WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards

[Lancashire Fusilier]

It is a car behind not a lorry. I took the back of it to be the front! The back still looks like a lorry cab though!.

It is the back of another Divisional Staff Car, like the one shown here, which was often used, a Vauxhall D Type.

Regards,

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Battle of Dorian - Transferring British wounded from Field Ambulances to a Hospital Ship, Salonika 1916.

The photo gives us some excellent details of the Field Ambulance's interior, also note the very young British Seaman sitting on the dock.

LF

IWM32265 This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

I had previously posted a photograph of a Vauxhall D Type Staff Car taken in Arras, showing the occupants of the Staff Car having their papers checked by a Military Policemen ( copy attached ), and being more concerned with the Staff Car rather than it's occupants, I had failed to notice that the person seated in the back of the Staff Car was none other than the colourful Mr. Horatio Bottomley, the one time Publisher, Financier, Member of Parliament, Swindler and convicted Felon, who was without doubt one of the most outrageous characters of WW1.

Horatio William Bottomley was born in Bethnal Green on 23rd March 1860, and at age four he was placed in the Sir Josiah Mason's Orphanage in Erdington, Birmingham, where he remained until aged 14, when he ran away. On leaving the Orphanage, an Uncle found him a job working in a Solicitor's office, and later he enrolled in Pitman's College where he learned shorthand, and for a while worked as a Court short-hand reporter, both occupations setting the scene for many subsequent Court appearances Bottomley was to make.

Bottomley's first venture into publishing came when he founded several so-called ' Hansards ', in which, and using his shorthand skills, he reported on local government meetings, and it was at those local government meetings that Horatio Bottomley first discovered his public speaking abilities.

With this interest both in local government, and public speaking, in 1887 Bottomley decided to run as an MP for South Hackney, and was defeated.

Revenue from advertising in his ' Hansards ' enabled Bottomley to acquire a small group of magazines which he formed into the ' Catherine Street Publishing Association '.

In 1889 Bottomley floated his Hansard Publication on the Stock Exchange, however, within two years he was obliged to file for bankruptcy, which was followed by his first prosecution for conspiracy to defraud. Bottomley's trial was widely reported in the national press, and he brilliantly conducted his own defence, which resulted in his acquittal.

Bottomley, then became involved in a venture to promote investment in Western Australian gold mining companies, which were extremely successful and for Bottomley highly profitable.

Now financially secure, Horatio Bottomley still nurtured the ambition to be an MP, and having ran for Parliament in 1887 and been defeated, in 1906 he ran again as the Liberal candidate for Hackney South, and was successfully elected as their Member of Parliament.

In 1908, he was again charged with Conspiracy to Defraud as a result of his questionable business ventures, however as a result of a hung jury he was again acquitted, however the costs and ramifications of that trial forced Bottomley into Bankruptcy in 1912, which in turn forced him out of Parliament as a result of being declared Bankrupt.

One of Bottomley's more successful business ventures was his founding in 1906 of the patriotic journal ' John Bull ' and in 1914 with the outbreak of WW1, his publication which was fiercely anti-German, became highly popular and extremely profitable.

Through his ' John Bull ' publication Bottomley campaigned for the internment Germans living in Britain, and for naturalized British Germans to wear a distinctive badge. He also, called for the Kaiser's banner to be removed from St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Also, via his ' John Bull ' publication, Bottomley may have also popularized the name ' Hun ' with his constant references to Germans as being " Germ-Huns ".

When Bottomley's pro-war stance was attacked by sections of the Labour Party, which opposed the war, referring to Bottomley as having grown up in an Orphanage and therefore of ' doubtful parentage ', Bottomley retaliated by publishing a copy of the Labour Party's Ramsey MacDonald's birth certificate, which showed that Ramsey MacDonald was himself in fact born illegitimate.

Horatio Bottomley, a short tubby man, fostered the belief that he was a ' man of the people ' and the enemy of ' humbug and corruption ', and again through his ' John Bull ' publication he extended that reputation by allowing and encouraging British servicemen to write to John Bull airing their grievances and publishing their complaints, which for servicemen to do, was highly illegal, especially in a time of war.

Although the Government considered prosecuting Bottomley for his publication's actions, some thought that there was an advantage to allowing troops to ' vent ' their feelings, also, due to Bottomley's and John Bull's obvious popularity with the troops at the Front and fearing dissent among the troops, no action was taken against Bottomley or his John Bull publication.

Bottomley's popularity with the soldiers continued to soar, and caused the comment, that next to Kitchener, Horatio Bottomley was the next most influential man in Britain.

