Mr. Tunstill arrived home from Russia on August 20th, 1914, and very shortly afterwards issued a stirring appeal for ninety-nine men to join him in making a company of one hundred for enlistment in Lord Kitchener’s army. The appeal was addressed more particularly to Mr. Tunstill’s constituents in the neighbourhood of Settle, and a series of meetings were arranged. At many of these enthusiastic scenes were witnessed, and after a campaign extending from the 7th to the 18th of September close upon one hundred men had been obtained, and they paraded at Settle on the 19th. After going through the usual attestation formalities they were royally entertained at the Ashfield and Golden Lion Hotels, Mr. W. Morrison presiding at the former place, and Mr. W. Simpson, Catteral Hall, at the latter. Subsequently there was an entertainment at the Victoria Hall where clothing, comforts and fruit were distributed.
The men left for their depot at Halifax amid memorable scenes. They assembled in Settle Market Place at 7 a.m., and, after a parting speech by Mr. Morrison, were marched to the station headed by the Brass Band and accompanied by a large crowd. The train steamed out of the station amid cheering, the detonation of fog signals and much waving of handkerchiefs.
At Silsden, Mr. Tunstill’s men were met by another batch of recruits and marched into Keighley. It was something in the nature of a triumphal progress, followed by an inspection on the Town Hall Square by the Mayor (Mr. W. A. Brigg) and other local gentlemen. They departed for Halifax in the afternoon by special train and were inspected by Col. Thorold, the officer commanding the depot, who publicly thanked Mr. Tunstill for his services in obtaining such a fine body of men. Two days later they were drafted to Frensham, near Aldershot, and ultimately became “A” Company of the 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Then followed a period of rigorous training in which the men acquitted themselves very creditably.
Meanwhile Mr. Tunstill had been offered and accepted a commission and was gazetted Captain in November, 1914. The Battalion went to France in August, 1915, and Captain Tunstill remained with the Company until October, 1916, when he was sent to England with a damaged knee and ankle. He became unfit for active service, but performed valuable work in connection with the training of recruits in England. He was mentioned in dispatches in December, 1916. The Company saw much fighting in France and also served with distinction in Italy.
Captain Preston.
Captain Thomas Howarth Preston, East Lancashire Regiment, the only surviving son of the late John Preston and Mrs. Preston, of Mearbeck, Longpreston. He served through the South African War, receiving the Queen’s Medal with three clasps, and was mentioned in despatches. He was awarded the Royal Geographical Society’s Diploma in 1913. His only brother, 2nd Lieut. J. S. Preston, 1st Bn. Royal Scots, died at Dewetsdorp, during the South African War. Captain Preston was killed in action in Flanders on November 17th, 1914, and was 34 years of age.
Captain Stackhouse.