The men of Matlock's National Reserve, photographed in September 1914, who were going to Derby on the train to enlist^[1]. Amongst them was the web mistress's grandfather, John Clay; he was twenty five years old and married with three little children, all under five. He had joined the Derbyshire Yeomanry some six years before, together with his childhood friend William (Bill) Furniss^[2]. It meant that the two young men "were eligible to be posted to Cavalry Regiments^[3]". John and Bill, together with Harry Everett, joined the 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars.

Back Row, Left to Right:
-- | -- | -- [ was this Harry Everett?] | -- | Walter Richardson | John Clay | William Furniss

Front Row, Left to Right:
-- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Henry Clay (Hon. Sec. of Matlock's National Reserve)

Of the men identified above only John Clay became a Casualty of War. Bill Furniss was to lose a leg but returned to Matlock and had a garage and local bus service business for some years. Walter Richardson also survived and was described as "a dear man" by my late father^[1].

Ten of the eighteen members of the Matlock branch who presented themselves at Derby Drill Hall were selected and paid their bounty of £1. They were:
J. Boswell, J. H. Brownson, Arthur Francis Clay, John Clay, Harry Everitt, William Henry Furniss, F. G. Gibbs, A. H. Holland, J. T. Rouse, Francis White^[4].

Three were rejected because of their eyesight including Mr. Richard Taylor, Clerk of Matlock Council, who was said to be keely disappointed^[4]. He was possibly the gentleman on the right standing next to Henry Clay.

Posted in Matlock on 8 September 1914.
The card was posted at 8.30 p.m. on the same day it was published and sent to the family home on Derby Road, Matlock Bath.
The sender, Henry Clay, was my grandfather's uncle.

Matlock & Matlock Bath Miscellany: National Reserve, Matlock Branch has some background information (scroll down)

There are similar images in The Vernon Lamb Archive, A Unique Photographic Record of Matlock and District, 1910-1915, and World War One Soldiers. See the Section on WW1 Recruits

VLA4894

VLA5068

Also see Empire Day, 1914

References:

^[1] A report of this event appeared in "The Derbyshire Times" on 19 Sept 1914 - "VETERANS READY" - that said that of the eighteen men who were selected, ten were accepted and paid a bounty of £10. They were accompanied to Derby by Captain Arkwright and Quartermaster H. Clay. They returned home, to be paid 3s. a day until called upon.

^[2] Information from his son, Mr. Frank Clay, who also provided the names.

^[3] Beresford, Charles (2007) "The Bath at War, A Derbyshire Community and the Great War". Country Books/Ashridge Press. ISBN 978 1 901214 91 8

^[4] "Belper News", 18 September 1914. Veterans Ready. Ten selected from Matlock.