Image: West Bromwich Central metro.

The Metro tram stop at West Bromwich Central opened in 1999, running along the former line of the Great Western Railway, from Birmingham to Wolverhampton. Today, a bus station sits opposite, and the distictive ski-shaped roof of the modern Sandwell College stands where once were livestock yards awaiting transport. Here in 1914 was the site of West Bromwich railway station, from where troops of the Staffordshire regiment departed for active service.

They were seen off by bands playing patriotic tunes and Flossie the station dog, a pedigree collie who carried on her back a box bearing the name of the Great Western Railway Widows and Orphans’ Fund. Flossie was well known locally for her success in inviting passengers to extend their patronage to her box. A report in the local newspaper earlier that year said: “Flossie meets up and down trains from morning till night, and she always looks well groomed and in the best of condition. She crosses the line by means of the bridge, and her attention to the dining car trains is always very noticeable. Then she occasionally rides to Dudley and Birmingham, and is never neglectful of her duty, for even on board she visits the carriages on behalf of the Widows and Orphans’ Fund, and receives nothing but kindness from passengers.”

In August 1914, excursion trains were cancelled. No trains to Weymouth, Weston-super-Mare, Stourport, or Chepstow. Instead, troop transports come through the town. People gathered daily at the Post Office to hear the latest news. Prices went up immediately. Butter, bacon, flour and sugar were sought after by people, who besieged the grocer’s shops. The Mayor releases a letter asking people “not to do anything that will cause a feeling of panic either to themselves or their neighbour” and not to repeat rumours. One circulating is that a bomb was placed under Summit Bridge, with enough dynamite to blow up the whole town. He also orders people not to purchase and hoard more food than usual. “This is both unpatriotic and unwise,” he says. “Let West Bromwich show her patriotism by remaining calm and doing her duty.”