Britain - Aug 1914 General Mobilization

The following are excerpts from the journal. They record the events when my grandfather was activated after the General Mobilization was issued.          The Great Promise


August 4th
“General Mobilization”, will it be declared? This was the
thought with me all day, after my dear wife first gave me the
news. But then I could not believe it, until we walked to
the post office and saw the official declaration. Then I knew I
would have to leave my home and dear ones — for “Where”,
that was my one great thought. Until then I never realized
what it all meant.
With the conflicting thoughts of my dear ones, along with fascination
that I was going to participate in a “real scrap”, my
mind was in a real whirl, and was so until I left home the next
day for Newcastle on the Tyne. And then — “Where?”
On August 5th I was to report for duty, so my wife and dear
baby daughter walked with me to the train station where I
was to catch the train to Newcastle


August 5th
I did not dwell on the thoughts of leaving my dear little wife,
my mother, and baby — the journey up north was one of
enthusiasm, for the train was packed with reservists, rejoining
the Colours, as I. All seemed absolutely mad to go and obliterate
Germany!
Fred continued reading his journal entries, recalling the events
that took place upon arriving at Newcastle. How distressing it
was when he had been initially assigned to the 39th Battery.

August 6–7th
Upon arriving I had to draw a kit from supply and then on to
the doctor in order to pass my physical. Upon doing so, I was
detailed to join the 39th Battery, assigned to Surplus Details,
as acting Quarter Master Sergeant at Borden Camp. I was
very disappointed, for this meant that I should not go to the
front yet.
Later I was informed that I would be part of the nucleus of
a Reserve Brigade that was being formed at Shorncliffe. I arrived
at Borden and ran into my old commanding officer who
seemed to feel great satisfaction in seeing me.
I immediately volunteered for active service but had a little
trouble getting past the red tape, until seeking help from
Brigadier Clark. It wasn’t long after that I was assigned to the
First Corps, 43rd Brigade, First Division at Deepcut. I was to

report for duty on the 14th of August. After reporting in, I was
so glad to meet a couple of chums that were also assigned to
the 40th Battery RFA.


We embarked at Southampton on the SS City of Chester. It
was an uneventful trip over the channel to where we disembarked
the next morning at Boulogne, France. I knew well that
I was in France, from the grand reception we received.
The Great Promise