Derbyshire Times 29 August 1914
DERBYSHIRE TERRIERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)
6th Sherwood Foresters, Harpenden
I have just obtained permission to forward weekly a few notes on the Battalion's doings. It is too late this week to go into great detail, therefore I can only say that I shall endeavour to give your readers a fair account of how the Derbyshire lads are taking to their new life.
HEALTH OF THE MEN
The health of the Battalion is all that can be desired, only a few minor cases of sore feet being the complaint. Eagerness is displayed by the whole Battalion to ? themselves in their duties and the majority are as fit as fiddles and as light-hearted as sand boys.
NO LATE NIGHTS
Everyone has to report himself before 10 p.m. whilst here. The public houses are closed to the troops at 9.30 p.m.
and no one, whatever his rank, can obtain intoxicating liquor before 1 p.m. By this you will see the Battalion is being kept sober and fit for duty. The day is divided as follows: – Reveille at 5 a.m., first parade at 6 a.m., and is for physical exercises, running and extension drill. This gives the men a keen appetite for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. The second parade is at 8.30 a.m. and lasts until 1.p.m. Dinner shortly after and the third parade is from 3.30 until 5.30 p.m.
THE FOOD
The following is laid down as food per man: – 1lb of bread or biscuits, 1lb of meat (fresh or pressed) 5-16th oz of tea, ½oz of coffee, ¼lb of jam, 2oz of sugar, ½oz of salt, 1-36th oz of pepper, ½lb of vegetables, 1-6th lb of bacon, 1-6th lb of butter, 1-8th part of a tin of milk. By this you will see that they are well looked after. I can assure you this is the regulation allowance and that the Battalion get it thanks to our energetic Quartermaster and his staff.
COMFORTS FOR THE MEN
Further comforts the men get in the shape of boots, cardigans, jackets, socks and sleeping bags are being issued.
BILLETING
The Battalion is billeted in private houses
and the residents of this place are kindness itself, and this remark applies to other places where we stayed. Ripley, Derby and Luton gave us a ripping time, and the 6th Battalion will not forget them in a hurry. Everyone speaks well of the send-off Chesterfield gave us and "A" Company are loud in their thanks to the Alderman who has insured the Company.
A MESSAGE TO FRIENDS
To our friends at home in the towns and villages of Derbyshire we through the medium of your columns, desire to say that we are a happy and contented band and ask them to keep smiling as we are out to do anything that is asked of us honourably, frankly and boldly, conscious that our cause is just.
INSPECTION
The Battalion was inspected on Wednesday by General Sir Ian Hamilton and was favourably complemented. His remarks to the Colonel were "A fine Battalion"
Every department is up-to-date and in fine working order
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