Thomas Attrill, aged 19, was working in Brighstone on his uncle's farm Wates Court. Thomas was a volunteer in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Yeomanry, a mounted Regiment. On the 5th of August 1914 (the day after War was declared) he received a telegram instructing him to report to Ryde Esplanade with his horse. He and other Island volunteers were towed in barges over to Portsmouth to join their mainland based squadron.