Without doubt, Bottomley used his popularity and obvious speaking skills to assist with recruiting servicemen, and for his first public recruiting speech held at the London Opera House and made shortly after the start of WW1, some 25,000 people showed up, and later, following one of his recruitment speeches in Hull, over 1000 local men enlisted.

However, not all Bottomley's patriotic speaking tours were made just to aid recruitment, on many occasions he was known to have charged a considerable fee for making the speech.

Bottomley continued to foster and promote his popularity, both and home and with the troops, by visits to the Front accompanied by high-ranking officers.

Immediately the Armistice was declared, a General Election was held, and Bottomley again stood as an MP for South Hackney and was elected by a large majority. He promised that in Parliament he would look after the interests of those who had served their Country in war, so when in 1919 Bottomley launched his ' Victory Bond ' scheme it was not surprising that many ex-servicemen were the first to answer Bottomley's call to buy his bonds.

For those who could afford it, his Victory Bonds were priced at 5 pounds each, which was way beyond the means of the average British citizen. However, to counter this, Bottomley, through his ' John Bull ' publication, set up Victory Bond Clubs whereby people could subscribe to the Victory Bonds for much lower subscriptions, and as a result money flooded into the bond scheme with many of the subscribers being ex-servicemen.

Cheques, Postal Orders and cash poured into Bottomly's London office, where large crowds were formed by those eager to put their money into Bottomley's patriotic Victory Bonds.

The receipts were staggering, and soon amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds, which Bottomley announced would be carefully overseen by ' Trustees ', when in reality, the only person overseeing this enormous amount of money was Bottomley himself.

Eventually, when some of the early investors approached Bottomley for repayment of their Victory Bonds, Bottomley prevaricated, and rumours soon spread that Bottomley was unable to repay Bond holders.

Then, an old business partner of Bottomley's, a Reuben Bigland, who had a grudge against Bottomley, announced that Bottomley's Victory Bond scheme was a swindle, Bottomley immediately announced that he would sue Bigland for libel.

However, at the initial trial hearing Bottomley was both unwilling and unable to provide any evidence to disprove Bigland's allegation that Bottomley's Victory Bond scheme was a scam, and Bottomley himself refused to be questioned in Court, as a result, the case against Bigland was therefore dismissed.

Bottomley's refusal to give any evidence or answer questions at Bigland's trial resulted in an enquiry into Bottomley's Victory Bond scheme, and in May 1922, Horatio Bottomley, MP., appeared before Mr. Justice Slater at the Old Bailey charged with fraud. Bottomley thinking that he could rely on his obvious oratory talents and his wide grass roots popularity, conducted his own defence. However, Bottomley was no match for the skilled prosecuting counsel, Travers Humphrey, and during the course of the trial much evidence was produced to show Bottomley had pillaged the Victory Bond funds to pay off his many debts, and for his personal luxurious life style expenses, which included the upkeep of his string of racehorses, as well as gifts he lavished on his various mistresses, friends and relatives, in all, many hundreds of thousands of pounds was unaccounted for, which back then, was a princely sum.

Bottomley's defence was useless under the weight of such overwhelming prosecution evidence, and despite his emotional appeal to the jury, Bottomley was found guilty and he was sentenced to seven years penal servitude.

Bottomley's years of imprisonment took their toll and the utterly disgraced Horatio Bottomley died in 1933, poverty-stricken and penniless, and a far cry from the colourful and flamboyant public hero he once was, and abandoned by the very public he had so callously duped and cheated.

LF

Researched from various sources

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley at the Front with Senior officers.

LF

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley speaking with troops at Athies, many of whom read his John Bull magazine.

LF

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley and his Secretary being given a guided tour of Arras in a Vauxhall D Type Staff Car.

LF

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley in a trench at Oppy Wood.

LF

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley and his Secretary, photographed wearing gas masks.

LF

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley leaving the ' Duds ' Concert Party in Arras, September 1917.

LF

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Horatio Bottomley, a man of the people and friend of the troops enjoys a ' spud ' from a soldiers mess can.

LF

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Horatio Bottomley enjoying the cheers from troops at the Front, many such soldiers were later to be swindled by Bottomley's patriotic Victory Bond scam.

