Preface
Edward Henry Lisle Reeve (1858 - 1936) was Rector of Stondon Massey in Essex from 1893 until 1935. In his spare time he researched and wrote what is regarded as a “model parish-history”. Three books were published between 1900 and 1914.
Reeve went on to record local events through to 1929. He provides a fascinating and unique insight to the First World War (1914 – 18) writing as events unfolded. These extracts relate to Ongar and the High Country area.
8th October 1914
The German fleet is still inactive. Thus the thought of the present invasion of our shores is more remote than was the case at the opening of the War. But London is darkened by order after sunset in the present month, in view of the possible advent of a Fleet of German air-ships – the Zeppelins – which, if they could trace the position of the chief streets and principal buildings, would doubtless drop destructive bombs upon them as they did recently in the towns of France and Belgium.
Parties of recruits, lately sworn, may be seen taking trains at Ongar for London and some appointed training station.
Artillery and Engineer Officers have been busily surveying the district during the past three weeks with the purpose, I believe, of deciding on the best method of obstructing a possible raid on London. An outer line of defence appears to run through Ongar, Stondon and Doddinghurst: and my little field has received attention. Field guns I think would, on necessity, be brought here, and would range eastward in the direction of Chelmsford. I approached a number of officers and politely enquired whether they were about to make entrenchments. “Not at present” was their reply.
10th November 1914
Since writing the foregoing events in the Parish and District have developed. It appears to have been decided to carry out thoroughly the work of preparing this, the third, line of defence from the Essex coast for London. It would hardly be too much to say that Stondon is becoming honeycombed with trenches, and the Church, owing to its being set upon a hill, is a prominent centre. The slopes declining from the Hall to the brook contain a network of passages, giving shelter to riflemen who will give, if necessary, a stern reception to the enemy coming down the opposite hill from Paslow Common. Flanking trenches face toward the Rectory, while others are taken southward along the course of the brook to the village. In adjacent parishes the same work is observable. On the slopes of High Ongar, and on the confines of Blackmore and Doddinghurst towards Swallows Cross bodies of men are busily engaged.
The principle adopted for these defences is to establish certain strong positions at intervals. The enemy is assumed to have penetrated through the Chelmsford and Writtle defences (the 2nd line) and to be coming from Nine Ashes and Paslow Common. It would be the objective of our Generals to induce him to press on to London through Stondon, when the trap prepared would be sprung upon him.
These “strong positions” are intended to be held at all costs. The position at Stondon would be held by a force of from 800 to 1000 men.
A vast importation of London navvies, chiefly the employees of great breweries and other large firms has been made: and the work in digging has been attacked and largely carried out under military direction, supplemented by a party of Civil Engineers. Some 600 of these navvies arrived on the morning of November 2nd, some by railway to Ongar, and some by road in motor omnibuses. The plan being somewhat unexpectedly adopted, little or no preparation had been made in the locality for the reception of the men. Some 400 were to commence work at once in Stondon. In the event, at the cost of considerable discomfort, the first few days were successfully surmounted and then tents were erected here and there for the accommodation of the men, or they contrived to find themselves temporary billets. A canteen was put up at Brook’s and Cannons Farm, which to some degree supplied the place of shops. This was afterward moved to a centre at Hooks End, Blackmore. The appearance of a canteen was hailed with delight by the villagers, publican, and all: for it was becoming a real difficulty to know how to meet the wants of the invaders.
Preparations have been made at Ongar for the reception of any wounded men. Red Cross parties have been formed, and a considerable body of ladies specially trained in “first aid” knowledge and the art of sick nursing. The Budworth Hall has been fitted up for the purpose, and beds arranged for the accommodation of thirty men. The first arrivals have now made their appearance. Twenty Belgian wounded have been drafted to Ongar, and placed under the care of local surgeons.
No doubt when they are convalescent they will be succeeded by others, the fierce fighting in progress around Lille and Ypres adding every day to the number of loss in combat. Up to the present we have heard no air vessel arriving.
28th January 1915
When travelling by train to London from Ongar on Jan 25th I had for a fellow passenger for part of the way a Lancashire man who had returned wounded and frost-bitten from the front, and was now sufficiently convalescent to be going for a short spell to his native county before returning to France.
His first-hand report of the conditions of things abroad was very interesting. He had often been for days together standing in water in the trenches, and the plight of the soldiers in the cold, wet, and filth was, he said indescribable. The Germans were in as bad or worse plight. During an interval on Christmas-day some of the enemy had approached our trenches and joined in conversation with our men. One German soldier had given his cigarettes and offered him brandy.
In reply to the German invitation to drink with him the British soldier declined, until by way of assuring him took a pull himself at the flask he was offering! Lancashire shyness was then overcome, and the soldier accepted a draught of the “Cognac” for such it proved to be. The time was soon over for these pleasantries, and the two dropped back again into their several positions, having apparently no special desire to kill one another, save at the call of duty! I wished my fellow passenger a safe return to England at the close of war.
