EARLY in the Great War, Britain welcomed an influx of refugees from occupied Belgium. This was the first contingent to arrive at Cross Hills in October, 1914.

The trustees of the Ebenezer Sunday School made their premises available for their accommodation, although by the following week, when a second group arrived, they had all been given houses.

Far from being a random collection, some Belgians had been deliberately got away ahead of the German advance because they could have information useful to an enemy.

This group included a lady telegraph operator and a signaller from the evacuated forts at Antwerp.

The photograph has been supplied by Kevin Seaton, of Bradford Road, Riddlesden.