A timeline of events in Northwich during the First World War.

A REPORT in the Guardian after the end of the First World War, entitled a ‘diary of stirring events’, shows the town’s reaction to the call to arms in 1914.

August 4 to 8, 1914: War is declared

‘Scenes ne’er to be forgotten were witnessed in Northwich immediately the ‘call to arms’ was sounded’, the Guardian reported.

When mobilisation notices were posted about 7pm, Tuesday, August 4, there was great enthusiasm. At eleven o’clock hundreds of people assembled in the Bull Ring, and patriotic songs.

On Wednesday morning, August 5, Northwich ‘resembled a miniature garrison town’.

During August 6, 7 and 8, no fewer than 300 young men presented themselves at the headquarters of the Yeomanry, but the local squadron being almost at full strength only a few applications could be entertained.

So keen was the disappointment of some young men at not being able to get in that they immediately left for Chester, while others telephoned to Manchester and Liverpool.

August 14, 1914: Cheshire Yeomanry depart for action after an urgent call. They are seen off by an emotional crown in the high street.

September 21, 1914: Lord Kitchener sends a telegram to Northwich thanking the town for its willingness to volunteer. It is estimated that 1,600 men from the urban district are with the colours, including 450 from Brunner Mond Winnington, and 230 from the Lostock Works.

The first member of the Cheshire Imperial Yeomanry to make the supreme sacrifice was Major de Knoop. Anxious to get to the front, he received a transfer and was at the front before end of 1914.

October 21, 1914: Hundreds of Belgian refugees arrive at Northwich railway station.

November 6, 1914: Entire Weaverham Football Team enlists. Posters the following day at Vics’ ground

March 27, 1915: Cpl Henry Postles of Boundary Street, is the first Territorial to fall in action.

May 24, 1915: Nearly 4,000 men have been sent to the colours.

September 22, 1915: First Northwich sailor to lose his life was First Class Stoker Alfred Harrison, of Oldhams Hill.

February 1916: Zeppelin ‘menace’ leads to reduced lighting scheme in the area.

April 1916: Pte Stanley Bland, 22, of the Cheshire Regiment, who hails from Leftwich, is the first man to earn a decoration – the Distinguished Conduct Medal. "On the night of December 6-7, 1915, during a bombing attack on the Germans, near Corney, he, as bayonet man, led the assault with great dash. He bayoneted one German, shot two more, and took one prisoner. He was then wounded."

April 1916: A week later, the first airman from the area is decorated: Lt Albert Randles of Winnington Lane. He is awarded the Croix de Guerre after completing a reconnaissance mission despite sustained fire from the Germans. ‘The planes of his machine were practically riddled with fragments of shell and bullets, but he pluckily kept aloft, and having achieved his object descended in in safety in the British lines. The area’s first naval decoration was Chief Electrician WA Elis, formerly of the Fox Hotel Northwich. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal.

The Guardian said at the end of the war: “Perhaps the greatest of all local heroes is Company Sergeant Major P Coulter, Cheshire Regiment, whose wife and family reside at Forest Street.

“He fought through the South African War, where he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and by his length of service also became entitled to the King’s and Queen’s Medals.

“When the present war broke out he was employed at the Ammonia Soda Company’s Works at Plumley, and was one of the earliest volunteers.

“He has been mentioned in dispatches five times, and has won the DCM again, the Croix de Guerre, and the Military Medal.”