The following information has been extracted from
page185 in Chapter 12 of my book,
"Peerless Powditch's", Vol 3, 'Norfolk Vacated' (1989)
- the Chapter of which is accessible on this website, by clicking
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Wells Urban Kendle Powditch Notes WW1
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Prior to 1914, Wells Urban Kendle Powditch had been a bandsman in the band of the
Royal Guernsey Militia. The Militia of Guernsey existed for at least 600 years, until its
demilitarization in 1940. Service In the Militia was part-time, although compulsory for
all male inhabitants on the island.
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Not provided with uniforms or equipment until the Napoleonic Wars, the Militia grew in
strength of numbers, until In the early 1800s over 3000 men were in its ranks - mostly
artillery.
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King William IV granted "Royal" status in 1831, and the force became the Royal
Guernsey Militia. Forty years later, the Militia was split into one artillery regiment, and
three infantry regiments.
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By the early 1900s, the Militia was comparable to the British Territorial Force. Service,
however, was compulsory between the age of 17 and 35 for all able-bodied men.
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At the outbreak of the First World War, Wells Urban Kendle was "called up", and served
as a Bombardier In the Field Artillery, seeing active service in France until his discharge.
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A Bombardier was equal to a Corporal, wore breeches and spurs, (as a photograph,
taken in August 1918, illustrates), and was in charge of a single horse, riding alongside
the gun-carriage.
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With its service in France, the Militia went overseas for the first time in its history.
In 1916, it was transformed into the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (R.G.L.I.), which also
included men from Alderney and Sark. In June 1917, the 1st Battalion R.G.L.I. sailed
first for England, and then to France. The battle honours of the R.G.L.I. record;-
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