In Adlington, men who had been training in Ambulance work under Dr Rigby were among the first to take up duties, the Reservists leaving for Portsmouth before the actual declaration was made.
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 8 August 1914
About 7.30 on Monday morning 33 Royal Naval Sick Berth Reservists left Adlington for Portsmouth. Dr Rigby was present and addressed the men, and Corporal Leeming replied. The company were in charge of Superintendent E. Blackledge. The men making the journey were Superintendent E. Blackledge, Sergeant Winnard, Corporals J. Brindle and Leeming, and Privates J. Owen, Harry Cooper, Norman Cooper, H. Darbyshire, Fred Taylor, E. Ormesher, H. Dickinson, H. Hill, H. Hope, T. Makinson, J. Squires, H. English, J. Reynolds, L. Wooton, secretary, John Williams, Dobson, Shufflebottom, Critchley, Byers, Farnworth, John Parker, Fairclough, Monks, T. Lees, Reeves, Birchall, J. Taylor, Georgeson and Seddon. They had a very enthusiastic send off. A letter received by Dr Rigby yesterday (Friday) from Superintendent Blackledge said that the writer, presumably through the contingent having been almost the first to arrive, had been appointed a ward master at the Haslar Hospital, Gosport, and that he had charge of the drill of eight reserve ward masters and 20 of the rank and file. As they arrived at their destination on Monday they were continually “snap-shotted” and cheered. It may be mentioned that the order to mobilise was received in Adlington on Sunday during the absence of Superintendent Blackledge, but there was a quick response, and the party soon started on the journey.