Seated on gun: Gunner F Ray, R.F.A.
Back row (left to right):
Pte
L Coppin, Royal Irish Rgt. (killed), Pte J H Ozard,
R.A.M.C., Gunner W Norman, R.F.A., H Herring, Royal
Navy, Pte
Burridge, Post Office Rifles (killed), W Martin.
Front row:
Bombardier A Brett, R.F.A., Cpl. C Barnes, Col-Sgt.
J McNally, K.O.L.Y.I., Cpl. S Collings, Bombardier A
W Ozard, R.F.A.
During the early part of 1907 the Postal
Telegraph Boys were required to do a certain amount
of infantry squad drill, which too place at the Town
Arsenal under Colour Sgt. J McNally, of the permanent
Staff of the 1st R.G.L.I. (M), who remained their instructor
until the time of his discharge from the Army in May
1909. The photograph above was taken after the lads
had been "drilled into shape".
Of the eleven lads seen in the photograph, nine
joined the Army and one the Navy, the remaining
lad, Cpl. Barnes still being in the employ of the
G.P.O. Two of the lads - Pte Coppin and Pte Barnes
have made the supreme sacrifice. The group is remarkable
in that so many of the lads look up arms for their
King and Country, doubtless influenced by the preliminary
drills when telegraphe messengers.
We understand that the telegraph messengers
still do drillls, but the group seen above was the
first squad formed in Guernsey.
This photograph must have been taken
between early 1907 and May 1909.
Courtesy of the Guernsey
Press (1917) and Priaux Library
