The endorsement of Bovril extended to Sir Ernest Shackleton's trans-Antarctic expedition commencing in August of 1914. Sales of Bovril increased exponentially in the following months. - Yr Herald Cymraeg [828] [361] 10th February 1914.
Now, please dwell upon Mr. George Wehrley's position facing this growing public animosity to those of German descent and to those whom may come under suspicion as spies. He had taken and published many photographs of ships and docking facilities at Penarth and he was of German descent with a German surname!
Another important factor was that the Port of Cardiff, of which Penarth was part, supplied 90% of the coal to the Navy Board by 1896 and the peak of exports at Penarth was yet to come during 1913. Hence, the Bristol Channel ports were a vital element of the Defence of the Realm.
The change in public attitude was surely quick and decisive ; George signed up to fight of his own free-will! Conscription was not introduced until June 1916 by which time George had been fighting in France for over year. I am unable to trace a formal surname change by Deed Poll.
