Invasion of Horsham – 1914

It was during this week back in 1914 that thousands of troops descended on Horsham on their way to fight in the ‘European War’, as it was known then.

In total, about 6,300 troops of the 1st London division arrived at Horsham, with the first ones from the Bramley, Godalming and district coming in the afternoon, and the final troops arriving at 9.30pm.

The local paper described it as ‘The Invasion of Horsham’.

The following day the troops left Horsham soon after 8am with most of the artillery departing before 9.30, marching to Haywards Heath where they were inspected by The King.

Thankfully, it seems that the town had been warned in advance and preparations were made with the Urban District Council and police working together.

Billets had been arranged for around 7,500 men, which in the end was more than required.

However, there were some problems as some billets were over-subscribed while others weren’t used at all.

Also, some wagon supplies broke down, not everyone knew the town’s layout and rain fell, making the town muddy.

The heavy and field artillery units made their way to Horsham Park and Springfield Park.

The old brewery in Worthing Road was about to be turned into a motor and cycle stores for Rice Bros and a water supply was available, so 1,500 men could be accommodated there.

The council yard, Olympia Skating Rink, Grammar School (Collyer’s) and Tanyard barn and buildings were all able to put up between 350 to 500 men each.

Halls, yards, pubs and schools were also used for smaller numbers.

Entertainment was provided at the YMCA rooms and music was performed on the Bandstand in the Carfax.

However, it had been decided to shut all the pubs at 9pm so the soldiers could be in their digs by 9.30pm!

While the town congratulated itself on helping all these troops on their way, not everyone was pleased. The East Parade School was described as being left in a disgustingly dirty and untidy condition. Apparently the floor was littered with broken food tins and several of the toilets were left in a foul state!

Our thanks to Jeremy Knight’s Horsham Histories for much of the content of this blog.