John Harwood, Mayor, Accrington

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iBase ID

320268

Reference identifier

HAC-H01-P551-6362-1

Title

John Harwood, Mayor, Accrington

Place

Accrington

Personal names

John Harwood

General notes

Captain John Harwood was Mayor of Accrington from 1912-1915.

A document titled "The War Mayor" is filed with the physical copy of this photograph. The text reads:
"Captain Harwood was chosen Chief Magistrate a third time and became known as Accrington's "War Mayor". He it was who during his Mayoralty raised the "Pals" Battalion and then the Howitzer Brigade. It was a stupendous effort and only a man of Captain Harwood's "push and go" could have brought it to a successful issue. A less congenial task was imposed upon him a little later, that of local military representative. It was a job Captain Harwood did not like, but somebody had to fill the office and he never shirked duty.
When Captain Harwood relinquished the office of Chief Citizen, handsome tribute was paid to his labours. His services to the country and the town were acknowledged by the presentation of an address and silver salver by the Town Council. In times of peace (stated the address) such a long occupancy of the Mayoralty would merit the thanks of the Council but "the onerous duties thrown upon you owing to the Great War and the indomitable energy and perseverance shown by you in raising and equipping the 11th Service (Accrington "Pals") Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment and the 158th Howitzer Brigade Royal Field Artillery with ammunition column marked your Mayoralty for conspicuous recognition and called for some tangible expression of admiration and thanks." In his response Captain Harwood gave utterance to words that deserve permanent record. The War Office wanted men, he said. "He offered them half a battalion but they could not accept it; nothing but a full battalion would satisfy. He did not want to refuse so he travelled to Blackburn and asked if the authorities there would join Accrington. They declined, and he said he would trust to the loyalty of the people of Accrington and district to raise the whole battalion." And Accrington and district raised the battalion in nine days. Then the War Office called for a reserve company "to fill up gaps when the battalion went on service." The number required (250) was raised in three weeks. Then the Army Council asked if Accrington could raise a brigade of artillery or a company of engineers and Accrington raised the whole brigade and ammunition column in six weeks!"

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Medium

Photographic print

Colour

Monochrome

Year of image

c. 1912

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Subjects

Place Names > Accrington

This item includes these files

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