The Pow-Wow as defined by its creators was The Unofficial Journal of the Universities and Public Schools (U.P.S.) Brigade (118th and later 98th). The intention was both to chronicle training in Epsom, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Woodcote, Clipstone and Tidworth and to amuse “two or three thousand members of the Brigade for a few minutes each Friday”. Noel Downing treasured a complete set of 38 numbers issued from 18 Nov 1914 to 3 Sep 1915.
The volume cover (fragment) by H.C. Mumby. The Pow-Wow, the Unofficial Journal of the U.P.S. Brigade, 1915
The editor was Pte C. Hurry (“C.H”), 20th Battalion. Other contributors included:
- Writers – Clark, Fyfe, G.M. Green (“Twopence”), D.L. Perry (“El Sind”), Raymond Walter (“Raya”), Hume (“Chloe” and “Sinbad the Sailor”), Clements (“Bow-Wow”)
- Artists – C.E. Cundall, E. Stoney, H.C. Mumby
“How it’s done. The Editor as our Artist sees him” by C.E. Cundall. The Pow-Wow, the Unofficial Journal of the U.P.S. Brigade, No. 10, 5 Feb 1915
The journal was very popular among fellow servicemen. To satisfy the demand in back numbers the 1st Bound Volume was made available in Mar 1915. However with more and more people departing with commissions and the Battalions being relocated, the publication of new numbers stopped after less than a year. The 2nd Bound Volume was printed in Sep 1915, the concluding words from the editor were:
…”When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire take down this book,”the memories that it will arouse will not be only of dreary days, of interminable fatigues; for in spite of everything, was there ever such a gallant Company?
Noel was lucky to be able to do so.
Noel Downing with his grandson Jonathan, The Cottage, Upton, Hampshire, Christmas 1964
Sources
- The Pow-Wow: Volume 1, nos. 1-20, 18 Nov 1914 – 16 Apr 1915, Birch and Whittington, Printers and Publishers, Epsom, Surrey, 1915
- The Pow-Wow: Volume 2, nos. 21-38, 23 Apr 1915 -3 Sep 1915, Birch and Whittington, Printers and Publishers, Epsom, Surrey, 1915
- The Gasper*: No. 3, 24 Sep 1915, William E. Bennett, Salisbury, 1915
*) The Gasper: The Unofficial Organ of the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers succeeded The Pow-Wow. Its 21 numbers were published in Tidworth from 1 Sep 1915 to 30 Sep 1916. The editor was Pte G.M. Green, 19th Battalion.