Thurrock news: August 1914
Every month since March, we have been dipping into the newspaper archives to see how the Great War was being reported in the Thurrock area.
It looks like the editor took a great interest. Last month, he was musing on the Balkans. Now, somewhat shocked at the outbreak of war, he looks over at Belgium.
You may also see the advert on the front page of the Grays and Tilbury Gazette which declares: "Your country needs you."
TWELVE days after war was declared on 4th August, 1914 the editor of the Grays & Tilbury Gazette, In his column titled “BY THE WAY”, had this to say:-
"THE war develops slowly. To those who expected a fierce engagement at all points of the compass it seems inexplicable the armies should be so long in coming to grips. There are, however, two important facts to be remembered.
The first is that the mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of men and their transport is a matter of time. To move ten thousand men is an undertaking of very considerable magnitude, and to deal with ten times that number is a colossal operation in itself. The second point is that the rate of movement of an army is slow.
Here and there a regiment or brigade or division may make a forced march, but, for the most part, the pace of a column is almost that of the tortoise, and the consequence is that it takes some weeks alone to prepare for an engagement. Railways are useful for purposes of concentration, but when the scene of hostilities is reached the enemy have a habit of blowing up bridges and destroying railroads. This destruction causes formidable delay to an army’s progress.
Then in respect of the Navy, little is heard but sweeping the seas clear of German merchantmen. This does not destroy a single warship, but it aims a blow at the very vitals of the German Empire. It has come more and more to depend upon ocean-borne commerce as a means of existence. Of late it has even imported large quantities of corn. All this has stopped; industries have collapsed, and if the war covers a lengthy period of time, starvation will stalk through the land.
The German fleet is in being, but the command of the sea remains with the British flag, and, although, hindered, international commerce is coming to our shores and assisting to maintain this country and the war.
The great mystery is the whereabouts of the fleet. Information came that a German submarine was sunk, but where the incident occurred was left to the imagination.
Quite rightly so, too; surprise is one of the chief arts of war. The general conclusion, however, seems to be that the German fleet is safely under cover – it may be in the Baltic or Wilhelmshaven – and it may be some time before it is willing to try conclusions with the British armada. In naval circles opinion runs that Germany will undoubtedly seek to try conclusions, for it is proud of the fleet and convinced of its capacity for the task in hand. British sailors hope they will not be long in making up their minds.
Each morning has brought little additional information to throw light upon the situation in Belgium, where the next great battle will be fought. There was an early announcement that cavalry were in action preliminary to a general engagement, and ere the Gazette is published we may have news.
The Germans are making a great effort to clear Belgium for it is a matter of life and death. If they win they will reach the French frontier; if they lose, part of the Fatherland will be invaded, and this will have a tremendous influence in all parts of the theatre of war.
I hope before long to hear the responsible local authority will be satisfactorily settled, and that they will have taken steps to deal with the situation which may be expected to arise this winter. All the while it is possible to keep work going at the Docks there will be financial resources provided, but, in any case, the loss of the German trade will be severely felt. Moreover, the restriction in the building trade, which is inevitable for a period, will not tend to activity in cement manufacture.
If a decisive action were fought in the North Sea there would be a return to something like normal conditions, but until that come about people are bound to hesitate.
It is surprising that the nation has recovered so rapidly from last week’s shock, and there is every indication that we are taking the unusual situation in a calm way. This attitude of mind is an important factor, but, allowing for everything, we know that next winter will not be an easy one for us in England.
By making prudent arrangements beforehand we can do something to mitigate it.
That is the work left Grays and district in conjunction with the Local Government Board. May we kneel early at the door for a grant towards public works!
At the meeting of Tilbury Council this week the pleasant announcement was made that the Joint Sewerage Board is to make an effort to advance the Joint Sewerage Scheme. It is suggested that the Local Government Board should sanction the laying of the pipes and other work connected therewith, leaving the outfall works to be proceeded with when the site has been secured. This is an eminently practical suggestion.
The joint sewerage scheme imposes a financial burden upon the district, but if it provides a considerable amount of work for local men during next winter we shall not grumble.
