To commemorate the start of the 1st World War, Old Shildon Homing Society liberated their birds in Ypres, Belgium, on Wednesday 23rd July, 324 miles from Shildon. The 1st & 2nd bird back home belonged to Smith, Alderson & Spark, 3rd 5th & 6th M M Peacock & T & J Brown, and 4th was Thompson & Wilkinson.

Three days later on Saturday 26th July, it was the maiden flight of the young birds, who were released at 8.15am in Wakefield, 67 miles away. The first bird home arrived in Shildon 1 hour and 23 minutes later. The first 5 birds back home all belonged to J B Younghusband with M M Peacock & T & J Brown placing 6th.