world war one

Diary of events on active service. page 6.

. Lance Corporal Percival Fox 1895 - 1976, of the 53rd Royal Warwick regiment, Birmingham Battalion, was my grandfather. Born, the son of an ironmonger, in Langley a part of Brimingham known as the "Black Country" Percy joined up with his younger brother Jess to fight in the great war, he was 20 years old at the time. This is his war Diary, illustrated with photographs he took while on active duty on the front, firing line. These photographs have never been published before.

France. Communication trench. Howe killed in action Somme 1916, J Fox wounded 1918

29 th May 1916. Relieved by Bedfords in front line. Afternoon spent in St Nicholas. Marched to Agney 10:30 pm, rained all the way

30 th May 1916 Woke up at 2:30 pm went to bed again at 9 pm. Nothing doing

31 th May 1916 The Batt. parades to see Pte Hervy presented with military medal by Div. General.

1st June 1916. Went to pictures at Deusans saw Charlie Chaplin . KOS PO's win our football cup and have a merry time, finishing up with 3 clink

The 80 year old Diary, pencil on paper.

2nd June 1916. Bath Rose show

3rd June 1916. Boxing contest very hot

4th June 1916. Mothers and Fathers silver wedding. Started for trenches at 7:30 pm. On getting on to the St Poll rd, we find Fritz is very busy shelling our communications ,so we march in artillery formation. The KOSB's are infront of us, our Batt behind us , When we are 1 mile from dead mans corner the sky is lit up in one glow by Fritz blowing up 5 mines. Proceed by heavy bombardment. Our battery have been standing by expecting this to happen . ---- out and gave Fritz a terrible time . We are on dead mans corner now and are held up by the KOSBs forming up. An aeroplane, just through lights up, and we all take cover in a ditch, but Fritz is too quick and drops a shell right on the road, killing 2 horses and killing and wounding some 10 Scotties. This causes a bit of a panic as the transport horses and a team of gun horses take fright . Fritz drops another 6 shells , but we escape them . Woodward, and myself put wounded in French m--tor --aurses, We get to the dump in small parties after running through Arras a --ils St Nicholas. Get into trenches at 2 am , and find Fritz have made a bombing raid some 600 strong, but gets repulsed, plenty of dead coming down trenches also a few psi----s the second Batt lose some 100 men by the mines and attack.

5th June 1916 Strafing still going on. Norfolk Lewis gun team all killed by sausage

6th June 1916 Things not so bad to-day

7th June 1916 Went into firing line . Bedfords have had a hot time of it according to state of trenches.

9th June 1916. Trench h---tos strafe our people, send 2 for every 1 received

10 th June 1916 Strafe on the left, our sector quiet

11th June 1916 Quiet today

12th June 1916 Raining all day. Strafe Huns with M.G at night

13th June 1916 Raining artillery duals

14th June 1916 Weather improving, nothing doing.

15th June 1916 Relieved by Bedfords in firing line. I'm support in forest Redoubt

16 th June 1916. A--ei returns from hospital, went into St Nicholas to o-ahard for strawberries etc. Over the river.

17th June 1916. there is a great change now. Things are very quiet as Barvasions are relieved by the Saceons

18th June 1916 Went into Arras at night, by pass. Every thing is ready for an attack. The streets are all defended by barricades , and M.G emplacements. Bridge is ready for blowing up as a barrel of gunpowder is laid on.

Arras church 1916 C.Coy Lewis Team.

20th June 1916. Bedford relieved by Y.L.I. Firing at aeroplane. Bisehy pays a visit to our dug-out on the scrounge.

21st June 1916. Relieved at 12 midnight.

22nd June 1916. Started from Arras at 2 am, arrived Habasey 5 am. Bivoac in field for 4 hours, arrived Manning 11:30 am. Nice village

23rd June 1916. Cleaning guns , ammo etc.

24th June 1916. Raining passading m---er BSM 1st day of bombardment.

Arras front line France 1916 Shields, killed ,Arculus, killed. Howe, killed Fox, wounded.

25th June 1916. Lecture by Lt. Sayer on great advance which we have to take part in. which over 80,000 troops are to take part in. 2nd day of bombardment. .

26th June 1916. 3rd day of bombardment taking classes in stoppages . The whole Batt. go cable laying at night by motor vans to Whyley getting back at 6 next morning.

27th June 1916. Start for Dainville 18.5 kilos away, getting their at 2 am. All our big guns are in this village and things are very lively. 4th day of bombardment.

28th June 1916. Started out at 8 pm cable trench digging, get back at 4 am. Fritz shells billet, and we have to take shelter in cellar. 5th day of bombardment.

29th June 1916. Repost ,sick 1 day off duty, 2 days light duty. ----- trench digging. 6th day of bombardment.

30th June 1916. Went trench digging at 8 pm retd at 4 am. Fritz shells Dainville again, just missing our billet, but sooner than get up from bed take cover we treat him with contempt ,our guns are giving him a time. 7th day of bombardment.

MAIL

Paul Johnson 27th September 2014.