Men of the first Home Guard

This guest blog has been written by Bill Openshaw. Bill will be talking about his new book To The Call Of Bugles: A history of the Percy Tenantry Volunteers 1789-1914, at Cramlington Library on Tuesday 10 October at 2pm. Book on Eventbrite nlandlibs.eventbrite.co.uk/

If you were to utter the words ‘Home Guard’, to many it would conjure up images of the likes of Corporal Jones or Captain Mainwaring from the classic tv comedy, ‘Dad’s Army.’ The real Home Guard of the Second World War, however, were not the bumbling old fools as portrayed in the tv program. In truth, many were experienced military men and although too old for the regular armed forces, still had something to offer in defence of our nation.

One hundred and fifty years earlier, our ancestors found themselves in similar circumstances as a French Revolutionary army that had swept Europe in the 1790’s, now prepared to cross the English Channel, volunteers were called for. In 1803, the threat came from the boggy man himself, Napoleon Buonaparte. In 1797 the last invasion of Britain occurred. The French plan had been to send a large force to Ireland and assist an Irish rebellion, while two smaller forces would land near Bristol and Tyneside. It was believed that the working classes of Britain would rise up against their masters and allow the two invasion forces to march to the manufacturing area of Manchester. Despite the plan failing, due to bad weather and the Royal Navy, a successful landing was made in Fishguard in South Wales. The French had not foreseen the John Bull spirit of the British people.

Although this small invasion force was fooled into surrendering to a smaller British Militia and volunteer force, the fear of invasion was increased. The government therefore again called for volunteers in 1798 and again in 1803 to meet the threat of Napoleon.

The men of Northumberland came forth in proportionally more numbers than many other counties. The first to stand forward were the men of Berwick in June 1794 followed in January 1795 by the Newcastle Loyal Volunteers. As a result of the Fishguard incident, by 1798, seventeen volunteer corps had formed in Northumberland, such as the Morpeth Volunteer Infantry (123 men), North Shields and Tynemouth infantry (157 men), Seaton Delaval Infantry (60 men), Wallington & Kirkharle Cavalry (43 men). The largest of these was the Percy Tenantry Volunteers who would by 1803, number 1500 men. They were raised by General Hugh Percy, the 2^nd Duke of Northumberland.

Who were the men that stood forward to serve in defence of their families and country. Most of their names are recorded within the surviving muster lists that can be found within the Northumberland Archives. The records often display their place of abode and sometimes their occupation. For people compiling a family history, they can be a useful addition to the family story. A little digging can unearth all sorts of information.

For instance, the Rev. James Birkett was one such volunteer who served as a sergeant in the Percy Tenantry infantry. The curate at Ovingham church, he ran a boarding school of some note and surprisingly his image was found in the collection at Woodhorn.

Joseph Lamb was a Captain with the Percy Tenantry Riflemen. In 1798 he served with the Loyal Axwell Cavalry but in 1803 joined the Duke’s corps along with his brother. Amongst other things, he owned the Northumberland Glass works in Lemington. He was a fervent anti-slavery supporter and became Mayor of Newcastle in 1836.

Other men of note to be found amongst the muster rolls of the Percy Tenantry are William Hedley and Timothy Hackworth. These two men built and designed the first locomotives including the ‘Puffing Billy’, engines that would change the world. Perhaps they served by the side of one of your ancestors.

NRO 599/2 & 3 – Some Annals of the Lambs: A Border Family

NRO 02659/5 – Appointment of Joseph Lamb as Captain in Percy Tenantry Volunteers