Attending the Remembrance Service last Sunday in the Guildhall Square, I was reminded of a series of Salisbury Journal ‘Special War Edition’ daily newssheets that had been printed on the outbreak of WW1.

The need was for men – and Mr Locker Lampson, MP for Salisbury, advertised in the Journal that he would seek recruits at a meeting at the Council Chamber.

It was early days, but the thoughts of things to come had not escaped the minds of Salisbury citizens.

The Journal reported that a special meeting of the Salisbury Board of Guardians had approved, by a huge vote, proposals to utilize the infirmary of the Salisbury Union as a base hospital for the wounded.

In a later war special it was reported that Mr Locker Lampson had obtained 70 volunteers at a meeting in the Council Chamber – two for the Navy and the remainder for the Army – after a stirring appeal to the young men of Salisbury to loyally respond to the call by Lord Kitchener for a second army of 100,000 men.

The machine guns in France had barely started to chatter when the Red Cross and other organizations in Salisbury responded to Queen Mary’s appeal for garments and equipment for hospitals.

The Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce appealed to shoppers to pay cash for their goods and to “liquidate all accounts due previous to the outbreak of war.” The Chamber warned: “Many businesses are suffering from stagnation in trade and, if the war be prolonged, some may have to reduce their staff unless the public help by cash payments.”

Oblivious of the spirit of war, the Aberdeen Line advertised boat trips to Australia via the Cape (first class £45, third class from £18).

Beneath this invitation to the sun, C Moody and sons, furniture removers, of Fisherton Street, advertised: “Officers baggage and furniture stored and moderate charges.”