The Great War

In 1914 news still took about three weeks to reach Tamba - Tamba from either Europe or the United States.
Clifton Gates officially received the news that Britain had declared war on Germany (4th August) on September 2nd.
An extraordinary meeting of the Council was held.
The possibility of Tamba- Tamba declaring war on Germany was discussed.
Sir Hugo Gates spoke of the strong ties that existed between Tamba-Tamba and the British Empire, even after 60 years of independence.
Clifton Gates pointed out that the United States was maintaining neutrality. He was increasingly enamoured with the USA. On a practical note, he pointed out that Germany was an emerging naval power and that a declaration of war might invite irresistable hostility from the Germans.
Leading citizen, Jeremiah Cox took the stance that Tamba- Tamba should not concern itself with power struggles in Europe. He accepted the concerns that the island was dependent on its trade links with Britain.
The following  resolutions were passed.

1. Tamba- Tamba would remain neutral.
2. The harbour at Palmerston would formally be placed at the disposal of the British Navy (Clifton Gates wrote to First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill to this effect, but no reply is recorded).
3. Any Tamba- Tambaman wishing to join the armed forces of the British Empire was free to do so.
4. Any Tamba- Tambaman wishing to join the armed forces of Germany, Austria- Hungary or their allies would be considered to have surrendered his citizenship of Tamba- Tamba.
5. A civil defence militia with the sole aim of repelling invasion would be formed. This would include a patrol boat which would cover the entire Hargreaves Archipelago.

 

Sir Hugo Gates (seated left) with a Militia patrol, 1915. Harry Roy stands directly behind him.

 Militia men at their post at Palmerston Quays, 1915.

The island did suffer some hardship in the early stages of the war as the regular shipping route to England was interrupted by German activity.
The Militia was operational from October 1914- December 1918.
The patrol sloop Brougham Kakoy  carried out almost continuous patrols of the archipelago for the duration of hostilities but never made contact with any enemy vessel.