Keighley's Old Contemptibles -

Keighley Branch of the Old Contemptibles’ Association:

A rectangular flag with gold tassels around three sides. The flag is coloured red/white and blu with the colours washing into each other. In the centre is the emblem of the Old Contemptibles Association which is round with two crossed swords and a motto across the front. The words read: 'Old Contemptibles' Ass'n' and '1914. Aug 5 to Nov 22.' On the flag above this are the words 'God King Country' and at the bottom is a scroll with the words 'Keighley Branch.' At top left is the brass finial with the OCA badge on top of the flagpole. — The Keighley Branch Old Contemptibles’ Association standard – after the conservation work in 2014.

In 1925 the Old Contemptibles’ Association was created by Captain John Patrick Danny and many of the men joined what would become hundreds of branches all over the country and overseas. All prospective members had to have possession of the 1914 Star with Clasp and were required to prove their entitlement to this medal with the clasp on the ribbon, and a small rose when just wearing the medal ribbons alone. This information appeared on their individual medal card and the medal rolls, which list the names of all the men who were entitled to wear this award.
On being accepted they would (eventually) be presented with an Old Contemptibles’ Association badge which was individually numbered and records were kept of their issue. The badges remained the property of the Association and were supposed to be returned if a man left.

A white paper membership application form with printed text on it referring to the Old Contemptibles' Association, deatils such as name, address, rank, regiment and number, plus proof of eligibility for the 1914 Star with clasp and rose. — A blank version of the Old Contemptibles’ Association membership form.

‘A Contemptible little Army…’

The British Expeditionary Force who went out at the start of the war had been referred to as a ‘Contemptible Little Army’ in newspapers of the day, although the precise origin of this disparaging name is unclear. It was attributed to the Kaiser but he apparently refuted this after the war and it may have even been propaganda by our own side to make people indignant enough to join the war effort.
However, these early British Expeditionary Force men who fought at the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, Marne and Aisne in the early days of the Great War, later took up the name of ‘The Old Contemptibles’ as a badge of honour.

Branch formed in 1938:

A group photo of 40 men in front of a wooden pavilion. They are in four rows with the fifth row of three men with a flag on a pole. C.1938. — Keighley branch of the Old Contemptibles’ Association in 1938.

The Keighley Branch of the Old Contemptibles’ Association was formed in 1938 and the group contained a large membership of local men who were in the war theatre between August 5th and November 22nd, 1914.

The last three active members of the branch laid up their flag in St. Andrew’s Parish Church in Keighley. In 2012 it was discovered leaning up in a storage area having been removed from the wall for redecorating. The standard was rescued by Men of Worth Project Director Ian Walkden and taken away for safe keeping. It was not in ideal condition having been pinned inside it’s oak and glass mounting case with four (now rusty) drawing pins. Eventually we had it assessed for it’s condition and it was deemed to be safe for display at a public event which took place in August 2014 by Keighley War Memorial when all the names of the members were read out.
It was paraded one final time in honour of all the men of the first British Expeditionary Force on Remembrance Day on Keighley on 9th November 2014, carried with great pride by former soldier Peter Karkoszka.
The standard was then taken away by Men of Worth Project members for conservation work (funded by Keighley Town Council) and after discussion with the church stewards, it was returned and mounted high up on the wall at St. Andrew’s Church in 2015, where we hope it will be left in peace for future generations to learn and enjoy.

We have been very kindly allowed to take copies of membership forms, supplied by the son of one of these men who kept the records and this has enabled us to create a list of names here. Any names with links will direct you link to a man’s separate biography page.

Name | OCA Badge no.

The book ‘Before We Fade’ by Andrew Thornton

This book contains a nominal roll of the Old Contemptibles’ Association members, complied and published by Andrew Thornton. We would like to recommend this definitive work to anyone who is interested in reading the stories of these brave men and the Association to which they belonged after the war. It contains all the names of the Keighley Branch members.

You can purchase this excellent book from Amazon here.