East Cleveland Image Archive

This image which came to the Archive (having been found under another framed photograph) and was believed to be a muster for World War I; but it is now known to be the Carlin How detachment of the Skelton ”G” Company of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. The Archive has now had confirmation of these details following receipt of a titled postcard image of the same event: ‘Detachment of the Skelton “G” Company, 1st Volunteer Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment”. Their uniform then was Red Jacket, Blue Trousers and White Collar, Cuffs and Webbing. Bill Danby advises: ”In 1908 Richard Burden Haldane, the Secretary of State for War, re-organised the Volunteers nation-wide into the Territorial Force and they became attached to their local regular Army Regiments with the same uniform etc. The Volunteers in this area became the 4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. The young man on the left with the bicycle is a mystery (see Bill’s note later), likely to be the son from some local well-to-do family, superior education and in a profession, while the lads would be down ”Duck” and Loftus Mines and on the Works etc. The rifles are the Magazine Lee Enfield Mk I, which were slowly replaced during the War with a shorter version with a faster loading method, but still with a bolt that the soldier had to manipulate to load the next round. The Volunteers had no obligation to serve abroad and I doubt whether these lads went further than their Annual two-week Camps which were usually held in the Summer at a seaside place. The 4th Battalion lads used to receive £1 for going and used up their holiday from work. When the War came they all re-enlisted to a man to serve abroad. It is likely that some of those on the photograph were still serving and went off to the Front. What a pity we do not know their names. It could have been some time after 1908 when new uniforms were issued, so early 1900s is about as close a date as I can suggest.” The Archive is now trying to find as Bill Danby suggests: ”When Mr T W Wood left off pulling pints.” Further information on this image would be most welcome. Bill further advises the Archive: ”You would think in a small village location that they were all local men, so it seems there is much that is not known about how local volunteers were organised into different roles. The bright uniforms had long been seen as a liability in warfare and when the khaki service dress and webbing of the First War was issued to local volunteers is not known, interestingly the two cyclists wear the wrap round putees that came into general use and the other lads have what looks like leather gaiters.” Researches have now discovered that Thomas W Wood was at the Maynard Arms from 1886, recorded in the 1891, 1901 and 1911 Census at the Maynard Arms; his death is recorded as being in 1912. Mrs Alwyn Wood tells us: “My husband’s grandfather was William Wood and owned the Maynard Arms. His father Harry Wood grew up there”.

Can anybody assist?
Image courtesy of Dan Holme, information courtesy of Bill Danby and thanks to Mrs Alwyn Wood for the update.