6/11/1914 Supernumerary Company formed to guard railways It was announced in the Bromsgrove that a Railway Protection Company was to be formed by the Worcestershire Territorial Assocation. Those ex-members of the Regular Army, Special Reserve, Militia, Yeomanry, Territorials and Volunteers who were too old for conventional war service were encouraged to join eligible. They were promised army rates of pay. The formation of this company was of particular interest in Bromsgrove where the Midland Railway Wagon Works and other railway infrastructure was located. The second photograph shows boy scouts guarding a railway tunnel near Swindon in August 1914, perhaps demonstrating the need to call upon experienced men to take their place! Among those to answer the call one hundred years ago today were Francis Warring, husband of Lily Warring of Old Rectory Lane, Alvechurch. He was a 42 year-old brick layer and was discharged through sickness in March 1916 having only served at home guarding railway installaions. It was a similar story for Harry John Annis who also responded to this call for older men. He was born in Pershore in 1864 and in 1911 was found by the census enumerator at 30 Lower Chestnut Street, Worcester. He was working as a blacksmiths striker in one of Worcesters ironworks in the St Pauls district. He married Clarissa Brookes at Pershore in 1883 and they had seven children (one of whom died in childhood). He was discharged with wounds aged 52 in 1916. Both men, over the age to fight answered the call for men and were entitled to wear the Silver War Badge for those honourably discharged from the service.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 17:59:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015