Page 45 - Life in Langham 1914-1919

Rutland Volunteer Regiment

After war had been declared in August 1914, there was a popular

demand for a

means of service

for those men who

were over military

age or those with

business or family

commitments
which made it

difficult for them to

volunteer for the

armed services. Inspection of Rutland Volunteer Regiment at Oakham by Field Marshal Lord French 13 May 1917

Lord Ranksborough was instrumental in setting up a local

Volunteer Training Corps (VTC) which was effectively a

voluntary home defence militia. Later, local county VTCs

grouped together to form county volunteer regiments.

Ours was known as the Rutland Volunteer Regiment (RVR).

(It was akin to the Home Guard of the 1939-45 War).

Langham was part of ‘A’ Company. Thirty-two Langham men

joined the Langham platoon of the 1st Battalion, RVR.

They were sworn in on 15 July 1916 in the Langham Village
Major-General Lord Ranksborough CB CVO
Institute by Lord Ranksborough. The men bought their own uniforms

initially in lovat green colour, then later allowed khaki drill, with a red arm

band, or brassard, bearing the letters GR (Georgius Rex).

Lord Ranksborough arranged for a supply of rifles and ammunition.

Mr George Ruddle was given the position of Commanding Officer (CO)

and the rank of Captain. The platoon was drilled by the CO in

Mr Royce’s field in summer and in the large room in the Village
Institute one night a week during the winter months. In return for the

latter the members promised to hold a whist drive for the benefit of

the Institute funds.

Privates

Officers Almond, C Billsdon, B
Captain G Ruddle, Commanding Officer Burdett, D Colbourne, W
Conder, H
Cox, CP
Second Lieutenant JH Squires Crane, WE Faulks, J

SNCO Faulks, Jos Harris, A
Sergeant GE Steele Healey, C Hollingshead, MC

JNCOs Leaver, S Lindsey, W
McClelland, J
Mantle, M
Lance Corporal E Bryant George Ruddle Nourish, TW Papworth, RC
Lance Corporal JWS Smith Sewell, WJC Sewell, WS
Shillaker, HB Shillaker, HG

Stacey, O Thompson, J
Tidd, D Walker, J
Williamson, FW