Old Ledbury - World War One in Ledbury

World War One in Ledbury

THE SERVICE OF INTERCESSION AT LEDBURY CHURCH

OUR DUTY ONE TO ANOTHER

At the Ledbury Parish Church on Sunday afternoon a service of intercession was held on behalf of our naval and military forces who have gone forth to war. The service was at 3 o'clock, and the local members of the National Reserve assembles at the Drill Hall at 2.30 pm. Col.Sergt F W JUCKES was in command and the detachment numbered about forty. They were joined by the members of the Ledbury Church lads Brigade, who were in charge of major G PAUL, Capt C E BAKER, Capt E W REEAD and Lieut E HAMBLIN. The members of the Cadet corps under Sergt. MOSS were also present, together with the Putley Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster COLLINGHAM. The Ledbury Band ( under the conductorship of Mr C JESSETT ) headed the procession and the march to the church was witnessed by a large number of people.

There was a very large congregation at the church, the accommodation of which was taxed to its utmost capacity. The service was taken by the Rev F CARNEY and was of a most impressive nature. Never were hymns so heartily song as on this occasion. They included " O God our Help is Ages Past " and " Eternal Father, Strong to save. " The Psalm " God is our hope and strength " was also sung to a new chant by TURNER. Mr F HOBRO presided at the organ.

In the course of the eloquent and inspiring service, the Rector said " We have met here, in the old church this afternoon in a great crisis in the history of our nation, and indeed of the world to ask God to bless and protect our soldiers and sailors, who have gone forth to war. As our Ledbury men left the town last Wednesday, and as we bade them God speed, a feeling of pride, not unmixed by any means with anxiety and sadness came over us. We felt a just pride what our little town and neighbourhood was sending its quota to do its best for King and country. We felt an intense sadness at the thought that some of them might never see their old parish again. May God be with them till we meet again. I grieve that I was unable to arrange a short service for our Territorials in the Parish Church before they left on Wednesday last. There, could have been no better place in which to wish them God speed, than in the Parish Church, but the time was too short. They were called to the colours so suddenly and at such short notice that there was literally no time in which to arrange anything. But the next best thing we can do is continually pray for them now that they have gone, and I should like you to know that I am arranging to hold, as long as the war lasts, a celebration of the Holy Communion at 8a.m. every Wednesday and Friday, at the morning service on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 a.m., and on Saturday evenings at 5.30 p.m., special intercessions will be offered up for those who are at the seat of the war. The services will be commenced next Wednesday, and I hope that as many as possible will regard it as a loving sacred duty to attend some at least, of those services, we can help those who have gone to the front in no better way than by praying for them." Proceeding, the Rector said " Our soldiers and sailors have to fight against the enemy. You and I have to fight against anything like panic, mere selfishness and looking only after ourselves and interests. As a rule we are all apt to like a somewhat careless, self- indulgent kind of life, with little or no self-denial in it. But all that should now cease. Life must be taken very seriously. A nation engaged as we are in a life and death struggle for existence, cannot possibly afford to be absorbed in mere frivolities and pleasure, and we cannot afford to grumble at any little hardship or privations we may be called upon to bear. To be ready to bear and suffer at this time is the part that we should be ready to fulfil. For instead, it would be the height of selfishness if those who are able to do so ( financially ) were to hoard in quantities of supplies for themselves while others are only able to buy from day to day from hand to mouth. The natural result of such unpatriotic conduct would be to artificially raise the price of food for the poorer classes, and thus, bring on them quite unnecessary anxiety and perhaps even want. We share it on the highest authority that there is no need for panic with regard to food stuffs in the country. Our rulers assure us that with regard to the nation's food supply they can see nothing in the future to cause anyone alarm, and in the face of such testimony it is ''' to give hysterical orders for food, or to hoard or keep back gold, when we are told that it is gold the Government needs and that £1 note or £1 worth of silver is as good for us as £1 gold. Such would be the conduct of only selfish, unpatriotic persons. And of this I feel sure, that if as the war goes on, the pinch of high prices should be felt by our poorer neighbours in this place, a movement will at once be inaugurated by representative men in the town, and everything will be done that is possible to alleviate real distress caused by the war. In saying this, I merely speak for myself, and with no authority for anyone but I feel sure that if the necessity arises those who are in the position to do so will at once rise to the occasion. Meanwhile we shall watch events. May I say one word to the women of Ledbury. It is proposed to form a working party in the town for providing necessaries for our naval and military forces engaged in this war. Anyone who is interested and would be willing to help with either time or money is asked to attend a special meeting at the Church room on Thursday next at 6 o'clock when all arrangements will be discussed and organised, and put upon a businesslike basis, in order to prevent overlapping. I feel quite sure that the women of Ledbury will be more than glad to have the opportunity of doing something for our soldiers and sailors at this time."

At the close of the service the National Anthem was sung. The procession then re-formed and marches to the Town hall, and disbanded after the band had played the National Anthem.

Source

15 08 1914 Ledbury Guardian Newspaper - Herefordshire History

Ledbury Reporter

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