When the First World War started in nineteen fourteen, Brown's were ordered by the British Government to give priority to their orders for spades and shovels for the army - mainly trenching tools. Thousands of tools were manufactured during the war years and because coal was also required , scuttle manufacture was also a necessity. Long hours were worked by all.The war took a turn for the worse and the British Government introduced conscription, but men who worked in munitions or entanglements such as Brown's workers were all 'badged'. A badge was issued by the War Office for reserved occupation workers to wear on their jacket. However reserved workers could still volunteer if they so wanted and one of the Brown family, Toms son, Clifford (my Grandfather), did. Unfortunately he was captured by the German army and put to work in a German mine until the end of the war.

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