The photograph below was taken in August 1942 and shows members of a platoon which comprised exclusively or mainly local L.M.S. and G.W.R. employees. (The majority of its members were G.W.R. staff from Wellington but L.M.S. stations such as Trench and Hadley also contributed to the unit). The location is unknown but is almost certainly in the immediate vicinity of Wellington. Visitors to the site who know the town may recognise the distinctive building in the distance on the left of the main picture and repeated here. Was it Apley Castle?      

We are indebted to Mr. Arthur Hounslow (originally of Hadley and now of Admaston, Shropshire), an ex-member of the unit, for providing the photograph and some of the names; and to Mr. Colin Anderson for providing many others. (Colin was formerly of Ketley Bank and Haygate Road, Wellington, and is now a resident of Codsall, Staffordshire; his father-in-law was the late Robert Morgan who appears in the photograph).

We should welcome further identification and any other information, including the location.    

Webmaster.....8th August 2005