Lemsford News October 1914

The names of the parishioners and their relations serving in the colours have been posted up in the church porch. Mr Ladbury has kindly written out the names, and Mr John Sear has provided the frame. Of those in the district whose names appear on the list, Harry Adams, Henry Baldock, John Sams, Francis Spriggs and Albert Wallis are at the front. Others may be there by the time this appears in print. George Flitney, whose time on the Reserve was up, has rejoined his old regiment, the Bedfordshires, and the following young men have enlisted: F. Wren, A. Wren, R. Goodge, O . Reynolds, F. Spriggs, P. White, G. Rosher, S. Skeggs, H. Freeman, Sidney Walby, B. Finney and G. Pucknall. It is a pleasure and a pride to know Lemsford man, F. BunnageR.M.L.I. is on HMS Birmingham and another Lemsford man, Leonard Rosher, is on HMS Lance, both of which vessels have greatly distinguished themselves in the North Sea.

Lemsford News December 1914

Three more men have enlisted since our last issue, Albert Wilmot in the Hertfordshire Territorials, George Holton in the Royal Engineers, and Frank Mardle in the Royal Field Artillery. There are now 30 men from Lemsford and Stanborough serving in the Army and Navy, a very good record. Those at the front now are: Harry Adams, 5th Royal Irish Lancers; George Flitney, Bedfordshire Regiment; Francis Spriggs, 12th Lancers; Albert Wallis, R.F.A.; Ernest White, 7th Dragoon Guard. We are glad to say that Harry Baldock is getting on well in the 1st General Hospital at Camberwell. He was one of the ten survivors of the famous L. Battery R.H.A . to which no less than 3 Victoria Crosses have been awarded. The Battery was surprised at Nery, near Compeigne, early in the morning of September 7. The severity of the action may be judged from the fact that out of 218 horses only 16 were left but not a gun was lost to the enemy. We at home can do no better service to our Country than to daily commend our soldiers and sailors to the care of God, and to pray that He would give them victory over their enemies. Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, writing to his brother, who is a clergyman, says: ‘We need your prayers, and it is good to know we get them’. Let us see that our brave defenders get our prayers.