JUST days after the start of the First World War, public houses in Southampton were forced to close earlier by order of the local military commander.

At the Southampton Borough Police Court the mayor, Alderman W.

Bagshaw, announced that at the request of the military commandant of the town all licensed houses would close at 10pm until further notice.

Over on the Isle of Wight local magistrates also ordered that pubs should not open until 9am and then close at 9pm.

Southampton people were also banned from certain parts of the Common where the army had set up camp.

“For various reasons, some of which need not be specified in detail, it is proposed for the time being to close the Common to the public on the west side of the Avenue,” said the Hampshire Independent, a forerunner of the Echo.

“Owing to the large numbers who have been attracted to that part of the Common by the presence of the troops, the work of the military authorities has to some extent been impeded.

“Moreover, it is pointed out that there is risk from runaway horses and other dangers of such a character rendering a camp in war an unsuitable playground for women and children.

“When circumstances permit an effort will be made to lessen the area necessary for the use of the camps, so that people of Southampton shall not be deprived of their playground for too long.”