THE volunteer movement to train part-time soldiers, which started in the 1860s, eventually evolved into the highly efficient Territorial Army.

At first, the ‘voluntary’ aspect was all too apparent.

When, at a Lune Valley camp, an enraged adjutant demanded why the sentries were not at their posts Sergeant Bill Harrison, who was one of the Underley Estate’s carpenters, nonchalantly replied “they p’raps in yon tent.”

“In that tent,” said the officer choking with rage, “I expect they’ll be watching the carding” was Harrison’s calm reply, “but,” adding as sop to the major, “they’ll most likely be coming back soon.”

Another would-be combatant was Charlie Goddard, the Barbon coal merchant who having attended a parade in London was asked “Did’sta see t’queen?”

“Aye, I did surely.” “What did she say to thee?” “She said, How is ‘ta Charlie, I’se gay glad to see thee, what’s stirring in bonny li’le Barbon?” - or so Charlie said!