So I returned home from Normandy to find my uncle had dropped off a box containing items in relation to his Grandfather, Percy, who served in the FWW. Percy told the family he had been shot this one time...
Serving in the Royal Fusiliers he survived the war. I sat down and began to work my way through the box and quickly see what I could ascertain before starting archive work. I photographed the items as I went...
Serving in the Royal Fusiliers he survived the war. I sat down and began to work my way through the box and quickly see what I could ascertain before starting archive work. I photographed the items as I went...
Serving in the Royal Fusiliers he survived the war. I sat down and began to work my way through the box and quickly see what I could ascertain before starting archive work. I photographed the items as I went...
Serving in the Royal Fusiliers he survived the war. I sat down and began to work my way through the box and quickly see what I could ascertain before starting archive work. I photographed the items as I went...
Serving in the Royal Fusiliers he survived the war. I sat down and began to work my way through the box and quickly see what I could ascertain before starting archive work. I photographed the items as I went...
One of the first photographs on top of the pile was this. It soon became apparent that he had been shot and he knew that he had been very lucky indeed. I believe this was taken in 1917, so 103 years later I recreated the photo.
The items remain in superb condition and clearly have not been handled much. The next hour I made my way though all the items and was fascinated. Percy had been shot and survived!
What I believe would have been a mirror used by Percy out in the field.
What I believe would have been a mirror used by Percy out in the field.
What I believe would have been a mirror used by Percy out in the field.
Cigarette case, which still opens despite the damage.
Cigarette case, which still opens despite the damage.
Cigarette case, which still opens despite the damage.
Cigarette case, which still opens despite the damage.
These two items, taking the force of the bullet and stopping it, highly likely saving Percy’s life or from being serverly wounded.
These two items, taking the force of the bullet and stopping it, highly likely saving Percy’s life or from being serverly wounded.
These two items, taking the force of the bullet and stopping it, highly likely saving Percy’s life or from being serverly wounded.
These two items, taking the force of the bullet and stopping it, highly likely saving Percy’s life or from being serverly wounded.
Percys Pay book...
Percys Pay book...
Percys Pay book...
Percys Pay book...
Percys Pay book...
The pay book taking some of the impact.
The pay book taking some of the impact.
The pay book taking some of the impact.
The pay book taking some of the impact.
The pay book taking some of the impact.
I wondered whether he should have had these in his possession?
I wondered whether he should have had these in his possession?
I wondered whether he should have had these in his possession?
I wondered whether he should have had these in his possession?
I wondered whether he should have had these in his possession?
Letters from a wounded friend, updating Percy on his progress back to England
Letters from a wounded friend, updating Percy on his progress back to England
Letters from a wounded friend, updating Percy on his progress back to England
Letters from a wounded friend, updating Percy on his progress back to England
Letters from a wounded friend, updating Percy on his progress back to England
A small material photograph wallet of which one is of Dolly, his sweet heart. There is a tiny photograph of an older lady and an infant.
A small material photograph wallet of which one is of Dolly, his sweet heart. There is a tiny photograph of an older lady and an infant.
A small material photograph wallet of which one is of Dolly, his sweet heart. There is a tiny photograph of an older lady and an infant.
A small material photograph wallet of which one is of Dolly, his sweet heart. There is a tiny photograph of an older lady and an infant.
A small material photograph wallet of which one is of Dolly, his sweet heart. There is a tiny photograph of an older lady and an infant.
A leather wallet which appears as though photographs and letters were stored in it.
A leather wallet which appears as though photographs and letters were stored in it.
A leather wallet which appears as though photographs and letters were stored in it.
A leather wallet which appears as though photographs and letters were stored in it.
A further two photographs (persons unknown to me) but the young man having his head hit by the bullet
A second leather pouch but this time with the details of another man written inside, possibly a friend. Did he buy it off him as he liked it or exchanged it for something he had?
National Health Insurance cards and stamps.
National Health Insurance cards and stamps.
National Health Insurance cards and stamps.
National Health Insurance cards and stamps.
National Health Insurance cards and stamps.
Dolly’s photograph looks to have taken some of the force of the bullet also.
Dolly’s photograph looks to have taken some of the force of the bullet also.
Dolly’s photograph looks to have taken some of the force of the bullet also.
Dolly’s photograph looks to have taken some of the force of the bullet also.
Dolly’s photograph looks to have taken some of the force of the bullet also.
Silk cards in very good condition along with a postcard to Dolly.
Silk cards in very good condition along with a postcard to Dolly.
Silk cards in very good condition along with a postcard to Dolly.
Silk cards in very good condition along with a postcard to Dolly.
Silk cards in very good condition along with a postcard to Dolly.
The final item is about the size of an A3 piece of paper. An Embroidered Royal Fusilier insignia in beautiful condition.
Such a wonderful collection to sit and look through, and Percy was clearly lucky when he was shot to be saved by a mirror and cigarette tin. Next step is to carry out some archive research. Any comments are welcome, especially on some of the paperwork I’ve photographed.
You can follow @BattlefieldBen.
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