A meeting of ladies was held yesterday afternoon, under the presidency of Mrs Molyneux. The meeting had been called for another purpose, but in consideration of the international crisis, the gathering devoted its attention to ways and means of assisting the Red Cross Society, and the wives and families of the men who have been called to the colours. The following announcement has been handed to us:-

In view of the critical situation, it is proposed to hold a special meeting of all those in Banbury and the neighbourhood interested in the Red Cross work and in the work of the Soldiers and Sailors Families Association, to be held in the Town Hall, Banbury on Tuesday August 11^th at 2.30 pm. (Signed) CAROLINE MOLYNEUX, VALERIE A. NORTH, SALISBURY A. C. ROTHE, MARY PEMBERTON, FREDERICA BEATTIE, FRANCES HOSKYNS, H. BEATTIE (Commandant No. 4 Detachment), N. D. PENROSE (Commandant No. 30 Detachment), SYDNEY J. MAWLE (Assistant County Director).

Banbury Guardian, August 1914

On Thursday it was apparent that a crisis had been reached. Banbury market reflected the condition. Farmers asked for an increase of 5s. for their wheat, and buyers were nervous. As a result but little business was done and no sales were reported officially with the result that the Inspector of Corn Returns has been unable to issue an official average. The other local corn markets of the weekend showed similar conditions and local markets may be said to have been paralysed.

At all the places of worship on Sunday prayers for peace were offered and in many places special reference was made to the crisis. At the Grimsbury Brotherhood a resolution was passed recording the desire of the members to strengthen the strenuous efforts that England was making to limit the area of conflict, maintaining their own peaceful relations with the nations of Europe and preserving their freedom to act for peace as opportunity offered.

Increasing interest was placed in the special telegrams posted at the Banbury Guardian Office. On Sunday and Monday they were awaited and read with anxious interest, especially Sir Edward Grey’s statement in the House of Commons on Monday, while each day since our office has seldom been for more than a short time without a crowd of people anxious for the latest information.

On Monday at midday, the Territorials returned from the camp at Marlow, whither they had gone the previous day with instructions to await mobilisation orders. The Order in Council calling out the Army Reserve and embodying the Territorial Force was issued during Tuesday and the copy posted at the Town Hall became another centre of interest.

The streets on Tuesday presented an exceedingly animated appearance. All day a crowd occupied the streets shopping or awaiting the latest news and distributing it. The ordinary householder had awakened during the weekend to the possibilities of the conflict as regards food supply and there was a general rush to lay in stores. A few prudent housekeepers had, in the latter days of last week, stocked an increase of necessities, but on Tuesday there came a greatly enhanced demand both here and in the country generally.

On Tuesday the provisions were obtained at only slightly increased prices, but by last evening (Wednesday) very many of the articles had, owing to the general demand, increased considerably. People have been buying absurdly and laying in stores for months ahead in some cases, with the result that they have exhausted the stocks and forced up the prices. It seemed the general opinion that a fall would accompany the repletion of stocks and a saner feeling among purchasers.

Yesterday morning the town awoke to the realisation of the most serious development, viz. the declaration of war by Britain against Germany. The local squadron of Yeomanry concentrated in the town at an early hour, and the two companies of the 4^th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry paraded at the Drill Hall. A large crowd collected to see them depart for Oxford, which they did at about eleven o’clock.

On all sides the seriousness of the war is recognised and an excellent spirit is shown. Differences of party are sunk before the national emergency, and it is gratifying to record that in this town and neighbourhood the same unanimity has to be recorded as is shown throughout the Empire as a whole.

Banbury Guardian, August 1914

Banbury was early astir yesterday (Wednesday) morning. Heavy rain fell for some hours and it was still falling at seven o’clock when the Banbury Squadron of Yeomanry began to assemble. From that hour onward, the Drill Hall in Crouch Street presented a busy appearance. Dr Tisdall Johns was busy medically examining the yeoman as they arrived. The Yeomanry will remain in the town at least four days. The Red Lion Hotel has been made the headquarters, and the officers there are Major, the Hon. Eustace Fiennes M.P., Captain Fell, Lieutenant G. Fiennes, Lieutenant Wilfrid Pepper (who motored from Devonshire), and Lieutenant Keith Falconer. Lieutenant Leslie Scott is exempted through illness. The Woodstock Squadron has broken up and the men of that squadron are sent off to Oxford, Henley and Banbury. Major F. Churchill will take over the Banbury Squadron and Major Fiennes will become second in command of the regiment. The horses are coming in well and there are very few men who have not yet reported themselves and most of these are already on their journey and are accounted for. Up to last night 100 officers and men were billeted in the town.

Banbury Guardian, August 1914

The King’s Order in Council embodying the Territorial Force was posted here on Tuesday afternoon. Immediately all ranks of the Yeomanry regiment and Territorial Infantry had to report themselves to their headquarters.

The C and G Companies of the 4^th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry under Captain E. C. Fortescue had left Banbury about ten o’clock on Sunday morning for the annual brigade camp at Great Marlow, where they arrived in the early afternoon. Their stay was, however, to be short. The same evening, news arrived that the brigade, which consisted of the 5^th Gloucesters, 4^th Oxford and Bucks, the Bucks Battalion of the same regiment and the Royal Berks should return to their several headquarters and await the expected order to mobilise. The brigade left camp early on Monday morning, the Banbury companies reaching here at noon. The presence of the men in uniform about the town during the rest of the day and on Tuesday emphasised the character of the time of crisis. On Tuesday morning, Lieut.-Colonel A. Stockton, commanding the battalion, left for the headquarters at Oxford, and during the day orders were issued for the battalion to concentrate there on the following day.

Banbury Guardian, August 1914

The extended Bank Holiday applies, of course to the local banks, and businesses will not be resumed until tomorrow (Friday) morning. The Lord Chancellor ordered the extended holiday to apply to the County Court Office, and this has been closed since Saturday, and will re-open tomorrow.

The local gentlemen appointed under the War Office scheme for the purpose of collecting remounts have been instructed to proceed to collect them, and are requisitioning horses from private individuals in Banbury and the district.

Mr F. J. Wilks received the following telegram from Euston on Monday afternoon:- “Regret cannot now run your excursion to Clacton, August 14^th.” The excursion of the Conservative Club is consequently cancelled.

A patriotic incident occurred at the Grand Theatre on Monday night. The theatre was crowded and at the commencement of the performance, a photograph of the King was placed on the screen. The audience immediately rose and joined in the singing of the National Anthem which was followed by cheers.

Several of the postmen in Banbury and in conjunction with the sub-offices, being Reservists, have left for their respective regiments.

The Borough Police Forces loses two of its members in P.C. Adkins and P.C. Shattock, who are Reservists and have been called to their regiments.

The Banbury Branch of the Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies have called an emergency meeting at the Windmill Adult School on Saturday evening to consider what the members can do in rendering assistance during the war, more particularly with a view to procuring information respecting any cases of distress.

The Great Western Railway Company announce that the issue of tourist, excursion, weekend, market, picnic, and other reduced fare tickets, except workmen’s, is suspended until further notice. Up to late last evening neither of the local stations had been notified of any alteration in, or suspension of, the ordinary passenger train services.

Banbury Guardian, August 1914

Avon Dassett Parish Registers