SCENES IN OLDHAM

THE PROCLAMATION
Mobilising the Territorials
A Visit to the Drill Hall

Throughout Tuesday, there were great scenes of excitement in Oldham. Groups of people sometimes swelling to crowds, hung around the Town hall and the General Post Office and after the procalamation for the mobilisation of the naval reserve and kindred forces people waited expectantly for the order mobilising all army reserves and embodying the Territorials. amongst those waiting patiently and resignedly were members of the reserves and many of their relatives and friends. By nine o'clock in the evening the crowd had grown much larger, and a little later the expected proclamation came. There was an instant change in attitude. People's minds were at rest. all the uncertainty had gone and they knew exactly what they had to do. Territorials reported to headquarters and reservists went home to their families to prepare for leaving this (Wednesday) morning. There were special police on duty at the Drill Hall and an officer in charge outside the doorway. There was no wild enthusiasm, no mafficking. The men realised the seriousness of the business. They came up singly and in twos and threes, disappeared into the building, received their instructions or made what arrangements were necessary, and left with a salute to the officer. They were facing a stern duty with that dogged English way which is never flurried or mad, but wonderfully steady and sure. And when it is realised what many of these men were sacrificing their calmness and surety of purpose becomes all the more noble. Little incidents outside the hall gave the clue to many a sad story. There would push his way through the crowd a young man with a keen eager face, who in the ful buoyancy of his youth chatted lightly to the girl by his side. Then would come the man broader and older with many years service to his credit. His salute as he passed his officer had the smartness of long experience. Ten yards from the hall he took the hands of his children and went holme soberly, but very much ready for anything that might happen. There were others who were away when the news came, and some of these had a busy time into the early hours of the morning getting their kit ready. The forty or so members in Oldham of the D.L.O.Y. practically all showed up at the Drill Hall in Bow Street at eight o'clock in drill parade dress, which means they are ready for the field. The Territorials met at sx o'clock at headquarters for medical inspection. they were in full marching order and ready for anywhere. The mobilisation generally was perfect and showed the efficiency of the scheme. In two hours after receiving the mobilisation papers the men could have been ready, which means that by eleven o'clock last night the whole battalion could have taken the field.
At an early hour this (Wednesday) morning groups of people assembled at the Town Hall to look out for other proclamations, and many went went to the Drill Hall where the men were assembling from five o'clock onwards. There was no admission except to uniform men, so that relatives and friends were forced to separate from the Teritorials who went inside to wait instructions. As the morning advanced the crowd increased to large dimensions.

Note: deadline to Germany had been Tuesday 11pm (midnight in Germany)