4″ day action crews fired at target towed by “New Zealand”. Firing poor, also fired 1″ aiming night firing (4:). On searchlights. Good
firing.

October 8th 1914

Ed. Note: While Frank was on the Lion today, Charlie Read, his younger brother, was racing out of Antwerp before the Germans took over the city. The story is here: The Siege of Antwerp 

Here is a postcard that Charlie sent to his parents soon after they arrived in Holland:

Charlie’s Postcard Back

Here is the transcription:

Have been through the siege of Antwerp (crossed out with another name above it ending in ‘enzer’ or ‘enzen’ and maybe starting with F) but am quite O.K. We were the last to leave the

home but we can’t say for certain. I will write again soon and let you have more positive news. 

Charlie’s Card Front

As it turned out, Charlie did not make it back to England. The non-neutral troops (both Belgian and British) were interned at Groningen for the duration of the war. Charlie did make home at least once on leave in 1917.