Stoke St Gregory - Years of History BACK to Main Site
1914
Although World War 1 started on 28th July, in the village itself, apart from the occasional devastating news, life continued more or less as normal until conscription came in January 1916, with the passing of the Military Service Act. Below are some extracts from local papers during the year war broke out - now over 110 years ago.
“STOKE ST GREGORY
NOVA SCOTIA - On Thursday evening at the Schools, Stoke St Gregory, Mr E B Elderkin, special Emigration Commissioner for Nova Scotia, gave an extremely interesting address upon Canada’s most easterly province. Mr Elderkin first of all explained how rich Nova Scotia was in natural resources . . . . and said that absolute ownership of farms with good buildings and good soil . . . . could be secured at prices ranging from £2 per acre upwards. To an approved settler the Government were prepared to render financial assistance to the extent of 80 per cent of the cash price of the farm.”
Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 11th March
I wonder if anyone took up the offer?
"STOKE ST GREGORY
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - The annual meeting was held on Monday in the schoolroom. The members present were Messrs H M Hembrow (chairman), W House (vice-chairman), B Hector, W Hill, J Boobyer, F Champion, and C Wyatt, and the clerk, Mr H C Hector. . . . It was decided to ask the Railway Company to erect a footbridge across the Athelney Station. It was also decided to write to the postal authorities urging them to grant a second delivery of letters for the parish."
Langport and Somerton Herald, 4th April
"STOKE ST GREGORY CLUB FESTIVAL
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Stoke St Gregory Friendly Society held its annual festival on Tuesday. About two years ago, when the Insurance Act came into operation, the club was disbanded, and for the time being it appeared to have become a thing of the past. Much regret was felt at the decision then arrived at not to continue the club, and after a few months had elapsed several of the former members met and agreed to restart the society. The majority of the old club having become insured under the new Act, it was not necessary to re-establish the society on exactly the same lines, and the decision was to reform as a funeral benefit club.
Before proposing the loyal toast the Vicar (The Rev H F S Gurney) made a sympathetic reference to the disastrous wreck of the Empress of Ireland. It was apalling to think how the calamity occurred and how in a few minutes the liner was sent to the bottom. The calamity was heart rending. And their sympathy must go out to the relatives and friends of those who had been lost in such terrible circumstances."
Langport and Somerton Herald, 13th June.
The Empress of Ireland had left Quebec On May 28, bound for an Atlantic crossing to Liverpool. As the Empress sighted the Norwegian collier, Storstad, a heavy fog bank came down. The Empress was struck on the starboard side by the Storstad, which penetrated its hull by twelve feet. Of the 1,475 aboard, 1,078 died in a matter of minutes. It remains the worst peacetime catastrophe in Canadian history.
The Empress of Ireland
There had been a different attitude in Lyng, and the King Alfred Lodge of the Ancient Order of Druids. After the Insurance Act came in their numbers actually rose from 95 to 229, attracting members from other villages including Stoke. The National Insurance Act 1911 had created a national system of insurance to protect working people against loss of income relating to sickness or unemployment (thereby reducing the demand on Poor Law assistance and Village clubs such as thsat in Stoke).
See more about Stoke Club HERE
"STATHE
LOCAL WILL - Mr Robert Coate, senior, of Sedgemoor, Stathe, Stoke St Gregory, who died on Novenber 16th last, left estate of the gross value of £2,550 4s 2d. Probate has been granted to his daughter, Miss Amelia Sophie Coate."
Langport and Somerton Herald, 19th December
"STOKE ST GREGORY
INTEREST IN THE WAR not only occupies the older people of Stoke St gregory, but finds a place also in the minds of the children. The latter gave practical proof of this on Sunday last, when the boys and girls of the Baptist Sunday School decided to forgo their Christmas prizes and send the money to the Belgian Refugees. For the majority, such a gift shows a spirit of self-sacrifice which older folk may well try to imitate."
Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 23rd December