LNER Route: Leicester to Marylebone

Rugby Central Station: gcrcs53

The start of World War One, or the 'Great War' as it was known up to 1939, saw a general mobilisation across the country. This view shows a Howitzer Battery being loaded at the GCR Rugby most probably at the Army Ordnance Depot at Barby. It was quite a large depot with extensive sidings operated by WD 0-6-0ST's in the World War Two. Other photographs are available showing similar actions at the same time at the LNWR goods yard. August 11th 1914

The flat wagons used allowed its ends to be dropped to bridge the gap between the wagons. It appears that the Howitzer Battery was loaded from the side of the wagon only just in view on the extreme right of the photograph as a ramp can be seen fixed at 90 degrees. This would also indicate that the cattle dock was used to manoeuvre the guns etc. on to the railway wagons.

The date given would indicate that the mobilisation was in hand prior to the commencement of hostilities on the 14th August. Some observers wonder if the date might be incorrect as there was a major mobilisation of troops in the area in 1915 prior to the Gallipoli campaign which utilised railway facilities across this part of the county.

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