On This Day, 8 April 1916

Birmingham Daily Gazette

Saturday 8 April 1916

THE WAITING WIVES.

FIRST BATCH OF BIRMINGHAM MARRIED MEN LEAVE.

Animated scenes were witnessed at the Birmingham recruiting offices yesterday when the first batch of married men, between the ages of 19 and 25 years, presented themselves and were posted to various training centres.
For hours wives and friends waited outside Curzon Hall and James Watt street, and as the men came out they were cheered and at the station, although there were some pathetic scenes, the men were given a hearty send-off.
About 100 men were summoned to report, and the majority turned up at the appointed hour. The men were of good physique, and the majority passed for general field service.
No further proclamation respecting this calling up of later groups has yet been received.