THE DIARY OF WILLIAM SELLERS

1,914
August 4^th. Flour 3/6 per stone.
5^th. The control of the railways has been taken over by the government. England & Germany have declared war on each other.
6^th. Waggoners special reserve of transport drivers called up. Some lads from Speeton & district left today for Bradford Farms are left with one or two yearly servants in odd cases all the lads have gone. Wagons & horses have also been commandeered. Three horses have been taken from Charleston.
7^th. The last of the men in the waggoners reserve have left today. The government horse buyers have been today. A pair of Bay mares were taken from Butterworth’s. A pair of four year old’s were also taken from North dale. An order arrived at Burdass’s after midnight for a farm wagon to be sent off at once. Six or eight horses have been taken from some of the big wold farms. 35 men have gone from Rudston.
10^th. Government Biplanes pass over or near the village daily.
35 horses have been taken from Robinson’s Livery Stables, Scarboro. Flour is down to 1/9 per stone. The government has arranged with the large dealers that the price of food is to be kept as low as possible. Gov. officials & trade representatives meet every three days to fix these prices.
13^th. The railways are kept open night & day.
14^th. All the farms in the village have started harvest.
A farmer at Flambro is going to thrash new corn tomorrow, 15^th
17^th. Reports coming to hand state that entrenchments have been made along the coast from Brid to Hornsea,
also that they are to be made near Hunmanby Gap.
This week a notice has been posted today stating that no one is to walk along the cliffs between the hours of 9 pm & 6 am.
Very little news of the war is coming through at present.
24^th. Heavy thunderstorm. 26^th. Rainy day, harvesting all stopped.