bedfordshire, comprising 1,633 acres of agricultural land, 30 were sold by auction on Thursday for over £26,000.
(Grantham Journal, Saturday 17th August 1916 Page 8)
Four years later he sold another estate:
SHROPSHIRE ESTATE SOLD
FOR £190,000
LORD BROWNLOW AND HIS TENANTS
The sale by auction of Lord Brownlow’s Bridgewater estate in Shropshire was concluded ay Whitchurch yesterday. The property, which cover 4,000 acres realise £190,000. Many of the tenants acquired their farms by private treaty.
During yesterday’s sale Mr. William Nunnerley thanked Lord Brownlow on behalf of the tenants for granting them the privilege of buying their farms. He added that having been born on the estate he had wished to remain until the end of his days as the tenant of a good landlord. Times had changed sadly when the necessity of good old English estates had to be broken up.
(Grantham Journal, Saturday, 13th February 1920 Page 4 Appendix 14)
Only a year later, Lord Brownlow died. He made it known through the terms of his will that Belton Estate in Lincolnshire was to be kept. However, to meet death duties the Ashridge Estate was to be sold. So between 1923 and 1928 the whole of the estate was sold at various public auctions. The land, houses and cottages that belonged to the Ashridge estate were sold to a variety of people. An era had come to a close – it was the end of benign benevolence, the end of the landowner’s power over the local residents. It was not, though, the end for Belton House and perhaps because Addy and Adelaide had cared for it so much it is now enjoyed by so many people every year.
Grantham Journal 1914 – 1919
The Times 1914 -1919
Pike, W. T. (ED) - (1907) - Lincolnshire at the Opening of the Twentieth Century: Contemporary Biographies - Sleaford Library
Bailey, C. (2012) - The Secret Rooms - Penguin UK
Material held at Lincolnshire Archive:
Websites:
www.friendsofashridge.org.uk/wordpress/around-the-estate/the-brownlow-estate
The Brownlow Estate’ researched and written by Geoff Spencer
Accessed: 11th October 2014
Some mother’s son lies in a field
Someone has killed some mother’s son today
Head blown up by some soldier’s gun
While all the mothers stand and wait
Some mother’s son ain’t coming home today
Some mother’s son ain’t got no grave.
These are the words of the song by Ray Davies. The song captures the pain and suffering felt by all mothers when their sons march off to war. I have always found it difficult to understand how mothers endured the pain of seeing their sons leave to fight at the front during the First World War.
I was interested to find an example of one such mother and her son and so was delighted when I was given the opportunity to read the diary of William Alfred Bulstrode held at the Imperial War Museum.
Happily, it turned out that Mary Bulstrode was one of the lucky ones – her son came home. Mary supported her son in every way that she could – writing letters, sending parcels and ensuring that his demobilisation papers were completed so that he had employment to which he could return – but her wait to welcome him home must have been difficult, especially as she had just lost her husband. The following pages describe how Mary’s son, William, got through the last two years of the First World War and in particular, his time at Belton Camp in the Machine Gun Corps.
William kept meticulous notes at the back of his diary to show, among other things, that he kept in touch with his mother and sister during 1918 and 1919 while he was at Belton Camp and also on his long march across France and Germany.
Pages from William’s diary have been transcribed, starting with his journey from his home in Southampton to Grantham in August 1918 up to Saturday November 23rd 1918. It is not known how or why he came to be in Machine Gun Corps but we can surmise that he had been sent home on sick leave in 1918 and from there joined the Corps at Belton.
His description of the weeks he spent at Belton show a picture of life in the Camp at that time. The men’s’ days were full ones. He goes into some detail about the lectures and training that they had. Unfortunately, he never tells us how he was feeling – only the facts! He never mentions his time in the trenches but does touch on the fact that he has recurring bouts of trench fever. "Report Sick (Effect of Trench Fever retd)" He had a spell in the hospital with one of these ("9.0 am Reported Sick Handed in Kit. Admitted into Grantham Military Hospital, Belton Park Examined Went into Ward No. 5 Got Blues etc.") but does not complain at all, he even makes himself useful by doing light duties while on sick leave. ("Breakfast Cleaning up ward, cleaning up Officers’ Room M.O. came round ")
He went to the Camp Cinema often but only once tells us what he saw – "Went to see pictures at Camp Cinema 6.15 pm (Saw "Rasputin" in 6 parts)" The men often played or watched sport and they also took part in route marches – good training for what was to come!
