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A recruitment parade in Corporation St

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Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

Hi Topsy,

An excellent photograph. Those poor chaps had no idea what they were letting themselves in for. My own father joined in 1914 and could well be in this photo. I wonder how many of them returned after the war. Fortunately my father did or I would not be here.

Old Boy
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

I Thought the same when i looked at the photo . Many of our relatives could have been amongst the crowd.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

I'm sure my g/father and 2 uncles could have been there to, luckily my g/father came home but my uncles did'nt...Brenda
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

Did you know there was a recrutement office in New Street during the first world war,I have a picture of the staff,not sure what year though
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

Well from a sample of one so far, it seems two thirds did not return. Of those that did come back, many would have been wounded and all would have been badly affected by the experience. I know my grandfather was.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

Rupert, my g/father was gassed and suffered the rest of his life having his first heart attack at aged 40 then had a another one 2 years later, so was'nt able to work after that...no pension in those days...also had an uncle who was wounded so bad that even though he was discharged, he did'nt last very long and died at a very young age....Brenda
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

My grandfather was also gassed and had a very poor outlook on life from then on. Also it occurs to me that there were few jobs available for returning soldiers. I seem to have read that somewhere.
Rupert.
 
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Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

Topsyturvey
Great picture. How proud these Kitchener's men look. Possibly a Birmingham Pals Battalion.

Tony
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

Well from a sample of one so far, it seems two thirds did not return. Of those that did come back, many would have been wounded and all would have been badly affected by the experience. I know my grandfather was.

As was my Grandfather. When he went off to war he was a silversmith, after the war, all he ever had were labouring jobs, his hands were no longer steady enough for silver work.

Barrie.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

My Great Uncle 11071 Pte Joseph Goldsbury South Staffordshire Regiment lies in Flanders Fields died October 26 th 1917. No Known Grave.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

The picture is that of the original volunteers of the 2nd Birmingham Battalion. They had their very first parade at Thorp Street Barracks where they were given their Birmingham Battalion buttonhole badge. Afterwards the battalion marched through Birmingham to St Martins for a Church Parade. This would have been a Sunday in September, 1914. The exact date escapes me for the moment.

The buttonhole badges were given to show that the men had enlisted and so not to be given a white feather by young ladies which was quite common during the opening weeks of WW1.

Terry
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

Maybe the thread starter or a moderator could revise the spelling of Corporation Street. It might not show up on a search. Yeah; the white feather would be recieved with a bit of a laugh these days. Might not arrive in time.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

I have corrected the title as you say Rupert a lot can be missed on Goggle by misspelling. Also this is why we like people to use the search before starting a new thread.
 
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Re: A recrutement parade in Corporation St

Must have been a cold September that year. There seems to have been a dusting of snow.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

Thanks for correcting my spelling mistake Wendy. I noticed a couple of little errors on your post lol.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corperation St

My grandfather was shot in the arm, the bullet went in one side and came out the other. He was not treated for three weeks, so the story goes, and the family blamed the lack of treatment for the way his hand was screwed up after that, preventing him from doing any more than a light job. The real reason his hand folded inwards was indeed the result of trauma, however, it looks to me like he probably had Dupuytrens disease. It is hereditory, and I also have Dupuytrens, but so far only the lumps in my hand and no contracture. He was shot and it was discovered, I just had a tiny operation to find out I had got it. I do not understand why he did not have an operation for his contracture, after all, surgery for this problem was available from 1831 onwards, but perhaps there were so many war casualties that there was simply no chance of corrective surgery. My grandfather was very bitter as a result of his injuries. He had a well paid job as a printer which he gave up just six months after getting married to join the war effort, and ended up having very little indeed. Hard not to be bitter in those circumstances I guess.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corporation St

Thank God for the "Cannon Fodder" without them, and this includes my young son, and his mates, we would never have anyone to defend our culture and realm, GOD BLESS EM , every one.
paul
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corporation St

I agree Paul, it takes a special kind of person to put your life on the line. Sad to say I am not one of them (too old now anyway), but I take my hat off to anyone who is courageous enough to join up.
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corporation St

Thank God for the "Cannon Fodder" without them, and this includes my young son, and his mates, we would never have anyone to defend our culture and realm, GOD BLESS EM , every one.
paul

I agree 100% Paul. What I was trying to say is... These Boys, and lasses now, get taken to the front line, they get killed and maimed. For what? to get thrown on the scrap heap. Any brave hero that fights for this county shouldn't want for nothing!

Sorry if I offended you
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corporation St

Dear Frothblower you could not possibly offend me or anyone else, I am sure. I was only passing my interpretation of armed conflict, any serving or served soldier will tell you only an idiot would not be frightened or intimidated by being included in action, but someone has to do it!! In a perfect world we would not need soldiers, airmen, or navy, unfortunately we live in an imperfect world. Happy New Year to you, your family, and all on the forum.
regards, paul
 
Re: A recrutement parade in Corporation St

On the occasions we have been at Wooton Basset, only a fool would mention "cannon fodder", Iit is the same at Shugborough Hall when they stage the Proms type of evening. It is all very nostalgic and moving because those who care understand that all those who died or were severely wounded did it, for us.
God Bless them, each and every one of them.
stitcher.
 
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Sorry have only been popping in and out of the forum over Christmas, asthma/chest infection making life difficult and my cousin and dear friend passed away at 7pm Christmas night so not in very festive mood.We knew it was going to happen but it doesn't make it any easier does it.

The above thread is Ok at present but with the content now becoming more about the present perhaps it will need watching.
 
I have been busy with family we had a house full yesterday over 30 people and we did curry and chilli it was great but very hard work. Later there was a problem with the electricity which has broken our Wii and sent the internet off until this morning. I have looked at this and corrected the miss spelled title. As you say Alberta one to be watched. I am so sorry to hear of the death of your friend I hope you can enjoy the memories you have.
 
Sorry to hear that you didn't have a very good Christmas; it's hard when people close to you pass away so close to Christmas.

With regard to the the thread, I agree Alberta. I thought it was all going to 'kick-off' yesterday, but somehow it pulled back from the edge. Certainly one to keep an eye on today I think.

[BTW, not connected to this, but I have spotted that there are now two threads on the library priority service. Spoken to John and I'll (attempt) to merge the two ]
 
Alberta, sorry to hear about your Christmas, it's difficult when something like that happens at a time when you should be enjoying yourself.
I saw the posts early this morning and was prepared to remove the irrelevant posts but was planning to discuss it with you first.

Colin
 
Re: A recruitment parade in Corporation St

Frothblower, you have insulted me three times and the last time I asked Postie to have a word with you, obviously to no avail. I did not specifically refer to you when I posted my last comment, it was merely a statement by which I stand rigidly. If you care to disprove the fact I have made you are welcome to attend the next re-patriation gathering at the new venue and tell people there about your Cannon Fodder theory. I dare you!!!!
 
It's kicking off now folk.

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk
 
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