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This story was added to the People’s War website by Helen Pritchard on behalf of Maureen Shallcross and Margaret Watson who fully understand the site’s terms and conditions.

I remember distinctly hearing that the regiment was leaving during the night. As there were so many regiments in the town, they were arriving and leaving all the time. There were numerous pubs in the town —ten plus a hotel and three Men’s Clubs. Obviously there had drunk all the beer in the town, the regiment that was leaving, - they’d emptied every barrel!

As they left the town, we could hear them marching up the hill, the Front Street but they weren’t actually marching, they were reeling as they left, some being supported.

I remember hearing them in the middle of the night and going down to where the buffet was in the pub (The Crown Inn) — there was a big window, windows right along. The whole family were looking out, watching them leave, it was quite emotional really. They were going back to war. They were obviously taking advantage of their last night. They must’ve been billeted at Horner’s Sweet Factory in Chester—le-Street.
I remember them tramping up the street in the middle of ate night when it was quiet.

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