Trench Railway - Somme

[johnphillips]

Good evening. I have just returned from another trip to the Somme battlefields and wonder if anyone has any information regarding a carriage plate I came across walking the fields around the village of Guillemont. I have attached a photograph of the item. I am aware that the company (Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon company Ltd) manufactured equipment for the battlefields (including the trench trains) during WW1 but i'd be interested if this plate could be recognised as the correct period - as well as any other information you may have!

Thanks,
John

[Paul D]

Can't see it being from anyhting other than the WW1 period John , a Trench railyway ran up one side of Trones Wood did you find it in that area ? about 10 years ago we fought quite a few bits relating to the trench railway in that area !!

cheers

Paul

[AMTG]

Didn't they also make Ambulances?? I saw a doco recently on WW1 Ambulances and I'm sure one of the manufacturers was a railway company

[jimpy]

Good evening. I have just returned from another trip to the Somme battlefields and wonder if anyone has any information regarding a carriage plate I came across walking the fields around the village of Guillemont. I have attached a photograph of the item. I am aware that the company (Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon company Ltd) manufactured equipment for the battlefields (including the trench trains) during WW1 but i'd be interested if this plate could be recognised as the correct period - as well as any other information you may have!

Thanks,
John

Silly question John (!), have you tried contacting the National Railway Museum archive people? I believe it is still based in York.

Nice find though, whatever the outcome.

Regards etc

Ian D

AKA: Jimpy

[DonB]

Hi John,

A very interesting find!

You could also try posting the photo over on the National Preservation Forum - There will probably be someone there who can ID it for you.

Cheers,

Don