22nd April 1915
A Battalion of the Berkshire Regiment marched into the district on Monday April 12th, some of the men being billeted at Marden Ash and Chipping Ongar, some at Kelvedon Hatch and Blackmore, and about 60 at Stondon.
During the day they have been employed in continuing the making of the trenches and there have been special night assemblies with a view of accustoming to men in making a trench at night, in the dark and as silently as possible.
On Friday night, April 16th, a little after midnight, I, in common with others in the Parish, heard the sound of distant bombs, and at once attributed it to the work of German “Zeppelins” or air-ships.
In several nights subsequently the military were on duty throughout the dark hours, barricading important positions on the roads, and calling passers by, in carts or motor-cars, to halt and give a satisfactory account of themselves.
The belief was that the course of the Zeppelins was directed by strong lights on the roads below, handled by aliens or by unworthy payees of Germany, acting as the enemy’s scouts and informers. Rigorous rules as to lights are again put into force.
8th September 1915
During August a body of some 150 officers selected out of many different Regiments came to Ongar and the neighbourhood. These officers were billeted in the town and in houses round about.
At the Rectory we were asked to accommodate Lieut. Waldo Littlewood and his wife who has come to join her husband during his fortnight’s training.
On the 15th August a complete Register was compiled of all persons in the country between the ages of 15 and 65, the object of the Government being to ascertain the number of men of military age should an emergency render a call upon them necessary: and to discover any who might be able to render assistance by expert knowledge in the making of ammunition or army clothing. It was understood that, as far as possible, women would be employed to take the place of men who had enlisted or who might enlist if a substitute could be found.
The Germans have a strong desire to impress a notion of their power and “frightfulness” on our population.
On August 17th at 10.15pm a Zeppelin was heard overhead, making its way from the coast in the direction of London. It passed apparently over that part of Stondon which lies nearest Paslow Common, and made its way over Stanford Rivers and Leytonstone. There a number of bombs were dropped, killing five persons, and doing extensive damage to property. On the return journey, about 11.45pm, a vessel with fuse, containing petrol, was dropped in the fields lying between Hallsford and High Ongar, not far from Castle Farm at Ongar. Expert opinion inclines to think that this was not a “bomb”, but a petrol can being dropped by accident from the Zeppelin. Under the supervision of experts the liquid contained in the vessel was burned on the spot.
25th April 1916
No fewer than 45 bombs were discovered in the neighbourhood of High Ongar, Ongar and Shelley after the visit of the hostile air-craft on Easter Tuesday. They were not heavy explosive shells which tore the cavities in the Blackmore fields on March 31st, but bombs of an incendiary character intended to set fire to buildings. Examination showed that these incendiary bombs carried a fuse of ten seconds duration. Many of them had not burst, and the police had 26 of them on view at Ongar police-station which I visited on April 27th.
19th January 1917
A great explosion at a munition factory at Silvertown occurred at about seven o’clock in the evening. Had we looked outside we should have seen the bright light from the fire which was visible all around for many miles. Some parishioners coming from Ongar were startled by the sudden illumination.
5th March 1917
About 20 wounded men arrived at Ongar this morning from the French Front. The number to be accommodated at the Budworth Hall has now been raised to 62. A change has been made in the arrangements at Blake Hall. The private soldiers who have been well cared for there during the winter by the tenant, Mr Gladstone, in the riding-school have lately been removed, and Mr Gladstone has placed his mansion at the disposal of the War-Office for wounded Officers. Some 24 are likely to come into residence shortly, and accommodation can be made for 35 or more.
29th March 1917
An Official called at the Union House a few days since to enquire as to the suitability for the reception of wounded soldiers at an early date. It is well understood that the final overthrow of the Germans will be costly, and that the authorities are said to be making preparations for a million casualties!
9th May 1917
It becomes increasingly difficult for the wayfarer to get served in pastry cooks’ and refreshment houses. At Ongar the confectioners refuse to supply the traveller with a “sit-down” meal: and at Brentwood recently I was told that only between three and six o’clock in the afternoon may a cup of tea and light refreshment be supplied. Similarly at Chelmsford two or three weeks ago the proprietor was only allowed to serve an individual customer up to the limit of one shilling and threepence for eatables.
7th July 1917
A few minutes past ten (summer time) this morning a Fleet of hostile aeroplanes was heard approaching from the East, and at 10.30 they were in our near neighbourhood. I counted 24 myself, flying compactly, and very much remembering a body of rooks flying westward towards Kelvedon Hall on an autumn evening. The German aeroplanes appeared from the Rectory to extend from ourselves towards Kelvedon Hatch and Stanford Rivers. They flew unopposed till apparently over North Weald and Epping when firing commenced, and seemed to scatter the formation. They rallied however, and then appeared to make rapidly westward, over the Loughton and Chigwell district for N London. The firing and bomb-throwing circled more and more to the south until at last the fleet was again visible over the Romford quarter, and the sound of machine guns was plainly audible. The aeroplanes were now at a much greater distance. They were lost in the haze, in little over ¾ hour from their first appearance, as they vanished in the direction of the mouth of the river Thames and Southend.
