On July 26th, 1914, the 6th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s Regt. went into
camp near the little village of Marske for its annual training, and it
was amid the peaceful moorlands of the Yorkshire coast that it heard
the first rumblings of the storm to come. When the camp was suddenly
broken up and the companies returned home on the fateful first Monday
of August, there was a general feeling of tense expectation. They had
not long to wait. At 6 p.m. the following day (Tuesday, August 4th),
the orders for mobilization were issued from Skipton Drill Hall, and
the Skipton men at once began to stream in. The outlying companies
arrived during the night, and at noon next day the complete battalion,
with a heterogeneous transport commandeered from willing neighbours,
entrained for Immingham Dock under the command of Lieut.-Col. John
Birkbeck, of Settle. The rapidity with which the change from peace
to war conditions was effected is abundant testimony to the keenness
of all ranks and to the practical character of the Territorial
organization; but the chief credit of the successful move must be
given to the sleepless labours of the three South African veterans,
Capt. Sidney Marriner (Adjutant), Lieut. John Churchman, D.C.M.
(Quartermaster), and Regimental Sergt.-Major Buckley.