On This Day, 29 August 1917

Birmingham Daily Gazette

Wednesday 29 August 1917

THE EMPIRE MEDAL

HONOUR FOR TWO BIRMINGHAM WORKERS

Two of the recipients of the medal of the Order of the British Empires are Messrs. William Rushton, of 186, Beaumont-road, Bournville, and Frank Osman, of 365, High-Street, Stirchley. Employed at a relatively small munitions factory, where in the early days of the factory’s endeavours to keep pace with orders almost insurmountable difficulties had to be encountered, they proved an immense source of strength to the management. Neither have lost half an hour, except through illness, since the war began. An average of 100 hours a week has been no uncommon experience for either of them.

Owing to the shortage of labour it was impossible to secure the installation of an important electrical plant last winter, and though Mr. Osman had previously had no knowledge of electrical engineering, he made himself thoroughly acquainted with the subject, and the plant and fixtures were soon satisfactorily installed.

When a Gazette representative saw Messrs. Rushtin and Osman all they would say was that what they had done thousands of other men had done also.