Memory Lane

IN the Worcestershire and the War section, more letters were published from local men at the front.
Private Westwood, of Bromsgrove, reported that they had lost a good many men so far, but the Germans had lost more.
Lieutenant Fyson of Elmley Lovett said he had, had a remarkable escape from being killed. He said he was shot by a bullet from a German rifle. The bullet had gone through his chest on one side, passing through the other quite near the surface. After medical treatment he expected to return to his regiment within three weeks.
Gunner Williams of Belbroughton, who was also wounded, reported he was in a convalescent camp but expected to be in the firing line again in a week or two.
He added that war is quite different to manoeuvres and target practise.

BROMSGROVE Court Leet had appointed Mr Morcom as the new bailiff.
Mr Morcom, having been invested with the chain of office and sworn in, said he thanked the court for the honour.
Mr J Wilson was appointed as the new reeve.

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions John Cook, of St John Street, was fined 2s 6d and 5s 6d costs for not sending his son regularly to school.
Mr Pritchard, the attendance officer, stated the boy attended only 139 times out of a possible 172.
The defendant argued the boy had been kept away because of his headaches.

THE latest war telegrams reported that the British troops were currently engaged along the Franco-Belgium border and along the Aisne.
There had been an advancement of considerable distance in some parts, and results had been described as “entirely satisfactory”.

50 years ago. October 23. 1964.

RUMOURS that the British Motor Company (BMC) hoped to use green belt land in Bromsgrove for another new factory were unfounded.
The strong rumours had gathered pace following a statement by George Harriman, BMC chairman, who said the success for the company had given them serious thought for an expansion.
However the Messenger reported that it was understood he was not referring to the green belt land for the expansion.

A STRONG smell from the Stoke Prior brush works company would soon be gone, it had been promised.
The stench arised from putrefaction of fragments of flesh adhering to pig bristles, brought to the local brush works from English abattoirs.
Mr Eveson, personnel director of the firm, promised that although it was being detected in a range of half a mile at times, there would be no smell within three months.

A WHITE police car travelling along Finstall Road towards Aston Fields had skidded on the bend near the railway bridge, ploughed through a wooden fence, and ended up in a garden of the Three Oaks property.
Mrs Gibson told the Messenger there had been many similar incidents, and at times their house was like a casualty clearing station.

25 years ago. October 26, 1989.

ANGRY residents were facing a bleak Christmas and three months of chaos while renovation work was carried out to their homes.
Families in Lyttleton Avenue, Charford, said they were having to live in atrocious conditions, after their plea to be rehoused was turned down.
Gordon Cooper, from Bromsgrove District Council, said he sympathised with the residents’ distress but it was not possible to rehouse them, or supply portable homes.

LYNNE Childs, who had given birth to triplets, had the surprise of her life as she was only expecting twins.
The 25-year-old Droitwich resident said the theatre at Ronkswood Hospital in Worcester had only been prepared for two babies and as the nurses were leaving the room, the doctor was amazed to see another pair of feet.

EXCITEMENT was building as Bromsgrove Rovers were just one game away from a coveted spot in the FA Cup first round.
Rovers had been drawn against VS Rugby for the fourth qualifying round tie, being held at the Victoria Ground that weekend.

Memory Lane is compiled from the papers dating back to the Messenger's first edition in 1860. The papers are free to view at Bromsgrove Library, in Stratford Road.

For more information call the library on 01905 822722.