TOPIC:

. ....Kipling's "Because Reserve's agin' yer" will have to be re-written. The magnificent response of the Queen's old soldiers to the call has necessitated this. About three weeks ago we wished good-will to Sergeant Sheehan on his volunteering to rejoin his regiment. He is back in Congleton now, on furlough for ten days, and one of our representatives had a pleasant chat with him yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.
....Sergeant Sheehan was not dressed in khaki, as some who saw him unthinkingly expected, but looked all over a soldier in his undress uniform of blue serge. When he arrived at Preston, the depôt for the Lancashire battalion, he found he was one of the first to put in an appearance. In the absence of a Sergeant-Major he was made Acting Sergeant-Major to the Battalion, which was to be composed of seven Lancashire Regiments, and one York and Lancaster Regiment. The title of the Battalion was the Sixth Royal Lancashire Reserve Regiment. The eight companies, when all were notified present were as follows:—
....A Co. — 4th King's Own Lancaster Regiment.
....B Co. — King's Liverpool Regiment.
....C Co. — South Lancashire Regiment.
....D Co. — Lancashire Fusiliers.
....E Co. — East Lancashire Regiment.
....F Co. — North Lancashire Regiment.
....G Co. — Manchester Regiment.
....H Co. — York and Lancaster Regiment.
The Colonel is Colonel F. F. Roupell, and the Adjutant, Captain W. T. Holland. It must be borne in mind that officers and men are Reservists. The battalion strength is 1,400 rank and file.
....Sergeant Sheehan remarks that even at that number there are more medals in the battalion than men, and, with pardonable pride, asserts that he never saw a finer lot of old soldiers.
....These are the men who are "handled and made," and there was real gladness manifest amongst them at being even back at barracks duty. Of course at the outset, uniforms, kits, and rifles were not ready, but the men fell in at the word of command, and it was to be seen that the ordinary drill was as well remembered—and perhaps better in some cases—than the old A B C of the alphabet. The men took charge of the barracks, just as in the old days. When the formalities had been gone through, the men received their £12 bonus on rejoining the colours (they get, in addition to the usual pay £10 at the end of the term), and then were allowed seven days' leave. Of course this did not occur all at once, and Sergeant Sheehan remained as Acting Sergeant-Major up to Tuesday last, when, on the arrival of the Sergeant-Major proper, he was allowed his leave, and in getting it received from his superior officer the compliment that he "jolly well deserved it."
....In his office Sergeant Sheehan had to see that all were present. Which is not easy. All these Reserve men have necessarily good characters, and are therefore entitled to stay out of barracks on ordinary occasions till eleven p.m. Well, tattoo thus does not tell you who is in barracks and who is not. So the Sergeant suggested that after reveille, which is at seven a.m., there should be a roll call. The Major not only jumped at the idea, but said "Oh, yes; we'll give them running drill." Running drill to old soldiers out of form and practice! However, it was in the orders, and the first duty of a soldier, old or young, Reservist or recruit, is to obey. So the men turned out. There had been an inch snowfall during the night, and now this had become "sloppy." So Acting Sergeant-Major Sheehan had the roll call shouted, and then dismissed the men. Later on appears the Major: "Ah, I did not hear the men at running drill, Sergeant," says he. "It was not fit, Major," says the Sergeant, "the ground was not fit, and the parade is, if I may suggest so, more for the roll call than anything." "It is not only for the roll call," snaps the Major, "it is for 'running drill,' that's in the orders; and, damme, you could run them on the pavement!" Next morn the bugle called the men once more, and on to the pavement they went. And when they approached the vicinity of the slumbering Major's window, "Double," in stentorian tones, was the order. Later the Major says: "Sergeant, you did not take the men far this morning; you must take them more each day, so that they will do a mile, two miles, three miles or so." "Yes, sir," says the Sergeant—that's all he says; he thinks the rest.
....There was a singular incident with regard to the £12 bonus—and the sequel has yet to transpire. A man named—well, we will call him Learoyd for the tale—submitted himself, answered the questions, and was granted his £12 bonus. This was at noon. Shortly afterwards it was discovered that Learoyd was in Section D, or the Second Class Reserve, and therefore ought not to have turned up at all, much less have drawn £12 bonus. By this time Private Learoyd had got his seven days pass, and was away towards his wife and children. The telegraph was put into operation, and Learoyd was intercepted. He meant no fraud at all, that is evident by his correct answers, but he was anxious to be back again to serve the Queen, and we hope he'll be allowed to.
....Even in this gallant little flock the black sheep may be found. One of the Companies had all been up, received their bonus and pass, bar one man. Two days afterwards he presented himself at the barracks, and was trying to find his division. Sergeant Sheehan dropped across him, and said "Come on, I'll find your division for you. But the "owd sojer" was still in him, and replies he "Go on, you'll show me the bloomin' clink, you will." Which was true enough, that being the Sergeant's real duty. However, the late arrival was found a bed, and told to report himself next morning to the Acting Sergeant-Major.He turned up, sober and penitent. But he was permitted to wash and shave, being simply confined to barracks. He managed to borrow fourpence or so, somehow, and got outside, and turned up at night "drunk as a lord." The guard at once put him in the clink, and he was as penitent as ever next morning. But the Colonel and others saw that it was no use giving him £12, so they sent £10 to his wife straight away, £1 to his sister, and gave the man £1 and his seven days' pass. It is to be hoped the good woman will stick to the money.
....It shows the loyalty of the Battalion of Reserves when it is stated that they have all offered themselves for active service. In spite of remarks like "Get away, they don't want us out there," the deputation went to the Colonel and on behalf of all offered themselve. Colonel Roupell promised that the application should be forwarded to the proper quarter.
....Sergeant Sheehan has ten days' leave, and we hope he will enjoy it thoroughly.
Congleton Chronicle, Saturday 14th April 1900