PENARTH Town Council looks back at This Day in History to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War

Thursday, October 15, 1914

In this week’s edition of the Penarth Times 100 years ago, several letters were printed, some from those preparing for the front line and one particularly poignant one from a man actually on the front line.

Preparing for the Front

Dear Sir,

We shall deem it a favour if you would kindly publish a few lines in your paper from Penarth and Cogan boys, now serving with the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) at Salisbury Plain. Having read several letters in your paper, which we are pleased to receive each week and to read that the Penarth and Cogan boys are getting on alright in their different camps, I am pleased to tell you that there are six of us here.

Two of us are from Penarth and four from Cogan and that we are in the pink of condition: plenty to eat and plenty of Kitchener’s Light Horse on our shirts to help us. We get physical exercise first thing in the morning, but that we could do without, as those light horses, better known as grey backs keep us in good order. Still, we are happy through it all and ready to meet the German’s at any moment. We are the first battery to leave here for the front out of ten others. They are doing their best to get us fit by January next. We have also a large amount of the New Zealanders with us who arrived last week, and their only complaint is that it is very cold. There are also hundreds of workmen here from all over the country, building huts for the troops. They will have 6000 huts ready by the end of November and each hut has sleeping accommodation for 25 men. We are also very pleased to see the way young Baker of Cogan, our mascot, gets over his drills etc. He is the youngest in the battery and also one of the happiest. It’s very amusing to see him cleaning his horse. He has to stand on a bucket to clean the highest parts, but he gets through it alright and always comes out with a smile.

We remain yours faithfully,

Gunners R. MORGAN, E. J. THOMAS

Drivers W. CROCKETT, J. BAKER, C. BAKER , J. NEWTON.

Letter from a Penarth Soldier

An Interesting letter has been received by Mrs. C Bendon of 17 John Street, Penarth from her brother, Private W. Knapton who is serving in France with the 2nd Sherwood Foresters. The letter is not dated but the letter says: -

“Our regiment was terribly cut up (one or two hundred killed or wounded) last Sunday. The Shells were awful. They blew our trenches to pieces, killing and wounding fellows. There are still a few hundred of us left though. I am hoping that this War is soon over as it is simply murder: but we keep up heart. You will read in the paper about the charge our regiment made to save the position which was lost.”

Private Knapton lived at the above address for many years. He has since been wounded but the family have no details as to the extent of his injuries.