Sunday May 5th, 1918
Dismounted Guard 10:30. Very hot again. Harry Oliver comes up and Bob Prenty – good talk about Shaw and home. Hope we will see him again.
Rallying Cries
After the setback of the Spring Offensive and as we approach the fourth anniversary of the onset of War, the authorities are keen to ensure that morale, at home and abroad, does not waver.
Patriotic Message
Queen Mary has written a note to all the men serving in the armed forces. It is reproduced in full in the Battalion’s diary which also includes General Milne’s reply. It is a carefully worded and stirring message; propaganda at its best. Undoubtedly, both will be read out to the troops.
They remind the men that they are fighting for their families and their homeland – to avoid the fate of the people in countries that have been invaded (remember little Belgium). Their loved ones are proud of them, particularly their bravery, sacrifice and devotion to duty. The home fires are burning, and there are hints of a land fit for heroes upon their return.
Today Frank delights in talking about ‘Shaw and home’ with his friends, the messages should play well to him.
Queen Mary
This is the coronation portrait of Queen Mary whose husband King George V reigned from 1911 until his death in 1936. She was born in England to Anglo-German parents. Her mother was a granddaughter of George III and her father was the Duke of Teck.
Queen Victoria, grandmother to George V, was the last monarch of the Royal House of Hanover. By her marriage to Prince Albert, the Royal House became Saxe-Coburg and Gotha when her son ascended to the throne as Edward VII. It remained this until 1917 when, bowing to public pressure, the Royal House was renamed to the more British-sounding, Windsor.
Several noble households also changed their names at this time, most famously Battenberg which became Mountbatten.
Around the same time, the more humble Dachshound became the ‘sausage dog’ and the Frankfurter the ‘hot dog’…
A Crusade
The ramifications of the Military Service Act continue to dominate the newspapers back home. Certain provisions of the new Act are being rolled back. We know already that the Irish will not face conscription and now attempts to weaken the Tribunal system for appeals are being stymied. A provision of the Act prohibited a petitioner having legal representation. This has been overturned by rebellious MPs, led by former Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith.
Overall however, the authorities support its new recruiting scope. The subject was even debated at the Convocation of the Church of England where it found broad endorsement:
‘In the Upper House of York Convocation yesterday, the Archbishop, dealing with the question of the Military Service Act, said they had always desired that the clergy should be able to render the fullest service to the country of which they were capable.’¹
Another speaker went several steps further:
The Bishop of Carlisle said the war was for truth, justice and righteousness, and he regarded it as a crusade. He felt that there was nothing inconsistent with the highest vocation in becoming a combatant in this war. He regarded our soldiers of every rank engaged as divinely ordained, and if he had been of military age he would have joined as a combatant.’ ¹
Read more about war and religion in this blog.
13th (Service) Battalion War Diary – 5th May 1918 – Saida
Church Services as usual. Special Order of the Day No 327 dated 2-5-18 was published. The following telegram from Her Majesty Queen Mary and the reply thereto of the Commander-in-Chief are republished for information:- Chief Britforce Salonica 71877 29th April. Following from Her Majesty the Queen.
Begins ‘To the men of Our Navy, Army and Air Force, I send this message to tell every man how much the women of the British Empire at home, watch and pray for you during the long hours of these days of stress and endurance. Our pride in you is immeasurable, our hope unbounded, our trust absolute. You are fighting in the cause of righteousness and freedom. Fighting to defend the children and women of our land from the horrors that have overtaken other countries. Fighting for our very existence, as a people at home and across the seas. You are offering your all, you hold back nothing, and day by day you show a love so great that no man can have greater. We, on our part send forth with full health and unfaltering will, the lives we hold most dear. We too are striving in all ways possible to make the war victorious. I know that I am expressing what is felt by thousands of wives and mothers when I say that we are determined to help one another in keeping our homes ready against your glad home coming. In God’s name we bless you and by this help we will do our best. Mary R.’ Troopers London.
MS342, 1st May. Your telegram April 29th 71877, following for Her Majesty the Queen begins, ‘In the name of the Army under my command to whom I have communicated Your Majesty’s gracious message, I desire to convey to Your Majesty and the women of the British Empire our thanks for your prayers, our admiration for your courage and sacrifices and our pride in the confidence you place in us.’ From General Milne, Chief, Salonica.
At the Brigade Sports which were held during the afternoon the Battalion was second in the 100 yds, first in the hurdles, first in the Tug of War, first and second in the high jump, second in the long jump and first in Putting the Weight.
References & Further Reading
¹ Article in The Guardian, May 3rd, 1918, p5