Lieutenant Colonel Alfred DykesThe
museum is very pleased to report the acquisition of a collection of
papers relating to Alfred McNair Dykes of the King's Own Royal Lancaster
Regiment. Alfred Dykes was commissioned into the regiment in 1894
and served with both the 1st and 2nd Battalions, including active service
in South Africa 1899-1902 where he was wounded at
Spion Kop.
Captain Alfred Dykes in 1901 photographed in Dundee,
South Africa.
Accession Number KO2654/052
Colonel Dykes took command of the 1st Battalion, King's Own Royal
Lancaster Regiment, in 1913 and it was he who led them to France on 23rd
August 1914 - he was killed at Le Cateau three days later as the German
army advanced into France.
The archive was purchased at auction in December 2006 and includes
family letters, photographs and other items of interest.
Photograph showing the 2nd
Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment crossing the Zand Spruit at
low water between Dundee and De Jagers Drift. Alfred Dykes is
standing next to the horse on the river bank.
Accession Number KO2654/056
As the First
World War started, Alfred Dykes wrote to his mother on 5th August 1914:
“I was fully convinced
that unless we, as a nation, were to sacrifice our honour, we were bound
to go to war. First, in accordance with our most solemn obligations to
France and Belgium. Secondly, to preserve our existence as a Nation and
an Empire. Consequently without waiting for orders, I got to work at once
on the great work of mobilisation, last Monday morning. I am now
thankful; for though we are terribly busy, a great deal was done before
the order arrived yesterday at 5 O’clock. We are now more than a day
ahead of our programme and have saved a great deal of rush. ….we are
awaiting the arrival of reservists, who will be pouring in tomorrow and
subsequent days. My battalion will then be 31 officers and 1037 other
ranks. [Battalion Orders of 4 Aug 1914 listed peace time strength of
631].
One thing only I do ask
you and that is to accept the news and whatever comes of it, with the calm
strength and bravery which you have always shown in times of stress. We
are all happy and full of confidence and I think that rarely never did war
begin in a more thoroughly just cause.
You used to think me
cynical, I think, in our Billiard Room War Councils when I used to air my
views on the value of German Treaties, Vows and Protestations. There is
no need to ‘crow’! The truth of all I said stands self evident today. On
the heads of the German and Austrian Emperors, who have plotted and
planned all this, for years, while professing peace…..”
Accession Number
KO2654/036
The last letter
from Dykes to his wife, written on board the S S Saturnia on board which
the 1st Battalion travelled to France on 23rd August 1914.
Accession Number KO2654/040
Telegram from Buckingham Palace, dated 4th September 1914 to Mrs Dykes,
Broomfield Hotel, Malvern. “The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you
and the Army have sustained by the death of your husband in the Service of
his Country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow,
Private Secretary”
Accession Number KO2654/042
