MOTG_OP_Brochure_2018-01-19_V1_Proof

Leaving Oswestry
On the morning of 7 September 1914, 162 recruits gathered in
Cae Glas Park. They were joined by wives and girlfriends, friends
and relations, as well as people from the town who had turned
out in force. The men were dressed in their ‘civvy’ clothes as
uniforms had not yet been issued. To pass the time they sang
songs, a favourite being ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’. At midday
Colour Sergeant Evans called the men to order and they formed
up in ranks. The Town Mayor, Charles Williams, accompanied
by Lord and Lady Harlech and Mrs Montgomery, standing in
for her husband Major General Montgomery, as well as a party
of councillors and dignitaries, stepped to the front. Speeches
followed.
The Mayor spoke first and said how no other town could raise so
fine a set of men. He went on to say how “several of you I have
known all your lives, amongst you men from all classes not only
working men but some of you out of the banks”. He added that they
were fighting for King and Country – the very existence of which
was at stake and spoke of how he, the Town and the Kingdom
were so proud of the men. He said that Oswestry would keenly
follow their exploits and everybody who is left behind would be
thinking of them. He bid them God’s speed and hoped for their
safe return.
discipline was the machinery of the army and if that is observed
they would get on ‘first rate and carry out your duty as we wish
you to’. He spoke of how the British Army was so admired and
ended by saying ‘May you Oswestry men follow their noble example.
I am quite sure you will. And may you return at the end of the war
covered in honour and glory. I bid you farewell’.
The speeches over, the men marched though the town to catch
the 13.20 train to Shrewsbury. The Town Band lead the way
through the streets lined with crowds cheering and flag waving.
At the station the men quickly boarded the train. The crowd kept
up the excitement but for some tears were shed as they said their
goodbyes. The train was adorned in Union Jacks and as the train
pulled away detonators were left off, heard above the music of
the band. The men waved from the carriage windows until the
train was out of sight. Along the route, well wishers waved to them
from the trackside.
Almost all of the men from this first group would go into 6
Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. The next week, on 14
September, a second contingency would leave. Most of these
men would be posted to 7 Battalion KSLI. They too had a civic
send off but under less grander circumstances.
Lord Harlech then spoke, focussing on their military duty; asking
that they are ‘implicitly obedient to those over you’; that strict
| The Oswestry Pals 11