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On the fringes of the village of Sledmere House you will find a unique memorial dedicated to the memory of a skill unique to the Yorkshire Wolds. It tells the story of pole wagon drivers that signed up to the Wagoner’s Special Reserve, a company formed for the War office by Sir Mark Sykes of Sledmere, who believed their talents were perfect for overcoming front line logistical problems he had experienced first-hand during the Boer War.

Once World War One had been declared, Wagoner’s became part of the Army Service Corps often working with horses not used to the battlefield. Some returned to East Yorkshire, but many didn’t, and Sir Mark was keen to create a memorial specific to their services.

The monument features the story of their time leaving home and fighting the enemy in France, based on hand drawn designs from Sir Mark himself. The memorial was eventually unveiled in September 1920.

Location: Sledmere, East Yorkshire YO25 3XG
Image shows unveiling of the memorial monument, courtesy of Wagoners’ Special Reserve Museum