Occasional Magazine Vol.2 No.4 (August 1920)

Milford and the War by E. L. Agar. Written in December 1917, the article is an inspiring detailed record of Milford’s patriotic response to the First World War. A Recruiting Committee operated from August 1914 to January 1916: volunteers for the Army had come forward as soon as it was formed. In late 1914 a Home Defence Corps of civilians began its task of patrolling the cliffs at night in all weathers to detect signalling or house lights that could assist enemy navigation. The private house, Gorse Cliff, was also fitted out as a Secondary Naval and Military Hospital in August 1914, but the War Office cleared this out and commandeered it for Indian convalescent soldiers without recompense. A War Hospital Supply Depot began making supplies for the Front, such as bandages, swabs and splints, from June 1915. From February 1917 a Food Production Committee provided cottagers with seed potatoes and vegetable seeds and assistance with sowing and spraying. Many gardens were turned over to vegetables and Food Economy Committee volunteers began making school dinners (at 2d.). The children themselves collected medicinal herbs for making drugs and acorns for munitions. They also knitted mittens, socks and scarves for the troops. Between December 1914 and February 1916 all houses on the cliff top were commandeered for convalescent Indian troops; their presence caused a major upheaval. As well as numerous gifts of food and clothes, villagers gave nearly £2400 to Relief Funds, the Red Cross and War Charities. A shrine in Milford records 278 men who served in the War, with a further list of 30 who lost their lives. A cross honouring the war dead was also erected in Keyhaven.