The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Grandfather (born 1894) as a soldier in WW1. He was in the BEF when he got married in 1918, my grandmother's occupation was listed as a Munitions Worker at that time.

After the war he was an inspector on the railways and worked a lot on the West Coast line...distant memories of being on the footplate with him as a toddler.

Just something different for today.

Well done that man :goodjob:

Alan

Thanks Alan - he died when I was quite young but I do remember him, and all those steam train rides as a toddler - and the Woodbine ciggies he smoked.

Xmas was great because we always got a REAL tree, plucked from some forest at the trackside, and the coal fire had the best wood from the tenders :lol:
Amazing how styles have changed in 96 years.

I still have the trench art he made when he was in France...perfect condition. It was always kept safe. He also made a cracking butchers knife - handle contains of bits from German planes that were shot down!!! I don't think he used it in fighting though - but it would have made a handy but fearsome weapon!

My Grandad ( Mums side) served in WW1, IIRC he served with 16th Battalion Rifle Brigade and was wounded by an artillery barrage but survived, he died when I was about 18months old so I don't remember him. The story I was told is he lied about his age and joined up at 16

My other granddad was refused in entry by the forces despite trying 3 times due to a supposed heart murmur, he became an ARP and saw London during the blitz.

Alan

Aye sterner stuff in some respects then - I was just thinking him this morning with it being Remembrance Day,wondering what was going through his mind at the time those photos were taken...and when he unhitched the wagon. "Burning wagon,... let me at it" typical Glaswegian :lol: .

Wondering if would be possible to find out where that actually happened?

Just remembered I have his dog tags and cap badge too

Great memories Chuck, thanks for sharing.

Cheers Bobbob thanks. He was quite a sportsman too, I think he took to do with the local rowing club,they did well.

Glasgow Printers Rowing Club (no idea of date,probably early 1950's. He'sthe old fella third in from left with the dark suit.

Chuck..

I notice that your Grandad is wearing a Glengary and as you said he was in the 16th Bat. Rifle Brigade. the citation for his act of bravery indicates that he was a Sapper (Royal Engineer) did he re-badge or was he infantry attached to the RE's? Was he an engine driver pre-war?

Jenks

No idea Jenks, wish I knew more.

He died when I was seven so that's a good while back. He could well have been in the railways then as my GREAT GRANDFATHER was a railway signalman. (AHHH memories now of being in a signal box and trying to pull the levers - or was I climbing up on them )

I do know from documents he was in the BEF when he got married on 28/02/1918. His dog tag says A&SH or Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as does the cap badge sititng in front of me right now.