FROM the Archive this week features a photograph of the Shipping Offices in Barry Dock.

On August 1916 a forces recruitment meeting was held outside the Shipping Offices in the town.

Two hundred men were addressed by representatives of the armed forces and sailors unions.

Captain Tupper was specifically asking for black sailors to volunteer to join the Royal Engineers Inland Water Transport section founded in 1915.

Their job was to operate barges in France or Mesopotamia to move war materials or barge hospitals.

At the end of the meeting a dozen black men from Barry came forward to volunteer described as "strong and determined and of the right age".

The Barry & District News would like to thank Cllr Shirley Hodges for the photograph and information.

If you have an old Barry photograph and would like to see included, with information about what it depicts, email sha@barryanddistrictnews.co.uk