Full Pack for Route March Left Battn Pde Gnd – Brigade Gate – around Park to Park Gates – Belton Lane – thro’ Grantham via Manthorpe Rd, Castlegate, past Guildhall, down High St, Watergate, Chapel St – Manthorpe Rd – to Manthorpe – to Belton – thro’ Park to Camp Arr 12.15pm (8 mls)
He must have been a committed Christian, as he attended not only the Church Parades that were mandatory but also services such as Evensong in Grantham through his own choice. He also listed each Sunday with its Christian title e.g. 3rd Sunday in Advent and made a point of naming each Holy Day such as All Souls etc. He was often in the YMCA huts, and the CETS Hut.
William was sent home on leave to Southampton at the beginning of November 1918. Although he never describes his feelings he does list the times that he went for walks with his mother, Eva and Charley. These walks must have been soothing after the times he had experienced over the previous two years. He visited "Dear Dad’s Grave" – perhaps the first time he had been able to mark his father’s death.
William returned to Belton and completed his training. On Thursday, November 7th he left Belton for Camiers in France arriving on November 9th. During the First World War the flat lands of Camiers were the site of the huge base depôt of the British army in France. It is usually known nowadays as Étaples camp. Through most of the war, close to it and part of the same complex, Camiers camp was the base depôt, in France, of the Machine Gun Corps; its home base depôt being Belton Park, near Grantham.
Two days later and in his usual low key way, he describes the announcement of the Armistice:
It is worth noting that from the 13th November 1918 to 21st December 1918 William marched continuously for thirty-eight days from Camiers in North West France to Duren, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, capital of Düren district in Germany. This was approximately 377 km in total.
As they marched, William had two teeth pulled out, got admonished for being late on parade, chatted to local French civilians, noticed the devastation of villages they passed and saw the old trench systems. Each night they were billeted in different places and he notes that these included: "civy" houses, house garrets, a school room, a large isolated barn, a barn near a brewery, a barn loft, an empty house and one night he was on guard for the entire night.
He states, proudly, that on 12th December 1918 they marched with fixed bayonets to the German frontier. They crossed the frontier with the band playing and a general salute to the Divisional Commander. Although the war was over, army discipline continued – William got 2 extra guard duties for having a dirty rifle.
While in Germany, William did have the opportunity to do some sightseeing e.g. 6th January 1919 he had a full day in Cologne. All through January he attended many lectures which included such diverse subjects as "Napoleon "and "Women in Industry".
He filled in his de-mob papers as soon as he was able to do so (24th December 1918) and relied upon his mother to communicate with his previous employer to secure his job when he returned. The last, relieved, note in his pocket book reads:
15/12/1918: wrote to Mr Orme LSWRly* re demobilisation
Mother received reply about 18/01/1919 stating "demobilisation form filled up" so occupation left open for me when demobilised
(*London and South Western Railway)
William never notes anywhere that he wrote to his mother but he was able to send and receive parcels to and from her and his sister and kept a note of all of them, as well as his expenses in his pocket book/diary. Although we have no record of mother and son corresponding, I believe they must have done so as William got news that his mother had received his completed demobilisation papers. It is my belief that William and his mother corresponded regularly and in such as natural way as to not warrant notes in his diary.
William’s diary ends abruptly on 18th February 1919 with an entry about a football match between RAMC and RFC (RAMC won 2.1). He does not tell us how nor when but this mother’s son returned to his home. Some intriguing questions remain, however. There is no record of William ever having married and he died in 1977 at the age of 79. The death certificate shows that he died on 18/09/1977 at Knowle Hospital, Wickham, about 10 miles from Southampton and lists his occupation as a retired Shipping Clerk with British Rail. It was Cosmo, his nephew who registered his death which indicates that he had no children of his own.
Had his time in the trenches affected the rest of his life? Why did he never marry? And who was the mysterious Mademoiselle Marie Rolland to whom he sent numerous postcards, all listed in his notebook. He sent four views of Grantham from Belton so he must have known her before he joined the MGC. At the end of 1918 and the beginning of 1919 he was sending postcards at a rate of two or three every other day! This appears to be the actions of a young man in love. Was this a failed love affair and the reason he never married? We may never know the answers to these questions but, thanks to his diary, we do have a better picture of life at Belton Camp for the members of the MGC.