LF

IWM2800/16 These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley speaking in Trafalgar Square at a Recruitment Drive.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley on his way into Court in May 1922 on charges that he swindled investors in his patriotic Victory Bonds scheme, and pillaged hundreds of thousands of pounds from the bonds. He was found guilty, and sentenced to 7 years penal servitude.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley's ' John Bull ' magazine, which was extremely popular with the troops, and which Bottomley used to promote his patriotic Victory Bonds scam.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Another of Horatio Bottomley's attempted money making ventures whilst an M.P., was his acquisition of the German U-Boat U155, also known as

' The Deutschland '.

U155 was an extremely successful German U-Boat, and during WW1 sunk 43 allied ships.

In the attached photo we see the German U-Boat 'U 155', moored by Tower Bridge, London, as one of the surrendered German submarines which were taken around various British ports and seaside resorts for public display after the end of the First World War.

Under the terms of the Armistice signed by Germany, it was required to surrender its submarines to Britain. On 21 November 1918, the first batch of 20 submarines made their way across the North Sea to the British coast. There, 35 miles off the coast of Essex, they were met by a small flotilla of British warships commanded by Rear Admiral Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt. They were escorted towards the Port of Harwich, and before entering the port, British seaman boarded and took control of the submarines before taking them into the harbour.

The German crews were taken back to Germany in transports. The Times newspaper reported that there was little ceremony and there was no jubilation or scenes of cheering when the White Ensign was raised over the conning tower of the vessels.

In the following days, 122 submarines and associated craft of the fleet were taken into Harwich.

The Admiralty decided that a number of the U-Boats should be taken around Britain and displayed to the public. Among these places were Portsmouth, Devonport, Great Yarmouth, Cardiff, Bristol, and London, which was the destination of Deutschland.

Deutschland was originally a merchant navy vessel famous for having made a trans-Atlantic voyage to New York in June 1916 before America had entered the war. It was converted to a military submarine in February 1917 and sunk 43 ships totalling 120,441 tons.

Deutschland was towed up the Thames on 2 December 1918, and after a collision with a passing steamship, during which both vessels received minor damage, it was moored in St Katherine’s Dock next to Tower Bridge. Admission to view the Deutschland cost 1 shilling.

Deutschland was sold by the Admiralty in March 1919. It later passed on to a company controlled by Horatio Bottomley.

Bottomley organized for the Deutschland to be taken around Britain for exhibitions in Great Yarmouth, Southend, London, Ramsgate, Brighton, and Douglas, Isle of Man.

Both as obvious self-promotion, and also as an attempted money making venture, Bottomley produced an array of commemorative artifacts relating to the ' Deutschland ' which were sold via a mail order catalogue, and were also available through his ' John Bull ' publication.

Interestingly, and certainly an indication of Bottomley's vanity, one of the items which could be purchased was a bust of Horatio Bottomley himself.

The exhibitions were not a financial success with a reported loss of £15,000, and in September 1921, U155 was finally taken to be broken up at Birkenhead. Even then, it still was responsible for deaths, as during its breaking-up an explosion aboard the U155 killed five young fitter’s apprentices.

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Horatio Bottomley making a speech from aboard the U155 ' Deutschland '.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The U155 moored at St. Katherine's Dock, London.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Horatio Bottomley produced a catalogue of U155 ' Deutschland ' Exhibition Tour commemorative artifacts, which could be purchased by mail order, or through his ' John Bull ' magazine.

One of the items which could be purchased, was a bust of Horatio Bottomley.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Bottomley's ' John Bull ' magazine advertisement promoting the U155 ' Deutschland ' Exhibition Tour.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Battle of Ephey - At a Field Dressing Station in Ephey, a village between Cambrai and Peronne, British and German wounded are treated.

The Field Ambulances belong to the 65th Field Ambulance 21st Division.

Shells can be seen bursting to the left, and to right on the horizon.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[johnboy]

Don't know the make but seem to have only one 'headlight'?

[phil@basildon]

Screenshot.jpgDon't know the make but seem to have only one 'headlight'?

Looks like a Singer.

[johnboy]

Thanks Phil. I have tried zooming in on the rad but it all goes out of focus.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Don't know the make but seem to have only one 'headlight'?

johnboy,

The one headlamp was not unique, and attached is photo of a circa 1914 Deasy, also with just one headlamp.

What is noticeable regarding the vehicle in your photo, is the design of the front wheel mudguard, which is a single piece of metal forming the wheel arch and the mudguard, which was a design used by Wolseley, I could not see that same wheel arch/mudguard design on a Singer.

Attached is a photo of a Wolseley Ambulance showing that same front wheel arch/mudguard design, along with the single headlamp.

Regards,

LF

1914 Deasy with a single headlamp.

LF

[phil@basildon]

My apologies, its a Standard.