Patrick Grady

Royal Defence Corps had been created:

“To carry out duties connected with the local defence of the United Kingdom, including those hitherto performed by the Supernumerary Territorial Force Companies, as well as those allotted to the Observer Companies now in process of formation“. Army Council Instruction (ACI) 841 of 19 April 1916

The Royal Defence Corp was used to guard ports and other sensitive areas and also to provide Prisoner of War Camp guards. In April 1918 some 27,000 men were serving in the RDC. Of these, 14,000 were employed at prisoner of war camps.

The 251st Protection Company (RDC) fell under 'Southern Command' which covered Birmingham, so it is possible Patrick Grady served and died in his home town. He would have been thought too old to serve at the front.

Duties in Birmingham could have included guard duties in munitions factories and other locations, or Prisoner of War Guard, or possibly guarding Birmingham 'aliens' sent to WW1 internment camps.

People who were not UK nationals were treated with suspicion and forced. In Birmingham, more than 5,000 "aliens" were made to visit the Steelhouse Lane Police Station - they included Germans, Poles, Italians, Austrians and Russians.

French-born actress Sarah Bernhardt, who was in the city for two days to perform in a show at the Grand Theatre.

"Her entry is logged on 16 April 1916 and the police officer who recorded this wrote she was 5ft 4in, of medium build and minus her right leg," said Mr Cross.