Walter John McInnes joined up at Portsmouth on 11 August 1915 as a Private in the Army Service Corps, and was posted to Swaythling. On 5 June 1916 he received this Permanent Pass from "F" Squadron, and was married a few days later in Southampton. (With thanks to Ian Thirlwell.)

This photograph was taken looking east towards the buildings of Underwoods Farm, and was in the portion of the camp north of Bassett Green Road. Accommodation at the South Camp comprised both iron hutments and canvas tents.

"This took first prize at our Sports. Colonel Goad was the judge." - William Alfred Sharpe

This intriguing photograph shows the rose garden at K Squadron, at North Camp. The view is looking north, and North Stoneham House can just be seen at the centre of the picture. A photograph of Major Fisher was also taken at this location.

(click to enlarge)

In this ghostly 1915 photograph taken from the terrace of Stoneham Park House, the Depot's North Camp can be seen in the distance, beyond the golf course.

The photograph below was taken at the Remount Depot in 1915.

Ida Willis Fleming recalled: "Major Fisher was a gallant old man who was used to spending his winters on the Riviera as he was far from fit, so his war effort cost him much. Several of them from the Remount Depot used to come to lunch on Sundays. ... Major Fisher was a good judge of a horse and he usually got a good pair to drive himself; two spanking bay mares I remember. He got a phaeton from Bert Andrews in Southampton. He took me to Southampton sometimes and let me drive. Dad did not know and it was fun, but seldom possible."

The photograph below shows Major Fisher (right) at North Stoneham House with John E A Willis Fleming (center) and Ida Willis Fleming (left).

The accounts of the Fleming Estate show that in 1921, substantial compensation was received from the War Department: £11,500 (about £406,000 at 2007 prices).

Willis Fleming Historical Trust, WFHT 70

The Estate also received payment for materials removed from the site, for instance £300 for the sale of concrete to Osmond & Co.

Willis Fleming Historical Trust, WFHT 70

A small part of the compensation monies (£100) was donated to North Stoneham Church.

Willis Fleming Historical Trust, WFHT 63

Meanwhile the site of the Remount Depot still had to be returned to pasture. The tenant farmer Theodore Theoliphus Green was paid for undertaking this work - over several years. Harry Clifford, the Estate carter, was employed carting away the materials. This process wasn't completed until 1927, by which time Green and Clifford's costs to the Estate had amounted to £3875.

Willis Fleming Historical Trust, WFHT 63

Willis Fleming Historical Trust, WFHT 70

Harry Clifford's personal fieldbook for the years 1922-27 survives, and records the days spent at the vanishing camp, interspersed with other work on the Estate.

Willis Fleming Historical Trust, WFHT 84

In 1932, the site was used for the Royal Show, obliterating all traces of the Depot.

James Gunn at Swaythling. Photo courtesy of Barry Carpenter.

James Gunn was a local man, born in South Stoneham in 1867. Aged eighteen, he enlisted in 11th Prince Albert's Own Hussars in 1884, and went on to serve overseas in Africa, India, and Egypt. He was discharged from service in 1905.

On 7 September 1914, he re-enlisted in the Special Reserve of his old regiment, the 11th Hussars. By this time he was 47, married, and had a young family. In May 1915, he was posted to Swaythling Remount Depot, where he remained for the rest of the war, rising to the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major.

When James was demobilized in 1919, he was commended for the "good control of his men and thorough knowledge of the care and management of horses".

Photos and information courtesy of Barry Carpenter.