11th July 1917
The Prime Minister stated in the House that there were 22 of the planes, and that they carried 800lbs of explosive apiece. We saw 22 over the Rectory compactly together, followed by two more which appeared to by stragglers. These two are believed to have been British, and some claim to have heard machine-gun intercourse between them and the Germans.
Information given subsequently in the papers tells of 43 persons killed and 193 injured.
8th September 1917
Some 40 German prisoners have been brought to Ongar to assist in agricultural work, and are located at “Bowes”, a house just outside the town on the Shelley and Fyfield road. They will be let out to farmers in gangs of five or ten who will be in charge of a guard.
21st September 1917
One may meet batches of German prisoners any day now passing through Ongar on their way to out-lying farms. Pole, hang-dog, dejected lacking fellows. People stare at them rather too rudely. The farmers say some of them work well. It can be no joke to be a prisoner in the enemy’s country though I believe these Germans and Austrians are glad enough to be out of the firing-line.
24th September 1917
Fruit of all kinds has been abundant this summer owing to the genial and uninterrupted Spring. In other years the blossom would have been withered by successive frosts and perhaps only a tithe of the crop promised would be gathered. We have has more pears, and peaches than we could eat. Numerous presents have been made to friends and we have today sent down a heavy consignment to Ongar, for use of the convalescent soldiers at the Budworth Hall Hospital. Our apples are stored, and we have in the house as much jam from currants etc as the limited supply of sugar has rendered possible.
14th March 1918
I spoke to Wm Maryon, an Ongar baker, who has lately on several occasions been stopped on his rounds with his baker’s cart by little batches of German prisoners, asking for bread. He told me that they were ready to pay for the bread. It seems strange that they should be without their guard, and that they should have this “bread-hunger”, as they are generally believed to be well cared for.
15th April 1918
It remains to be seen how the Man-Power Bill will affect the local Clergy. They are to be called up at the same age as the laity but for non-combatant service. It will be in the care of the Bishop to decide how to provide for the parishes.
Brigadier-General Charles Budworth, whose father was well known at Greensted Hall, and whose family still hold the estate has won a good name as commanding the Royal Artillery in the “Fourth Army” on the British front, and we trust may be spared to come safely through the ordeal.
16th April 1918
William Maryon, the baker has been fined £1 for supplying German prisoners with bread, though confessedly against his will.
11th May 1918
The collection of money to provide the “sinews of War” is an important matter now-a-days. The greater among the Citizens have contributed in princely fashion to the War Loan and the lesser fry according to their ability have purchased “War Savings Certificates”.
Yesterday in Chelmsford the County Town was doing its best to raise the £50000 which it had undertaken to contribute during the week which closes today and over £40000 had already been forthcoming. Now Ongar and the villages contained in the Union, 26 in number, have been asked to take the week commencing June 17 as a period of special effort. We cannot expect to raise sufficient to enable us to name a “Tank”, “Aeroplane”, or even a small gun or mortar after us, but some are bold enough to hope that our contribution may mount up to a figure denoting some thousands of pounds!
The Military Authorities have authorized the officer in command at the aerodrome at North Weald to send an aeroplane to the Town and district during Collection week as a stimulus. But of course to loan to the British Government at 5 per cent is in itself an attraction to the investor.
24th June 1918
Our financial week at Ongar (June 16-22) was a most enthusiastic one. We were urged by the National War Savings Committee to invest £20000 in the National War Bonds, and I am bound to say that I regarded the figure as altogether too high as one for our purely agricultural District. Fact, however, proved in this case stranger than fiction, and residents, farmers, and cottagers all produced their savings amounting to £37600 and this was Ongar’s answer to HM the Kaiser!!! Essex people still believe in the stability of their country, and recognise their country’s obligation to bring the War, under the Divine Blessing to a victorious conclusion.
10th September 1918
I visited the Convalescent House for Officers at Blake Hall today for the special purpose of calling on a Lieut Eyre commended to me by a mutual friend at Hampstead. I found the patient a bright young man of 23 or 24 years slowly recovering from a spinal wound received at Passchendaele in July 1917 which has partially paralysed his lower limbs and necessitated crutches. He had great hopes of the war being brought to a conclusion in 1919, but believed that in any case the weight of America would tell by 1920.
11th November 1918
The Armistice was signed at 5 o’clock this morning, to take effect from 11 o’clock. The news was known early in London, and was made known by the hooting of sirens and the noise of maroons. Some in Stondon heard the distinct bells at Brentwood. But it was not till the afternoon that definite tidings reached the villages and then it filtered through chiefly the form of private messages. News came to Stondon that flags were being hoisted on the Military Hospital at Ongar, and that the veteran Field-Marshall Sir Evelyn Wood VC had visited the place and communicated the splendid message to the wounded men. As soon as I had this official intelligence the Stondon Church bells were chimed with all the old vigour by Ernest Baines, our sometime sexton. His son, a young fellow of 19 bearing the same name, has recently been wounded in one of the last engagements on the Italian Front and is in Hospital in Italy with injuries (as we at present understand) to both legs.
Distant rockets and other tokens of joy were heard around us as the evening advanced.