Month: February 2024

WPFC – First Action (of a sort)

Chief-Superintendent Ronald Bigsworth-Hill, commander of the WPFC, was erupting with impatience to try out his unit now that it was fully equipped and had undergone at least basic training. Chief Constable Brock had confirmed Ronald’s rank (officially, he’d been Acting Chief Superintendent up until now) which served to increase Ronald’s determination to get his men into action.

It was at this time that Chief Constable Brock was contacted by Sir Rufus Pitt-Bulstrode, Lord Lieutenant of the neighbouring county of Borsetshire. The county was under threat from a loose alliance of revolutionary groups that were massing on its northern border. Having largely escaped the ravages of the Civil War, Borsetshire now appeared to be on the brink of invasion and it had to be admitted, it was seriously unprepared. Sir Rufus was acquainted with Brock and they shared a tenuous family link so it was no surprise that he turned to Brock for assistance. He’d heard of the WPFC and was aware that Brock intended it for use anywhere it was needed, not just in Wiltshire. Brock agreed to send a detachment comprising the best trained elements of the Column. 

Sir Rufus with Wrench, his butler in the cosy comfort of the butler’s pantry. They are discussing the arrangements for upcoming visit of Chief Superintendent Bigsworth-Hill. Esmeralda Golightly VII, one of Sir Rufus’ Afghan hound is with them

Encouraged by this, Pitt-Bulstrode set about organising some Borsetshire units. He also contacted his cousin, Sir Gilbert Hill. Hill lead a well trained company of volunteers who had seen service defending Herefordshire’s Golden Valley. They had subdued all local attempts to wrest control of the valley from Sir Gilbert and so he was able to second some of them to assist Sir Rufus. Sir Gilbert is also the uncle of Chief-Superintendent Bigsworth-Hill.

Reinforcements from Sir Gilbert Hill. Lead by Freddie, Sir Rufus’ son who has been helping Sir Gilbert, they comprise some much-needed support weapons including the famous steam armoured car, the POUM mortar crew, Mad Wullie McSpaniel the tank hunter and Nanny Pankhurst, the grenadier

The Chief-Superintendent was delighted by news of action for his command and within hours of the co-operation deal being finalised, he set off for Borsetshire in his new scout car with Sergeant Ted Mundy driving. The detachment was due to follow within 48 hours but Ronald wanted to meet Sir Rufus as soon as he could and discuss how best to proceed with their unified force. 

“The Chief” approaches Much-Rampling manor for his meeting with Sir Rufus
Sir Rufus may have been slightly anxious for the safety of his gateposts as “The Chief’s” armoured car bore down upon them. However the driver, Sergeant Ted Mundy, swept safely through with some aplomb

They met at Sir Rufus’ country house and, after meeting Lady Pitt-Bulstrode and the five Pitt-Bulstrode daughters, the two leaders got down to serious talks. 

Sir Rufus and his wife, Lady Ferocity, greet “The Chief”. With them is their second daughter, Lady Recreation Pitt-Bulstrode, her mother is keen for her to meet the dashing Chief-Superintendent. There are 5 daughters altogether but the eldest, Lady Anticipation, has no interest in meeting eligible young men – she prefers horses, dogs and slaughtering wildlife

It soon became clear that neither were completely happy with the standard of training their men had had or, indeed, their own preparedness for command. Neither had commanded more than a section of about ten men. The way forward occurred to both of them almost simultaneously. “Let’s organise a field exercise – your lot against mine” said Ronald “Do you know, I was thinking along the same lines myself” retorted Pitt-Bulstrode. Once that decision was made, organising the event was completed in a matter of days. “We’ll stage it in the Ambridge area,” decided Sir Rufus “There’s some unruly elements in that part who have caused me some trouble recently  so a show of force there would be very useful.” The two men quickly agreed on what units could take part and Sir Rufus supplied the necessary maps and a day was set for the action to take place, a week hence. 

The crucial meeting between Sir Rufus, “The Chief” and the Bishop of Felpersham, the Right Reverend Chauncey Lancelot

It so happened that the Bishop of Felpersham was at The Manor on other business and, as an ex-Colonel in the Royal Marines, he was delighted to accept the rôle of adjudicator. “If there’s one man from Borsetshire we can trust to be neutral, it’s got to be the Bishop,” joked the Chief Superintendent, slapping the worthy prelate on the back.

A scenario was devised based on the premise that the Crown Jewels had been spirited out of London and hidden in the Ambridge area of Borsetshire. The object of the exercise was to secure the three farms in the exercise area. As soon as he got back to his palace, the bishop began deciding the details of the exercise.