Major General Sir Ivor Herbert Addressing Recruits Newport September 2nd.

Postcard from the private collection of Patrick White. Probably 1914.

Sir Ivor Herbert was heavily involved in recruiting troops in Monmouthshire. Here are a few newspaper reports on the subject:

Western Mail Saturday 29 August 1914

RECRUITS LEAVE NEWPORT
SIR IVOR HERBERT CHEERS THE MEN

Before a contingent of recruits left Newport on Friday for the depot the South Wales Borderers Brecon, they marched from the artillery drill-hall station to the open space outside the Westgate Hotel, where Major-general Sir Ivor Herbert. Bart., M.P., wished them good luck on behalf of the county of Monmouth. Sir Ivor said everybody felt proud of men answering the call of their country, and they were quite sure that the recruits would maintain the honour and the fame of the old county. He assured the men that the public would look after those they left behind. (Cheers.)

Western Mail Saturday 29 August 1914

CINEMA CAMPAIGN.
SUPPORT FOR SIR IVOR HERBERT?S SCHEME IN MONMOUTHSHIRE.

Major-general Sir Ivor Herbert?s scheme for enlisting the help of cinema theatres in Monmouthshire for recruiting for Lord Kitchener?s army is receiving the cordial co-operation of the proprietors and managers. The lord-lieutenant of the county has issued the following circular to local defence committees :

Lord-lieutenant?s Office. Westgate chambers, Newport, Mon.
Dear sir,
On the 22nd instant I made a suggestion to the proprietors of cinemas in the county of Monmouth to assist in the work of recruiting by arranging, in co-operation with local defence committees, for special exhibitions, at which speakers would explain the nature of the present national crisis, and local bands would join by furnishing appropriate music.

There has been a prompt and unanimously favourable response from these gentlemen, and to mark their earnestness in the patriotic work of raising the new Army resolutions were passed on the 26th instant at a special meeting of the Association of Monmouthshire Cinematograph Exhibitors.

I commend them to your attention, and I hope that you will, without delay, put yourself into communication with the proprietors of cinematographs in your district and cooperate with them in carrying out the proposals of the association by securing the voluntary services of local bands and singers and in any other way that may be possible.

This office will be happy to give you every assistance in providing speakers to attend these special exhibitions.

Yours faithfully IVOR HERBERT. Major-general.

Western Mail Monday 24 May 1915

SIR IVOR HERBERT.
TO SPEAK ON COMPULSORY SERVICE AT NEWPORT.

Sir Ivor Herbert. Bart., M.P., will attend an important meeting at the Central hall, Newport, on Friday evening next, at eight o?clock, and speak on the subject of compulsory military and industrial service during the war. The chair will be taken by the high-sheriff (Mr. W. R. Lysaght), and other speakers will include Mr. W. Brace, M.P., and Mr. Lyndon Moore.