Biddulph Recruitment and Colonel Blizzard 1915

The Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel of January 9th 1915 reported that, “recruiting in Biddulph is far from brisk. A few men are attested each week, but up to the present the results from the War Office system of circularising householders have not been very encouraging.” However, the Sentinel continued by reporting that soldiers on leave had become “valuable adjuncts to the recruiting movement in a place like Biddulph.”

The Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel of April 17th 1915 reported, “Route March in Biddulph District: There will be at route march through to Black Bull, Biddulph Moor and Biddulph District today (Saturday) in support of recruiting for the Third Battalion of the 5th North Staffords. About 250 of the new recruits for the 3rd Battalion will be on parade along with the Biddulph District members of the 2nd Battalion who are coming from Harpenden under the command of Lieutenant Harding. The procession will start from Brindley Ford at 3.30pm. Dr. Craig will examine recruits at the public hall. There will be meeting at Biddulph Moor, Black Bull, and Biddulph. Speakers will be Colonel Bizzard, Mr. D.B. Wayne, Mr. Harding, Mr. John Cole, Mr. J.A. Leese. The procession will include the Tunstall boy scouts and a band.”

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