Skegness Magazine

Letter from Lord Kitchener to Skegness Lady

1915

Mrs Dutton of 45 Lumley Road, has during the last week or two been making strenuous efforts to obtain for Skegness the much-needed Easter and Whitsuntide excursion facilities.
She has addressed a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the President of the Board of Trade, and the Secretary of War. The former acknowledged the same, but passed on the letter to the Board of Trade.
The following are the respective replies of the Secretary of War (Lord Kitchener, right) and the Board of Trade:-

War Office
London SW
1st March, 1915
Madam  – I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 26th ultimo, addressed to Lord Kitchener, on the subject of Excursion trains to Skegness. I am to inform you in reply that the suspension of most of the Easter Excursion Traffic is entirely due to the congestion on the Railways due to abnormal naval and military demands, occasioned by the war, and it is evident that, while fully appreciating the hardships which may result in certain directions, it will not be possible to subordinate National requirements in the present emergency to individual interests.
Your letter has been forwarded to the Railway Executive Committee who will, doubtless, do everything that is possible to avoid unnecessary cancellations.
H O Bower
Director of Movements

Board of Trade (Railway Dept)
London SW
4th March, 1915
Madam – In reply to your letter of the 26th February respecting the withdr
awal of excursion facilities to Skegness, on the Great Northern Railway, I am directed by the Board of Trade to inform you that owing to the abnormal conditions of transport caused by the War, the Railway Executive Committee have found it necessary to withdraw many excursion facilities on the various Railways, and that places in all parts of the country have been treated on similar lines.
I am to add that the Skegness Urban District Council who have made representations to the Department in the matter have been informed to the above effect both by letter and at an interview at this office yesterday.
W F Marwood