‘Invasion’ of Horsham in World War I

On this day (June 19) in 1915 the photo below was taken as thousands of troops marched through Horsham.

This was just one group of soldiers among many that billeted in the town on their way to camps around the UK and then on to the Front.

There were so many that the local paper described it as the ‘Invasion of Horsham’.

The photo shows members of the Royal Horse Artillery who were among around 5,000 arriving, creating what was described as ‘unusual liveliness’ in the town.

The main body of the troops arrived via Brighton Road and many men carried roses which they had been given (or ‘commandeered’ as the paper suggested). They were ‘in capital spirits’ after a long march in the sun.

They were billeted at various schools in the town with others in around 30 tents in a meadow off North Street.

It was noted that many local schoolchildren (and indeed teachers) were very happy to have several days off school!

It was reckoned that 5,000 more soldiers were arriving each day over the course of four to five days.