On Remembrance Sunday we again remember all those who fought and served as well as those who did not return.
The North Eastern Railway sent 34% of men of military age went to fight - 18,339 in total, 2,236 killed (also NER men killed on duty at Whitby and Hartlepools, and others injured in Zeppelin raids).
NER raised an infantry battalion of men - the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers, as well as a reserve battalion the 32nd Battalion. The 17th served on the Western Front as a Pioneer unit, spending much of their time as dedicated railway troops constructing narrow and standard gauge lines.
Whilst on the home front women stepped into the posts left by men, such as Engine Cleaners, engineers and many others.
Thank you to Railway Historian Rob Langham for the information.
No comments:
Post a Comment