News of War

It was the 2nd of August, 1914, when for the first time in our lives we all went for a Holiday together (except Herbert who had joined the regular army). We went by train to Barry to spend a week with Uncle Herbert and Aunt Nell and Aunt Annie. It was Saturday and we travelled by train and arrived in the early evening. We were all so excited. I don't remember what we did on Sunday. There was no Church organization in Barry, but on Monday morning Uncle Herbert took us down to the Barry docks.

He had been able to get permission to show us around and to let us board one of the big ships in the harbor. How surprised we were when we arrived at the docks to find soldiers and security guards everywhere. We weren't allowed to even enter the gates. We were told that England had declared war on Germany. We hurried back to Aunt Annie's. The newsboys were by then running through the streets shouting the news and selling papers like hot cakes. We were advised to hurry home as the trains would be taken over by the government to transport troops and supplies. We hurriedly packed our things and returned home.