Would you have welcomed an Aussie to your home in 1918?

Would you have welcomed an Aussie to your home in 1918? When the war broke out in 1914, the echoes carried to all corners of the British Empire, and the call brought forth an extraordinary display of solidarity. Soldiers from as far away as Canada, New Zealand and Australia signed up to help in the war effort having been brought up with a strong sense of loyalty and obligation to the Empire. Of course fighting so far way from home, meant that soldiers who were lucky enough to get some…

Why do the British love to Queue?

I really like this advertisement to encourage people to queue in an orderly fashion for the trains and buses. It is no wonder that the Brits are know for being such great ‘queuers’, it seems our grandparents and great-grandparents have been conditioned to do so after adverts like this appearing in local newspapers. Though, these days, at times, we do like to break the queue, especially in the rush hour and at the supermarket check out (more difficult). [su_row][su_column size=”2/3″]Pass Down the Platform There are four, five, or six cars…

Conscription Introduced

Conscription Introduced Within a year of Great Britain declaring war on Germany in August 1914, it had became obvious that more recruits were needed as volunteer numbers began dwindling. The government saw no alternative but to increase numbers by conscription – making active service compulsory. In January 1916 the Military Service Act was passed, imposing conscription on all men aged between 18 and 41 years old. Exemption were given to those who were medically unfit, clergymen, teachers and certain classes of industrial worker.  It also included Conscientious Objectors (men who objected to…

Excitement at Naval Balloon

  Some excitement was caused on Saturday afternoon last, when a Naval balloon with one occupant made a descent in a field at Woollett Hall Farm, North Cray. The pilot found many willing hands, and the balloon was soon packed up and taken to Bexley Station.   Unfortunately this little item does not describe the balloon.  However, this rounded British observation balloon from 1908, was typical of pre-WWI observation balloons.   Extract from the Bromley & District Times, 21st September 1917, pg 5   A different type of air balloon…