ONE-LEGGED MAN'S CALL - Liverpool Echo 22/08/1916

AN OLD SOLDIER MEMBER OF A FIGHTING FAMILY

On the principle that it is better to rope in a few unfit men than to miss many who are fit for the Army, the military authorities occasionally have amusing experiences.

For instance, a man with only one leg would not be a star artiste in the fighting forces, but John Duffin, Yuca-Square, Whitefield-road, Liverpool, who suffer from this disability, has received notice to appear for medical examination.

Duffin is an old soldier, having been in the army from 1897 to 1905. He held the rank of corporal in a battalion of the King's Regiment, and saw considerable fighting during the South African war. On leaving the ARmy he was employed on a steam trawler, and four years ago, while fishing in the North Sea, he had the misfortune to meet with an accident which deprived him of his left leg.

Five of his brothers are now with the colours and a sixth expects to be called up at any time. Another brother, who was in the Territorials, was killed in a mill explosion in Liverpool some years ago.